2026 State Assistant Principals of the Year – High School

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 – High School

Alabama

Brenda Box

Mary G Montgomery High School
Alabama

Brenda Box is assistant principal of Mary G. Montgomery High School in Semmes, AL. She has served her school for 21 years, most recently building a career defined by consistency, leadership, and impact. Throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to students, staff, and the community. Her commitment to continuous improvement, helped drive a four-point increase on the state report card, reflecting measurable gains in student outcomes and school performance. Known for fostering supportive relationships, setting high expectations, and aligning daily practice with long-term goals, she regularly collaborates with colleagues, families, and community partners to strengthen programs and sustain progress. This award recognizes her lasting influence, service-oriented leadership, and meaningful contributions to student success.

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Alaska

Jaime Cabral

Petersburg High School & Mitkof Middle School
Alaska

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Arkansas

Jayna Moffit

Rogers Heritage High School
Arkansas

Jayna Moffit, EdD, is the assistant principal of teaching and learning at Rogers Heritage High School in Rogers, AR. A dedicated leader with 25 years of experience, she has collaboratively transformed the school into a model of relational and instructional excellence. Her strategic impact is rooted in systems development, including the reconstruction of attendance and credit recovery and an “EAGLE Period” redesign. These initiatives resulted in the school’s highest post-COVID attendance and a robust culture of academic growth, ensuring every learner is equipped to succeed. By fostering a “multiplier effect,” she empowers staff and students to lead through a data-driven, solutions-oriented approach. Under her guidance, the school achieved its highest graduation rate and state grade in school history, leaping over 100 schools in performance rankings within just two years.

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California

Cara Vienna

Los Alamitos High School
California

Cara Vienna is assistant principal of Los Alamitos High School in Los Alamitos, CA. She oversees counseling, special education, college and career, math, mental health, and intervention. As a servant leader, she prioritizes relationships and collaboration with all stakeholders to drive meaningful change. Under her leadership, Los Alamitos High School achieved a 100% graduation rate for two consecutive years with over 3,000 students enrolled. She has fostered a culture of student voice and engagement through innovative initiatives including a Well Space serving over 900 students per semester, student mentor programs, paid campus internships, and collaborative forums like teacher shadow days and fishbowl seminars. She has expanded Unified Sports and implements annual surveys to ensure that student and teacher perspectives guide decision-making. She credits the school’s success to dedicated students, staff, families, and community partners.

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Colorado

Meredith Scales

Hidden Lake Secondary School
Colorado

Meredith Scales is the assistant principal of Hidden Lake Secondary School in Westminster, CO. Her leadership is rooted in building relationships, beginning with her career as a school psychologist. Now in her sixth year as an administrator, she dedicates herself to fostering success in an alternative setting where 90% of learners are considered at-risk. She is recognized for her impactful work with home visits to improve attendance, establishing systems that bolster student agency, and reinvigorating PLCs to prioritize academic growth. She credits the school’s success with her resilient students, an incredible staff, and supportive district leadership.

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Connecticut

Dana Mulligan

Woodland Regional High School
Connecticut

Dana Mulligan, EdD, has served as assistant principal of Woodland Regional High School in Beacon Falls, CT, for the past 16 years. She maintains a focus on student success and has been instrumental in expanding dual enrollment experiences, AP access, and career pathways. She also champions innovative and inclusive programming for students with disabilities, helping to create meaningful academic, social, and extracurricular opportunities. Affectionately known as the “mom of the school,” she demonstrates a deep and nuanced understanding of students and their families, grounded in careful listening and strong, sustained relationships. She credits her school’s success to dedicated leaders, educators, and staff who are committed to student success. She credits her own family and her community for inspiring her work every day.

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Florida

Jennie Boyer

Coral Springs Charter School
Florida

Jennie Boyer is assistant principal of Coral Springs Charter School in Coral Springs, FL. She began her administrative career n middle school and transitioned to high school leadership two years ago. She oversees testing, substitute teachers, graduation, professional development, tutoring, and community partnerships. Dedicated to students, families, and staff, she is passionate about modeling a love of learning, hard work, integrity, and service.

