Nathan McCann of Flowing Wells High School was named the National Assistant Principal of the Year.
McCann, 37, learned of the honor March 12 and was officially recognized last weekend at the National Association of Secondary School Principals convention in Phoenix.
McCann was named one of three finalists for the award in February after he was picked as Arizona's top assistant principal.
The pool of national finalists also included assistant principals from Missouri and Kentucky.
"It is very humbling," McCann said of the award. "It's a reflection of how great Flowing Wells High School is, and how great this district is."
McCann started his career in the Flowing Wells Unified School District five years ago at the junior high school, where he was an assistant principal for one year.
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His responsibilities at the high school include testing and curriculum development, and he handles the math and counseling departments.
McCann helped increase the rigor and relevance of the school's curriculum, Flowing Wells Principal Jim Brunenkant said.
Brunenkant and his administration team nominated McCann for the honor.
"He's the smartest person I know," he said. "He's good at making connections with people. He's very personable."
Flowing Wells Superintendent Nicholas Clement praised McCann for his leadership and his commitment to the Flowing Wells team.
"One of his strengths is his ability to communicate and take an idea and turn it into an action," Clement said.
McCann developed a program at the high school that allows school counselors to interact more with the school's 1,700-plus students.
Counselors visit classrooms daily and pull students aside for five minutes to have conversations about grades, postsecondary options and other topics, McCann said.
Counselors made nearly 6,000 contacts last semester, he said.
"It allows us to make sure our kids are having access to our counselors at the same level," he said.
Flowing Wells administrators put their trust in McCann, and he's allowed to run with ideas, McCann said.
The national award is a tribute to the strengths of his school and the district, McCann said.
He received $5,000 for his selection as National Assistant Principal of the Year.
The award is sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and Virco Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of school furniture and equipment.
This article also was published Tuesday in the Star. Contact reporter Andrea Rivera at 807-8430 or arivera@azstarnet.com
