NAESP -President

Diane Cargile is NAESP’s 2009-2010 president.

Diane Cargile Message from NAESP's President

Cargile's Biography

Blog: Where's Diane?

President's Perspective

Principals: The Beacons of Hope for the 21st Century

I am a lifelong educator who loves children. I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with children in rural, suburban, and inner-city schools. I am passionate about leading educators and guiding children. I have found great educators, children, and parents in each environment. I do believe the principal is the beacon of hope for this millennium. NAESP is the voice for principals advocating for the rights of all children. The principal guides the light that illuminates changes that impact the lives of children, teachers, and communities.

Our country is energized by the presidential candidates as they race for the White House. Some candidates have emphasized hope for America and hope for the education of all children. We welcome the challenge because we know that it takes all of us working together for children to be successful. Working with NAESP leaders to make a difference with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill was a powerful experience for me as the Federal Relations Coordinator from Indiana. The work is not finished. We must continue to support the work started as principals advocate for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

As principals we are the guardians of education, the beacons of hope leading and nurturing staff, ensuring that learning takes place in every classroom each day.
We provide highly qualified staff in each classroom each day. Principals provide the resources needed for teachers and students to be successful. Principals must continue to be advocates at the federal, state, and local levels of government.

The provocative work of the Vision 2021 committee with NAESP leadership paints an inspirational picture of the future. Principals will continue to lead as the vision for tomorrow evolves. We can become the beacons of hope for all children. I envision NAESP as the vehicle that fosters an atmosphere of collegiality and trust for all principals, with professional development opportunities that will have far-reaching implications.

Collaboration among businesses, universities, and civic organizations will increase our influence. In our global society, NAESP’s influence can have lasting effects on countries around the world, leaving a legacy of excellence. Last summer I traveled with 250 U.S. principals to Beijing as guests of the government. We visited schools where English was taught. Their goal was to be more like Americans. NAESP principals are in the United Arab Emirates training and working with principals to increase their knowledge. Principals are the beacons of hope for all children.

The 21st century principal will continue to face new challenges. Principals are charged with improving the lives of others and for leaving their communities and world a better place than they found it. Collectively, we have the power and the influence to make the world better. Together, we can become the beacons of hope for all children. I would be honored to represent you as the next president-elect of NAESP. Back to top

Cargile's Biography

Diane Cargile, a 24-year veteran principal, is the elected president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), which represents 28,000 pre-K-8 educators and more than 6 million children. NAESP is led by presidents who are practicing principals, key instructional leaders who are shaping the long-term impact of school improvement efforts.

Principal Leadership
Cargile is a visionary instructional leader and an award-winning principal whose efforts have been consistently recognized. For the past nine years, she has been principal of Rio Grande Elementary School in Terre Haute, Indiana. Under her leadership, Rio Grande was named a No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon School in 2004. The federal program recognizes schools that make significant progress in closing the achievement gap or whose students achieve at high levels. Rio Grande Elementary students helped to win this recognition by achieving in the top 10 percent on state tests.

For several years, Rio Grande also has been awarded the Indiana Four-Star School Award, which recognizes schools that have demonstrated academic excellence. Schools must place in the state’s upper 25th percentile in student attendance rates, mathematics proficiency scores, language arts proficiency scores, and the percentage of students passing both language arts and mathematics.

In 2005, Cargile was voted District 8 Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Principals.

Cargile’s principal leadership is predicated on her long education career, which she began as a teacher, elementary guidance counselor, and human resources director. She has served as an elementary and middle-level school principal since 1985 in Indianapolis; Tacoma, Washington; and Terre Haute, Indiana.

Advocate and Volunteer
Cargile has advanced principal leadership as a core investment in driving school and student performance, holding membership in NAESP since 1987 and serving in leadership positions to advocate for principal autonomy and to set standards for 21st century learning. She has promoted school improvement in the same manner at the state level as a member of the Indiana Association of School Principals. She also served as president and vice president for the Indianapolis Public School Principals Association.

Cargile earned a B.S. and M.S. from Indiana State University, and an Ed.S. and Ed.D. from Indiana University. Cargile has been the president and has served on the executive committee of the Indiana State University Alumni Board.

In addition to her many contributions to the education field, Cargile is active in the Terre Haute Rotary Club and in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Back to top

Blog: Where's Diane?

Follow Diane Cargile's new blog on her travels as she represents NAESP and elementary and middle-level principals at key conferences, meetings, and events. Back to top.