Miguel Juarez Middle School Principal Nelson Campos has been named the Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year, a prestigious honor recognizing outstanding school leaders across the state.

The news was shared with Mr. Campos in a surprise ceremony on January 27, when representatives from the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) visited Juarez to inform him of the recognition. Students and staff, and his family joined in the celebration as IPA officials announced the award and led a parade through the school, with students lining the halls to congratulate their principal.

In fall 2025, Mr. Campos was named the IPA’s Lake County Middle School Principal of the Year. As one of 17 regional honorees from across Illinois, he became eligible for statewide recognition and was ultimately selected as this year’s Illinois Middle School Principal of the Year.

In recognizing him, IPA representatives praised Mr. Campos for his compassion, his dedication to students, and the positive, inclusive learning environment he has built at Juarez Middle School.

Mr. Campos credited the Juarez school community for its continued partnership and support.

“I am blessed and thankful for the teachers, paraprofessionals, teacher assistants, support staff, cafeteria staff, custodial staff, Juarez families, and community, and more importantly, the students at Miguel Juarez,” said Mr. Campos. “This award is a testament to the culture and values we have established at Juarez, where Every Moment Matters, and aligns with our mission to provide a safe learning environment for all students to achieve their goals.”

He will be formally honored later this year at the IPA’s annual conference in Peoria. Mr. Campos is believed to be the first educator from Waukegan Public Schools to receive this statewide IPA recognition.

Mr. Campos has served Waukegan Public Schools for 18 years and has spent 20 years in education. He began his career as a bilingual and ESL math teacher at Jefferson Middle School (now John Lewis Middle School), where he taught for six years before serving two years as assistant principal. In 2016, he was appointed principal of Miguel Juarez Middle School.