2022 Principal of the Year Winners

2022 National Magnet Principal of the Year

BRENDAN MIMS
MS 358 Magnet Schools for STEAM Exploration and Experiential Learning
NYC Community School District 28
Jamaica, New York

Brendan T. Mims is the founding principal of MS358 in Queens, NY. He founded MS358 to “motivate hearts, inspire minds, and change the world for the better.” He’s proud that through STEAM-based education and “passionate speaking, purposeful writing, and powerful presentation,” students can practice empathy and advocacy while proficiency rises. He believes that all students deserve a high-quality education and has worked to develop a culture that is inclusive, caring and committed to continual growth and excellence.

Principal Mims has developed a culture that is inclusive, caring, and dedicated to the idea that all students deserve a high quality education where they can thrive and achieve regardless of race, social status, gender, language, orientation, [nationality, religion, or ability. He works with outside organizations, arts partners, cultural institutions, higher education, and all school stakeholders to ensure that MS358 is a community where all students learn at high levels, feel welcomed and included, appreciate their own and other cultures, and work to promote justice and fairness in the school community and beyond.


Congratulations to our 2022 Regional Principals of the Year:

REGION I

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, The District of Columbia

BRENDAN MIMS

MS 358 Magnet Schools for STEAM Exploration and Experiential Learning

Theme(s): STEAM Exploration and Experiential Learning
Grade(s): 6-8
NYC Community School District 28
Jamaica, New York

REGION II

Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, American Samoa, Marianas Islands and Trust Territory of the Pacific

DEREK FIALKIEWICZ, ED.D.

Lied STEM Academy

Theme(s): S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
Grade(s): 6-8
Clark County School District
Las Vegas, Nevada

REGION III

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands

DR. SHONDA SHAW

ELITE SCHOLARS ACADEMY

Theme(s): Early College and Cambridge Assessment International Education
Grade(s): 6-12
Clayton County Public Schools
Jonesboro, Georgia

REGION IV

Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, International

ABBY STOTSENBERG

Vernon Malone College & Career Academy

Theme(s): College & Career Readiness
Grade(s): 9-12
Wake County Public School System
Raleigh, North Carolina

REGION V

Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

PATRICIA GALLEGOS

San Antonito STEM Magnet Elementary

Theme(s): S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
Grade(s): K-5
Albuquerque Public Schools
Sandia Park, New Mexico

REGION VI

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin

MATT MALGET

Earhart Environmental Magnet Elementary

Theme(s): Environmental Science
Grade(s): K-5
Wichita Public Schools – USD 259
Wichita, Kansas


Learn how to become a Nationally Certified Magnet School

Raise the level of performance consistent throughout school districts nationwide and creates a platform from which all magnet schools can flourish. Magnet Schools of America’s national certification process is designed to recognize the hard work of the best magnet schools in the nation and to help them as they grow.

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