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Georgia

DaShaun McGee

Bradwell Institute
Georgia

DaShaun McGee, PhD, is an assistant principal of Bradwell Institute in Hinesville, GA, the largest high school in the Liberty County School System. Previously, he served as a district-level fine arts coordinator and as the director of bands in a rural school district in South Georgia. During his time at Bradwell, he has played a crucial role in securing recognition from the Georgia Department of Education as an Arts Integration School of Excellence. He was also a standout participant in the Governor’s School Leadership Academy Aspiring Principal program. He is recognized as a transformative, servant leader who leads by example and demonstrates a strong ability to connect with students, teachers, and parents alike.

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Idaho

Zachary Lords

Thunder Ridge High School
Idaho

Zac Lords is the assistant principal of Thunder Ridge High School in Idaho Fall, ID. Bilingual in English and Spanish, he loves his job and working with students. Previously, he taught special education for 10 years. Outside of school, he volunteers as a football, basketball, and baseball coach. He also volunteers with his church and is committed to serving students and his community.

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Illinois

Nick McGurk

Streator Township High School #40
Illinois

Nick McGurk has served as the assistant principal of Streater Township High School in Streater, IL, for 20 years. A graduate of the school, he was previously a teacher and a coach there. As assistant principal, he has challenged the norms of what service to students can be in a low- income, rural school by structuring programs and seeking resources to fit student needs. Since 2018, he has helped the school receive $1,066,358 in competitive grant awards, including the Federal Community Partnership Grant, ISBE Truants Alternative and Optional Education Program Grant, Illinois American Water Company Grant, and the GENYOUTH School Nutrition Grant. He led the way in creating a sustainable and effective RTI program, Guided Program for Success. He also initiated a program that recognizes student athletes who perform community service and awards them letterman jackets, which increases school and community pride. He is also the handler of Mabel, the school’s therapy dog. He is grateful to work with so many colleagues who understand service to students.

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Indiana

Josiah Parker

Penn High School
Indiana

Josiah Parker is an assistant principal of Penn High School in Mishawaka, IN. He provides leadership in community engagement, CTE, and instructional innovation, helping connect learning to real-world purpose. He was named Indiana Assistant Principal of the Year for his outstanding work building authentic community partnerships, expanding career and work-based learning opportunities, and creating inclusive systems that support students who thrive in applied, hands-on learning environments. His leadership has helped ensure students graduate with clear next steps, while reinvigorating staff through collaborative, purpose-driven instruction.

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Iowa

Chris Krueger

Mason City High School
Iowa

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Kansas

Chase Rietcheck

Ulysses High School
Kansas

Chase Rietcheck is assistant principal of Mason City High School in Mason City, IA. Previously, he taught at Ulysses High American Government at Ulysses High School.

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Louisiana

Michelle Lato

Central High School
Louisiana

Michelle Lato is the assistant principal of instruction at Central High School in Baton Rouge, LA. She has transformed the school’s instructional culture by building and maintaining sustainable systems and building teacher capacity. Throughout her career, she has been actively involved in developing educators at both the school and state levels. As assistant principal, she leads the Instructional Leadership Team and PLCs, guiding educators in the use of best practices and student achievement data to inform instructional decisions. She values working alongside inspired educators and believes in leading with passion, purpose, and clarity, while continually seeking opportunities for growth and learning.

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Maryland

Lyndsay Huerbin

Arundel High School
Maryland

Lyndsay Huerbin is assistant principal of Arundel High School in Gambrills, MD. Previously she was an assistant principal of Old Mill High School. She was named the Maryland High School Assistant Principal of the Year for her strong relationships with students and staff, her high‑quality instructional leadership grounded in detailed, data-informed feedback, and her commitment to restorative approaches that foster conflict resolution and meaningful repair. She oversees PBIS and MTSS, ensuring a school culture that is positive, inclusive, and grounded in recognition of positive behaviors. She also prioritizes staff appreciation, implementing ongoing efforts that build community, strengthen morale, and contribute to a cohesive and supportive environment for all.

