Superintendent of Maine Indian Education to Be Honored at National Association of School Superintendents Annual Conference in Oceanside, California
Dr. Reza Namin, Superintendent of Maine Indian Education (MIE), has been named a 2026 Excellence in Power Leadership nominee by the National Association of School Superintendents (NASS) in the Districts Under 2,500 Students category. Dr. Namin will be honored alongside fellow nominees at the NASS Annual Conference, scheduled for October 7–9, 2026, at the Seabird Resort in Oceanside, California.
The NASS Excellence in Power Leadership Award recognizes superintendents whose vision, courage, and steady leadership have produced measurable results for students, staff, and the communities they serve. Dr. Namin is one of only ten superintendents nationwide selected in this category from a competitive pool of nominees following the close of nominations on April 15, 2026.
“I am deeply honored by this recognition, which truly belongs to the students, families, educators, and tribal leaders of the Penobscot Nation and the Passamaquoddy Tribe,” said Dr. Namin. “Serving Maine Indian Education is the privilege of a lifetime. Every decision we make is grounded in respect for tribal sovereignty, cultural identity, and the limitless potential of our Wabanaki students.”
Leadership at Maine Indian Education
Dr. Namin leads a tribally controlled education agency serving three Wabanaki PK–8 schools: Indian Island School (Penobscot Nation), Indian Township School (Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township), and Sipayik Elementary School (Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point). MIE operates under the dual jurisdiction of the federal Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and the Maine Department of Education, with Dr. Namin reporting to three separate schools
Committees and a Joint School Committee. His tenure has been marked by sustained gains in student achievement, expanded special education compliance, strengthened personnel and policy infrastructure, and culturally responsive curriculum work that honors Wabanaki traditions.
A Distinguished Career in Educational Leadership
Dr. Namin holds professional superintendent certification and brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience to MIE.
He earned a Bachelor's, Master's, Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies, and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in 3D Geometric Modeling from Brown University, as well as a Certificate of Post-Doctorate Studies from Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he was named the 2029 Harvard University Graduate School of Education Fellow.
National and State Recognition
The NASS nomination joins a growing list of honors recognizing Dr. Namin’s leadership, including:
• Nomination for 2026 Maine Superintendent of the Year
• Induction into the National Superintendents Association Hall of Fame
• Selection as a 2026 NASS Excellence in Power Leadership Nominee (Districts Under 2,500 Students)
“The strength of our schools comes from the strength of our communities,” Dr. Namin added. “This nomination reflects the dedication of every teacher, principal, paraprofessional, and family who shows up every day for our children. I share this honor with all of them.”