(COLORADO SPRINGS) — An Academy District 20 (D20) principal is the sole Colorado principal this year to be named a National Distinguished Principal. The program honors elementary and middle school principals from across the nation and awards them with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) honors. This year, Chinook Trail Elementary (CTES) Principal Patrick Schumaker was one of 37 principals to receive this honor. NAESP honors administrators who set higher standards for instruction, student achievement, character, and climate for students, families, and staff in their learning communities. Award recipients traveled to Washington D.C. earlier this month to participate in events and an award banquet to honor their accomplishments. Principals selected for this honor require that the honorees have programs designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students and where there are firmly established community ties with parents and local businesses. "Schools aren't perfect places, we can always do better but you have to take time to step back and celebrate the great work we are doing in public education," said Shumaker. "We educate all and it takes a whole group of people to do that. I'm blessed to have a talented staff and supportive community that's allowed me to do that work for 14 years." Schumaker has been principal for 13 years, and during his time, the student population has doubled. In the first three years of his principalship, CTES received recognition for high improvement. The school has also been named a John Irwin School of Excellence and is one of three to receive state distinction as a Colorado Model Autism and Significant Support Needs Program since 2013.