2026 Louisiana Principal of theYear

Justin wax

denham springs junior high

Justin Wax is currently serving his fourth year as principal at Denham Springs Junior High in Denham Springs, Louisiana. Under Wax's leadership, the school is recognized for excellence, including a 2024 Top Gains Honoree and U.S. News and World Report's Best Middle Schools for 2024 and 2025. Wax earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, minoring in Leadership Development from Louisiana State University, pursued his passion for education via alternative certification, and obtained a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Southeastern Louisiana University. A leader in student advocacy, Wax has taken innovative steps to address teen vaping through offering vaping education alternatives to suspension and facilitating the installation of campus vape detection technology. His efforts include legislative involvement, speaking before the Louisiana House Judiciary, and effectively advocating to raise the minimum age to purchase vaping products. Dedicated to STEM education, Wax pioneers an aquaponics lab, providing hands-on opportunities to conserve endangered Louisiana plant species and teaching sustainable produce cultivation. Wax is a member of the Louisiana Association of Principals, and Vice President of the Livingston Parish Principals Association. He also served four years as President of Mighty Moms, a nonprofit that “nurtures hungry students to success.” Wax is a church deacon and married father of three. Committed to addressing students' needs, Wax partners with community leaders to eliminate student fees, ensuring access for his economically disadvantaged students. Wax currently supports a rapidly growing English learner population. His educational philosophy centers around #ThreeYearsOfAwesome, fostering innovation and community collaboration to prepare students for lifelong success.

2026 HONOREES

The Principal of the Year Process

The process for selecting a Louisiana Principal of the Year begins at the local level. Each school within every public or public charter school district is eligible to select a Principal of the Year subject to their own selection criteria. Those individual local school nominations are sent to the District level for further review and consideration.

Each District Superintendent or public charter school District may select three outstanding teachers to forward to the State Department of Education for competition at the state level. Of the three District nominations, there will be one elementary, one middle school, and one high school principal selected.

The Louisiana Department of Education continues a review and evaluation of all District candidates submitted. To learn more about the Principal of the Year selection process, contact LDOE at louisianabelieves.com/teaching/award-programs. Questions regarding the selection process or on-line applications should be directed to the department.