Celebrate the Principalship this October

NAESP salutes top-notch principals across the nation for National Principals Month. Here’s how:

Recognizing Outstanding Principals—Nationwide
A highlight of National Principals Month is NAESP’s National Distinguished Principals (NDP) award program. On Oct. 15-16, 2015, the 2015 class of NDPs will be honored in Washington, D.C., for their outstanding contributions to their school communities. Established in 1984, the program honors principals from both public and private schools and schools from the United States Departments of Defense Office of Educational Activity and the United States Department of State Office of Overseas Schools for their exemplary achievements.

Meet the 2015 class of NDPs, and congratulate the honoree from your state.

Fostering Collaboration through Connected Educators Month
October is also the third annual Connected Educator Month, an initiative to stimulate and support technology innovation for educators. Peruse the calendar for a complete list of podcasts, Twitter chats, and webinars designed to transform professional learning through collaboration and innovation. And be sure to save the date for the NAESP Twitter chat, Innovation: Share Your Dos and Don’ts. Save the date: Wed., Oct 21 at 8 p.m. ET. Use the hashtags #CE15 and #NAESP.

Modeling Schools—and Principals—In Action
A centerpiece of NAESP’s National Principals Month is the annual principal shadowing program, a joint initiative with NASSP, New Leaders, and the Department of Education. Senior officials from the Department of Education have the opportunity to walk a mile in principals’ shoes for a day. The program wraps up with a briefing session with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Read one principal’s first-hand account of the shadowing program here.

Host your own shadowing program this fall to give a local or state lawmaker a “day in the life” of a school leader and highlight the ways they can support schools. Here’s a template to invite a member of Congress to your school, and here’s how to plan your own shadow program.

Keep up with the latest updates on the National Principals Month website, on the NAESP Facebook page, and by using the hasthtag #ThankaPrincipal on Twitter.