Utah Association of Elementary School Principals

07/28/2026

Planning for an Incredible Year of Leadership!

Today, the officers of the **Utah Association of Elementary School Principals (UAESP)** came together to plan an exciting 2026–2027 school year dedicated to supporting and celebrating elementary school leaders across Utah.

We're looking forward to a fantastic lineup of professional learning and networking opportunities, including:

Student Council Conference, Assistant & Aspiring Principal Conference December 2, 2026, Secretary's Conference April 13, 2027, Mid-Winter Conference February 1–3, 2027 and, Summer Conference June 8–10, 2027.

We are excited to welcome back our current members, celebrate those stepping into new principal roles, and encourage aspiring principals as they begin their leadership journey. Together, we are building a strong community of leaders committed to supporting students, educators, and schools throughout Utah.

Here's to another year of learning, leading, and making a difference!

07/20/2026

Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Award Winners.

Kari Breeding, Utah Elementary Principal of the Year, Hooper Elementary School, School District
Jordan Warner, Utah Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year, Saratoga Shores Elementary, School District
Jennifer Eggleston, Community Leader of the Year, Three Falls Elementary, School District
Sara Burk, Community Leader of the Year, Hill Field Elementary, School District
Abram Yospe, Innovator of the Year, Foothills Elementary, School District
Amy Darrington, Instructional Leader of the Year, Cherry Creek Elementary, School District
Margaret Swanicke, Principal Mentor of the Year, Midvalley Elementary School District
Natalie Gleave, Rookie Principal of the Year, Monte Vista Elementary, School District
Jessica Ribble, Rural Principal of the Year, Santaquin Elementary, School District
Linda Horsley, School Improvement Principal of the Year, Creekside Elementary, School District
Steve Leavenworth, Student Advocate of the Year, Riverside Elementary, School District
Jed Grunig, Principal Supervisor of the Year, School District
Dave Rowe, President’s Award: Presented By Adam Gull, School District
Dr. Earl Franks, Friend of Education Award, Executive Director of the Association of Elementary School Principals

05/16/2026

Congratulations to Kari Breeding principal of Hooper Elementary in the Weber School District. She is Utah’s Elementary principal of the year.

05/16/2026

Congratulations to Jordan Warner from
Saratoga Shores Elementary School in the
Alpine School District. He is Utah’s elementary assistant principal of the year.

04/30/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/182Dr4M2fJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

We’re excited to share important news with our NAESP community. The Board of Directors has selected Stephanie A. Morris as NAESP’s next executive director, beginning Aug. 1, 2026. Morris brings a deep commitment to child development, a strong belief in the essential role of principals, and a career dedicated to supporting educators who help children learn and thrive.

As the current CEO of SHAPE America and a former senior leader at NAEYC, Morris has spent her career championing the needs of Pre‑K–8 students and the professionals who serve them. Her leadership aligns closely with NAESP’s mission to equip principals with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to build strong school communities.

We look forward to advancing the work of leading learning together.

Learn more about your next NAESP executive director: https://www.naesp.org/news/naesp-announces-stephanie-a-morris-as-new-executive-director

04/07/2026

02/23/2026

This week, Utah elementary principals wrapped up a fantastic conference filled with inspiration, learning, and connection.

We heard from powerful speakers including Baruti Kafele, Alison Apsey, Utah State Superintendent Molly Hart, motivational speaker and ER PA Corbin Allred, and April Knight from the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

We also celebrated Utah’s Principal of the Year, National Distinguished Principal Tim Pead, and Assistant Principal of the Year Desiree Olsen as they shared their best practices.

Principals had time to connect and network at Crush Golf, strengthening relationships with colleagues from across the state.

It was a great week full of laughter, learning, and leadership.

11/10/2025

Episode 4 of the Utah Leader Podcast has been released. It is with President Elect Allynne Mower.

Https://youtu.be/2YpXGYU6L9s

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3cY2mDPFqYFG2DJUGTbpxQ?si=6XOoIcnuQduzEBFnGZCHvA

10/23/2025

Celebrating Tim Pead Ridgeline Elementary, Alpine District,
Utah's Elementary Principal of the Year in Washington DC at the Willard Hotel. Congratulations for Representing Utah's Awesome Principals.

10/23/2025

Episodes 2 and 3 of the Utah Leader Podcast have just dropped. Episode two is an introduction to what the podcast is all about. Episode three features Principal Harmony Kartchner from the Provo school district. Her school was recently recognized as a national Blue Ribbon School.

https://www.youtube.com/

https://open.spotify.com/show/3g0DQVzVjMoH5cuVlVTDlu

Welcome to the Utah Leader Podcast, brought to you by the Utah Association of Elementary School Principals. Meet your host, David Pendergast—better known as Mr. P. A National Distinguished Principal, he has led schools in the Davis School District with a focus on building strong culture, supportin...