Watertown’s Chad Johnson Named 2026–27 South Dakota Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year

Steve Jurrens
26 minutes ago
2 min read

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The South Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals (SDASSP) has announced that Chad Johnson has been selected as the 2026–27 State Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year, recognizing his exceptional leadership, dedication to student achievement, and meaningful impact on his school community.

Superintendent Dr. Jeff Danielsen shared the news on behalf of SDASSP, praising Johnson’s work and the example he sets for educators across the state.

“This prestigious honor recognizes Chad’s exceptional leadership, his commitment to student achievement, and the lasting impact he has on our school community,” Danielsen said. “We are incredibly proud of the work he does every day for students, staff, and families.”

A Prestigious State and National Recognition

The SDASSP & NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year program annually honors outstanding middle level and high school assistant principals who demonstrate success in providing high‑quality learning opportunities for students. Honorees are nominated and selected by their peers for exemplary contributions to their schools and the profession.

Each year, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity, and the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools select one assistant principal to represent their state or system. From these winners, three national finalists are chosen, and one is ultimately named the NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year.

Program details, eligibility guidelines, and selection rubrics are available at: https://nasspawards.org/apoy/eligibility

About SDASSP

SDASSP serves as the statewide voice for middle and high school principals, offering professional development, networking opportunities, and representation at both the state and national levels. The organization supports administrators through regional representatives, seats on the School Administrators of South Dakota (SASD) executive board, and a state representative to the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

In a message to members, SDASSP leadership emphasized its commitment to supporting principals, students, and schools across South Dakota:

“As an organization, we are committed to your success, your students’ success, and your school’s success. Together we will ensure that every student in our schools has the skills they need to succeed in this ever‑changing world.”