Principal Lizi Aguilar-Nelson of Richmond Elementary School, the Oregon Elementary School Principal of the Year for 2012, is one of 60 principals from across the nation being recognized this week at a special awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.

The principals are being honored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals for setting high standards for instruction, student achievement, character, and the educational climate in their schools' learning communities.

Each year, NAESP congratulates principals from across the nation in both public and private schools  – and schools with the United States Department of Defense Office of Educational Activity and the United States Department of State Office of Overseas Schools – for their exemplary achievements.

Principal Aguilar-Nelson was named Oregon Elementary School Principal of the Year for 2012 this past June by the The Confederation of Oregon School Administrators. She was nominated for principal of the year by Richmond Elementary parents with children attending the school.

"Due to the efforts of Lizi and the environment and support that she has brought, today our children are successful in school and enthusiastic about their educational future,” the application letter from parents said.

Along with a formal awards ceremony dinner, the National Distinguished Principals are attending presentations on leadership while in Washington, D.C.

Salem-Keizer Public Schools' principals have won the Principal of the Year for Oregon award two years in a row. Susan Rieke-Smith won the Middle School Principal of the Year for 2011 when she was principal at Houck Middle School.