Distinguished School Administrator Award

Sponsored by ProQuest

Monetary Amount: $2,000

The current award cycle has ended. The award applications will open on September 1, 2025.

2025 Recipient

Jason Skiba
Principal, Allen Park High School
Allen Park, MI

"I am honored to receive the AASL Distinguished School Administrator Award. Literacy and libraries are essential in shaping critical thinkers and lifelong learners. This recognition would not be possible without the dedication of our full-time school librarian, whose passion creates a dynamic space for exploration and growth. This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire school community in fostering a culture of learning. A strong library empowers students to engage with diverse perspectives, and I remain committed to ensuring it continues to be an inclusive, thriving hub for learning."

Overview

The Distinguished School Administrator Award honors a school administrator who has made worthy contributions to the operations of an exemplary school library and to advancing the role of the school library in the educational program.

The purpose of the AASL Distinguished School Administrator Award is:

1. To honor those administrators outside the library profession who through individual leadership and sustained effort have made worthy contributions to the operations of effective school library services and to advancing the role of the school library services in the educational program.
2. To recognize the responsible and influential role of those administrators outside the school library department in developing successful school library programs.
3. To stimulate planning, implementing and support of the library services which are essential to a meaningful educational program.

Eligibility

1. State, county or district school superintendents and building principals, currently in administrative office, directly responsible for a school or group of schools at any level, who is not working in a library services department and who is not a regular ALA/AASL member are eligible for nomination.
2. District administrators responsible for broad instructional leadership such as assistant superintendents, directors of curriculum and instruction and directors of elementary and/or secondary education are also eligible provided they are not working in a library services department or a regular ALA/AASL member.
3. Nominations must be made by personal member of AASL.

Criteria

The following criteria will be used in the selection process:

1. Administrative leadership and continuing efforts in promoting effective school library services and advancing the role of school library services in the educational program.
2. Nominee’s personal philosophy/statement related to the school library program’s role in the educational program.
3. Demonstrated support for library resources and staff as presented in the description of the community (consider moral support as well as financial resources for staff and “things”, including access to information).
4. Evidence of school library program improvements as compared with program when nominee began and today.
5. Statement of current commitments and future plans for school library services and programs.
6. How the nominee is rated in comparison with other award nominees.

Download Criteria & Rating Sheets

Download Copy of Application

* Please note: This downloadable version is for informational purposes only. All applications must be submitted online, via the Apply Now button that will appear at the top of the page when the next award season opens in early September.

Questions

Allison Cline
Deputy Executive Director

Past Recipients