The National Association of Elementary School Principals has developed a program to recognize the important role of elementary school principals. In Arkansas the program is administered by the Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals (AAESP). The program recognizes an outstanding principal in each state who has truly made a difference and brought about positive change in his/her school.

Past AAESP Principals of the Year

1984
Donald S. Arick

1985
Edwin S. Jackson

1986
June R. Smith

1987
Oma L. Blackwell

1988
Ralph J. William

1989
Wanda L. O’Quinn

1990
Mike Mumma

1991
James Simmons

1992
Larry A. Fuller

1993
Cecil H. Boothe

1994
Linda Childers

1995
Mary Wells

1996
Ila Newberry

1997
Jim Lewis

1998
Don Johnson

1999
Sandy Hughey

2000
Dr. Bert Stark

2001
Truett McCurry

2002
Belinda Akin

2003
Howard Austin

2004
Jerry Vaughn

2005
Marilyn Johnson

2006
Jim Warnock

2007
Debbie Davis

2008
Sherrie Bayles

2009
Maribel Childress

2010
Kay York
Ashdown School District

2011
Dr. Regina Stewman
Springdale School District

2012
Peggy Walter
Fort Smith School District

2013
Cindy Covington
Siloam Springs School District

2014
Dondi Frisinger
Springdale School District

2015
Melissa Fink
Springdale School District

2016
Sara Weaver
Warren School District

2017
Dr. Annette Freeman
Springdale School District

2018
Stephanie Worthey
Greenbrier School District

2019
Shelly Poage
Springdale School District

2020
Justin Swope
Springdale School District

2021
April Hagans
Clinton School District

2022
Donaven Sims
Bryant School District

2023
Steven Helmick
Little Rock School District