Reston, VA – NASSP is proud to recognize Carol Conklin-Spillane, a superintendent of schools in New York, with the NASSP Distinguished Service to Education Award; and Frank Majikes, a principal in Pennsylvania, with the NASSP Membership Star Award. As part of its vision to promote excellence in middle level and high school leadership, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) annually recognizes school leaders from across the country for their leadership and for making positive, significant differences in schools and communities.

“We are excited to present Carol and Frank with these awards to honor their long-standing dedication to shaping the future of education,” said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. “Two school leaders have shown this commitment through an ongoing focus on both culture and learning to better prepare both students and staff for success.”

NASSP Distinguished Service to Education Award

Carol Conklin-Spillane, superintendent of schools for the Pocantico Hills School District in Sleepy Hollow, NY, was selected as the NASSP Distinguished Service to Education Award winner for her commitment to improving and strengthening education. Now completing a three-year tenure as superintendent of Pocantico Schools, Conklin-Spillane gained national acclaim during her 22 years as principal at Sleepy Hollow High School. While achievement remained high, Carol prided her school environment as being a place that fosters generosity, acceptance, diversity, and a collegial professional atmosphere. Under Conklin-Spillane’s leadership, Sleepy Hollow High School was identified as a Breakthrough School by NASSP in 2014 and as a School of Opportunity by the National Education Policy Center in 2015. She has also served on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Common Core Task Force.

NASSP Membership Star Award

Frank Majikes, principal at Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center in Plains Township, PA, was the recipient of the NASSP Membership Star Award. Majikes—a 41-year NASSP member—earned his bachelor’s degree in history from King’s College while working in the local iron mill in northeastern Pennsylvania, ultimately earning his master’s degree in secondary administration from the University of Scranton. He began his career as a social studies teacher at Bishop Hoban High School and was promoted to assistant principal in 1978; he then became the first lay principal in the school’s history 12 years later. In 1998, Majikes was selected as the principal of the Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center, a position he still proudly holds. Beginning with an industrial job in an industrial state, he has watched the transformation from a manufacturing economy, to a digital economy, to a knowledge economy, all the while helping students build their skills to succeed in academia and beyond.

NASSP presented the awards to Conklin-Spillane and Majikes at the 2019 National Principals Conference in Boston. For more information about NASSP, visit www.nassp.org.


About NASSP

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for principals and other school leaders across the United States. NASSP seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student’s potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor SocietyNational Junior Honor SocietyNational Elementary Honor Society, and National Student Council.