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Massachusetts

Michael Lavelle

Quaboag Regional Middle High School
Massachusetts

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Michigan

Tara Becker-Utess

Mason Public Schools
Michigan

Tara Becker-Utess is the assistant principal of Mason High School in Mason, MI. As a former mathematics teacher and consultant, she brings a strong instructional lens to her work and maintains a highly visible presence in the school community. She is especially committed to supporting students who struggle academically or face systemic barriers to success. She led the building leadership team in the development of a comprehensive MTSS system centered on high-quality, universal Tier 1 instructional strategies and a data-driven student support team that assigns targeted interventions. Recently named a Michigan Leadership Fellow, she is currently leading a project focused on increasing college readiness by expanding access to AP and dual enrollment opportunities, with a particular emphasis on economically disadvantaged students.

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Minnesota

David Ruehs

Tri-City United High School
Minnesota

David Ruehs has proudly served as sssistant principal of Tri-City United High School in Montgomery, MN, for six years with unwavering dedication and purpose. During his time at the school, he has distinguished himself through innovative leadership, compassionate service, and a steadfast commitment to student success. He initiated the Titan Achievement Academy, an individualized and responsive program designed to support students who were falling behind; the Academy has been extremely successful in helping students realize their potential and reengage with school. He is known for ensuring that students lacking a strong support system have meaningful structures in place to help them thrive. Deeply committed to preparing students not just for graduation but for life, he leads with vision, integrity, and an unshakeable belief in every student’s potential.

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Mississippi

Aprylle Downing

Shannon High School
Mississippi

Aprylle Downing has served as assistant principal of Shannon High School in Shannon, MS, for the past nine years, where she is recognized for her steady leadership, student-centered decision-making, and commitment to academic excellence. With a strong focus on building positive school culture, she works collaboratively with teachers, families, and community partners to support student success and well-being. She is known for her consistent advocacy for equitable practices that ensure all students are known and supported; her ability to lead with integrity and clarity during complex instructional and operational challenges; and her dedication to mentoring staff while fostering a safe, respectful, and high-performing learning environment. Her leadership continues to have a lasting impact on the Shannon High School community.

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Missouri

Tona Burke

Sullivan High School
Missouri

Tona Burke is the assistant principal of Sullivan High School in since 2020. Prior to taking this position, Tona served as a school counselor for 18 years. Her experience as a school counselor has significantly shaped her approach to administration. Tona leads with empathy, intentionality, and a strong commitment to student success. She approaches each child as an individual, ensuring students feel seen, valued, and supported. Grounded in the belief that meaningful learning cannot occur until students feel emotionally safe, she prioritizes relationship-building before disciplinary action. By embedding student needs at the core of her leadership, she cultivates a school environment rooted in trust, dignity, and continuous growth.

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Nebraska

Kristyn Jones

Norris High School
Nebraska

Kristyn Jones, EdD, serves as assistant principal of Norris School District in Firth, NE, where she leads instructional coaching aligned to the Marzano Teacher Evaluation Model and oversees student discipline, safety, and school improvement initiatives. She developed and implemented a secondary attendance policy connecting credits to attendance, created structured intervention and appeal processes, and regularly presents on Norris practices at state conferences. As MTSS Team Leader and PBIS leader, she systemized student data analysis, expanded Tier 2 supports such as check-in/check-out, and guided schoolwide SEL implementation through Character Strong, a CASEL-aligned curriculum. A collaborative leader, she supports curriculum review, special education staff, and positive school culture.

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Nevada

Timothy Wells

Mojave High School
Nevada

Timothy Wells is the assistant principal of Mojave High School in Bullhead City, AZ, where he brings a mix of strategy, heart, and just enough humor to keep things moving forward. Named the 2025 Assistant Principal of the Year for the Clark County School District, he is recognized for his commitment to building strong school culture, empowering educators, and driving student success. He’s presented at numerous conferences on leadership and school improvement, always with a focus on practical, people-centered solutions. Whether he’s supporting teachers, guiding students, or keeping chaos in check, he leads with clarity, purpose, and a relentless drive to make schools better for everyone.

