Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has named Lamar Johnson of Liberty City Elementary School as the 2026 Principal of the Year, while Dr. Andre Jackson of Miami Jackson Senior High School earned Assistant Principal of the Year honors.
The awards were announced Thursday evening during a ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton, sponsored by the Dade Association of School Administrators (DASA).
“Liberty City Elementary’s success is built on empowered teachers who lead boldly, collaborate effectively, and drive results,” Johnson said. “By cultivating a culture where educators are developed, supported, and trusted as leaders, we have created a school where students thrive.”
Johnson, an 18-year veteran of M-DCPS, began his career as a teacher at Poinciana Park Elementary School, later serving as a mathematics instructional coach. He also worked as assistant principal at Jesse J. McCrary Jr. Elementary School for seven years, where he was named Assistant Principal of the Year in 2020.
Since becoming principal of Liberty City Elementary five years ago, Johnson has overseen a dramatic turnaround, with the school moving from a “C” rating to an “A.” Math proficiency increased from 28 percent to 72 percent, while Language Arts rose from 32 percent to 48 percent. Johnson credited strengthened progress monitoring cycles and expanded small-group instruction as key factors in the transformation.
He also expanded academic offerings, including Head Start, gifted programs, chess, and Miami SCORES, which combines sports with literacy through poetry.
Johnson further introduced the Lion Bucks Program, a schoolwide incentive system that rewards students for academic progress, attendance, and positive behavior. Students redeem earned “Lion Bucks” for books, supplies, snacks, and privileges. The initiative contributed to increased passage rates, fewer discipline referrals, and the school’s first “A” rating since 2009.
At the core of Johnson’s leadership philosophy is shared leadership and continuous growth, along with fostering a sense of pride within the school community.
Meanwhile, Jackson, an educator for 12 years, began his career in the Chicago Public Schools before joining M-DCPS as a 10th-grade reading instructor and literacy coach at Miami Central Senior High School. He later became assistant principal and, in 2022, joined Miami Jackson Senior High School.
“I truly believe that teachers determine the trajectory of a student’s life,” Jackson said. “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.”
When Jackson arrived at Miami Jackson in 2022, the school held a “C” rating. It has since improved to a “B.” He also implemented new systems for monitoring credit recovery progress, personally meeting with students and parents. During his tenure, the graduation rate climbed from 80 percent to 96 percent.
Jackson also spearheaded the school’s “Attendance Wars” initiative, a spirited competition among grade levels to boost attendance. Activities included drumline welcomes, themed celebrations, red carpet arrivals, music, and announcements — even an “Attendance Wars” rap over the public address system. The effort led to Miami Jackson earning “Most Improved Attendance” for the grading period.
Jorge M. Bulnes of Southwest Miami Senior High School was named Principal of the Year runner-up, while Karen Gonzalez Delgado of Miami Norland Senior High School earned Assistant Principal of the Year runner-up.
Johnson will receive a three-year car lease from Headquarter Toyota, while Jackson will be awarded a five-day cruise from Royal Caribbean. Runners-up will receive cash prizes.
The event was made possible through partnerships with Headquarter Toyota, Equitable, EdFed, Royal Caribbean, South Florida Youth Foundation, Curriculum Associates, Horace Mann Educators Corporation, Overtown Youth Center, CDW Education, BENCOR, Hand2Mind, and Corebridge Financial.
