Since 2019, the Advocacy Champion of the Year Award annually recognizes an individual who has worked to elevate the voice and influence of school leaders in federal, state, and local policy and public discourse. The award honoree embodies the mission of NASSP and is committed to advocating on behalf of education and the school leaders within it.
Congratulations to our 2025 Winner!
The 2025 NASSP Advocacy Champion of the Year is Terri Daniels, EdD, the principal of Folsom Middle School in Folsom, CA.
Daniels was announced as the winner at the National Education Leadership Awards gala in Washington, D.C., on April 11.
Daniels has made significant contributions to education advocacy over the past year, leveraging over 40 years of experience in both private and public schools to improve education policy, support school leadership, and enhance student outcomes. Her leadership and advocacy have had a profound impact on educational policy at the state and national levels. She was instrumental in the early development of the Local Control Accountability Plan and the implementation of Common Core, ensuring these initiatives aligned with the diverse needs of students and educators. She has also been a steadfast advocate for students with disabilities, working to strengthen protections under IDEA and Section 504, and ensure equitable access to quality education for all students.
One of her most notable achievements is her work to elevate student voices in education policy. She has actively advocated for increased student perspectives at a local level with school boards and at the state board of education, ensuring their needs are central to policy development. Additionally, her advocacy for mental health services in schools and greater resources to address student mental health challenges has been critical.
She has also been a leader in promoting restorative justice and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports. As the California state coordinator for NASSP, she has worked to maintain and increase federal funding, support mental health initiatives, and strengthen the teacher-administrator pipeline.
Selection Process
The annual award recipient is recognized for accomplishments and efforts aligned to the policy and advocacy goals of NASSP, including:
- Increasing the number of advocates taking action on NASSP campaigns in every state to ensure active representation in all 435 congressional districts
- Expanding NASSP’s direct influence on federal and state lawmakers and policies affecting school leaders and public education
- Engaging student leaders in advocacy to broaden NASSP’s policy impact
Additional eligibility requirements:
- Candidates must be a current or former principal or assistant principal who advocates as a volunteer and not in a professional capacity.
- Candidates may not be currently serving on the NASSP Board of Directors, Steering Committee, or staff.
- All specific accomplishments, actions, and work described should have taken place in the calendar year prior to their nomination. Nominees are reviewed January through March, and the winner is announced in April or May.
Nominees are selected by NASSP’s state affiliate organizations. If you would like to submit a nominee, please contact your state association to do so.
Past Champions
- 2024: Chris Young, principal of North Country Union High School in Newport, VT
- 2023: Melissa Shindel, principal of Glenwood Middle School in Howard County, MD
- 2022: Chris LeGrande, principal of Guthrie High School in Guthrie, OK
- 2021: Derrick Lawson, principal of Indio High School in Indio, CA
- 2020: Dr. Erika Burden, principal of Westwood Middle School in Spokane, WA.
- 2019: Dan Richards, principal of Georgetown Middle High School in Georgetown, MA.