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New Hampshire

Kimberly Larkin

Pinkerton Academy
New Hampshire

Kimberly Larkin has served as associate dean of Students at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, NH, for the past 10 years. She is a dedicated educational leader committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and student-centered school community grounded in belonging, emotional safety, and restorative practices. An advocate for student well-being, she helped develop Pinkerton’s Therapy Dog Program, integrating Lucy, her therapy dog, to build connection, improve engagement, and promote wellness. She was also instrumental in establishing the campus Behavior Intervention Team, strengthening systems of support and safety for students. She serves on the Incident Command Team and helps lead the campus reunification plan, ensuring families and students are supported with care during critical moments. She attributes her accomplishments to the support of dedicated staff, inspiring students, the wider community, and Lucy, whose partnership makes this work possible.

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New Jersey

Edwin Garcia Jr.

Passaic High School
New Jersey

Edwin Garcia Jr., EdD, is assistant principal of Passaic High School in Passaic, NJ. He has dedicated his career to strengthening school culture, improving student outcomes, and expanding opportunities for all learners. He is known for leading initiatives that increased graduation rates, improved math proficiency, and reduced chronic absenteeism through data-informed systems and strong relational leadership. He has also played a key role in guiding schools through complex transitions, including multi-building restructures and instructional redesign. Beyond his school, he serves as a community leader, author, and mentor, contributing to districtwide improvement efforts and youth development initiatives. He credits his success to the commitment of his students, staff, families, and community partners who work together to ensure every student thrives.

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New York

Colleen Lynch

Red Hook High School
New York

Colleen Lynch is the assistant principal of Red Hook High School in Red Hook, NY. Her leadership has transformed student support, safety, and school culture. Early in her tenure, she strengthened MTSS, ensuring academic, behavioral, and social-emotional interventions were implemented with fidelity, contributing to a graduation rate increase from 87 to 95% in one year. As chair of the Building-Level Safety Committee and Section 504 Committee, she leads comprehensive safety planning, threat assessment, and equitable accommodations that remove barriers to learning. A steadfast advocate for inclusivity and student voice, she supports the Gay-Straight Alliance, convenes student advisory panels, and spearheaded the creation of Freshman Focus, a course building essential executive functioning skills. Colleagues consistently describe her as visible, compassionate, and a fierce advocate for students.

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North Carolina

Julie Roberts

Perquimans County High School
North Carolina

Julie Roberts is an assistant principal of Perquimans County High School in Hertford, NC. A National Board Certified Teacher with 26 years in education, she leads impactful PLCs that foster shared learning and practical classroom implementation. Known for people-centered leadership that strengthens school culture and supports student and staff well-being, she designed “Start Strong” and “Finish Strong” staff conferences, providing individualized feedback that increased morale, collaboration, and instructional growth. One of her passions is expanding student opportunities by organizing academic competitions, enrichment trips, and leadership opportunities to build students’ confidence and real-world skills.

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North Dakota

Richard Wilson

West Fargo High School
North Dakota

Rick Wilson is an assistant principal of West Fargo High School in West Fargo, ND. He is recognized for his relationship-driven leadership and commitment to student-centered systems that improve outcomes for all learners. He has been a key change agent in the development and implementation of the school’s Cohort Model, grounded in the belief of “knowing our students in October the way we used to know them in March.” Through the collective work of a dedicated staff, the model has helped reduce freshmen off-track rates from 27% in 2023 to 11% in 2024 and to 7% for this school year. He emphasizes trust, collaboration, and shared ownership, and credits the school’s success to the exceptional students, staff, leadership team, families, and community.

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Ohio

Deanna Elsing

Mayfield High School
Ohio

Deanna D’Amore Elsing is associate principal of Innovative and Consortium Programming for the Mayfield City School District in Mayfield, OH, she she focuses on career and technical education and workforce development. Previously she was assistant principal of Mayfield High School and coordinator of the Northern Career Institute. A former English teacher at Eastlake North High School and Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School, she is passionate about connecting students to local workforce initiatives and supporting community organizations.

