RESTON, VA — Thomas Lesniewski, principal of Deer Lakes Middle School, Russellton, and Janice Mindish, principal of Penn Manor High School, Millersville, were named the 2007 MetLife/NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals) Pennsylvania Middle Level and High School Principals of the Year, respectively.

Jointly sponsored by NASSP and MetLife, the annual State and National Principal of the Year Awards program recognizes outstanding secondary school principals who demonstrate excellence in educational leadership, complex problem solving, professional growth, and community involvement.

“NASSP is honored to recognize the outstanding work of Lesniewski and Mindish,” said Dr. Gerald Tirozzi, NASSP executive director. “The job of a principal is one of the hardest in the professional world and we must commend those education leaders who go the extra mile to improve teaching and learning in their schools.”

“Principals Lesniewski and Mindish are excellent examples of the dedication, creativity, and strong leadership needed to help students reach their potential,” said Thomas G. Hogan Jr., who heads up MetLife Resources. 

“MetLife is proud of their achievements within their communities. They are truly an inspiration to us all,” added Sibyl Jacobson, senior vice president, MetLife Corporate Contributions.

Each State Principal of the Year is a candidate for the 2008 National Middle Level and High School Principals of the Year. Finalists for the 2008 national titles will be announced in August. In November, Principals of the Year from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity will attend the National Principal’s Institute in Washington, D.C.

NASSP is the preeminent organization and the national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals and aspiring school leaders. NASSP provides its members with the professional resources to serve as visionary leaders. NASSP promotes the intellectual growth, academic achievement, character development, leadership development, and physical well being of youth through its programs and student leadership services. NASSP administers the National Honor Society™, National Junior Honor Society™, and National Association of Student Councils™. For more information, visit www.principals.org

MetLife Resources, a division of MetLife (Metropolitan Life Insurance Company), provides retirement plan and other financial services to healthcare, education, and not-for-profit organizations. MetLife is a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), a leading provider of insurance and financial services with operations throughout the United States and the Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. Through its domestic and international subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife, Inc. reaches more than 70 million customers around the world and MetLife is the largest life insurer in the United States (based on life insurance in-force). The MetLife companies offer life insurance, annuities, auto and home insurance, retail banking and other financial services to individuals, as well as group insurance, reinsurance and retirement & savings products and services to corporations and other institutions. For more information, please visit www.metlife.com .