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 — Angie Butler, Mount Pleasant Director of Instruction
Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year — Aimee Sivak, Cardinal Elementary
Elementary Principal of the Year — Nigel Horton, Griswold Elementary
High School Principal of the Year — Mitch Gross, Iowa City West High School Principal
Middle School Principal of the Year — Mike Kramer, Bondurant-Farrar Intermediate School Principal
Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year — Chris Krueger, Mason City High School Associate Principal
Superintendent of the Year — Cindy Yelick, Heartland AEA Chief Administrator

Nomination Period: March 11-April 2, 2026.
Read award criteria before making a nomination.
Nominations are reviewed by SAI's Representative Council in April and up to TWO individuals/category will be selected from each of SAI's nine AEA districts.
Nominees will be invited to apply online by June 30, 2026.
A committee of peers will review the formal applications received in each award category, invite finalists for an interview and select the award recipient.
Recipients are recognized at the association's annual conference in August of the following year.

NOTE: If your nominee is selected for an interview, your submission will be included in their application packet.

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

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