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National Distinguished Principal (NDP)

CONGRATULATIONS to
Alaska's 2025 National Distinguished
Principal, Ginger Crockett!

The Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals is proud to announce Diane (Ginger) Crockett, Principal of Brevig Mission School in the Bering Strait School District, as our National Distinguished Principal for 2025.

Crockett was nominated and selected through a statewide search process conducted by the Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals. Crockett began teaching in Brevig Mission as an elementary teacher in 1997, became the English Language Arts teacher at the Middle and High School in 2006, and then began serving as principal of Brevig Mission School in 2013. Crockett received her B.S. in Biology from St. Olaf College. She then went on to receive her Teaching Certificate from UAF in 1997 and her M. Ed from UAA in 2013.

Crockett has been a member of AAESP since 2018 and has been involved in various educational organizations. She has presented at several Alaska Society for Technology in Education (ASTE) Conferences and previously received both the ASTE Outstanding Tech Teacher Award and the President’s Award. In addition to her educational accomplishments, she frequently volunteers within her community and is an adjunct instructor at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

CONGRATULATIONS PRINICPAL CROCKETT!

National Distinguished Principal Information

Eligibility for nominees:
• is a member of NAESP prior to submitting their application in May;
• is an active principal of a school in which a commitment to excellence is clearly evident;
• has been an active principal for at least five years;
• will remain in active service in a position of school leadership during the school year in which he/she will serve as NDP;
• shows a strong commitment to the principalship through active membership in professional associations;
• is respected by students, colleagues, parents, and the community at large;
• assumes an active role in his/her community, distinguishing himself/herself as a leader in civic, religious, or humanitarian activities;
• shows strong educational leadership by setting high expectations for school staff and students; and
• maintains an orderly, purposeful learning environment.


Alaska's National Distinguished Principals

MEET SOME OF THE PAST NDP'S FROM ALASKA

Heather Conn

2024 - Petersburg

Josh Gill

2023 - LKSD

Denise Kelly

2022 - Kenai

Heather Jones

2021- Anchorage

Eric Pederson

2020- Kenai

Douglas Gray

2019- Anchorage

Michael Angaiak

2018- Fairbanks

Lisa Vrvilo

2017- Matsu

Kate LaPlaunt

2016- Fairbanks

Anita Stevens

2015- Anchorage

David Kingsland

2014- KPBSD

Cheryl Stickler
2013- Haines

Barbara Nagengast
2012- Anchorage

Tim Doran
2011- Fairbanks

Richard Toymil
2010- Anchorage

Leslie Campbell
2009- Fairbanks

Barbara Pile
2008- Fairbanks

Ron Fried
2007- Kodiak

Pete Swanson
2006- Kenai

Ed Scherer
2005- Anchorage

Mary Johnstone
2004- Anchorage

John Kito
2003- Anchorage

Kathie Cook
2002- Fairbanks

Dan Blanton
2001- Talkeetna

Karl Schleich
2000- Matsu

Davis Nufer
1999- Palmer

Rick Ladd
1998- Kenai

Sharon Meacham
1997- Anchorage

Kathy Benson
1996- Fairbanks

Arge Jeffery
1995- Anchorage

Linda Black
1994- Anchorage

 

Dave Dirkson
1993- Wrangell

Bill Breeden
1992- Anchorage

Diane Borgman
1991- Kenai

Jim Starry
1990- Anchorage

Lewis McLinn
1989- Kenai

Bett Fami
1988- Fairbanks

Jerry Schoenberger
1987- Yakatat

Darleen Trent
1986- Anchorage

Virginia Maesner
1985- Kenai

Robert Schell
1984- Sitka