NAESP Announces 2022 National Outstanding Assistant Principals
This year, NAESP recognizes 22 assistant principals—17 from elementary schools and five from the middle level—from across the country.
Alexandria, VA—April 4, 2022—The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) recognizes 22 assistant principals as members of the 2022 class of National Outstanding Assistant Principals. NAESP is committed to supporting elementary and middle-level assistant principals, and part of that commitment is recognizing assistant principals for their contributions to their school communities.
“Assistant principals have an impact on all aspects of school, making them a crucial part of a thriving school community,” says NAESP Executive Director L. Earl Franks, Ed.D., CAE. “In collaboration with principals, these leaders support faculty and staff—who need it more now than ever—and create a school climate that prioritizes student academic and social-emotional success. Their passion for education shines through in everything they do as leaders. Congratulations to the honorees of the 2022 class of National Outstanding Assistant Principals.”
Meet the 2022 Class
This year, we are recognizing these 17 elementary school assistant principals and five middle-level assistant principals from across the country. Recipients have shared best practices that have helped them improve processes at their schools and thrive in their role as assistant principals.
- Andrea Datson, Riverton Elementary School, Alabama
- Carise R. Echols, Carolyn Lewis Elementary School, Arkansas
- Rachel Atkinson, Greenbrier Middle School, Arkansas
- Cale R. Whicker, Beattie Elementary School, Colorado
- Lauren S. Reid, Bungay Elementary School, Connecticut
- Chandra T. Phillips, Seaford Central Elementary School, Delaware
- Denise Reynolds, Riverview Elementary School, Georgia
- Todd Creech, Thomas County Middle School, Georgia
- Stacy N. Kawamura, Waikele Elementary School, Hawaii
- Anna Taggart, Brookview and Woodland Hills Elementary Schools, Iowa
- Frank G. Klauder IV, Eldersburg Elementary School, Maryland
- Christen J. Hutchinson, Clara Barton Elementary School, Massachusetts
- Allison Arend, Lakeshore Middle School, Michigan
- Heidi T. Miller, Rum River Elementary School, Minnesota
- Mary Kate Diltz, Madison Avenue Upper Elementary School, Mississippi
- Ronald D. Poland Jr., Rose Warren Elementary School, Nevada
- David Wright, Cornwall Central Middle School, New York
- Queesha T. Tillman, Loyd E. Auman Elementary School, North Carolina
- Matthew Crater, Haverford Middle School, Pennsylvania
- Tia S. Jones, Catawba Trail Elementary School, South Carolina
- Lauren M. Holthaus, Cora Kelly School for Math, Science, and Technology, Virginia
- Kristin A. Dickert, Mill Creek Elementary School, Washington
Nominated by peers in their states, recipients of this award are practicing assistant principals with at least two years’ experience in the role who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and have set high standards for students, colleagues, parents and the community. All National Outstanding Assistant Principals are members of NAESP at the time of their nomination. NAESP partner Landscape Structures is the proud sponsor of the 2022 National Outstanding Assistant Principal Program.
This recognition comes as part of the National Assistant Principals Week, from April 4-8, 2022.
