MAEMSP Awards

The Montana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals presents the following awards for members each year.   Members are encouraged to nominate their peers for these awards to recognize achievements and to participate in national meetings. 

•  MAEMSP Awards (Deadline December 5, 2025)

  • MAEMSP/NAESP National Distinguished Principal - The NDP program recognizes excellence in elementary and middle level school leadership and is sponsored by NAESP.  It was established in 1984 to recognize elementary and middle level principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and climate for the students, families and staffs in their learning communities.  
  • Adrian Langstaff Award - This award is one of the highest recognitions that can be given to a deserving member of MAEMSP.  The award is in the name and memory of Adrian Langstaff.  Adrian was an outstanding elementary principal who was a very recognized leader in his school, community and state
  • NAESP Conference Incentive Award - This award is given to an MAEMSP member who has never attended an NAESP Conference. The 2026 National School Leaders Conference will be held July 13-15  in Orlando, FL. The recipient will receive paid registration and round trip airfare to the conference.  Hotel fees are the responsibility of the award winner.
  • MAEMSP Aspiring Principal Scholarship Award - MAEMSP provides an annual Scholarship/Incentive Grant of $800 to a student successfully applying to or currently enrolled in an approved course of study for the Masters of Education Leadership Degree.  The applicant must have completed three years of successful teaching in elementary or middle school education (K-8) and hold a current Montana Class II teaching certificate. 
  • MAEMSP Friends of Education Award - This award is given to any person in the community who has gone above and beyond with duties that support and promote public education. The recipient of this award must be a private citizen that is outside the professional educational field. 
  • MAEMSP Appreciation Award - This award is given to an individual, organization, or business that has provided outstanding support to the Montana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals.

National Distinguished Principal

The NDP program recognizes excellence in elementary and middle level school leadership and is sponsored by NAESP.  It was established in 1984 to recognize elementary and middle level principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and climate for the students, families and staffs in their learning communities.  The program is based on three fundamental ideas:

1. Children's attitudes towards learning and their perceptions of themselves as lifelong learners are established in the beginning school years.
2. The scope and quality of children's educational experiences are determined primarily by the school principals, who establishes, through the important work of teachers and the support of caring parents, the character of a particular school's program.
3. The dedication and enthusiasm of the outstanding principals who guide children's early education experiences should be acknowledged to both show appreciation for their work as well as to allow them to serve as models for others in the field.  

Criteria established by NAESP require the individual is a practicing principal with at least five years experience in the principalship, who plans to continue as a practicing principal.  The principal must demonstrate evidence of outstanding contributions to the community and to the education profession and should lead a school that:

• Must be a member of NAESP at the time of the award;
• Is clearly committed to excellence;
• Has programs designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students; and
• Has firm ties to parents and the community.

2025 Montana National Distinguished Principal

Past MAEMSP National Distinguished Principals

MAEMSP Adrian Langstaff Award

Past Adrian Langstaff Award Recipients

MAEMSP Friends of Education Award

Past Friends of Education Award Recipients

MAEMSP Appreciation Award

Nominations are closed for the MAEMSP Appreciation Award

The MAEMSP Appreciation Award is given to an individual, organization, or business that has provided outstanding support to the Montana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals. 

MAEMSP Executive Board Award

The MAEMSP Executive Board Award is given in a year where the 4 Executive Board members find that an MAEMSP member has gone above and beyond the call and has shown outstanding service to MAEMSP. It is intended to award a current MAEMSP member who has greatly contributed to the organization through his/her involvement and work. The award is given by the MAEMSP Executive Board and may or may not be given on an annual basis.