Delaware Principal of the Year

As principal of Springer Middle School and the recipient of the 2026 Delaware Principal of the Year Award, University of Delaware alumnus Sterling Seemans has built a meaningful career in school leadership. But instead of touting these achievements, Seemans approaches each day with humility, gratitude and a deep respect for the community he serves.

"Since my time at UD, where I was able to take many impactful leadership courses with amazing professors, I have been inspired by the servant leadership approach," said Seemans, a three-time alum who graduated from the College of Health Sciences' health behavior science bachelor's program and the College of Education and Human Development's (CEHD) master's and doctoral programs in educational leadership. "Being authentic, vulnerable, accepting, present and useful are the tenants that have guided my daily work in education and with the leadership of the dedicated educators and staff at Springer Middle School."

Drawing from his UD education and community, Seemans has helped students and colleagues reach their goals by prioritizing meaningful relationships, the foundation of his leadership approach.

Building relationships

Early in his career as a teacher at a juvenile detention center in Wilmington, Seemans learned that affirming, caring relationships with students fostered not only academic growth, but social, emotional and personal development that extended well beyond the classroom.

"It was there that I saw building relationships was not just important, but could be life saving," Seemans said. "When I moved into a principal role at a school for children in a mental and behavioral health treatment facility, building relationships with students and staff guided my work."