2026 State Assistant Principals of the Year – Middle Level

Each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Office of Overseas Schools, and the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity will select one high school assistant principal and/or on middle level assistant principal to represent their state. State winners are selected from applications submitted to the state associations.

Because each state’s selection process varies, please contact your state association for more information on their selection process.

2026 State Assistant Principals of the Year – Middle Level

Alabama

Clint Brannon

Sardis Middle School
Alabama

Clint Brannon is the assistant principal of Sardis Middle School in Boaz, AL. A 20-year veteran educator, he is passionate about making an impact on students’ lives through high-quality instruction and character development so that students can reach their full potential. He has introduced and led PLCs and other professional development to improve instruction. All his efforts, including the creation of “Camp Kaizen,” a schoolwide student improvement initiative, have contributed to the school’s tremendous growth.

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Arkansas

Cara Sedberry

Mary Frances George Junior High
Arkansas

Cara Sedberry has served as an assistant principal at Mary Frances George Junior High School in Springdale, AR, since 2019. Previously, she spent 19 years as a choir director, inspiring students through music, discipline, and creativity. Known for transforming George Junior High’s climate and culture, she is committed to building an environment where teachers feel supported, and students are empowered to lead their own learning. Her work at the school reflects her belief in collaboration, growth, and student-driven success, making a lasting impact on both staff and students.

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Colorado

Jessica Ranalletta

Cimarron Middle School
Colorado

Jessica Ranalletta is the assistant principal of Cimarron Middle School in Parker, CO. She began her career as a middle school science teacher. Recognized for her dedication to restorative practices and her work in revitalizing school-wide Professional Learning Teams, she also fosters data-driven collaboration, empowering teachers to directly enhance student outcomes. As a certified Restorative Solutions Trainer, she facilitates professional development nationwide, prioritizing the power of connection. She maintains that her leadership is a direct reflection of the school’s hardworking students, staff, and families. Ultimately, she is driven by a singular goal: ensuring every student and staff member has the equitable support needed to own their next chapter.

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Connecticut

Mark Summa

Avon Middle School
Connecticut

Mark Summa is assistant principal of Avon Middle School in Avon, CT. He has focused on developing an empowered school community by providing leadership opportunities to staff, teaching leadership skills to students, and incorporating parent voices into school decisions. Central to his work is his belief that strong relationships are the foundation for learning. He has grown the mentorship program, redesigned SEL programming to be responsive to student needs, and leveraged the teaching excellence of staff to drive instructional development forward to meet all learners where they are. His steady, compassionate leadership—grounded in trust, growth, and belief in others—has made him a cornerstone of Avon Middle School and the larger school community. 

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Delaware

Amber Tos

P.S. duPont Middle School
Delaware

Amber Tos is an assistant principal of P.S. DuPont Middle School in Wilmington, DE. She is recognized for her transformative impact on school culture, student outcomes, and instructional practice. Under her leadership, the school has seen significant reductions in behavioral incidents and chronic absenteeism, alongside measurable gains in academic growth for students with disabilities and multilingual learners. She has led the implementation of restorative practices, student-centered systems, and wellness structures that prioritize safety, dignity, and belonging for every member of the school community. She has expanded leadership opportunities for both students and staff, fostering a culture of shared ownership, innovation, and continuous improvement. Her commitment to equity, instructional excellence, and whole-child development has positioned her as a respected leader at both the district and state levels, earning her recognition as an outstanding educational leader and advocate for students and educators alike.

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Maryland

Andrea Cannady

Northeast Middle School
Maryland

Andrea Cannady is assistant principal of Northeast Middle School in Pasadena, MD. She has shown an unwavering commitment to strengthening the school’s culture and climate by implementing quarterly Recognition Rallies that celebrate student growth and achievement, as well as monthly staff recognitions aligned to the school’s core values. She also led the math department to increase state assessment scores by modeling targeted small-group instruction and personally supporting intervention and enrichment efforts. Through the use of restorative practices, he has helped reduce discipline referrals, rebuild teacher-student relationships, and increase student engagement, fostering a more supportive and achievement-focused school community.

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Michigan

Maha Fayad

O.L Smith
Michigan

Maha Fayad is the assistant principal of O.L. Smith Middle School in Dearborn, MI. With over 25 years of experience in education, she has dedicated 18 of those years to the classroom, along with five years as a math instructional coach and English language development specialist. She is deeply rooted in giving back to her community, treating every student as if they were her own. As a mother of four, she brings both compassion and dedication to her work. One of her greatest passions is building meaningful relationships and strengthening the connection between the school and its community. She firmly believes in fostering an environment where students feel safe, respected, and responsible. Through her leadership, she plays a vital role in cultivating a positive school culture, promoting student success, and advocating for those who need additional support.

