The search for the National Principal of the Year begins every spring as each state principal’s association selects its State Principals of the Year. From this pool of state award winners, a panel of judges selects three finalists.
2025 National Principal of the Year Finalists
2024 South Carolina Principal of the Year
Tracie Anderson Swilley
As principal of Fairfield Central High School, Anderson Swilley has supported the promotion of many of her assistant principals to the principalship, and she has promoted teachers within her building to the role of assistant principal. She has also mentored principals throughout the state. She believes that everyone can achieve with proper assistance and support and uses data to guide her faculty and staff in best practices to improve student outcomes.
2024 Massachusetts Principal of the Year
Andrew Rebello
Before accepting the position of assistant superintendent of Bristol Plymouth Technical High School in August, Rebello was the principal of Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Fall River, MA. Under his leadership, the graduation rate increased to 98%, and Diman was rated the highest-performing high school in the area. Previously, he served as a vice principal and central office administrator for Boston Public Schools. He was appointed to the Economic Development Planning Council by Governor Maura Healy and received the National Milken Educator of the Year award. He serves on the Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association Board of Directors.
2024 Michigan Principal of the Year
Jon Wilcox
Jon Wilcox has served as the principal of Petoskey Middle School in Petoskey, MI, since 2015. Previously, he was a science teacher in Napaskiak, AK, and Hart, MI. At Petoskey Middle School, he created an environment where stakeholder voices are heard and valued. By building leadership capacity in teachers and student leaders and by increasing tiered supports, he has helped cultivate a positive school culture.