Alexandria, VA—August 1, 2025—April D. Knight, principal of Avondale Elementary School in Columbus, Ohio, takes the helm as president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Board of Directors.

With more than 34 years of service in education and 21 years as a dedicated principal, Knight stands out as a visionary leader in education. It’s this leadership that led to her being elected NAESP vice president, serving in that capacity from 2023-2024, then as president-elect from 2024-2025, and now taking the helm as NAESP president from 2025-2026.

In Ohio’s Columbus City Schools, she is principal of Avondale Elementary, where she brings an unwavering commitment to academic excellence, equity, and community engagement.

Knight’s journey began in the classroom, where she taught first grade through fourth grade before transitioning into roles that shaped districtwide literacy and curriculum initiatives. Her path through literacy facilitator, curriculum coordinator; and leadership intern roles provided a firm foundation for her impact as a school leader.

Knight’s influence extends beyond her school. She has held key leadership positions such as president and vice president of the Columbus Administrators Association and Columbus Elementary Administrators Association, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators for 5 years. She has served on the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee for the past four years and has contributed to vital district teams, including finance and appropriations, innovation and reform, and contract negotiations.

A proud NAESP member since 2003, Knight served as the NAESP Zone 3 director from 2019 to 2022 and holds certification as an NAESP mentor. Her commitment to nurturing future administrators is evident through her mentorship with the Beginning Administrator Mentoring Academy, as well as having leadership interns shadowing her for the past 12 years. She also works to promote excellence in the principalship by serving on the Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators’ Recognition Awards Service Team for the past 10 years.

Knight earned her administrative licensure from The Ohio State University, where she also completed a Master of Arts in Children’s Literature. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Otterbein College.

New NAESP President-Elect and Vice President

Joining Knight leading the NAESP Board of Directors are the 2025-2026 president-elect and vice president.

• Ann-Marie Gleason, Ed.D., principal of Harpeth Valley Elementary School in Nashville, Tennessee, who served as NAESP vice president from 2024-2025, steps into the president-elect role from 2025-2026 and will serve as NAESP president from 2026-2027.
• Carmen Maring, Ed.D., principal of Gull Lake Middle School in Richland, Michigan, will serve a one-year term as NAESP vice president from 2025-2026, followed by a one-year term as president-elect from 2026-2027 and then take the helm as NAESP president from 2027-2028.

New NAESP Zone Directors and Director at Large, Middle

During the 2025 NAESP election in March, members of the association elected new Zone directors and a new director at large, middle, to serve on the NAESP Board of Directors:

• Andrew Buchheit, Ed.D., principal of T. Clay Wood Elementary School in Nokesville, Virginia, will represent Zone 3 school leaders in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.
• Tammy Richter, principal of Clovis Grove Elementary School in Menasha, Wisconsin, will represent Zone 6 school leaders in Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
• Annette Sanchez, principal of Hampton-Moreno-Dugat Early Childhood Center in Beeville, Texas, will represent Zone 8 school leaders in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
• Xavier Reed, principal of Maple Grove Middle School in Maple Grove, Minnesota, will serve as director at large, middle level.

The new board member representing Zone 4 school leaders in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee will be announced in the near future.

Returning NAESP Board Members

Continuing their terms on the board will be:

• Michael Litke, Ed.D., principal of Naubuc Elementary School in Glastonbury, Connecticut, as Zone 1 director;
• Jessica Quinter, Ed.D., principal of Park Forest Elementary School in State College, Pennsylvania, as Zone 2 director;
• Amy Niemeier, principal of Slate Run Elementary School in New Albany, Indiana, as Zone 5 director;
• Kenny Newby, principal of Justice Alan Page Elementary School in Maplewood, Minnesota, as Zone 7 director;
• Chris Jackson, principal of Hollinger K-8 School in Tucson, Arizona, as Zone 9 director; and
• Ryan Daniel, Ed.D., principal of Fort Foote Elementary School in Fort Washington, Maryland, as director at large, minority.

To schedule an interview with any of the NAESP board members, email Kaylen Tucker, NAESP associate executive director, Communications, at ktucker@naesp.org.