Jane Addams Principal Sonia Ruiz Named National Principal of the Year

Jane Addams Middle School Principal Sonia Ruiz is the 2026 National Association of Secondary School Principals National Middle Level Principal of the Year. Sonia was announced as the winner of this honor at the annual National Education Leadership Awards Gala on Sat. April 18 in Washington DC.

Sonia is in her fourth year as the principal of Jane Addams Middle School, where she leads with a focus on belonging, equity, and shared leadership. She has dedicated her career to ensuring that every student learns at high levels in a safe, supportive, and inclusive school community. Under her leadership, Jane Addams has earned “Exemplary Status” for three consecutive years, placing the school in the top 10% of schools in Illinois. She believes a strong school culture is built through relationships, belonging, and collective responsibility. Sonia has strengthened systems that support academic growth, social-emotional well-being, and equity for all learners. She also serves as the Illinois Principal Association’s Diversity and Equity Chair. 

“I am beyond excited and honored to win this award,” Ruiz said. “This award belongs not just to me, but to the entire Jane Addams learning community who are unwavering in their support of everything we do to meet the daily needs of our students. I also thank the VVSD Board of Education and administration for their support of Jane Addams Middle School.”

Sonia began her service to the VVSD community as principal of Jane Addams Middle School at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year. In addition to being the leader of the Jane Addams school community, Sonia is the current Illinois Principals Association Middle School Principal of the Year, the 2025 IPA Three Rivers Region Middle School Principal of the Year, the 2025 Illinois National Association of Elementary School Principals Distinguished Principal, and the 2026 NASSP Middle Level Principal of the Year for Illlinois. 

“In education, we talk a lot about closing gaps and building culture,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. “But Sonia is a leader actually putting these initiatives into place in a real school, with real kids, under real circumstances. That’s not a small thing. Effective principals like Sonia have an incredible impact on students. That difference is life changing.”