Administrator of the Year Program

2026 Administrator of the Year Awards

Arts Administrator of the Year — Rudi Newkirk, Davenport K-12 Fine Arts Curriculum and Assessment Specialist and Creative Arts Academy Program Director
Central Office Administrator of the Year — TBD
Elementary Principal of the Year — TBD
High School Principal of the Year — TBD
Middle School Principal of the Year — TBD
Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year — Chris Krueger, Mason City High School Associate Principal
Superintendent of the Year — Cindy Yelick, Heartland AEA Chief Administrator

2027 Award Nomination Process

1. Nominations for 2027 awards opens March 1, 2026 and closes April 1, 2026. Review respective award criteria before making a nomination.
2. Nominations are first reviewed at the SAI District level, then each of the nine SAI Districts may submit one nominee per category to the SAI office for consideration. Nominees who are selected to move forward in the process will be contacted and provided with application materials after May 1. This four-page application with three supporting letters is due at the SAI office by June 30.
3. A committee of peers will review the formal applications received in each award category, invite three finalists for an interview and select the award recipient.
4. Recipients are recognized at the association's Annual Conference.

Award Criteria

Guidelines for eligibility and the process for selecting each award's recipients

• Arts
• Assistant Elementary Principal (containing some portion of grades PK-8)
• Assistant Secondary Principal (containing some portion of grades 6-12)
• Central Office (includes AEA directors)
• Elementary Principal
• Middle School Principal
• High School Principal
• Superintendent (includes AEA chief administrators)

Deadlines

The official SAI district nominee's completed application must arrive at the SAI office by June 30 for all awards. (See nominations above.)

Past Recipients

Listing of previous winners by category