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
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