Contact:
Kaylen Tucker
703-518-6257
ktucker@naesp.org
NAESP Recognizes Distinguished Principals during National Principals Month
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will provide congratulatory remarks to K-8 principal honorees.
ALEXANDRIA, VA–October 8, 2013–Outstanding elementary and middle school principals from across the nation and abroad have been named 2013 National Distinguished Principals (NDPs) by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). They will be honored October 25 at an awards banquet in Washington, D.C., which has been generously funded by VALIC for nearly 25 years. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will deliver the opening address, honoring principals during National Principals Month.
Established in 1984, the two-day NDP program, which will be held at the Capital Hilton Hotel, recognizes public and private school principals who make superior contributions to their schools and communities. The principals will also have the opportunity to share best practices. The 61 principal honorees are selected by NAESP state affiliates and by committees representing private and overseas schools.
NAESP Executive Director Gail Connelly commended the honorees for being exemplars of successful school leadership. “Only a principal can move a school from good to great, simultaneously championing children and uplifting the communities they serve,” she said. “We congratulate this class of NDPs for their steadfast dedication to educating our nation’s children to their fullest potential.”
“VALIC is proud to continue its support as sole sponsor of the National Distinguished Principal’s Award Program,” said Bruce Abrams, President of VALIC. “This program allows us to recognize the important role of principals on the education and development of our nation’s children, our future leaders. On behalf of VALIC, I congratulate all 61 of this year’s National Distinguished Principals and extend my deepest thanks for all that they do.”
It is particularly fitting to acknowledge the work of principals in October because it marks National Principals Month, which was established to recognize and honor the contributions of school principals and assistant principals toward the success of the nation’s students, and encourage awareness of their significance.
NOTE: A list of the 2013 NDPs and their biographical information can be accessed at www.naesp.org/ndp. To request an interview with the honored principals or to cover the October 25 banquet and address by Secretary Duncan, contact Kaylen Tucker at ktucker@naesp.org or 703-518-6257.
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Established in 1921, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) serves elementary and middle school principals in the United States, Canada, and overseas. NAESP supports principals as the primary catalysts for creating lasting foundations for learning through policy development, advocacy, and resources for effective instructional leadership. NAESP seeks to advance the principalship and address issues in pre-K–3 alignment, principal preparation and evaluation, and building the capacity of new principals. For more information about NAESP, please visit www.naesp.org.
For more than half a century, VALIC has served as a leading retirement plan provider for K-12 schools and school districts, as well as for higher education, healthcare, government and other not-for-profit institutions. As of August 31, 2013, VALIC has over $79 billion in total assets under management and manages plans for nearly 25,000 groups serving more than 2 million plan participants. VALIC represents The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, VALIC Financial Advisors, Inc. and VALIC Retirement Services Company.