Do you know an outstanding elementary school assistant principal?

The Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year Award (a/k/a National Outstanding Elementary Assistant Principal Award), sponsored by the Connecticut Association of Schools in collaboration with the National Association of Elementary School Principals, was created to bring recognition to the assistant principalship and to spotlight the critical role that assistant principals play in the education of our youth. The program recognizes outstanding elementary assistant principals who have demonstrated excellent leadership skills, a commitment to their staff and students, service to their communities, and contributions to the overall profession of educational leadership.

If, after reading the selection criteria below, you feel that an elementary assistant principal whom you know is eligible for and worthy of this honor, please complete the online nomination form or have it completed by someone within the district who knows the candidate. All nominations must be submitted online by December 5, 2025. Your nominee will be informed of this nomination and asked to complete an awards application.

All candidates must be members of CAS and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and must have been in an assistant principalship at one or more elementary schools for a minimum of two full years.

We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to provide state and national recognition to deserving school administrators.
Please click HERE to submit your nomination.
___________________________________________________________________________________________

~ ELEMENTARY ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR AWARD CRITERIA ~

• Applicant must be a member of CAS and the National Association of Elementary School Principals at the time of nomination and must maintain membership through July 31, 2026.

• Applicant must be an active assistant principal at the time of nomination.

• Applicant must have been an active assistant principal for at least two full years prior to being nominated.

• Applicant must contribute to the well-being of the educational community.

• Applicant must contribute to a positive and motivating environment for others.

• Applicant must have a strong record of service and achievements (in both school and community) and be recognized as a leader.

• Applicant must actively engage in community service.

• Applicant must exhibit exceptional leadership in a particular school program and/or is heavily involved in finding a solution to a problem faced by the school.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

The recipient of the Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year Award will be chosen by the CAS Awards and Recognition Committee, a selection committee consisting of active and retired principals and assistant principals. Committee members will evaluate applications and conduct site visits at the schools of the two highest rated candidates. A winner will then be chosen based upon the outcome of the site visits as well as the quality of the written applications. The final selection will be made in early February. The winner will be honored at a statewide recognition event hosted by CAS in the fall of 2026; and, he/she/they will be awarded complimentary registration to the 2026 National School Leaders Conference Powered by NAESP and will be recognized during the event.

The CAS Awards and Recognition Committee reserves the right to reject any and all candidates in a category if they do not fulfill the criteria for the award. In making its decisions, the Awards and Recognition Committee will consider each candidate’s professional qualities as outlined in the application, his/her recommendations, and his/her contributions to the profession. Prior winners will not be considered. Only one nomination per district will be accepted.

Questions? Please contact Karen Packtor at kpacktorcasciacorg.