The National Superintendent of the Year® Program pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead our nation's public schools
This program is done in partnership with Sourcewell, Corebridge Financial and AASA.
Nominations & Applications
Important Dates & Deadlines
To be eligible for the National Superintendent of the Year® Award, candidates must first be named by their state association as the State Superintendent of the Year.
Any AASA Affiliate Association State Superintendent of the Year® who plans to continue in the profession may be nominated or apply.
This program is designed to recognize the outstanding leadership of active, front-line superintendents. It is not recognition of service at retirement or a program to reward current state or national leaders.
Each candidate for the National Superintendent of the Year® Award must first be named by their state association as the State Superintendent of the Year.
Each State Superintendent of the Year is judged on the following criteria:
- Leadership for Learning: Creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in his or her school system.
- Communication: Strength in both personal and organizational communication.
- Professionalism: Constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team.
- Community Involvement: Active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national, and international issues.
NOTE: Nominations and Applications are now Closed
Nominations:
Nominations must be completed using this online form.
NOTE: To be
eligible for the AASA National Superintendent of the Year® Award, nominees must first be awarded their state superintendent of the year designation.
Applications:
Current State Superintendents of the Year can submit applications using this online form.
Applications are due by November 1 annually.
- November 1: Deadline for all State Superintendents of the Year to complete the National Superintendent of the Year® application
- December: National Superintendent of the Year® finalists notified
- January: Four finalists participate in a national briefing and interviews at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
- February: National Superintendent of the Year® is announced and all State Superintendents of the Year are honored on stage at the AASA National Conference on Education
- November: Superintendent of the Year Gala and Forum is held in honor of all State Superintendents of the Year and the National Superintendent of the Year® winner.
Congratulations to the 2025 AASA National Superintendent of the Year®
Walter B. Gonsoulin, Jr., superintendent, Jefferson County Public Schools (Ala.)
Gonsoulin has tackled challenges such as chronic absenteeism and spearheaded changes in the school district’s zoning patterns to open up learning opportunities to students, regardless of where they live.
Read More
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to be State Superintendent of the Year in my state so that I can be eligible for the AASA National Superintendent of the Year® Award?
Contact your state association to inquire about its State Superintendent of the Year selection process and application deadlines. Timelines vary from state to state.
AASA has affiliate relationships with many state associations. View them here.
How do I access my login and/or password?
Use the "forgot your password" link on the login page.
If you do not receive an email within one hour, please contact awards@aasa.org or 703-875-0709.
If I am named a state winner and am attending the National Conference on Education onstage ceremony, when do I need to be there?
The honorees will be recognized on Thursday at the opening general session.
Can family members attend the ceremony at the National Conference on Education?
Yes, guests can attend the general session. They will be allowed to enter the hall once the doors
open (approximately 10 minutes before session start time).
Thank You to our National Superintendent of the Year Partners
