Amy Denney, Perry Creek Elementary Principal, Named NAESP National Distinguished Principal®
Because principal leadership is key to student success, the National Association of Elementary School Principals recognizes accomplished elementary and middle-level principals from across the nation and abroad as a part of its annual National Distinguished Principals (NDP) program. Amy Denney, a Sioux City Community School District principal for Perry Creek Elementary, earned this esteemed honor and is invited to a two-day event in Washington, D.C., in October to be recognized for her outstanding leadership.
Denney has led Perry Creek Elementary and Clark Early Childhood Center in Sioux City since 2016. Earlier this year, Denney was also recognized as the 2020 Iowa Principal of the Year by the School Administrators of Iowa.
“I am blessed to work in Iowa and the Sioux City Community School District, where I have had the opportunity to learn from the best educators and school leaders. My students, families, teachers, and staff at Perry Creek Elementary and Clark Early Childhood Center inspire me each day to be the best principal I can be. I am surrounded by the most dedicated staff who share a strong commitment to serve our students and families. As we navigate this most challenging time in education, I have so much confidence in the educators and leaders across Iowa doing whatever it takes to meet the growing needs of our students and families. Each challenge in life provides an opportunity for leadership, collaboration, and innovation. We will get through this with the support of each other and will come out stronger than before,” Denney said.
Denney began her career as a first-grade teacher. Her classroom experience adds value to her leadership abilities in guiding schools to success. Denney began with the Sioux City Community School District in 2008 and has served in principal roles at other buildings prior to being at Perry Creek. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Morningside College and a master’s in education administration from Wayne State College.
Denney is being recognized for her success at building meaningful relationships within our school communities, using innovative leadership tactics to guide student success, and developing a collaborative staff culture.
“Today’s principals are tasked with attending to students’ social and emotional needs at greater levels, even while they give their all to drive academic success in their school communities,” said Dr. L. Earl Franks, CAE, NAESP’s executive director. “NAESP’s National Distinguished Principals program recognizes the outstanding leadership of highly successful principals and is a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to outstanding school leaders.”
Principal honorees are selected by NAESP state affiliates and by committees representing private and overseas schools. Criteria for selection of the principals require that the honorees are active principals of schools where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations.
It is particularly fitting to acknowledge the work of principals in October because it is National Principals Month, which was established to recognize and honor the contributions of school principals toward the success of the nation’s students, and encourage awareness of their significance.