Principal of the Year Awardees
The Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA) is proud to name Dr. Kewanis Kennedy, principal of Marshall Elementary School at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as the 2026 DoWEA Principal of the Year.
Dr. Kennedy earned the highest distinction in a competitive, system-wide selection process, receiving 39 out of 40 points on the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders evaluation and unanimous praise from nominators across the Americas region and DoWEA headquarters.
Americas
Dr. Kennedy has demonstrated exceptional leadership in fostering high academic achievement and strong community partnerships.
Selected through a rigorous nomination and evaluation process, Kennedy excelled in the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders, earning a score of 39 out of 40. This recognition highlights Kennedy's alignment with the DoWEA Blueprint for Continuous Improvement, particularly in advancing Student Excellence through data-driven initiatives that boosted student achievement by 24 percentage points toward a math SMART Goal and gains for third- through fifth-grade students.
Europe
Dr. Dean believes the most crucial component of learning is student improvement. Students can learn and grow in a variety of ways and at varying paces, and through hard work, dedication, and perseverance, they can become educated young adults. She believes school excellence is created by encouraging, cultivating, and empowering teacher leaders, energizing educators to improve their professional practice, and fostering visibility, teamwork, and a culture of high expectations.
Pacific
As a former DoWEA student, Wiley understands the unique opportunities and challenges faced by military-connected students. She is passionate about building a collaborative school community where educators, families, and stakeholders work together to educate, engage, and empower every learner.
