The Professional Development branch coordinates the annual educator award programs. These are:

Teachers:

• Teacher of the Year (TOY) Recognition Program

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Principals:

• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NAESP) Principal of the Year Recognition Program (POY) for middle and high school principals
• National Association of Elementary School Principals (NASSP) "National Distinguished Principal of the Year" (NDP) for elementary and middle school principals

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Assistant Principals:

• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NAESP) Assistant Principal of the Year Recognition Program (APOY) for middle and high school assistant principals
• The DoDEA Assistant Principal of the Year for Elementary and Middle School

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NASSP Principal of the Year

• 2009: Maria Buchwald (DoDDS Europe)
• 2008: Dr. Julio Gonzalez (DDESS)
• 2007: None
• 2006: Dr. Ellen Minette (DoDDS Europe)
• 2005: Mr. Doug McEnery (DoDDS Europe) and Ms. Nancy Maldonado (DDESS)
• 2004: Ms. Linda Connelly (DoDDS Pacific)

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NAESP National Distinguished Principal of the Year

• 2010: Mrs. Helen Hughes-Balilo (DoDDS Europe)
• 2009: None
• 2008: Mrs. Susan Ahart (DDESS)
• 2007: Mr. Richard Alix
• 2006: Dr. Liz Dunham (DoDDS Europe)
• 2005: Dr. Emily Marsh (DDESS) and Ms. Melissa Klopfer (DoDDS Europe)
• 2004: Mr. Stan Hays (DoDDS Pacific) and Mr. Martin Kinney (DDESS)

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NASSP Assistant Principal of the Year

• 2009: None
• 2008: None
• 2007: None
• 2006: Ms. Dewanda Sholar (DDESS)
• 2005: Ms. Maria Dee-Buchwald (DoDDS Europe)
• 2004: Ms. Susan Page (DoDDS Europe)

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DoDEA Assistant Principal of the Year for Elementary and Middle School

• 2009: Daisy L. Schneider (DDESS)
• 2008: Ms. Jennifer Halley (DDESS)
• 2007: Dr. Thomas Waters (DoDDS Pacific)
• 2006: Mr. Mike McClain (DoDDS Pacific)
• 2005: Ms. Mary Dalla Betta (DoDDS Europe)