AWSP
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Washington State Principal of the Year


AWSP is a K-12 organization, and we recognize two winners, one elementary and one secondary principal, as our Washington State Principals of the Year. The elementary winner will represent Washington as our National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Distinguished Principal award winner, and the secondary principal will represent Washington for the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Principal of the Year award.


2025 Winners


2025 Washington State
Elementary Principal of the Year

Smiling woman in a green and black dress stands outside a modern building with glass doors and a planter with flowers.

Cathi Davis
Ruby Bridges Elementary
Northshore School District

Read the Press Release

2025 Washington State
Secondary Principal of the Year

Smiling woman in a gray suit and blue blouse stands in front of Mt. Spokane High School's brick building.

Chelsea Gallagher
Mt. Spokane High School
Mead School District

Read the Press Release

2026 POY Nominations are Now Closed


Process

  • Nomination period opens. 
  • AWSP checks the eligibility of each nominee and communicates with each about their nomination.
  • Eligible nominees are sent an application to complete.
  • AWSP's selection committee scores applications and makes selections.
  • Winners/districts are notified.
  • State winners complete an application for the national associations' awards and are honored at their respective events.

2026 Award Timelines

  • Nominations open in April. ANYONE can nominate!
  • We will accept nominations through the end of May.
  • Nominees can apply through the end of August.
  • The selection committee selects a winner to be announced in October during National Principals Month.
  • State winners complete the national application packet.

National Recognition

For national recognition, our Elementary Principal of the Year winner will represent Washington State for the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Distinguished Principal award, and our Secondary Principal of the Year for the National Association of Secondary School Principal (NASSP) Principal of the Year award. 


National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)

  • One principal will represent Washington for NAESP's National Distinguished Principal Program (NDP).
  • NAESP honors principals from around the country and does not select a national winner. 
  • Winners are recognized in Washington, D.C. in October.

National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)

  • One principal will represent Washington for NASSP's National Principal of the Year (NPOY).
  • NASSP selects one national winner from the state representatives.
  • State representatives are honored at the National Principals Institute in Washington, D.C., in October.

Assistant Principal of the Year and Past POY Winners


Assistant Principal of the Year

Learn more about our state and national assistant principal recognitions.

AP Recognition

Past POY Winners

Check out our list of past winners. 

View List