The South Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Principal of the Year Awards:
- Assistant Principal of the Year—Amanda Olinger, Harrisburg East Middle School
- Middle School Principal of the Year—Todd Foster, Brookings Mickelson Middle School
- High School Principal of the Year—Jason Kolousek, Wessington Springs High School
The award winners will be formally recognized on June 11, 2024, during the State Principals Conference to be held at the Lodge in Deadwood.
The Principal of the Year program reinforces SDASSP’s commitment to supporting “great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student.” The program elevates the principalship by identifying and honoring models of principal leadership. The Principal of the Year program recognizes outstanding middle level and high school principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession. Ms. Olinger, Mr. Foster and Mr. Kolousek are true leaders in our state. Each award recipient emphasizes the core areas of the SDASSP to include collaborative leadership; personalization; and curriculum, instruction, and assessment expertise.
The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), as the owner and administrator of the National Principal of the Year program, invites each state association to submit the application of one state principal of the year to compete for the national award and to attend the Principals’ Institute held in October. Mr. Todd Foster will represent South Dakota at these events. The Institute not only salutes the principalship but also provides a forum for honorees to advocate for education and share best practices and expertise.