National Principal of the Year Finalists

2026 Middle Level National Principal of the Year finalists 

David “Dave” Wiedlich, Pennsylvania Connecticut

David M. Wiedlich, EdD, is the principal of Radnor Middle School in Radnor, PA. He has distinguished himself as an innovative, student-centered leader committed to fostering belonging, wellness, and academic growth. Under his leadership, Radnor Middle School has advanced data-informed MTSS practices, increased student engagement across all academic settings, and expanded curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular offerings to students. He has spearheaded the creation of programs that celebrate soft skills and strengthened school culture by continually elevating student and staff voice and ensuring that perspectives of all stakeholders shape schoolwide decisions. His initiatives have enhanced student well-being, broadened learning pathways, deepened community engagement, and helped Radnor Middle School rank as a top middle school in the country. He is an executive board member of the Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils and an editorial board member for The Pennsylvania Administrator.

2026 High School National Principal of the Year finalists 

Christine Udarbe, Hawaii 

Christine Udarbe, PhD, is the principal of Nānākuli High and Intermediate School in Wai’anae, HI. A leader in the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, where she has served since 2024, she was named the 2026 Hawaiʻi Secondary Principal of the Year by the Hawaiʻi Association of Secondary School Administrators (HASSA) and recognized as a 2026 and 2023 NAESP Leeward District Distinguished Principal. Through visionary, data-driven leadership, she has led a comprehensive campus transformation grounded in restorative and trauma-informed practices, systemic safety improvements, and stakeholder collaboration. Central to her leadership is an intentional focus on enhancing teaching and learning practices, strengthening instructional coherence, and building educator efficacy to ensure high-quality learning experiences in every classroom. She has cultivated a culture of safety, trust, and support in which both students and staff are empowered to excel, innovate, and thrive together.

 
Deborah “Debbie” Dennie, Maryland 

Deborah Dennie, EdD, has served as the principal of Leonardtown Middle School in St. Mary’s County, MD for 10 years, providing steady, visionary leadership grounded in high expectations and genuine care. During her tenure, she has strengthened instructional practice through data-driven decision-making, elevated student accountability, and cultivated a culture of continuous professional growth among educators. Widely recognized as a mentor and advocate, she empowers staff to pursue leadership opportunities and expand their professional capacity, contributing to improved teaching and learning outcomes schoolwide while prioritizing the emotional and physical well-being of students and staff. She ensures instructional time is purposeful, distractions are minimized, and collaborative planning is both funded and prioritized. This shared focus has resulted in rising proficiency, greater equity in classrooms, and stronger student readiness for high school and beyond.

Colin McNaught, Nevada 

Colin McNaught is the principal of Cimarron-Memorial High School in Las Vegas, NV. He began his career as a Teach For America corps member at Cimarron-Memorial, where he taught biology and served as student council adviser before later serving as dean of students and assistant principal. A passionate advocate for what is best for students and for expanding opportunities that support their long-term success, he is guided by the vision of supporting each student’s “Spartan Way to and through their Next Step.” He has led the expansion of CTE pathways and dual enrollment opportunities, with the ultimate goal of broadening access to college credit and workforce experiences while removing financial barriers for all students. He continues to teach ninth-grade biology, reflecting his belief that instructional leadership requires instructional proximity and a sustained commitment to teaching and learning.

Sonia Ruiz, Illinois 

Sonia E. Ruiz is in her fourth year as the principal of Jane Addams Middle School in Bolingbrook, IL, where she leads with a focus on belonging, equity, and shared leadership. She has dedicated her career to ensuring that every student learns at high levels in safe, supportive, and inclusive school communities. Under her leadership, Jane Addams has earned Exemplary Status for three consecutive years, placing the school in the top 10% of schools in Illinois. She believes a strong school culture is built through relationships, belonging, and collective responsibility. She has strengthened systems that support academic growth, social-emotional well-being, and equity for all learners. She serves as the Illinois Principal Association’s Diversity and Equity Chair.

Jason Johnson, North Carolina 

Jason Johnson is the principal of Orange High School in Hillsborough, NC, and the North Carolina Principal of the Year. With more than 25 years in education, he has served as a teacher and leader in Chatham and Guilford County Schools and as a school transformation coach with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. He first led Orange High from 2012–2016 and returned as principal in 2021, reaffirming his commitment to the school community. A two-time Orange County Principal of the Year (2010, 2025), he has also served on the district’s Equity Task Force. His “lead with love” philosophy drives his focus on equity and academic growth for all students.