The National Principals Association welcomes six new principals to its Board of Directors with Dr. Marcus Belin beginning his term as president and Dr. Beth Houf serving as president-elect. They will guide the association as it expands its mission to serve school leaders across the PreK–12 continuum under one national organization after more than a century as the National Association of Secondary School Principals. 

“For the first time, elementary, middle, and high school leaders share one national home,” said National Principals Association President Marcus Belin. “The challenges principals face don’t stop at a grade band and the support shouldn’t either. I know what it feels like to lead a building on a Monday when everything arrives at once. Every decision we make at the national level should make that Monday more manageable for the person sitting in that office.” 

By connecting leaders across grade levels, the National Principals Association reflects the full student journey and ensures school leaders are supported, represented, and equipped to lead. Recognizing that strong school leadership shapes student outcomes, the organization also advances student leadership development through nationally recognized programs, including the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and the National Association of Student Councils. These programs engage more than 16,000 school leaders, 30,000 advisers, and 1 million students nationwide.  

“Great leaders make sure the people counting on them have what they need to succeed That is exactly what these board members have done for their students, educators, and communities and what they’ll do for the entire National Principals Association family,” said National Principals Association CEO Ronn Nozoe. “This board brings a firsthand understanding of what schools need and a commitment to ensuring school leaders have the support and voice they deserve. Their leadership will help us advance stronger schools and better outcomes for students nationwide. For you school leaders out there, this association has your back.” 

Belin, Houf, and the six new board members’ bios and quotes are below. Photos and interviews are available upon request.  

Marcus Belin, EdD, serves as the president of the National Principals Association, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to supporting, developing and advocating for school leaders. In this role, he works alongside principals, state associations, education partners, and policymakers to strengthen the principalship and ensure the voices of school leaders from PreK–12 are represented in the conversations shaping the future of education. A fourth-generation educator who grew up on the South Side of Chicago, Belin has served students and school communities as a teacher, coach, dean of students, assistant principal, and principal, most recently leading Huntley High School in northwest Illinois. He was named the 2021 National Digital Principal of the Year and the 2025 Illinois High School Principal of the Year and previously served as president of the Illinois Principals Association. 

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Ricardo Hernandez is the principal of Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, MD. A dedicated servant leader, he was recognized as the 2023 Maryland Assistant Principal of the Year for his unwavering commitment to students. After making a successful career change into education, he has devoted 24 years to the profession, including 14 years as an assistant principal before becoming principal. Driven by a passion for helping others succeed, Hernandez believes that High Expectations + High Supports = High Results, a philosophy that guides his leadership and inspires excellence throughout the school community.   

“I am humbled and privileged to serve on the Board of Directors for the National Principals Association. I look forward to serving with remarkable education leaders to help move the organization through this next chapter.” 

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Beth Houf, EdD, is the principal of Capital City High School in Jefferson City, MO. She is the co-author of Lead Like a PIRATE: Make School Amazing for Your Students and Staff. Entering her 19th year in the principalship, Houf is dedicated to leveraging the voices of students and staff to transform educational practices, ensuring equity, access, and belonging for all. She has served as an adjunct professor at Westminster College in Fulton, MO, and her work has been featured in The Washington Post, Education Week, and NPR. A founding co-facilitator of the National Principals Association Women in School Leadership Network, she champions the advancement of women in educational leadership. She is the 2022 National Principal of the Year. 

“Having had the opportunity to serve as a principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, I’ve been fortunate to learn from each community, each group of educators, and each stage of a student’s journey. Moving across the PreK–12 continuum has reminded me that while our schools and challenges may look different, the heart of our work is the same: supporting students and the people who serve them.” 

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S. Kambar Khoshaba, EdD, is the principal of South County High School in Lorton, VA. He has dedicated nearly three decades to public education as a special education teacher, school psychologist, assistant principal, and principal. His leadership focuses on creating schools where every student feels a sense of belonging and where student voice helps shape school improvement. He has co-facilitated the National Principal Association’s School Leaders of Color Network, regularly contributes to Education Week and Principal Leadership, and has advocated on behalf of principals on Capitol Hill and at the White House. In 2021, Khoshaba was recognized as the Virginia Middle School Principal of the Year.  

“I am honored to serve on the National Principals Association Board of Directors and to help elevate the voices of school leaders across the country. Together, we can strengthen public education by supporting principals, listening to students and creating schools where every learner has the opportunity to belong, grow, and thrive.” 

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Charles Longshore is the principal of Hayden Middle School in Hayden, AL, and an advocate for students, teachers and communities. With more than two decades of experience in public education, he has served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, earning a reputation for visionary leadership, school culture transformation, and a deep commitment to student success. He was named the 2024 Alabama Assistant Principal of the Year and received the 2025 Harold L. Bishop Award for Leaders from the University of Alabama, further reflecting his impact on educational leadership beyond his local school community.  

“I am deeply honored to be appointed to the Board of Directors for the National Principals Association, and I see this opportunity as both a privilege and a responsibility. My goal is to represent school leaders with integrity, advocate for the needs of students and educators, and help strengthen the work of principals across the nation.”   

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Joe Patek is the principal of Nicolet Union High School in Glendale, WI. A former high school English teacher and 14-year veteran of school administration, he is committed to fostering a strong culture of high expectations, student achievement, and meaningful relationships. Previously, he served as an administrator at Shorewood High School in Shorewood, WI, and Cedarburg High School in Cedarburg, WI. Patek has been privileged to represent the National Principals Association since 2022 as both an aAmbassador and as a co-facilitator of the Aspiring Leaders Network.  

“I am deeply honored to join the National Principals Association Board of Directors and to collaborate with dedicated school leaders from across the nation who share a passion for strengthening education. Together, we have the opportunity to elevate school leadership, advocate for students, and help shape the future of our schools for generations to come.”  

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Thomasina Rogers is principal of Central Kitsap Middle School in Silverdale, WA. Across more than two decades in public education, she has served as an elementary teacher and principal, as well as a secondary assistant principal and principal while championing equity, culturally responsive leadership, and inclusive systems for students. Rogers has served as a board member for her state-level association, mentors aspiring and current school leaders, and contributes to statewide advocacy through advisory groups. She looks forward to advancing a strong, united voice for school leaders who make a lasting difference in the lives of students, families, and communities.  

“It is an incredible honor to serve on the National Principals Association Board of Directors alongside leaders who are deeply committed to strengthening public education. I look forward to elevating the voices of school leaders, advancing opportunities for every student, and helping ensure that every principal has the support needed to build thriving school communities.”   

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Melissa Shindel is the principal of Glenwood Middle School in Glenwood, MD. With more than 30 years in education, she has served schools in urban, suburban, and rural communities as a teacher, instructional specialist, assistant principal, and middle school principal. Shindel is committed to supporting schools and advancing education through leadership and service at the local, state, and national levels. Her contributions have been recognized with honors as the 2023 Advocacy Champion of the Year and the 2009 National Assistant Principal of the Year. She is a former president of the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals.  

“For the past 20 years, the National Principals Association has been an important part of my professional journey. It is both an honor and a privilege to serve on the Board of Directors alongside dedicated and passionate colleagues who share a commitment to supporting schools, empowering school leaders, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.” 

About the National Principals Association  

The National Principals Association is the national professional home for principals and assistant principals across the PreK–12 continuum and the unified voice of the profession. Building on more than a century of leadership as the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the organization advances school leadership through advocacy, professional learning, and peer networks. The association also supports student leadership development through nationally recognized programs, including the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and the National Association of Student Councils, engaging more than 16,000 school leaders, 30,000 advisers, and 1 million students nationwide.