New Jersey Principal of the Year Program: Rewarding Visionary Leadership

Sponsored by the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association and Educational Testing Service (ETS) in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Education

Completed applications must be received at NJPSA by March 1, 2008.

Candidate Selection Criteria (for Public School Principals only)

Each of the criterion listed below will be used as a significant requirement in the selection of the New Jersey Principal of the Year. The honoree must:

Be an active principal of a public school in which a commitment to education is evident through programs which meet the academic and social needs of all students;
Prior to submitting this application, have at least four years of experience as an active principal and at least one full year experience as principal of your current school;
Be an active principal during the year in which he/she is an honoree;
Involve the community and local businesses in the life of the school;
Be respected by students, colleagues, parents, and the community at large;
Demonstrate a willingness to take risks to improve teaching and student learning;
Be committed to continuous school improvement, the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards and No Child Left Behind;
Monitor progress and encourage effective interventions for at–risk and low–performing students;
Collaborate with teachers, other staff members, and parents to improve the educational program and student achievement; and
Provide creative leadership that inspires teachers to achieve and contribute to the school environment.

Options for Candidate’s Responsibilities

During the recognition year, the award recipient will be expected to serve in one or more of the following capacities:

As an adjunct professor or a distinguished lecturer at principal recognition programs and at the college and university level;
As a mentor and presenter in a Title I Principals’ Institute and other forums;
As a participant in a multi–day convocation where attendees consider how best to assist principals;
As an advisor to the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) regarding policy issues and/or a member of a special advisory committee;
As an education advocate who serves as a role model to current and prospective principals and who works to encourage others to enter the principalship;
As an educational researcher who synthesizes research–based information to inform the NJDOE’s policies and programs;
As an action researcher at the district or school level;
As a host of open–houses or visitations for educational professionals and others interested in learning about excellent schools;
As an internship mentor or guest speaker for NJ Expedited Certification for Educational Leadership (NJ EXCEL) program.

Timeline

The timeline for the principal recognition program is as follows:

March 1, 2008 : Applications returned
May 2008 : Principals of the Year announced
July 2008 : Principals of the Year recognition term begins

Panel of Judges

The panel of judges, which will include principals formerly receiving Principal of the Year awards by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Association of Elementary School Principals and New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, will be recruited to serve as review panelists along with representatives of the New Jersey Department of Education.

Procedures

Candidates must submit a completed application and documents listed in the Application Checklist.
Applications must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on March 1, 2008 sent to the attention of Charles N. Stein, Assistant Executive Director.