National Distinguished Principal
Applications/Nominations are open for the 2023 MAEMSP National Distinguished Principal until December 15, 2023
Follow this link to submit a nomination form: 2024 MAEMSP National Distinguished Principal Nomination Form
The NDP program recognizes excellence in elementary and middle level school leadership and is sponsored by NAESP. It was established in 1984 to recognize elementary and middle level principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and climate for the students, families and staffs in their learning communities. The program is based on three fundamental ideas:
- Children's attitudes towards learning and their perceptions of themselves as lifelong learners are established in the beginning school years.
- The scope and quality of children's educational experiences are determined primarily by the school principals, who establishes, through the important work of teachers and the support of caring parents, the character of a particular school's program.
- The dedication and enthusiasm of the outstanding principals who guide children's early education experiences should be acknowledged to both show appreciation for their work as well as to allow them to serve as models for others in the field.
Criteria established by NAESP require the individual is a practicing principal with at least five years experience in the principalship, who plans to continue as a practicing principal. The principal must demonstrate evidence of outstanding contributions to the community and to the education profession and should lead a school that:
- Must be a member of NAESP at the time of the award;
- Is clearly committed to excellence;
- Has programs designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students; and
- Has firm ties to parents and the community.
2023 Montana National Distinguished Principal Award

Past MAEMSP National Distinguished Principals
Jim Bergman |
1984 |
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Nonnie Hughes |
1999 |
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Darren Schlepp |
2011 |
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Warren Morehouse |
1985 |
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John Moffatt |
2000 |
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David Wick |
2012 |
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John Ferro |
1986 |
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Keith Kohnke |
2001 |
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Joe McMahon |
2013 |
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Ken Lane |
1987 |
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Peggy Ames-Nerud |
2002 |
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Bill Salonen |
2014 |
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Stan rathman |
1988 |
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Mary Ann Cosgrove |
2003 |
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Aaron Griffin |
2015 |
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Ken Nordquist |
1989 |
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Don Idso |
2004 |
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Ron Goodman |
2016 |
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Darrell Rud |
1990 |
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Tina Lynch |
2004 |
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Sue Sweeney |
2017 |
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Clayton Croff |
1991 |
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Ross Farber |
2005 |
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Jon Konen |
2018 |
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Bruce Whitehead |
1992 |
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Sharon Redfern |
2006 |
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Marlin Lewis |
2019 |
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Hal Hawley |
1993 |
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Kim Anderson |
2006 |
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Travis Niemeyer |
2020 |
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Chuck Fuller |
1994 |
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Phillip "Duby" Santee |
2007 |
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Pam Meier |
2021 |
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Kathy Pattee |
1995 |
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Jim O'Neill |
2008 |
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Shelley Andres |
2022 |
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Richard Jonasen |
1996 |
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Chuck Gameon |
2009 |
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Jan Riebhoff |
1997 |
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Ronee Boisseau |
2009 |
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Tammy Lacey |
1998 |
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Cindy Worrall |
2010 |
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Friday, January 8, 2021.
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