Barcroft Elementary School lead teacher Kristin Shymoniak was recognized as an outstanding education leader by AASA, The School Superintendents Association. Shymoniak is one of seven finalists for the organization’s 2017 Women in School Leadership Awards.

Shymoniak received the School Based Award which is given to any female classroom teacher or school based specialist. The awards continue a longstanding tradition of AASA honoring exceptional female superintendents, district level administrators and principals whose talent, creativity and vision are exemplary. Earlier this year, AASA announced a new category—the School Based Award—that recognizes the leadership skills of talented teachers, coaches and other school-based employees seeking leadership positions.

Co-sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the awards are designed to recognize exceptional leadership of active, front-line female administrators who are making a difference in the lives of students every day and to pay tribute to the talent, creativity and vision of outstanding women educational administrators in the nation’s public schools.

Candidates are judged based on leadership in meeting the learning needs of students, personal and organizational communication strength, constant professional improvement of knowledge and skills, and active community involvement.

The final award recipients in each category will be announced during the AASA National Conference on Education, March 2-4, 2017, in New Orleans.