NASSP Principal and Assistant Principals of the Year Network
Latest AP News
Teacher Prep in High School
There are 168 schools that have an International Baccalaureate (IB) Career-Related Programme (CP) in the United States, and five of them are in Wisconsin. Reagan High School in Milwaukee, where I’m an assistant principal, is the only school in the state to offer an education pathway for students as part of this program.
Lifetouch Memory Mission 2024
Last month I was afforded the amazing privilege of attending the 2024 Lifetouch Memory Mission, alongside other educators. We spent eight days in Guatemala, with the beautiful members of the Xepatan community, building three additional classrooms to expand their existing school site. While our hope in going was to support education for children there and offer what we could to this community, each one of us ended the week feeling as though we had just received many more gifts than we could ever give.
A Weekend to Celebrate School Leaders—and College Football
The 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship weekend earlier this month in Houston, TX, was the experience of a lifetime. A weekend where educators were celebrated for their distinguished achievements. A weekend of learning, networking, and collaboration with leaders in their field. A weekend that I will never forget.
Trailblazing Leadership Week Celebrates Student and School Leaders
NASSP sits at the intersection of student and school leadership. Any progress in our schools must start with those who are a part of them, and the combined effect of these groups working together is greater than each working alone. This power was on full display during NASSP’s Trailblazing Leadership Week, April 22-25, which brought together the State Principals and Assistant Principals of the Year, the National Honor Society Scholarship finalists, and their advisers to recognize their accomplishments and connect with one another in Washington, D.C.
The Use of Restorative Practices: A Work in Progress
In honor of AP Week, School of Thought asked me to reflect on work that I’m most proud of as a school leader. I have chosen to share about implementing restorative practices, which many of my colleagues are also working hard to get right in schools across the country.
Expanding Their Impact: Checking in with State Assistant Principals of the Year
It’s AP Week, a time to celebrate the terrific work of assistant principals across the country. To highlight all that they do, we spoke with three NASSP 2022 State Assistant Principals of the Year: Diane Fox, an assistant principal of Hampton Bays in Hampton Bays, NY; Amber Grady, previous assistant principal of Elkins High School in Missouri City, TX; and Scott Wisniewski, an assistant principal of Wayne Valley High School in Wayne, NJ.
Learn from Assistant Principals During National Assistant Principals Week
It’s National Assistant Principals Week, a time to celebrate the contributions assistant principals (APs) make to their schools, by ensuring positive cultures for teaching and learning. Here we share four School of Thought posts by assistant principals and NASSP members. We hope their ideas for making students feel comfortable, engaged, and safe at school inspire your work in your own building.
Four Strategies that Increase Student Opportunity in Advanced Courses
Advanced coursework and career and technical education (CTE) pathways provide high school students with the opportunity to learn and practice crucial college and career readiness skills while earning college credit and career certifications. According to The Education Trust, “Research shows that when students are given access to advanced coursework opportunities, they work harder and engage more in school, leading to fewer absences and suspensions and higher graduation rates.” Despite widespread understanding of the important opportunities provided by Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Dual Enrollment, and CTE, schools continue to struggle with addressing opportunity gaps by supporting all students in accessing and succeeding in these courses and programs.
Announcing the 2021 National Assistant Principal of the Year
Arkansas has the highest rate of adverse childhood experiences in the nation at 60%. Trauma and stress often manifest as behavior problems, and if educators can learn to see these as calls for help and opportunities to teach missing skills, they have the ability to lessen the negative impact and create productive learning environments centered on well-being and safety. For Assistant Principal Chelsea Jennings, that is “the heart of the work I strive daily to implement and nurture.”