2024-25 Assistant Principal of the Year Finalists

Print Page

A-
A+

The Assistant Principal of the Year award recognizes outstanding assistant principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to their schools and communities.

Congratulations to the 2024-25 Assistant Principal of the Year Finalists!

Tayler Boyer
Assistant Principal, Colonial High School/ Ninth-Grade Campus
Tayler Boyer is the dedicated senior assistant principal over Colonial High School's Ninth Grade Campus. With 11 years of experience as an educator, Boyer is passionate about fostering a culture of collaboration, respect, and inclusivity among teachers. Her commitment to data-driven instruction and continuous improvement helped to generate an increase of 15 percentage points in reading proficiency among the bottom quartile of ninth-graders. She also has focused on creating a safe and supportive learning environment, promoting well-being and improving classroom behavior. These efforts culminate in a student reward program taking place during “Fun Friday” lunchtime events. She is also a mentor to students, and has helped set former students on a path to success in college and beyond.

Esther Kusner
Assistant Principal, Discovery Middle
When Esther Kusner saw that a group of Discovery Middle students were struggling with attendance, behavior and grades, she started a mentoring program that included intensive tutoring. At the end of the school year, only nine of the 94 students needed summer school. As an assistant principal with 18 years of education experience, Kusner uses data and personal relationships to drive success. Kusner “meets challenges with a cool, calm demeanor and responds to proverbial curveballs with professionalism and an opportunity mindset,” said Principal Alexander Stubenbort. Kusner has also prioritized transitioning students with disabilities into general education classrooms, expanding a tutoring partnership with UCF students and mentoring students personally.

Janet Martin
Assistant Principal, Dommerich Elementary
Janet Martin is an exemplary leader known for stepping in to address parent concerns and solving problems at Dommerich Elementary. The 21-year educator helped increase ELA scores from 30% to 57% proficiency among African American students through targeted interventions, mentoring, and family partnerships. This initiative included helping teachers find incentives each student would work for, such as a positive note home to parents. She brings leadership training to her colleagues, recently helped address parent concerns about transportation and even drove an employee experiencing car trouble to work. Martin, who oversees school safety, uses patience and finds common ground to build positive relationships with students, staff and parents.