Et cetera : Iowa's Principal of the Year Murray honored in D.C. with others at DC event

Outstanding elementary and middle schoolprincipals from across the nation and abroad have been named2017 National DistinguishedPrincipals(NDPs) by the National Association of Elementary SchoolPrincipals (NAESP). The pre-K-8principals will be honored October 13 at an awards banquet in Washington, D.C.

Established in 1984, the two-day NDP celebration program, which will be held at the Capital Hilton Hotel, recognizes public and private schoolprincipals who make superior contributions to their schools and communities. Theprincipals will also have the opportunity to share best practices. The 62principalhonorees were selected by NAESP state affiliates and by committees representing private and overseas schools.

"Principals create the necessary conditions for providing students with the well-rounded education that they need,"� said Dr. L. Earl Franks, CAE, NAESP's executive director.

"NAESP's National DistinguishedPrincipals program recognizes the outstanding leadership of highly successfulprincipals and their commitment to the children they serve, to their local communities, to their state, and our nation.Working in partnership with classroom teachers and other educators, theseprincipals provide the necessary leadership to improve student achievement and ensure every student has a pathway to success."�

It is particularly fitting to acknowledge the work ofprincipals in October because it isNationalPrincipals Month, which was established to recognize and honor the contributions of schoolprincipals toward the success of the nation's students, and encourage awareness of their significance.

Criteria for selection of theprincipals require that the honorees are activeprincipals of schools where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations.

A list of the 2017 NDPs and their biographical information can be accessed atwww.naesp.org/2017-class-national-distinguished-principals.