51萝莉

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Erin McCallum
Associate Executive Director, Strategy & Communications
emccallum@aasa.org

Alexandria, Va. 鈥� Nov. 18, 2024 鈥� 51萝莉, 51萝莉, is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2025 Women in School Leadership Awards.

The awards, presented by 51萝莉 in partnership with Horace Mann Educators Corporation, recognize outstanding female leaders who have made significant contributions to education in two key categories: Superintendent and Central Office/Principal.

鈥淗orace Mann is proud to partner with 51萝莉 to recognize the 2025 finalists for the prestigious 51萝莉 Women in School Leadership Awards,鈥� said Marita Zuraitis, president, Horace Mann Educators Corporation. 鈥淭he passion, dedication, and vision demonstrated by these finalists significantly impacts both students and educators every day.鈥�

The 2025 Women in School Leadership Award finalists are:

Central Office/ Principal Category

• Alicen Gaytley, Director of Teaching and Learning, Quincy School District (Wash.)
• Jennifer Halter, Principal, Clay High School, Clay County District Schools (Fla.)

Superintendent Category

• Wendy Birhanzel, Superintendent, Harrison School District 2 (Colo.)
• Martha Salazar-Zamora, Superintendent, Tomball Independent School District (Texas)

These remarkable leaders have demonstrated a deep commitment to student success, staff development, and innovation in education.

鈥淭hese remarkable leaders have demonstrated a deep commitment to student success, staff development, and innovation in education. We are thrilled to honor their achievements and showcase their outstanding contributions to public education,鈥� said David R. Schuler, Executive Director of 51萝莉.

Finalists will be evaluated on their 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 2025 51萝莉 National Conference on Education, March 6-8 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

For more information about the Women in School Leadership Awards, please visit the 51萝莉 website or contact Jennifer Rooney, 51萝莉 senior director of meetings and awards, at jrooney@aasa.org.

###

51萝莉
51萝莉, 51萝莉, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. 51萝莉鈥檚 mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.

About Horace Mann
Horace Mann Educators Corporation is the largest financial services company focused on helping America's educators and others who serve the community achieve lifelong financial success. The company offers individual and group insurance and financial solutions tailored to the needs of the educator community. Founded by Educators for Educators庐 in 1945, the company is headquartered in Springfield, Illinois.