Congratulations to our 2025 Award Winners!
OAESA 2025 Principal of the Year
Stacy Tennenbaum, Fairfield Elementary School, Pickerington Local Schools
Honorees are selected by their colleagues for achievements above and beyond those expected in the usual school program. OAESA has been recognizing outstanding administrators since 1984.
OAESA 2025 Outstanding Second-in-Command Administrator Award
Kimberly Beard, Assistant Principal, Mercer Elementary, Forest Hills Schools
Honorees are selected by their colleagues for achievements above and beyond those expected in a role as an auxiliary administrator who partners in the day-to-day operations of PreK-8 schools.
OAESA 2025 Outstanding Central Office Administrator Award
Dr. Julie Willoughby, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Urbana City Schools
Honorees are selected by their colleagues for achievements above and beyond those expected in a role as a central office administrator who partners in the day-to-day operations of PreK-8 schools.
OAESA 2025 D. Richard Murray Award
Kevin Gehres, Retired Principal, Van Wert City Schools
To recognize D. Richard Murray, Emeritus OAESA Executive Director, the OAESA Board of Directors has annually presented an award to an individual who has provided outstanding service to benefit administrators and the children they serve during the most recent year.
OAESA 2025 Samuel R. Burnett Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Paul Young, OAESA/NAESP Past President, Lancaster City Schools
This award honors outstanding school leaders who have made significant contributions to the advancement of educational leadership, focused on PreK-8, both within and beyond their school communities, over their lifetimes. They represent the most influential minds in the field of elementary and middle level educational leadership.
OAESA 2025 Hall of Fame Schools
Exemplary educational programs that go above and beyond meeting the needs of students in elementary and middle level schools across the state are recognized annually through the OAESA Hall of Fame School Recognition Program. This award has been distributed since 1984.
Cedarwood Elementary
Columbus City Schools
Principal Rodney Johnson
Glendale Elementary
Princeton City Schools
Principal Tim Walker
McKinley Elementary
Fairport Harbor EVSD
Principal Heidi Elmore
Timmons Elementary
Kenston Local Schools
Principal Dave Rogaliner
Davey Elementary
Kent City Schools
Principal Abbey Bolton
Hoffman Trails Elementary
Hilliard City Schools
Principal Katie Salyer
Plain City Elementary
Jonathan Alder Local Schools
Principal Kathy Savage
Fairfield Elementary
Pickerington Local Schools
Principal Stacy Tennenbaum
Lincoln Heights Elementary
Princeton City Schools
Principal Dawn Bailey
Seaborn Elementary
Weathersfield Local Schools
Principal T.J. Koniowsky Jr.
Wyoming Primary
Wyoming City Schools
Principal Dr. Gina Kirchner
OAESA Annual Awards
OAESA annually recognizes elementary and middle-level schools and school leaders for their exceptional service to the students and school communities throughout Ohio. The nomination window has ended for the 2025 recognition program. Stay tuned for an announcement of the winners in the spring! Nominees will be notified promptly upon nomination and will be provided a link to complete the award application process. All honorees will be announced in the spring and will be celebrated at our annual professional conference. We look forward to honoring our winners for all they are doing for Ohio's school children.
OAESA Principal of the Year
This award recognizes an elementary and/or middle-level principal as the OAESA Principal of the Year. If this individual also meets current NAESP membership requirements, s/he can additionally be recognized as the National Distinguished Principal (NDP) and will represent Ohio in the National Association of Elementary School Principals’ NDP program in Washington, D.C.
Hall of Fame Schools
OAESA celebrates elementary and/or middle level schools that provide truly outstanding educational opportunities to their students through effective programming and instruction. These schools are characterized by an atmosphere of growth, achievement, pride, and a dedication to excellence on the part of staff and students.
Secretary of the Year
OAESA annually honors one school secretary from across Ohio who epitomizes the highest standards of commitment, dedication and service to their school. The Secretary of the Year will also receive a complimentary registration to OAESA’s Secretaries Conference.
Outstanding Second-in-Command Administrator
The Outstanding Second-in-Command award recognizes the exceptional leadership of auxiliary administrators who partner in the day-to-day operations of PreK–8 schools. The recipient of the Second-in-Command award will also receive complimentary registration to OAESA’s Second-in-Command Institute.
Outstanding Central Office Administrator
Central Office administrators working on behalf of our PreK-8 students add a tremendous benefit to a school community. This award recognizes one of these highly impactful individuals in our state by identifying an Outstanding Central Office Administrator (OCOA).