Four Finalists Vie for M-DCPS Principal of the Year Award

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) will host the 2026 Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year ceremony to name the most outstanding principal and assistant principal on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center. The hotel is located at 711 N.W. 72^nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33126

The finalists, the regions they represent, and their schools are as follows:

·         North – Alfred V. Torossian, Miami Beach Senior High School

·         Central – Lamar Johnson, Liberty City Elementary School

·         South – Jorge M. Bulnes, Southwest Miami Senior High School

·         Postsecondary Career and Technical Education – Dr. Cristina Ugalde, Miami Beach Adult and Continuing Education Center

The District will also recognize the 2026 Assistant Principal of the Year finalists and announce the winner at the event.

The finalists, the regions they represent, and their schools are as follows:

·         North – Karen Gonzalez Delgado, Miami Norland Senior High School

·         Central – Dr. Andre Jackson, Miami Jackson Senior High School

·         South – Lorena Garrote-Lee Sang, Jorge Mas Canosa Middle School

·         Postsecondary Career and Technical Education – Eric A. Arredondo, Miami Palmetto Adult and Continuing Education Center

Every year, M-DCPS honors its finest school leaders during an awards ceremony sponsored by the Dade Association of School Administrators (DASA). This is an opportunity to salute outstanding principals and assistant principals in the District. 

This event is made possible through a partnership with Headquarter Toyota, Equitable, EdFed, Royal Caribbean, South Florida Youth Foundation, Curriculum Associates, Horace Mann Educator’s Corporation, Overtown Youth Center, CDW Education, BENCOR, Hand2Mind, and Corebridge Financial.

The principal of the year winner will receive a three-year car lease from Headquarter Toyota, and the assistant principal of the year will receive a five-day cruise from Royal Caribbean. The runners-up will receive a cash prize. The dedication of these principals and assistant principals, their commitment to their students, and their achievements throughout the school year are yet another reason why M-DCPS is your best choice.

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