WESTBROOK — The Maine Principals’ Association has chosen Kate Hersom of Saccarappa School as the state’s 2012 Elementary Principal of the Year.

The award was presented to Hersom this morning at a schoolwide assembly.

Richard Durost, executive director of the Maine Principals’ Association, said in a press release that Hersom “is an exceptional instructional leader who coaches her faculty in best practices in teaching and learning.”

Saccarappa School serves kindergarten through second grade.

Hersom earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine in 1992, and a master’s degree in educational administration from Cambridge College in 2000.

She has also worked at Westbrook, Portland and Marshwood high schools.