Official State of Rhode Island website

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State of Rhode Island, Department of Education ,

Association Awards

Each year, outstanding professionals in our schools are recognized by many local and national associations.

2025 Superintendent of the Year 

Ana Riley, Bristol-Warren

Association/Organization

Rhode Island School Superintendents' Association: http://rissaonline.org

2025 Elementary School Principal of the Year

Cheryl Vaughn, Cumberland

Association/Organization

Rhode Island Association of School Principals: www.riasp.org

For award criteria and past winners, visit the RIASP webpage.

2025 Secondary Principal of the Year

Susan Craven, Tiverton

Association/Organization

Rhode Island Association of School Principals: www.riasp.org

For award criteria and past winners, visit the RIASP website.

2025 Outstanding First Year Principal

Matthew Brown, Providence

Association/Organization

Rhode Island Association of School Principals: www.riasp.org

For award criteria and past winners, go to the RIASP website.

2025 Assistant Principal of the Year

Nicole Lanni, Lincoln

Association/Organization

Rhode Island Association of School Principals: www.riasp.org

For award criteria and past winners, visit the RIASP website.

2024 Rhode Island Special Education Administrator of the Year

Cynthia VanAvery, North Providence

Association/Organization

Association of Rhode Island Administrators of Special Education (ARIASE): https://sites.google.com/site/riariase1/home

2025 School Counselor of the Year

Kristen Luongo, Smithfield

Association/Organization

Rhode Island School Counselor Association (RISCA): www.rischoolcounselor.org

For award criteria and past winners, visit the RISCA website.

2025 School Librarian of the Year

Natasha White, Providence

Association/Organization

Rhode Island Library Association (RILA): https://rilibraries.org/

2025 School Psychologist of the Year

Melissa Gill, Jamestown

2025 School Social Worker of the Year

Kate Golbitz, Warwick

2025 Speech Language Pathologist of the Year

Michelle DeVito Stanley, Burrillville

Association/Organization

Rhode Island Speech-Language-Hearing Association (RISHA): www.risha.info

For the current winner's announcement, visit the RISHA website.

2025 School Nurse Teacher of the Year

Kathryn McKenna, The Wheeler School

2025 Career & Technical Education Educator of the Year

Santos Nieves, William M. Davies, Jr. Career and Technical High School 

2025 Career & Technical Education Outstanding Administrator of the Year

Zachary Farrell, Cranston

2025 Outstanding Adult Educator of the Year

Desiree Shelton, Comprehensive Community Action Program

 

2025 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

Kathleen Bubrick, South Kingstown
Kerri Krawczyk, Bristol-Warren
Kelly Grennan-Smith, North Kingstown
 

2025 Mathematics Teacher of the Year

Deborah Brun, East Providence

2025 Rookie Mathematics Teacher of the Year

Madison Nash, Coventry

2025 Carol Giuriceo Computer Science Teacher of the Year

Aimee Duarte, Cranston

2025 STEAM Educator of the Year

Elementary - Julie Maruska, The Compass School

Middle - Kerri Krawczyk, Bristol-Warren

High - Verda Jones, Pawtucket
 

2025 Multilingual Educator of the Year

Silvia Muñoz Ruiz, Central Falls

2025 Civic Education Teacher of the Year

Brandon Pearce, South Kingstown

2025 School Business Official of the Year

Mark Dunham, Rhode Island Department of Education

2025 Amedeo DeRobbio Memorial Award

Robert Mayne, Chariho