On Friday, Feb. 6, the North Dakota Association of Elementary School Principals (NDAESP), in partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), announced that Megan Diemert, assistant principal of Willow Park Elementary School in West Fargo Public Schools, has been named the 2026 North Dakota Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year.
According to a news release from North Dakota Newspaper Association and the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders, this national recognition program promotes excellence in educational leadership and calls attention to the fundamental importance of the assistant principal role in supporting student success.
“NAESP is committed to preparing assistant principals to step confidently into the principalship and honors those who make outstanding contributions to their leadership teams and school communities,” the statement read. “Megan Diemert exemplifies what it means to lead with both skill and heart. She is a strong instructional leader, a trusted partner to her principal, and a tireless advocate for students and families. North Dakota is proud to recognize her impact.”
According to the release, Diemert has served as assistant principal at Willow Park Elementary since the school opened in 2018. Over the past eight years, she has played a vital role in building a supportive, student-centered culture while strengthening systems to help every learner thrive. Prior to becoming an assistant principal, Diemert served as a Dean of Students and as both a third- and fourth-grade educator in West Fargo Public Schools.
Beyond her work in the school building, Diemert’s service extends into the community. She helped launch robotics and coding opportunities for elementary learners through Jr. FIRST and FIRST LEGO League, encouraging teamwork, creativity, and early STEM engagement.
She has also been an integral leader in establishing and sustaining the Willow Park Elementary Food Pantry, which provides discreet and meaningful support to families facing food insecurity. The pantry serves not only Willow Park learners, but families across the district, distributing an average of 3,000 pounds of food each school year.
“Diemert’s dedication reflects the spirit of this award — honoring assistant principals who strengthen schools through leadership, compassion, and an unwavering focus on what is best for students,” the statement read. “As North Dakota’s Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year, Megan Diemert will be recognized through NAESP’s national celebration of exemplary assistant principals later this year.”
For more information about the NAESP Assistant Principal of the Year program, visit www.naesp.org.
