The NAESP National Distinguished Principal^® (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. 

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.

Eligible Candidates for the Award: Candidate must be an active member of MESPA and belong to NAESP (being in at least their 3rd year of NAESP Active level membership by May of the nomination year) and must maintain membership through the conclusion of the NAESP Award Ceremony; must be a participating principal with at least five years of experience; and must plan to continue as a practicing principal.

2023 NDP Nomination Form

2023 NDP Application Form

Congratulations to Ariana Wright, Minnesota's 2022 NAESP National Distinguished Principal®!