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Oklahoma

Genevieve Craig

New Castle High School
Oklahoma

Genevieve Craig, EdD, is assistant principal of Newcastle High School in Newcastle, OK. She approaches her daily work with a single question: What do students need to be successful? She carries that question and desire to be a positive influence on her students in every decision she makes. She has purposefully developed systems that create a positive school culture, protect instructional time, and ensure student voices are heard. By embedding restorative practices and maintaining visible, hands-on leadership, she has shifted discipline toward reflection and accountability. She promotes student-driven decisions that open access to rigorous academics, meaningful career pathways, and real-world learning experiences. Known for strategic thinking, creativity, and a relational approach, she believes schools thrive when students and adults feel seen, trusted, and challenged. Her work reflects a deep belief that schools succeed when every decision begins and ends with students. She gratefully acknowledges her students, colleagues, and community, whose trust makes this work and this recognition possible.

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Oregon

Brooke Mayo

Tualatin High School
Oklahoma

Brooke Mayo has served as the assistant principal of Tualatin High School in Tualatin, OR, since 2022. She has been pivotal in fostering an inclusive and supportive school culture, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ community. Administrators have recognized her work in equity-centered systems leadership, highlighting her ability to lead with courage and care in complex situations. She implemented a partnership between high school and middle school Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) students, which has eased transitions for incoming students. She has championed student identity support plans and strengthened anti-bias and hate response systems, ensuring every student feels seen supported, and valued. Her dedication to enhancing professional development for staff, focused on student support, has significantly contributed to student well-being and adult learning. She leads not from authority, but from humanity, creating a profound and lasting impact on the school community.

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Pennsylvania

Danielle Ambrosia

State College Area High School
Pennsylvania

Danielle Ambrosia, EdD, is an assistant principal of State College Area High School in State College, PA, and the Pennsylvania Assistant Principal of the Year. With 16 years in education and five in school leadership, she brings a student-centered, equity-driven approach to building safe, inclusive, and connected school communities. Since joining State High’s Administrative Team in 2021, she has led initiatives that strengthen school culture, including schoolwide PBIS celebrations, student-designed Mental Health Summits, and structured MTSS supports focused on the whole child. She also partners closely with safety staff and students through innovative programs such as the Student Safety Ambassador initiative. She regularly presents at state and national levels on equity, discipline reform, and meaningful data use.

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Rhode Island

John Connell

Westerly High School
Rhode Island

John Connell is assistant principal of Westerly High School in Westerdly, RI. He oversees the English, special education, world language, and social studies departments, co-chairs the district attendance team and serves on the district evaluation committee. He believes that students can and will succeed when presented with clear, consistent, and high expectations in regards to both academic and behavioral standards. As a result, Westerly High School continues to see significant decreases in out-of-school suspensions (OSS), chronic absenteeism rates. and office referrals. This statistic, paired with a single year 24.6 % increase in math achievement and a 10.1% increase in English language arts achievement has created an environment where all students are able to succeed.

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South Carolina

Mary Studemeyer

North Charleston High School
South Carolina

Mary Hannah Studemeyer is assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at North Charleston High School in North Charleston, SC. During her tenure, she designed and implemented a schoolwide “Seven Phase Station Rotation” implementation framework that transforms professional learning and classroom instruction through structured, data- driven small group teaching. By meeting teachers where they are and using continuous student achievement data to personalize growth, she aligned professional development directly to student outcomes. Under her leadership, PLCs became high impact performance teams, MTSS aligned tightly to instruction, and the school realized measurable gains in graduation rate and college and career readiness. She champions a culture grounded in wellness and joy, believing excellence thrives when humanity is prioritized. She is recognized for advancing a reimagining of education where innovation, personalization, and purpose define the standard for schools.