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Minnesota

Rachel Sandquist

Monticello Middle School
Minnesota

Rachel Sandquist is assistant principal of Monticello Middle School in Monticello, MN. She leads with a strong commitment to relationships, consistency, and trust. Recognizing that effective leadership begins with presence and connection, she prioritizes being accessible to students and staff. Through weekly staff check-ins, she has strengthened collaboration and support, resulting in a noticeable positive shift in staff engagement and responsiveness. She also leads monthly schoolwide assemblies that celebrate students and reinforce a sense of belonging. She is deeply proud of how Monticello Middle School staff show up for students each day and of the collective middle school community they have built together—one rooted in pride, care, and shared purpose.

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Mississippi

Robbi Cooper

West Lauderdale Middle School
Mississippi

Robbi Cooper is an assistant principal of West Lauderdale Middle School in Collinsville, MS. Previously, she was a teacher, coach, testing coordinator, counselor, and graduation coach. She is recognized for transforming the school environment into a welcoming, student-centered space that promotes pride, safety, and belonging. One of her most meaningful contributions is building strong community connections by starting each school day with positive celebrations in the car rider line and on the bus lot, creating energy, encouragement, and consistency for students and families. She has expanded student leadership, while ensuring students are connected to a sport, club, or some type of activity outside the classroom. She has also supported instructional innovation by helping teachers secure grants to bring technology into classrooms and remove learning barriers. Her dedication to going beyond her administrative duties continues to elevate student success and school culture.

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Missouri

Halley Russell

Terry W. Kitchen Junior High School
Missouri

Halley Russell is assistant principal of Terry W. Kitchen Junior High School in Cape Girardeau, MO. She is known for building a school culture where relationships, safety, and well-being come first. By intentionally connecting with students and staff each day, maintaining a visible and supportive presence, and modeling empathy and consistency, she has helped foster a strong sense of trust across the building. She has also championed equity through individualized student supports, restorative practices, and social-emotional learning initiatives. Through a commitment to empowering both students and staff as leaders, she has helped create an inclusive, supportive environment where high expectations and personal growth go hand in hand.

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Nebraska

Erin Jones

Sunrise Middle School
Nebraska

Erin Jones is an assistant principal of Sunrise Middle School in Kearney, NE. A highly effective and student-centered leader, she is the Nebraska Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year. She has led the implementation of a comprehensive MTSS framework, strengthening academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports to ensure equitable outcomes for all students. Recognizing that strong schools are built on trust and relationships, she prioritizes meaningful engagement with students, staff, and families. She has revitalized the Parent Advisory Council, strengthened home-school partnerships, and fostered a culture where students feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. She credits this work to an exceptional leadership team, dedicated staff, and a school community united by a shared commitment to student growth and success.

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New Mexico

Angie McDonald

Mountain View Middle School
New Mexico

Angie McDonald is an assistant principal of Mountain View Middle School in Roswell, NM. A fierce advocate for marginalized students and a leader in instructional coaching cycles, she is also a trainer of restorative practices. She has drastically reduced punitive consequences while strengthening relationships, accountability, and problem-solving skills among students. She has launched targeted, high-dosage reading tutoring systems to accelerate learning for students most in need and led the development of a behavior support classroom while strengthening systems to ensure high-quality special education services. She is deeply fulfilled by her work and considers serving students, staff, and families to be her dream job.

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Ohio

Leah Marsh

Niles Middle School
Ohio

Leah Marsh, PhD, has served as assistant principal of Niles Middle School in Niles, OH, since 2021. She is known for steady leadership and a strong commitment to students and staff. She led the implementation of a comprehensive curriculum framework in all core content areas, established a student mentoring and wellness program, and helped drive a 10% reduction in chronic absenteeism through PBIS initiatives. She also serves in leadership roles with Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators (OASSA) and Ohio Leadership Advisory Council (OLAC), contributing to statewide instructional improvement efforts. Her ability to balance instructional leadership with relationship-driven practices, while consistently focusing on equity and student growth, contributed to her selection as the Ohio Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year.

