Principal Awards

Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Principal Leadership

The Herb Kohl Principal Leadership award honors and supports exceptional school principals who demonstrate strong leadership and dedication to education. HKEF aims to empower Wisconsin principals by helping them achieve their unmet goals, whether for their schools or professional growth.

Each year, up to 17 public and private principals are selected for this award.  Each recipient and their respective school receives a $6,000 grant to enhance educational excellence and leadership development.

The Association of Wisconsin School Administrators chooses the Elementary and Secondary Principals of the Year from among the public school recipients.

Nomination Process – Nominate here

  • A principal must be nominated by students, parents, teachers, community members, or school district administrators.
  • Once nominated, principals receive email notification, including a link to begin the online application process.

Application Process – Application guidance 

  • To support evaluation, each applicant must secure three letters of recommendation. Letters should come from three sources: (1) Faculty member or teacher; (2) Parent or community member; and (3) Current or former student, faculty member, teacher, parent or community member.
  • Applications are reviewed by AWSA.
  • Applicants are notified via email whether or not they have progressed to the Statewide Selection Committee.
  • The State Selection Committee begins reviewing applications in January. The Committee includes representatives from Herb Kohl Educational Foundation, CESAs and MPS, the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation, state education-related associations, and community leaders.
  • Applicants in the Statewide Selection process are notified late March – early April with the results.

Leader Scoring Rubric

Eligibility & Restrictions

  • A principal does not need to be an Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA) member to be eligible.
  • Principals who have been nominated and applied in the past but were not selected may reapply in renominated in the current award cycle.
  • Superintendents, district administrators, assistant principals, and those with administrative or supervisory roles such as Dean of Students are not eligible.
  • Self-nomination is not allowed.
  • Previous Leadership recipients are ineligible to receive a second leadership award.
  • Principals who received a Kohl student scholarship when in high school or a Teacher Fellowship are eligible.

FAQ