Delaware Principal of the Year
UD alumnus and 2026 Delaware Principal of the Year Sterling Seemans builds meaningful relationships and community
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.”
Seemans still remembers a middle school student that he worked with four years ago, who wrote him a letter at the end of her eighth grade year. Up until eighth grade, she had struggled to meet her academic goals, but found the support she needed in Seemans.
“In her letter, she wrote how my daily check-ins, constant belief that she could improve and care changed her life,” Seemans said. “I have that letter in my desk and I read it from time to time to remind me that everyday is an opportunity to change someone’s life for the better. That responsibility is not something I take lightly or for granted.”
Servant leadership
With the support of CEHD’s graduate programs, Seemans has carried this leadership approach to Springer Middle School, where he has worked collaboratively with school staff since 2023 to create a culture where teachers, staff and students feel valued and supported.
“This person-centered approach has helped build a culture at Springer where teachers are valued and feel comfortable educating students, knowing they can teach in an environment that helps both students and one another,” Seemans said.
Under his leadership, the school has adopted an extensive goal-setting process, setting high expectations for students, but also involving students directly in the process. As a result, students have improved in nearly every area, from academics to the arts.
“My team has helped build a strong sense of school pride through community, as well as achievement in the classroom, on the athletic field and within the fine and performing arts,” Seemans said. “It has been amazing to see the students, staff and community come together to achieve a common goal and purpose.”
Community at UD
Seemans found a strong and supportive community at UD too, recalling his time there fondly. As a graduate student in CEHD, Seemans developed close relationships with the students in his cohort, “a tight-knit group of highly motivated educators who wanted to get better.”
“I still keep in touch with many of the people I graduated with and that network has been amazing, as many of them are also excelling within their own school districts and universities,” Seemans said. “I also can’t forget Dr. Elizabeth Farley-Ripple, who was my advisor in both my M.Ed and Ed.D programs. Her approach within her advisor role was so personable and supportive without sacrificing high expectations.”
“Dr. Seemans was a remarkable student and leader from the time he joined UD as a master’s student,” said Farley-Ripple, professor and senior associate director in CEHD’s School of Education. “His work has and continues to ensure that meaningful supports are available to meet student needs, whether through careful planning for the implementation of interventions, re-envisioning current practices or supporting educators’ learning and decisions.”
Most of all, Seemans is grateful to UD for bringing him and his wife, Caitlin Higgins-Seemans, together. Now a physical therapist and fitness educator at a Delaware preschool, Higgins first met Seemans when they were freshmen on UD’s Newark campus.
“UD unequivocally prepared me to work and serve at a level where I could even be considered as the Delaware Principal of the Year,” Seemans said. “But above all else, I cannot thank UD enough for giving me the opportunity to meet the love of my life, and fellow Blue Hen, Caitlin. Being the spouse of a school administrator is difficult. Early mornings and late nights take us away from our families. School administrators often give more time and energy to other families and their children than our own. We often support the adults at our school more than we do at home, and that sacrifice takes a special type of person.”
To learn more about CEHD’s Ed.D. in Organizational Improvement for Educational Leaders, visit the program webpage. To learn more about CEHD research in educational administration and educator well-being, visit its research webpage.
Article by Jessica Henderson. Photos courtesy of Sterling Seemans and Brandywine School District.