College of Education and Human Development

Mason alums are among those named as 2023 Washington Post Teacher and Principal of the Year Award recipients and finalists

Three alums who received their master's degrees from George Mason University’s School of Education have received accolades in recent weeks following the announcement of the finalists and winners of the 2023 Washington Post Teacher of the Year and Principal of the Year Awards.

This year’s Washington Post Principal of the Year Award recipient is Dr. Liza Burrell-Aldana, principal at Mount Vernon Community School in Alexandria, Virginia. Dr. Burrell-Aldana received her Master of Education in Education Leadership from Mason’s School of Education in 2016.

Among the 34 teacher and principal finalists were Mason alums Deitra Brady-Pulliam and Lindsay Trout. Brady-Pulliam, who is an educator with Arlington Public Schools in Arlington, Virginia, received her Master of Education in Education Leadership from Mason in 2010. Trout is principal of Terraset Elementary School, located in Reston, Virginia, and received her Master of Education in Education Leadership from Mason in 2008.

Now in its 40th year, the annual Washington Post Teacher and Principal of the Year Awards recognize educators and school leaders for their exemplary performance and contributions made in improving the quality of education in Washington, D.C. area schools. Candidates for the Post Teacher of the Year Awards are assessed on qualities such as their ability to inspire learning, encourage student growth, and their command of the subject matter they teach. Individuals nominated for the Principal of the Year Award are evaluated on criteria that include leadership skills, communication abilities, and success in creating a supportive school environment for students and staff. Nominees for the Teacher and Principal of the Year Awards must work in an accredited school in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

The leadership, faculty, and staff of the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) extend their congratulations to these individuals for the well-deserved career recognition that comes with being named as a finalist and recipient of the Washington Post Teacher and Principal of the Year Awards. To read the awards announcement, which was published in The Washington Post, please click here.