“She’s super nice. Except when it’s time to fight.” That was NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe praising Melissa Shindel the 2023 Advocacy Champion, as she prepared to pass the torch to Chris Young, the principal of North Country Union High School in Newport, VT.
Category: Policy and Advocacy
Principal Chris Young: The 2024 NASSP Advocacy Champion of the Year
Getting the Right Grant Begins With Early Groundwork
The Alaska Council of School Administrators (ACSA) recently secured a Teacher and School Leader Incentive Program grant from the U.S. Department of Education. For Alaskan educators, that means improved professional development, higher compensation, and a better chance of staying in the classroom. We talked with ACSA Grant Director Sam Jordan to discuss this achievement and […]
What Being an NASSP Ambassador Means to Me
When I applied to be an NASSP Ambassador, I was focused on what I could contribute to the group and on being fully committed to the experience. I knew there would be regular meetings over many months, and I wanted to make sure that I arranged my schedule to participate, which—as all principals know—is sometimes […]
Urgent Call to Support Education: NASSP’s Letter to Congress
Today, NASSP and 45 state school leader associations sent a letter to Congress opposing the House of Representatives’ FY 2024 appropriations proposal that would cut education funding by 28%. Read the letter below and join your association in sending a pre-written message to your representatives urging them to fully fund vital K–12 programs.
Helping Our School Leaders, Educators, and Students in Maui
Aloha to all our school leader and educator colleagues across the country. As you know, the devastating fires in Lahaina in Maui have shaken all of us here in Hawaii. The entire nation has watched a tragedy unfold, and many of our colleagues have asked us how they can help the Maui schools, educators, students […]
NASSP Talks Advocacy in Twitter Chat
Last week, the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA) hosted a Twitter Chat delving into how K–12 principals can advocate for policy changes to improve their schools. See below for highlights from NASSP Director of External Affairs Jen Silva, and use the hashtag #MEMSPAChat to read the chat in full and check out […]
We Are All Advocates
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Principal Melissa Shindel: The 2023 NASSP Advocacy Champion of the Year
This winter, a group of school leaders from across the country came together to review contenders for NASSP’s Advocacy Champion of the Year. Going in, they knew this wouldn’t be easy. The awardee had to embody the mission of the organization and demonstrate an exceptional commitment to advocating on behalf of school leaders and schools. […]
Staying Focused on What Matters: Our Students
Earlier this month, I had the honor of serving as a panelist for a webinar held by the Learning First Alliance. The topic was on the results of local elections in 2022 and what the future may hold for local elections in 2023.
Advancing Student Equity and Access in Math
Proficiency in science, technology, engineering, and math is key to global competitiveness as a nation and a higher standard of living as an individual. Disparities in access to high-quality math instruction and rigorous, research-based curriculum have contributed to a significant opportunity gap in the U.S.