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Oklahoma

Amy Sanders

Sapulpa Middle School
Oklahoma

Amy Sanders is assistant principal of Sapulpa Middle School in Sapulpa, OK. She has championed a common language for discipline and clear behavioral expectations, helping create consistency and clarity schoolwide. She secured grants to enhance student engagement during lunch through board games and dance parties, strengthening school culture and connection. Under her leadership, out-of-school suspensions have decreased by 36%. She also developed the PASS program to reduce recidivism while promoting accountability and self-regulation. She fosters a collaborative climate where staff feel empowered to contribute to critical decisions and interventions that best support students and teachers.

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South Carolina

Alexandra (Alex) Mundinger

Lakeside Middle School
South Carolina

Alex Mundinger is an assistant principal of Lakeside Middle School in Lexington, SC. She began her career as a middle school math and science teacher, an experience that continues to guide her work as a school leader. As assistant principal, she has played a key part in building a strong, positive school culture and supporting excellent school report card ratings. She has led efforts to strengthen math instruction, build efficient schoolwide systems, expand course offerings, and improve instructional practices through meaningful PLC work. She is passionate about hiring and supporting teachers, building authentic relationships with students to understand their “why,” and being a visible, supportive instructional leader who believes middle school is something to celebrate.

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South Dakota

Richie Hutchinson

George McGovern Middle School
South Dakota

Richie Hutchinson is the assistant principal of George McGovern Middle School in Sioux Falls, SD. Guided by his why of “helping others rise,” he has helped lead the building of a $6 million Boys & Girls Club through community partners. During his tenure, he has been a catalyst for significant academic gains, increased teacher retention, and a positive school culture transformation. A dedicated community advocate, he serves on the Thrive Housing Team, the Sioux Falls City Active Transportation Board, and the Family and Community Connection Board at Avera Behavioral Health, bridging the gap between education and essential community support systems. He embodies the core values of courage, honor, resilience in kindness in his leadership.

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Tennessee

William Toungetter

Woodland Middle School
Tennessee

Bill Toungette, EdD, has served as assistant principal of Woodland Middle School in Brentwood, TN, since 1996. Throughout his long tenure, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the school’s culture and supporting its academic vision. He is recognized for fostering collaboration among teachers, strengthening student support systems, and guiding countless families through the challenges of middle school. His steady leadership has helped Woodland Middle School grow into a thriving, student‑centered community. Colleagues describe him as dependable, compassionate, and unwavering in his commitment to excellence. His decades of service reflect a deep dedication to education and have had a profound impact on the Woodland Middle School community. His legacy continues to inspire students, staff, and the community.

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Texas

Tasha Nikl

Venus Middle School
Texas

Tasha Nikl is the assistant principal of Venus Middle School in Venus, TX, where she works to ensure high academic achievement for every student. Through intentional leadership and a deep commitment to equity, she helps to create a school culture that models inclusivity, academic excellence, and student empowerment. Her passion for education is rooted in a commitment to student growth—both academically and emotionally. She fosters a culture built on trust and strong relationships by engaging directly with students, staff, parents, and the community. She also prioritizes teacher development, collaborative leadership, and meaningful family partnerships, ensuring systems and supports are in place so both students and educators thrive.

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Utah

Melissa Swenson

Willowcreek Middle School
Utah

Melissa Swenson is an assistant principal of Willowcreek Middle School in Lehi, UT. After a rapid influx of students from diverse backgrounds, she developed structures and systems to improve academic outcomes for all students, particularly focusing on the needs of diverse populations. Through parent and student focus groups, careful study of research-based practices, and schoolwide professional development, she tackled racism and systems of inequality to transform the culture and practices at her school. She has also focused on the social-emotional needs of students and was instrumental in creating a safe environment where all students feel they belong. She has also built relationships of trust with the faculty, students, and community.

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Wisconsin

Benjamin Tashner

Holmen Middle School
Wisconsin

Benjamin Tashner is associate principal and activities director of Holmen Middle School in Holmen, WI. Guided by the district’s mission, “Belong. Serve. Succeed.,” he fosters a school culture in which every student and adult feels safe, valued, and supported. A former special education teacher, he brings a collective mindset to leadership—believing all students are our students. He builds strong relationships through daily visibility and one-on-one conversations, ensuring voices are heard and concerns addressed with consistency and care. His emphasis on clear expectations and follow-through has strengthened trust and accountability across the school community. He champions equity through transparent systems, collaborative problem-solving, and expanded access to co-curricular and leadership opportunities. Through data-informed practices, instructional coaching, and whole-child initiatives, he empowers students and staff to lead, grow, and succeed in an increasingly global society.