Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals Announces High School Principal of the Year: Jeff Gilbertson, The Academies of Grand Island Senior High

The Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals has selected Jeff Gilbertson as the 2022 High School Principal of the Year. This award is presented annually to a principal who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in their school, region, and at the state level. The award honors principals who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of: Personal Excellence, Collaborative Leadership, Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Personalization.

Mr. Gilbertson has been in education since 1996 when he started his education career as an elementary teacher in Lincoln at Brownell elementary and Ruth Hill elementary. In 2001, he became an elementary principal in Grand Island and also has served as a middle school principal. Mr. Gilbertson then served as a Director of Secondary Education for Grand Island Public School and in 2012 he became the Executive High School Principal at Grand Island Senior High. Mr. Gilbertson has been a member of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA) for 18 years, the Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals (NSASSP) for 13 years, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) for 11 years.

Dr. Tawana Grover, Superintendent of Grand Island Public Schools stated, “He is a strong instructional leader, manager of a very complex operation, and yet, demonstrates care and concern for all. He has a strong vision for the future, and continues to think of innovative approaches to meet student needs.”

Former Grand Island student who was a Student Representative to the school board, Kendall Bartling commented, “The attitude that Mr. Gilbertson holds that “students come first” has had a lasting impact on the lives of countless students, myself included. As I begin to reflect on my high school career in this, my final year at the Academies of Grand Island Senior High, no single person has had as much of an impact on my emotional well being and my future aspirations as Mr. Gilbertson.”

Judy Lorenzen a senior high English Teacher at Grand Island Senior High notes, “He has goals for himself as out principal, and those goals are to help us teachers realize the gravity of our work every single day and the significance of our impact on every single student. He often reminds us of why we went into teaching-love of subject and love of kids.”

Mr. Jeff Gilbertson received his Bachelor of Science Degree in History/Sociology from The University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1989. He then received his Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Concordia University in 1996. In 2001, he earned his Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Doane University. In 2017, Mr. Gilbertson received his Education Specialist degree from Doane College. He has attended the National Career Academy Coalition conference and has been a presenter for the conference. His work has been highlighted by the development and implementation of a transformed high school to a high functioning Wall to Wall Career Academy High School that is aligned to National Standards of practice.

"I'm humbly honored by this recognition. To be recognized by your peers is a welcome surprise." Mr. Gilbertson shared, "Very grateful to work in a district filled with such great people; to be a part of the daily effort of bringing our best to students each and every day. This honor speaks to the incredible staff we have here at Grand Island Senior High. I'm honored to represent Grand Island Public Schools, but this is unquestionably a team effort. We have great work going on here and I'm grateful to play a part in it."

Congratulations to Jeff Gilbertson for his accomplishments as a Secondary School Principal at The Academies of Grand Island Senior High School. Mr. Gilbertson will represent Nebraska and NSASSP at the National Principals Conference hosted by NASSP in October of 2022! NSASSP appreciates his contributions to education and is proud to name Jeff Gilbertson of The Academies of Grand Island Senior High School the 2022 High School Principal of the Year!

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Press Release written and shared by Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) - Jeff Steinbeck, NSASSP Public Relations

Quote from Mr. Gilbertson received and added by GIPS.