National Distinguished Principal (NDP)
CONGRATULATIONS to
Alaska's 2024 National Distinguished
Principal, Heather Conn!
Stedman Elementary School Principal Heather Conn was named the Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals National Distinguished Principal for 2024.
The Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals is proud to announce our National Distinguished Principal for 2024 is Heather Conn, Principal of Stedman Elementary School in Petersburg, Alaska.
Heather Conn was nominated and selected through a statewide search process conducted by the Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals. Conn is a 4th generation Alaskan and a life-long resident of Petersburg. She graduated from the University of Alaska Southeast with a Masters of Elementary Education and Special Education, and went on to receive her M. Ed. in Educational Leadership from the University of Alaska Southeast in 2015. She is currently pursuing a PhD in School Psychology. Conn began her career as a Lead Teacher on the Lummi Indian Reservation at a Head Start. She taught at Tlingit and Haida Head Start in Petersburg and has taught in many different self-contained programs. Conn has been at Stedman Elementary since 2015 serving as a fourth-grade teacher and special education teacher before becoming principal in 2019.
CONGRATULATIONS PRINICPAL CONN!
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
Josh Gill
2023 - LKSD
Denise Kelly
2022 - Kenai
Heather Jones
2021- Anchorage
2020- Kenai
2019- Anchorage
2018- Fairbanks
2017- Matsu
2016- Fairbanks
2015- Anchorage
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