Jay Swatek, Principal of Venture Elementary School in the Tea Area School District, was named South Dakota’s National Distinguished Principal of the year by the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Swatek travels to Washington, D.C., on Oct. 23-24 to be recognized for his leadership and will meet with other elementary and middle school principals from across the U.S. and abroad to share best practices together. He and 43 other principals will be honored at an awards banquet on Oct. 24.

“School principals continue to show exceptional adaptability and creativity in meeting the changing needs of students and staff,” NAESP executive director L. Earl Franks said in a press release. “The 2025 NAESP NDPs exemplify this resilience and leadership well beyond the status quo. Congr

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