M-DCPS Honors Principal, Assistant Principal of the Year

Liberty City Elementary School Principal Lamar Johnson named 2026 Principal of the Year, Miami Jackson Senior High School Assistant Principal Dr. Andre Jackson wins top honor

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Liberty City Elementary School Principal Lamar Johnson has been named Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) 2026 Principal of the Year, and Dr. Andre Jackson of Miami Jackson Senior High School won the top honor of Assistant Principal of the Year at a ceremony held Thursday evening at the DoubleTree by Hilton, sponsored by the Dade Association of School Administrators (DASA).

Why it matters

The awards recognize outstanding leadership and achievements in Miami-Dade County's public school system, highlighting the critical role principals and assistant principals play in driving student success and creating positive school cultures.

The details

Johnson, an 18-year veteran of M-DCPS, has led a remarkable turnaround at Liberty City Elementary School, transforming it from a 'C' school to an 'A' rating. Under his leadership, math proficiency rose from 28% to 72% and Language Arts from 32% to 48%. Johnson credits strengthening progress monitoring cycles, deepening small-group instruction, and launching innovative programs like the Lion Bucks incentive system as key factors in this transformation. Dr. Jackson, who started in the Chicago Public Schools system before joining M-DCPS, has made a significant impact at Miami Jackson Senior High School, helping the school improve from a 'C' to a 'B' and increasing the graduation rate from 80% to 96% through his focus on building teacher capacity and implementing systems to monitor student progress.

  • The awards ceremony was held on Thursday evening at the DoubleTree by Hilton.
  • Johnson has been the principal of Liberty City Elementary School for the past five years.
  • Jackson became the assistant principal of Miami Jackson Senior High School in 2022.

The players

Lamar Johnson

Principal of Liberty City Elementary School and the 2026 M-DCPS Principal of the Year.

Dr. Andre Jackson

Assistant Principal of Miami Jackson Senior High School and the 2026 M-DCPS Assistant Principal of the Year.

Jorge M. Bulnes

Principal of Southwest Miami Senior High School and the Principal of the Year runner-up.

Karen Gonzalez Delgado

Assistant Principal of Miami Norland Senior High School and the Assistant Principal of the Year runner-up.

Dade Association of School Administrators (DASA)

The organization that sponsored the awards ceremony.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Liberty City Elementary's success is built on empowered teachers who lead boldly, collaborate effectively, and drive results. By cultivating a culture where educators are developed, supported, and trusted as leaders, we have created a school where students thrive.”

— Lamar Johnson, Principal, Liberty City Elementary School

“I truly believe that teachers determine the trajectory of a student's life. My biggest investment has been building teacher capacity because it impacts the school community at large as well as our students. A quality teacher equates to a better society, a better future for our students.”

— Dr. Andre Jackson, Assistant Principal, Miami Jackson Senior High School

What’s next

The Principal of the Year winner, Lamar Johnson, will receive a three-year car lease from Headquarter Toyota, and the Assistant Principal of the Year, Dr. Andre Jackson, will receive a five-day cruise from Royal Caribbean. The runners-up, Jorge M. Bulnes and Karen Gonzalez Delgado, will receive cash prizes.

The takeaway

The awards highlight the critical role that exceptional school leaders play in driving student achievement, fostering positive school cultures, and making a lasting impact on their communities. The stories of Lamar Johnson and Dr. Andre Jackson demonstrate the transformative power of empowering teachers, implementing innovative programs, and relentlessly focusing on student success.