Steven Geis

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 U.S. Department of Education and National Association of Elementary School Principals jointly sponsor the program. It 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.

To nominate a fellow colleague, all you need to do is visit the MESPA Web at www.mespa.net, click on Honors and National Distinguished Principal. Print out a Nomination Form and have it submitted by January 3. Likewise please take a minute to read the prescribed criteria for NDP applicants, listed on page two of the Application Packet – found on the same Web page as the Nomination Form. Most importantly, they must be active principals, who are members of MESPA and NAESP.

A heart felt thank you to Stacy DeCorsey who was our 2009 NDP recipient. She truly did an outstanding job representing MESPA and principals around the state. Our 2010 NDP recipient is Sanford Nelson who was recognized in Washington, D.C., just a few weeks ago. He too will represent our association and fellow principals well.

NDP Review: Update

Jean Clark, the esteemed MESPA NAESP State Representative preceding me, initiated a review and evaluation of our NDP process, looking for potential enhancements to continue the quality of this prestigious honor. I am following through by convening an ad hoc NDP Process Committee and have called on MESPA divisions to each have one representative serve on the committee, which will also include a past recipient of the NDP honor. We will have monthly meetings by way of conference calls starting the last week of November. I appreciate all the principals who have already volunteered to serve on this committee and will be touching base with a few more division presidents to fill remaining committee positions. If you have any questions or have suggestions for the NDP process, please send them my way for the committee to discuss and consider.

Finally, please spread the honey and nominate a deserving principal to be recognized. It is my desire to have between eight to ten nominations for 2011 Minnesota NDP honor.