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. 

Nominations are closed for the MAEMSP Awards

• MAEMSP/NAESP National Distinguished Principal 
• Adrian Langstaff Award
• NAESP Conference Incentive Award
• MAEMSP Aspiring Principal Scholarship Award
• MAEMSP Friends of Education Award
• MAEMSP Appreciation Award
• MAEMSP Executive Board Award 

National Distinguished Principal

Applications/Nominations are closed for the MAEMSP 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.

2024 Montana National Distinguished Principal

Past MAEMSP National Distinguished Principals

MAEMSP Adrian Langstaff Award

Nominations are closed for the Adrian Langstaff Award

This award is one of the highest recognition 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 whose life was cut short in a tragic accident.   

Past Adrian Langstaff Award Recipients

NAESP Conference Incentive Scholarship Award

Applications are closed for this award

This award is given to an MAEMSP member who has never attended an NAESP Conference. The 2024 NAESP  Pre-K–8 Principals Conferences will be held July 15-17 in Nashville, Tennessee.

The recipient will receive:

• Paid registration to the National Conference,
• Paid round trip airfare to the conference,
• A letter to the recipient's supervisor from the MAEMSP President encouraging them to grant adequate release time and financial support for meals and hotel.

MAEMSP Aspiring Principal Scholarship Award

Applications are closed for the 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 Master 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

Nominations are closed for the MAEMSP Friends of Education Award

The MAEMSP Friends of Education Award recognizes those individuals in your community who have gone above and beyond the normal call of duty in supporting and promoting public education.  Think of that private citizen outside of the professional educational organization who is always there to support education and goes the extra mile to further the education of Montana's youth.  The successful candidate will exemplify the following:

• Outstanding support and promotion of public education;
• State of local membership and leadership positions in educational boards or organizations; and
• Participation and leadership positions in community and civic organizations

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.