Laramie, WY – February 24, 2023– Mr. David Hardesty, principal of Velma Linford Elementary School in Laramie was selected as Wyoming’s 2023 National Distinguished Principal. The 2023 celebration marks the 40th year that the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) has presented this prestigious award.

Mr. Hardesty was nominated and selected by fellow principals through a statewide search process conducted by the Wyoming Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals, said WAEMSP Executive Director Kenny Jones.

Mr. Hardesty is a graduate of the University of Wyoming, BA 2005 & MA 2010. He served as an elementary teacher in Laramie and Cheyenne from 2005 - 2013.  He became the principal at Velma Linford Elementary in 2013.

“Principals are not just leaders in schools, but they’re also trusted leaders in their communities—especially during difficult times,” said NAESP Executive Director L. Earl Franks, Ed.D., CAE. “Schools across the country have not gone unscathed from challenges created and exacerbated by a global pandemic. Despite these challenges, principals have doubled down on their commitment to educational excellence and health and wellbeing for their students and staff. One behalf of NAESP, I extend a heartfelt congratulations and thank you to the 2023 NAESP National Distinguished Principals, who have shown that their dedicated leadership and passion for students and their communities will outshine any challenges that are thrown their way.”

In October 2023, Mr. Hardesty will travel to Washington, D.C. for two days of activities planned to honor and bring well-deserved recognition to the elementary and middle-level educators chosen by the states, the District of Columbia, plus private and overseas schools.

Criteria for selection of the principals require that the honorees are active principals of schools where programs are designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local business organizations.

Mr. John Goldhardt, Ed.D. stated “Mr. Hardesty’s caring and courageous leadership for the last 10 years at Linford has resulted in high levels of achievement for students.  Ten years ago, Linford was identified by the state as a school that was “below expectations.”  Today it is a school that is identified as “exceeding expectations” in both achievement and growth.  This dramatic change didn’t happen on its own.  Under Mr. Hardesty’s leadership, the school’s culture, climate, and purpose methodically and purposely changed to be truly learner focused.”

Since 1956, the Wyoming Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals has served as Wyoming’s professional educational association and now represents 201 elementary and middle school principals and aspiring principals throughout the state. WAEMSP maintains close ties with the metropolitan Washington, D.C. based National Association of Elementary School Principals and its 18,000 members worldwide.

We will have class pictures taken on April 4th at Linford. If you would like to order a class picture visit mylifetouch.com and enter the Picture Day ID: EVTW436XJ.

We recently learned that Linford has been designated a school that exceeds expectations based on our Wyoming Accountatbility and Education Act (WAEA) report card. This designation is based on our 2022 WY-TOPP assessment scores.

Only 13% of schools in Wyoming are designated as exceeds expectations by the state!

This is really exciting news and a result of the hard work of our amazing staff and students.

The Albany County Public Library (ACPL) Book Mobile will be visiting Linford twice each month. It will be at Linford for two hours after school every other Thursday. The dates for the next two months are listed below. Stop by to check out a book and the new book mobile.

They will visit Linford starting Thursday, March 2 from 3:00 - 5:00. They will be here every two weeks.

If your child needs a library card, this would be a great opportunity to get one

Once your child has a library card, parents can provide permission on the link below for Linford to keep your child's library card number on file at school.  Our librarian will work with students throughout the year showing them how to reserve books from ACPL.  The bookmobile will deliver books on a regular basis to Linford, and books can be returned at school.

Library Card Permission at Linford

Contact Ms. Hunt (shunt@acsd1.org) to see if your child might already have their number on file.