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South Dakota

Kay Bass

Harrisburg High School
South Dakota

Kay Bass, EdD, is the assistant principal of Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, SD. Previously, she taught science for 10 years. She works in a rapidly expanding school district where, since 2001, student enrollment surged by 700%, leading to expanded programming with a focus in career and technical education. She has received multiple awards, including the South Dakota Assistant Principal of the Year, South Dakota Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year, and the South Dakota HOSA Advisor of the Year. She is passionate about teacher collaboration, instructional leadership, student success, and supporting both staff and students in a growing district.

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Tennessee

Kelly Vonner

Humboldt Jr Sr High School
Tennessee

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Texas

Andrea Garza

United High School
Texas

Andrea Garza is the early college dean at United High School in Laredo, TX, and an advocate for Texas public education. A former Texas Teacher of the Year finalist and HEB Secondary Leadership Teacher of the Year, she has served as an assistant principal, instructional coordinator, and social studies teacher. A transformational administrator, she is driven by the conviction that equitable education revitalizes entire communities. She champions student agency through her Summer Bridge program, blending academic rigor with peer mentorship to empower students as campus leaders. By balancing high expectations with an investment in teacher craft, she fosters a culture of instructional excellence. In collaboration with the counseling team, she spearheads initiatives focused on social-emotional needs and inclusivity. Her strategic leadership has been vital to securing a district and campus “A-rating” within a U.S.-Mexico border community serving a large economically disadvantaged and emergent bilingual population.

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Utah

Erin Stumo

Syracuse High School
Utah

Erin Stumo is an assistant principal of Syracuse High School in Syracuse, UT. She has worked to help create an inclusive environment for all students at one of the largest high school in the state. By creating innovative remediation programs that help students build essential skills as they make progress toward graduation, implementing opportunities to equip teachers to support all learners, and including more leadership opportunities for students of diverse backgrounds, she has ensured a positive, welcoming school for students and teachers. She prioritizes relationships with students, teachers, and the community and strives to be visible and use a solutions-focused approach in challenging situations. She attributes the school’s positive momentum to engaged students, teachers who are excited to unite the school community, and a driven administrative team.

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Virginia

Shantell Cook

Jamestown High School
Virginia

Shantell Cook, EdD, is the assistant principal of Jamestown High School in Williamsburg, VA. As an instructional leader committed to improving student outcomes and strengthening school culture, she is recognized for leading Standards of Learning remediation efforts in biology that resulted in a 100% pass rate for participating students. She also designed and implemented a Restorative In-School Suspension (ISS) program, which reduced discipline incidents from over 600 to just 154 in the first year. Her work reflects a deep commitment to equity, restorative practices, and building systems that support both academic excellence and positive student behavior.

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Washington

Melyssa Stone

Shorewood High School
Washington

Melyssa Stone is an assistant principal of Shorewood High School in Shoreline, WA. Previously, she served in administrative roles across the education continuum. An arts educator of over 18 years, she is a believer in the power of creativity in developing skilled and compassionate global citizens. She serves as an administrative mentor, has served on gubernatorial task forces, and has served on educational accreditation oversight committees. She is a methods instructor and supports leadership development through the University of Washington. She is committed to uplifting student voice, developing meaningful connections with students and families, and is an unwavering champion for equity in all arenas. She credits Shorewood’s success to the committed teaching staff, an aligned leadership team, the brilliance of her students, and her amazing community.

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Wisconsin

Amanda Jamerson

Shorewood High School
Wisconsin

Amanda Jamerson is associate principal of Shorewood High School in Shorewood, WI, where she has fostered a restorative, equitable, and student-centered school culture throughout her tenure. Beginning her career as a special education teacher, she brings a deep understanding of inclusive practices and student support systems to her leadership. She has led transformative initiatives that have improved school climate and outcomes, including designing and implementing a Restorative Actions Framework that reduced office discipline referrals by 69% over three years. She also co-led the development of a comprehensive cell phone policy that strengthened instructional focus and reduced peer conflict. As the Building Equity Lead, she founded the school’s Equity Leadership Team and co-leads the African American Youth Initiative, expanding mentorship, leadership development, and college-readiness opportunities for students across southeastern Wisconsin.