Representing the state of Mississippi, the New Albany Elementary School principal traveled to the Washington, D.C. program to be recognized for outstanding leadership.
Because principal leadership is key to student success, the National Association of Elementary School Principals recognizes accomplished elementary and middle-level principals from across the nation and abroad as a part of its annual National Distinguished Principal (NDP) program. The 2023 class of NDPs was honored during a two-day event in Washington, D.C. that culminated with an awards banquet on October 6.
Gwyn Russell represented the Mississippi Association of Elementary School Principals at the 2023 NDP program. Russell has led New Albany Elementary School since 2018.
“Mrs. Russell is an outstanding instructional leader who is to be commended for her desire for continuous improvement and her inclusive, collaborative leadership style,” said Dr. Lance Evans, Superintendent.
“The importance of principal leadership has never been more important as schools and communities continue to recover from the challenges of the past few years,” said Dr. L. Earl Franks, CAE, NAESP’s executive director. “That is why we are so proud to recognize the outstanding leadership of the 2023 class of NAESP National Distinguished Principals; these principals lead highly successful learning communities and serve as examples of excellence for all school leaders.”
Principal honorees are selected by NAESP state affiliates and by committees representing private and overseas schools. Criteria for selection of the principals require that the honorees are active principals of schools where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations.
