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MN National Distinguished Principal Program
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.
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.
2020 NDP Application Materials will be linked here when available in fall 2019!
Nominations due in the MESPA office January 1, 2020.
Application due January 28, 2020.
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Congratulations to our 2019 MN NAESP National Distinguished Principal Finalists! Read more about each of these amazing principals in their individual press releases:
Kurt Becker, principal of Cuyuna Range Elementary School, Crosby-Ironton School District
Dawn Brown, principal of Washington Learning Center, New Ulm Public Schools
Eric Skanson, principal of Cold Spring Elementary, Rocori School District
Melissa Sonnek, principal of Edgerton Elementary, Roseville Area Schools
| "Creating a positive school culture for students, staff, and families is the most important work and accomplishment that I do each and every day as a principal.” - Curtis Slater Dr. Steven Geis, principal at North Trail Elementary in Farmington Area Public Schools, described how Slater creates that culture: “[Slater] is one of the most passionate, conscientious, giving, and nurturing educators who holds all, including himself, to the highest standards measurable,” Geis said. “Curt is passionate about creating the best learning environment for his students and community of learners. I truly believe if all our fellow educators emulated his professionalism, we would be the envy of 49 other states.” Click here to read the full press release. |
2018, Curtis Slater, Wyoming | 2005, John Ahem, Roseville | 1994, Teresa (Teri) Edwards, Minneapolis |