Administrator of the Year Program

2027 Administrator of the Year Awards

• Assistant Elementary Principal of the Year — TBD
• Assistant Secondary Principal of the Year — TBD
• Central Office Administrator of the Year —TBD
• Elementary Principal of the Year — TBD
• Fine Arts Administrator of the Year — Jason Schroeder, North Scott activities director
• High School Principal of the Year — TBD
• Middle School Principal of the Year — TBD
• Superintendent of the Year — Deron Durflinger, Van Meter superintendent

2027 Award Nomination Process

1. Nomination Period: March 11-April 5, 2026. 
2. Read award criteria before making a nomination.
3. 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.
4. Nominees will be invited to apply online by June 30, 2026.
5. A committee of peers will review the formal applications received in each award category, invite finalists for an interview and select the award recipient.
6. 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. 

Award Criteria

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

• 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
• Fine Arts
• 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