The National Distinguished Principals (NDP) Program was established
in 1984 as an annual event to honor exemplary elementary and middle
school principals who set the pace, character, and quality of the
education children receive during their early school years. The
program is sponsored by
MESPA and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), in
corporate sponsorship with VALIC. The program highlights the
fundamental importance of the school principal in achieving educational
excellence for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students. The
recognition afforded by the NDP designation instills pride in
principals' accomplishments and reinforces their continued leadership
in helping children develop a lifelong love of learning. One
principal is chosen annually from each of the 50 states and the
District of Columbia. Public school principals are nominated by peers
in their home states, and the final selection (based  | | Jon Millerhagen, 2012 Minnesota National Distinguished Principal. (To read about Jon Millerhagen and his principalship, click on his photo.) |
on applications
submitted by each nominee) are made by each state's NAESP affiliate.
(MESPA selects the Minnesota NDP.) NDP awards ceremonies take place in
Washington, D.C., each fall. The 2011 ceremonies area scheduled for October 20-21.
To read more about Minnesota's 2012 NDP Jon Millerhagen, click here.
The three finalists for the 2012 Minnesota NDP are:
- Mark French, principal of Rice Lake Elementary School in the Osseo
Public Schools (ISD #279);
- Mary Hanson, principal of Madelia Elementary
School, Madelia Public Schools (ISD #837); and
- Jon Millerhagen, principal of Washburn Elementary School, Bloomington Public Schools
(ISD #271).
MESPA is proud of all three individuals and wishes them the very best as they continue in their education administrator careers.
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