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 jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and
the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), in
corporate sponsorship with AIG Retirement. 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  | | Dr. Gail M. Swor, 2008 MESPA National Distinguished Principal. (To read about Dr. Swor and her principalship, click on her photo.) |
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 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 2008 ceremonies area scheduled for October 16-17. To read more about Minnesota's 2008 NDP Dr. Gail M. Swor, click here and visit the MESPA  | | 2008 National Distinguished Principal Dr. Gail Swor being honored in Washington D.C. |
Press Room. To share in the ideas, programs, and practices created and implemented by NDPs nationwide that have contributed to a positive school environment and helped raise student achievement, click here to visit the NAESP Web site.
The other two finalists for the 2008 Minnesota NDP were:
- Joan Steffes-Franks, principal at Armatage Community and Montessori School, Minneapolis
- Stacy De Corsey, principal at Jordan Elementary School, Jordan
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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