Awards
ADMINISTRATOR AWARDS
AASCD Emerging Leader Award
AASCD Emerging Leader recognition. Recognition for emerging leadership in the field demonstrating effectiveness, drive, vision, and passion for the profession shown in the first fifteen years of service in education. Do not need to be an AASCD member. Coming Soon!
Middle School Principal of the Year Award
The Middle School Principal of the Year Award is sponsored by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP), the Alabama Association of Middle School Principals (AAMSP), the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators (AAESA), and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The Middle School Principal of the Year must have at least three (3) years experience as a principal and be a member of CLAS. Nominees for this award are chosen by their AASSP district. Three finalists are chosen at the annual AASSP/AAMSP Fall Conference. From the three finalists, the Middle School Principal of the Year is selected. The state winner is also encouraged to apply for the National Middle School Principal of the Year award sponsored by NASSP. View Past Winners Award Sponsored by Horace Mann
G. B. Beasley Leadership Award
The G. B. Beasley Leadership Award is presented annually to the person who demonstrates the greatest leadership qualities as determined by the AASSP Board of Directors. The G. B. Beasley Leadership Award is presented annually to the person who demonstrates the greatest leadership qualities as determined by the AASSP Board of Directors. View Past Winners
Assistant Principal of the Year Award
The Assistant Principal of the Year Award is sponsored by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The annual recognition of a high school or middle school assistant principal is sponsored by AASSP and NASSP. The Assistant Principal of the Year recognition at the state and national levels. Alabama’s winner serves a term on the AASSP Board of Directors and is invited to apply for the National Assistant Principal of the Year Award. View Past Winners
High School Principal of the Year Award
The annual High School Principal of the Year Award sponsored by the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The annual recognition of a high school principal is sponsored by AASSP and NASSP. The winner receives recognition at the state and national levels. Applicants must have at least three (3) years experience as a principal and be a member of CLAS. Nominees for this award are chosen by their AASSP district. Three finalists are chosen at the annual AASSP/AAMSP Fall Conference. From the three finalists, the Alabama High School Principal of the Year is selected. The state winner is also encouraged to apply for the National High School Principal of the Year award. View Past Winners Award Sponsored by American Fidelity Assurance
CLAS Leadership Award
Each CLAS affiliate choses one nominee to represent the affiliate for the CLAS Leadership Award. The CLAS Leadership Award is chosen by a committee designated by the CLAS Board of Directors. The CLAS Leadership Award is presented annually to a CLAS member who has exhibited leadership in his or her affiliate as well as at the state level. Award nominations are made by each of the eleven CLAS affiliates and judging is conducted by members of the CLAS Awards Committee. The winner and other nominees are recognized and presented with a plaque during the CLAS Annual Convention. 2024 Nominees: Amanda Hood – AAPASS Jeff Cole – AASSP Casey Partain – ACND Melissa Shields – AASCD Lantanza Harrison – AASPA Caroline Obert – AAMSP Charles Gardner – AAESA Mike Daria – SSA Courtney Utsey – ALA-CASE Lana Tew – ALA504 Chris McCullar – ACTA Congratulations, Caroline Obert, representing the Alabama Association of Middle School Administrators (AAMSP), for being selected the 2024 CLAS Leadership Award recipient! View Past Winners (link)
National Distinguished Principal (NDP)
Each year, AAESA selects one candidate from each district’s nominees to serve as the National Distinguished Principal for the state of Alabama. This award is available to all elementary/middle school principals who: Online principal for at least 5 years. Demonstrates strong commitment to principalship by active membership in professional organizations Actively participates in community activities. Gives evidence of outstanding leadership skills that benefit a local school program. Provides service or achievements beyond what is expected in the usual school program. District nominations must be made by November 1. District nominee submits application to CLAS office by January 4. View Past NDP Winners (link)
AASCD Outstanding Curriculum Administrator Award
AASCD recognition for outstanding contributions to curriculum development, advancement or implementation. Recognition for outstanding contributions to curriculum development, advancement or implementation. A selection committee will be appointed by the organization president. The selection will be limited to recognition of no more than two individuals meeting above stated criteria in one year. The award shall be presented at the AASCD annual conference. Recognition in the form of a plaque will be presented to the recipient. The recipient of the AASCD Outstanding Curriculum Leader Award will receive complimentary registration to the annual conference for the award year. Coming Soon
CLAS Dr. James A. Street Award
The Dr. James A. Street Award is presented by the CLAS Board of Directors to a person, persons, institution, or organization in recognition of exceptional service in the interest of administrators and supervisors, and to public education. The Award may be in recognition of a single, significant contribution during a given year, or it may be for a series of contributions over a period of time. The Dr. James A. Street Award is presented by the CLAS Board of Directors to a person, persons, institution, or organization in recognition of exceptional service in the interest of administrators and supervisors, and to public education. The Award may be in recognition of a single, significant contribution during a given year, or it may be for a series of contributions over a period of time. The recipient of the Award may be an educator or layperson, a school system, or public or private institution or organization, profit or nonprofit, that the Board of Directors considers worthy of such recognition. The Street Award can be presented to a member or nonmember, for exceptional service or achievement that furthers the cause of public education and the interests of school administrators. It is named after the first
CLAS Little Red Schoolhouse Award
The Little Red School House Award is given by the CLAS Board of Directors to a person, persons, school, or school system that has inaugurated a significant curriculum or instructional innovation deserving of statewide recognition. The Little Red School House Award is given by the CLAS Board of Directors to a person, persons, school, or school system that has inaugurated a significant curriculum or instructional innovation deserving of statewide recognition. The program or activity should have a positive impact on the education of children, high potential for dissemination to other schools or systems, and demonstrate leadership in curriculum or instructional procedures in an Alabama school or school system. The “Little Red School House” is an appropriate symbol to recognize outstanding educational achievement. This award is presented at the CLAS Annual Convention in such years as the Board of Directors determines. The Board is not obligated to make an award each year. View Past Winners (link)
Sue B. Adams Leadership Award
At the 2010 AAPASS Annual Conference in honor of Dr. Sue Adams in recognition of her retirement, the Sue B. Adams Leadership Award was established to be given at our yearly conference to an outstanding AAPASS member. Dr. Adams was a pioneer in the area of Prevention and Support with the Alabama State Department of Education. Her expertise, concern, and knowledge of student safety, attendance and discipline, dropout prevention, and discovering ways to help all students and especially those considered “at-risk” will be remembered for years by those who have been fortunate enough to work with her and know her. Deadline January 15, 2027 Apply Here for 2026-2027 Award!
Rhonda Cotten Award
The Rhonda L. Cotten: Be the Change Award is intended to honor an individual, involved in Student Services in Public Education K-12, who creatively finds solutions, regardless of the amount of work involved. It is presented to someone who is less concerned with being politically correct and more concerned with doing the right thing for children and families. This award is designed to be a tribute to someone who is willing to ask questions, even if they are unpopular questions, but is also able to see the humor in difficult situations. The Rhonda L. Cotten: Be the Change Award is created to recognize a person ingrained in family and community who believes that the quality of living can and should be improved for everyone. Deadline: January 15, 2027 Apply Here for 2026-2027 Award!
Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year
Annual recognition for Alabama’s elementary/middle school assistant principals sponsored by AAESA. This award is available to all elementary/middle school assistant principals who: Have been an active assistant principal for at least two years. Demonstrates exceptional leadership in a particular school program; is respected by students, colleagues, parents, and the community at large; and sets high expectations for school staff and students. Are an active member of NAESP and AAESA. District nominations must be made by November 1. District nominee submits application to CLAS office by January 4. Link to Past Winners