September Update

As we head into the month of September, the beauty of Alaska unfurls in golden hues, the coolness in the air signals change, and our schools hum with the excited energy of another academic year. I hope this message finds you refreshed after our brief summer respite and eager to embrace the challenges and joys of the coming school year.

Being the President of the Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals is a responsibility I bear with immense pride. Our association, our principals, and our schools are truly unique, thriving in a state as vast and diverse as Alaska. Our collective mission, regardless of the miles that separate our schools or the challenges our individual communities face, is to ensure that every Alaskan child can learn and grow in a nurturing environment.

I am proud to say AAESP has come under the full umbrella of the Alaska Council of School Administrators. We will continue the transition throughout this year, combining our efforts to make Alaska a great place to be an educator.

Other news from AAESP is Director Jennifer Schmitz is moving on to other fields in ACSA. Her work for the Elementary Principals across this state has been enormous, and I am excited that her passion and experience will now benefit all Alaskan Principals K-12. Replacing her is Jennifer Rinaldi, Retired Principal from the Mat-Su, previous AAESP President, and most recently, the Deputy Director of AAESP. Please help me congratulating both of these amazing educators in their new positions!

AAESP will be rolling out several initiatives to strengthen our community and offer support where it's most needed. The 57th Annual Alaska Principals’ Conference allows you to gain the knowledge needed to help you be more successful in your current position. With presenters like Adam Welcome and Dr. Sharon Azar, you can immediately bring back tools you can implement in your building. I hope you take advantage of his opportunity, and I hope to see you there!

Lastly, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each of you for the unwavering commitment to the well-being and success of our students. Your dedication, passion, and resilience, especially in these challenging times, continue to inspire and lead us forward.

Wishing you a September filled with joy, inspiration, and progress,

Josh Gill, AAESP President

School Website: https://www.asdk12.org/springhill

Schools served as an administrator: Assistant Principal at WL Bowman Elementary for 1 year and Principal at Spring Hill Elementary going on year two both in Anchorage, Alaska.

Why did you decide to become an administrator?

I decided to become an administrator because I recognized how important educators are to the local community. We inspire, we breathe life into learners, we can provide big life chances to students through education. I recognized how important my role was and I wanted to coach and develop my colleagues in this same direction.

What is your definition of a successful school?

A successful school is a building full of students who have formed positive relationships with adults at school. Staff hold high expectations for students and expect them to meet expectations through the relationships created. Every teacher is empowered to become a leader- the potential is limitless.

Biggest struggle and how to fix?

Self-care and I'm fixing it by making space for mindfulness.

Biggest success achieved as an administrator so far?

Unifying staff.

What advice would you give those entering the field of school administration?

Just listen. Really listen to the needs of your school community. Put gears in motion based on feedback from your staff, families and community members working directly with students every day.

Favorite quote:

"There is a difference between listening and waiting for your turn to speak." Simon Sinek

Last book you read?

The last book I read was The Dichotomy of Leadership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babain

A favorite quote from the book was:

"So what does it take to win? Yes, you have to be determined. Yes, you have to be driven. Yes, you must have the unconquerable will to win. But to really win, to truly win requires more flexibility, more creativity, more adaptability, more compromise, and more humility than most people ever realize. That is what it takes to win.

Greetings Principals:

We have made it to September, and the new school year is in full swing. I hope the semester is off to a good start.

Though it is only September, we must start our advocacy efforts today. If you haven't already, please contact your legislators and introduce yourself as a resource on education in their district. This isn't a time to share our legislative priorities but rather for them to know you are available to answer questions that might arise as they work on legislation for the upcoming session. Your initial contact with your legislator is also an excellent opportunity to invite them to visit your school to see firsthand what a day in their local school is like. Remember, most legislators haven't been in a school building since they graduated.

As the session approaches, ACSA, as your membership organization, will schedule constituent meetings for you to meet with your legislators. We don’t want these meetings to be your first meetings with the policymakers that represent you!

If you need to know who your legislators are, please use the legislator by district document here to see which legislators represent your school.

This session will focus on education, so let's start today with our advocacy efforts, so we are prepared to advocate in the best interest of Alaska's students.

We look forward to seeing all of you at the 57th Annual Alaska Principals' Conference, October 13-14 in Anchorage. We are here to serve you, please never hesitate to reach out.

Thank you and be well,

Dr. Lisa S. Parady

Mark your calendars! Our monthly PK-12 Principal Meetings are kicking off once again on Tuesday, September 12th at 10:00 a.m. Hear from colleagues around the state on important issues we are facing, as well as from experts in the field. This year, our meetings will be for members only, so be sure you have renewed your membership ASAP!

Topic: PK-12 Principals Meeting

Time: Sep 12, 2023 10:00 AM Alaska

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84850175553?pwd=NXdSNlVsajJzUDUxMjkxS2NBbHpuQT09

Meeting ID: 848 5017 5553

Passcode: 067985

We are so excited to announce that we have a new and improved website for all of our Alaska principals! Head on over to www.alaskaprincipal.org to check it out! You'll find tons of information on your membership, your associations, as well as upcoming events.

If you have questions regarding your membership, or you need to modify your membership type or school information, please email: AlaskaPrincipal@AlaskaACSA.org. Also, you will soon be receiving an email asking you to visit YOUR member hub to update your information. Please be sure to add AlaskaPrincipal@AlaskaACSA.org to your contact list to ensure you're receiving all your association news!

AAESP is excited to welcome Three Bears Alaska as an association partner! Serving Alaskan communities since 1980, Three Bears Alaska is a family owned chained of Alaskan grocery stores with multiple locations throughout Alaska. Headquartered in Wasilla, Three Bears Alaska is proud to open their doors to over 736,000 customers daily.

Three Bears Alaska has graciously sponsored AAESP's National Distinguished Principal Award, and we are grateful to have them as a partner in education!

57th Annual Alaska Principals' Conference and Pre-Conference:

Summary - 57th Annual Alaska Principals' Conference 2023 (cvent.com)

2023 WELL Women's Conference:

Summary - ACSA 2023 Women in Education Leading and Learning Conference (cvent.com)

Do you have an aspiring leader in your building that has expressed interest in becoming a principal? Or perhaps you see their great leadership potential and they have yet to discover it!

Building Educational Leaders for Alaska, BELA, is a new program aimed at identifying those future leaders and helping them develop their leadership skills and potential. Please share the following interest form with any aspiring leader that you may know who would make great school leaders in Alaska:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdgraYhYMscnZgwP8KH1FMHzTwk4UMDV3ZjZILOU22hEPrEZg/viewform?usp=sf_link

We are planning now for our first event, so don't delay!

The Alaska Staff Development Network has published their fall catalog which can be found at:

Web-AKStaffDevCatalog-Fall2023.pdf (asdn.org)

Check out all the fantastic Professional Development options available to you and your staff today!

Building the Next Generation of Leaders

ASCA’s mission is to promote youth voice and student leadership in elementary and middle schools through our four pillars: community service, student leadership, citizenship, and school spirit. ASCA provides a national platform of recognition and support for student councils making a difference in their schools and communities.

Learn more at: naesp.org/for-students/american-student-council-association-asca/

Email: jrinaldi@alaskaacsa.org
Website: www.alaskaprincipal.org
Location: 234 Gold Street, Juneau, AK, USA
Phone: 907.242.9989
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akprincipals
Twitter: @alaskaprincipal