Donald W. Gates, interim principal at Coginchaug Regional High School in Durham and long-time retired principal from Portland High School, was recognized recently by the National Association of Secondary School Principals during its 98th annual conference held in Dallas, Texas. He was awarded the association’s prestigious Gerry Tirozzi Membership Star Award for 39 years of membership in NASSP. As an active member in this national association, Mr. Gates served as chairman of the National Honor Society Board of Directors and as a member of the National Selection Committees for National Merit and Principal’s Leadership scholarship programs.

In addition to receiving this recent national honor, Mr. Gates was the 1996 Connecticut State Principal of the Year and also the recipient of the CAS Citation award—the highest honor bestowed upon an administrator by the Connecticut Association of Schools.

Mr. Gates is completing his 49th year in public education. His teaching career began at the former Durham High School and he was the practical arts coordinator at Coginchaug RHS when the school opened in 1970. He then began his administrative career in Wethersfield as an assistant principal at Webb Junior High School. In 1975, he became an administrator at Portland High School where he served as principal until his retirement in 2006. Since retiring, he has been serving as an interim principal/administrator in several school districts.