As released by the Nebraska State Association of Secondary Schools Principals
The Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals has selected Mr. Chad Soupir as the 2024 Middle School Principal of the Year and the Nebraska Principal of the Year. This award is presented annually to a Principal who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in their school, region, and at the state level. The award honors principals who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of personal excellence, collaboration, leadership, curriculum, instruction, assessment, and personalization. Mr. Soupir has been in education since 1993 and started in the classroom at Madelia Elementary School in Madelia, Minnesota, as an elementary teacher. He taught in Minnesota until 2003, when he took a middle school science and math position at Elkhorn Ridge Middle School in Elkhorn, NE. In 2011, Mr. Soupir became the Middle School principal at Elkhorn Valley View Middle School. He has been in this position ever since. He has been a member of the Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA) for nineteen years, the Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals (NSASSP) for nineteen years, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) for five years.
Dr. Bary Habrock, Superintendent at Elkhorn Public Schools, praised Mr. Soupir, saying, “Positive relationships come naturally to Chad, but he leverages these relationships to provide meaningful leadership to benefit students and the school community.” Dr. Habrock continued, “After working with Chad Soupir for many years, it is clear that he represents the best in our profession.”
Jade Ringenberg, an Elkhorn Valley View Middle School student, stated, “Mr. Soupir values his students’ opinions as if we were young adults instead of children.” Sophia Franzluebbers, another student of Mr. Soupir’s, added, “Mr. Soupir makes it a priority to create a supportive and inclusive school community where every student feels valued and respected.”
Sherry Zehr, a parent in Elkhorn Public Schools, stated, “Our school is fortunate to have a person with sincere character and a heart for middle school students. He will take the time to listen and support his teachers and students.” She continued, “He doesn’t simply talk the talk, but he walks the walk with anyone involved for the betterment of the students.”
Mr. Soupir received his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Moorhead State University. He later earned his Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from St. Mary’s University and added his K-12 Administrative Certificate from the University of Nebraska Omaha. In 2023, he was named the NSASSP Region II Outstanding Middle School Principal of the Year. Mr. Soupir has also made contributions to non-profit work in education and is actively involved in professional organizations at the local, state, and national levels. He has been engaged with the National Middle-Level Association (AMLE), serving on various committees and the Executive Council, where he played a key role in strategic planning and leadership recruitment. As the Regional Director Volunteer for PLAYSMART, Mr. Soupir collaborated with Partnership 4 Kids to provide leadership programs for underprivileged youth. One notable initiative is the PLAYSMART Leadership Academy, which has positively impacted over a thousand students. In addition to his work with PLAYSMART, Mr. Soupir currently serves as the Vice President on the Board of Coalition RX. This organization focuses on substance abuse prevention programs for middle school students, aiming to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs and provide essential support resources.
Congratulations to Mr. Chad Soupir for his outstanding performance as a Middle School Principal at Elkhorn Valley View Middle School. Mr. Soupir will represent Nebraska as a candidate for the National Principal of the Year. NSASSP appreciates his contributions to the profession and is proud to name Chad Soupir of Elkhorn Public School the 2024 Middle School Principal of the Year and Nebraska Principal of the Year.
