Award Types
Distinguished Service to Children
This award celebrates the work of individuals who have demonstrated dedicated advocacy on behalf of children, greatly improving the lives of children and youth nationally and/or globally.
Distinguished Service to Education
This award honors individuals who have demonstrated outstanding educational contributions, improving the education of children and youth nationally and/or globally.
NAESP Hero in Education
During the 2000 National Distinguished Principals program, NAESP proudly presented U.S. Education Secretary Richard Riley with the NAESP Hero in Education Award, in recognition of his lifetime achievement — in improving the quality of life and education for our nation’s children and youth, while fostering greater understanding of education internationally.
Honorees
2023 Distinguished Service to Education
Dr. Daniel A. Domenech, Executive Director of AASA, The School Superintendents Association
2016 Distinguished Service to Education
Dr. Keith Miller, Director of U.S. Department of Overseas Schools, U.S. Department of State
2016 Distinguished Service to Children
Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States
2013 Distinguished Service to Education
Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, Principal, Sandy Hook Elementary, Newtown, Connecticut (posthumously awarded)
2009 Distinguished Service to Education
Edward M. Kennedy, Senator, Massachusetts
2007 Distinguished Service to Children and Education
Vincent L. Ferrandino, NAESP Executive Director (1999-2007)
2003 Distinguished Service to Children
Peter Yarrow, Singer/Songwriter
2003 Distinguished Service to Children
Fred Rogers, Founder of Operation Respect Mr. Rogers Neighborhood (posthumously awarded)
2002 Distinguished Service to Children
Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, Surgeon, Author
2001 Distinguished Service to Education
Madeleine Albright, Former U.S. Secretary of State
2000 NAESP Hero in Education
The Honorable Richard W. Riley, U.S. Secretary of Education, 1992-2000 (presented for lifetime achievement)
1999 Distinguished Service to Children and Education
Samuel Sava, NAESP Executive Director Emeritus
1998 Distinguished Service to Children
The Honorable Richard. W. Riley, U.S. Secretary of Education
1997 Distinguished Service to Education
Barbara Pierce Bush, Former First Lady
1996 Distinguished Service to Children
Marian Wright Edelman, Children’s Defense Fund
1996 Distinguished Service to Children
Hillary Rodham Clinton, First Lady
1995 Distinguished Service to Children
Ernest L. Boyer, President, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
1991 Distinguished Service to Education
Edward P. Keller, Deputy Executive Director, NAESP (presented on his retirement)
1991 Distinguished Service to Children
The Honorable Augustus F. Hawkins, Former Chairman Education and Labor Committee, U.S. House of Representatives
1988 Distinguished Service to Children
C. Everett Koop, U.S. Surgeon General
1987 Distinguished Service to Education
R. Bruce Reinecker, Lifetouch National School Studios
1987 Distinguished Service to Education
Madeline C. Hunter, Educator
1986 Distinguished Service to Children
Terrel H. Bell, Former Secretary, U.S. Department of Education
1984 Distinguished Service to Children
Phillip Caldwell, Chairman of the Board & CEO, Ford Motor Company
1984 Distinguished Service to Children
Nancy Reagan, First Lady
1984 Distinguished Service to Children
Dr. Frances O. Kelsey, Food & Drug Administration
1983 Distinguished Service to Education
The Honorable Shirley Chisholm, U.S. House of Representatives
1983 Distinguished Service to Education
David Rockefeller, Jr., Chairman, Rockefeller Center
1983 Distinguished Service to Children
Jonas Salk, M.D., Medical Researcher
1982 Distinguished Service to Education
Arthur Holden, Jr., Chairman, Martha Holden Jennings Foundation
1982 Distinguished Service to Children
Theodor Seuss Geisel, Author