Southwood Middle School principal Daniel Barreras is Palmetto Bay's 2026 Greg Zawyer Principal of the Year.

Mayor Karyn Cunningham announced the selection Oct. 21 at the Principal's Welcome Reception at Coral Reef Park, according to the Village of Palmetto Bay. Barreras was unable to attend. Cunningham presented the award separately at Southwood Middle School, where students, educators and faculty recognized him, the village said in a subsequent announcement.

The award goes to a public or private school principal within village boundaries who has shown outstanding leadership and made a significant contribution to education. Residents submitted nominations through Sept. 23. The village’s Education Advisory Committee selected the winner from resident nominations, according to the official award page.

Southwood Middle School received a Magnet School of Distinction award for the 2025–26 cycle, according to a district press release.

The award honors the late Greg Zawyer, a longtime Palmetto Bay educator who died Oct. 24, 2024. Zawyer was the founding principal of Coral Reef Senior High School, Robert Morgan High School and MAST at Homestead High School. He served for decades in the Miami-Dade County school system and held emeritus status on the Education Advisory Committee.

In coverage of a June street-naming ceremony, Community Newspapers reported that Cunningham called Zawyer "one of the most influential educators in Miami-Dade County." The village named a stretch of Southwest 143rd Street "Greg Zawyer Street" at that June ceremony.

Barreras is not the first Southwood principal to earn the honor. Raul Garcia, also of Southwood Middle School, received the award in 2023. Other recent winners include principals from Coral Reef Elementary, Howard Drive Elementary and Miami Palmetto Senior High School.

The Education Advisory Committee, chaired by Jorge Pulido, generally meets the last Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 9705 East Hibiscus St.