Five exceptional students are beginning their college journeys with support from the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA), which has awarded them the 2026 Diann Woodard S
Some students have lost their mother, while others live apart from her due to divorce, incarceration, military deployment, or other complex circumstances.
“As a principal, you’re everything to everyone,” Clarence says. “Our children are our most precious jewels. We have to treasure them. Students need leaders who are passionate about their growth and who hold themselves and other educators accountable.”
Despite frequent headlines highlighting political clashes at school board meetings, new research shows that such confrontations are the exception—not the rule.
You are the unsung heroes of education. Often the first to arrive and the last to leave, you juggle mandates, policies, safety, parent concerns, teacher morale and student achievement.
Beyond the Classroom: Leading for Health, Safety, and Tech Balance. This National Principals Month, we celebrate and turn the spotlight on the evolving role of school leaders.
