NSASSP Announces 2023-2024 Nebraska Middle School Principal of the Year

By Jeff Steinbeck, NSASSP Public Relations Representative

The Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals has selected Mr. Jeff Sayer as the 2023 Middle 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. This award honors principals who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of: Personal Excellence, Collaborative Leadership, Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Personalization.

Mr. Sayer has been in education since 1997. He has been the Principal at Valentine Middle School since 2008. He has also served as the K-8 Rural School principal for Valentine Middle and Rural Attendance Centers since 2012. Prior to becoming the middle school principal, Jeff taught 6th grade in Walthill Public School for a year and 5th grade in Valentine for a year. After that, he taught 7th and 8th grade Science in Valentine for 10 years. Mr. Sayer is a member of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA), the Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals (NSASSP), and is a member of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) other administrators to share and receive valuable information about strategies and interventions that really work for students and he works tirelessly to make sure these strategies are implemented with fidelity among his staff. Helping students to succeed is a very important concept that Mr. Sayer has in the forefront of his mind and a culture of student success is created in his building that is very admirable.”

Josie Shaul a former Valentine Middle School student noted, “I asked many kids how they felt about Mr. Sayer as a principal. I asked the question, ‘Would you change anything about Mr. Sayer?’ The responses I got were exactly what I expected. Everyone said he was a good person and always helped us out. Somebody said ‘Why would I change him? He already has exactly what a middle school needs.’”

Valentine Middle School English teacher Janell Stoeger stated, “Mr. Sayer invests time in getting to know students, which helps diffuse issues before they arise. Students at VMS know that they will be listened to when they have concerns. They also enjoy bantering with Mr. Sayer, especially with the exchange of “dad” jokes. He attends games and concerts, runs concession stands, and helps clean up the building when needed.”

Mr. Sayer was awarded the Region V Principal of the Year and is active in the ESU 17 Principals Networking Consortium. He is also active in the Valentine TeamMates program as a board member and a mentor.

Mr. Sayer received his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Chadron State College in 1997. He then earned his Masters of Science in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Doane College in 2001. In 2005, Mr. Sayer received an endorsement in PK-8 and 4-9 Middle Grades Administration from Chadron State College.

Congratulations to Mr. Jeff Sayer for his outstanding performance as Middle School Principal at Valentine Middle School. NSASSP appreciates the contributions to the profession and is proud to name Mr. Jeff Sayer of Valentine Community Schools the 2023 Middle School Principal of the Year! ■

Mr. Michael Halley, the Superintendent of Valentine Community Schools states, “Mr. Sayer utilizes his network of