Petersburg’s Middle and High School Assistant Principal, Jaime Cabral, is officially Alaska’s 2026 Assistant Principal of the Year and the 2025 Region V Assistant Principal of the Year. Cabral was recognized at the Alaska Principals’ Conference in Anchorage on Oct. 11.
Another celebration was waiting for Cabral when he returned home: a Petersburg noise parade. Fire trucks, buses, and cars gathered to loudly celebrate Cabral and the work he does for the community.
Cabral wears a lot of hats in and out of the school district. He’s the middle and high school assistant principal, the dean of students, the athletic director, a volleyball coach, on the Alaska School Activities Association board; the list goes on.
“I mean, there’s just no way to list it all,” said Petersburg Middle and High School Principal Brad King, “It would take me a day to list all the things he actually does.”
King went on to say that Cabral was “exceptional” and full of enthusiasm.
“Best person I’ve worked with, probably in my whole career,” King said. “Best co-administrator with me. He does everything well.”
Superintendent Robyn Taylor said that the role of assistant principal is often “an unsung position” in school districts. She said receiving this award is a big deal.
“People don’t really recognize the impact that the assistant principal has on the school and the community at large,” Taylor said. “Here in Petersburg, Jaime is so much more than just that title.”
She said Cabral leaves a big impact on the students he works with.
“Every time I have observed Jaime, whatever student he’s talking with, you can see their faces light up,” Taylor said.
Cabral’s impact extends beyond students. Middle and high school Spanish teacher Dustin Crump said Cabral leaves everyone around him feeling better.
“He is one of the only people I’ve met who can just make you feel really good on a bad day,” said Crump. “You just go and talk to Jamie, and you walk away and it’s like, ‘Ah, I feel great now.’”
Elementary school principal Heather Conn said it takes a lot of time and work to do all of the things Cabral does for the district and the community.
“He sacrifices his own time for other families here in Petersburg, in our community,” said Conn. “He’ll do it all for the best interest of the students.”
Cabral said he couldn’t have made it this far without a lot of support from the kids, the community, and his wife, Heidi.
He said he didn’t expect to receive either award.
“I like to try and just stay on the down low and keep working and make sure the kids got what they need at the school,” Cabral said, “But [the award] is super, super amazing.”
He said he’s honored by these recognitions and proud of the successes students show in academics and activities at the school district.
