Each year, NASSP designates one NASSP National Principal of the Year. The national honoree is announced in October in coordination with National Principals Month. The national honoree is a distinguished guest at the annual conference and receives a crystal award to display at their school.
2023 National Principal of the Year
Donna Hayward
Haddam Killingworth High School
Higganum, CT
Inspired by her own high school principal, Donna Hayward, principal of Haddam Killingworth High School, began her professional career as a high school mathematics teacher. She served as principal/assistant principal in Rocky Hill High School for a decade, during which time she markedly increased Advanced Placement opportunities and standardized test scores and reduced discipline, leading to her presenting effective leadership strategies at the State’s annual data conference and the NASSP’s national conference. She then served as principal of Suffield High School, where she opened a new Agriscience center and led her school to exceed prior academic performance in all areas. She is now the principal of Haddam Killingworth High School which earned the National Blue Ribbon in her fourth year. She was honored as the Connecticut Assistant Principal of the Year in 2006.