March Update

Dear Colleagues,

As we move further into the spring season, I want to express my gratitude for your unwavering commitment to the students, staff, and communities we serve. Your dedication to educational excellence is commendable, especially in the face of the unique challenges we continue to face during these times.

The Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals expresses disappointment in the recent rejection of SB140, which aimed to enhance educational opportunities for our state's students. This setback undermines efforts to address critical issues in our education system and leaves students and educators without vital resources and support. We need to continue to urge policymakers to reconsider and prioritize the needs of Alaska's schools for the betterment of our communities and future generations.

As we look ahead, let us remain steadfast in our mission to provide every child with a high-quality education that prepares them for success in an ever-changing world. Let us continue to support each other, share our successes and challenges, and strive for continuous improvement in all that we do.

I encourage you to take advantage of the professional development opportunities available to you, whether through our association, state resources, or national organizations. Investing in our growth and learning makes us even more effective leaders for our schools and communities.

I also want to thank our association members who have shared their success stories, insights, and expertise with our community. Your contributions enrich our collective knowledge and inspire us to reach new heights. As we move forward together, let us remember the incredible impact we have on the lives of our students.

Thank you for your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence. I am honored to serve as your president and look forward to our association's continued progress and success.

Best wishes,

Joshua Gill- President

President, Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals

Principal, Woodriver Elementary in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District (FNSBSD)

Years served as an administrator: 16

Schools served as an administrator: Marshall (K-12), in the Lower Yukon School District and Woodriver (K-5), in FNSBSD

Why did you decide to become an administrator:

I decided to become a school principal after experiencing firsthand the enormous amount of turnover in rural Alaska. As a teacher, I worked with four different principals in five years. I wanted to provide more stability and structure for the staff and students. As a principal, I found it incredibly rewarding to impact an entire school’s culture and build a team founded on trust and high expectations for themselves and students.

What is your definition of a successful school?

A successful school is a place where students and staff love to be. Where learning is taking place when we are succeeding and when we are making mistakes. My morning announcements always end with “Great things happen when you make them happen.” A school should empower people to want to learn more and to make the world a better place.

Biggest struggle and how to fix:

The biggest struggle I have as an administrator is saying “No.” I tend to say “Yes” without thinking through the time commitment and impacts a new project will have on existing initiatives. I want school to be as exciting as possible, but more does not always mean better. I need to improve the balancing of the number of those initiatives, activities, and responsibilities for my staff and myself. I am trying very hard to shrink the number of projects and duties down to the elements that are going to be the most impactful to student learning and ensuring that kids love coming to school.

Biggest success achieved as an administrator so far:

My largest success as an administrator is hiring a group of incredible professionals who make ideas and learning contagiously fun. Teachers are the true superstars of the education profession and hiring amazing people is one of the most important things I do as a leader. Education is a team sport and I want the best team I can find!

Favorite quote: I think there is so much to be learned about leadership from our military. My favorite leadership quote is from Colin Powell: “Leadership is about solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.”

I often think of this quote when I start to become frustrated. When I’m being pulled in a dozen different directions at once. It is a great reminder that people want my help because they trust that I care about them and can help solve their problems. Being a leader is about taking care of those around you. As long as that remains your focus, you will do great!

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

Share the good things you see in classrooms with other teachers. Many of my teachers are so much more knowledgeable about teaching their grade-level content than I’ll ever be. I love sharing great ideas I see during observations with other members of my staff. Use the greatness of your team to help everyone get better.

Last book you read?

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel. To be honest, this is not the last book I've read (the last book was Nothing Ever Changes, also by Morgan Housel) but it’s one of three I recommend to any avid readers. The other two are Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker and Atomic Habits by James Clear. What I loved about The Psychology of Money is how it made me question my life/work balance. It’s one of the best books I’ve read in the last decade. All three of those books are quick reads and will be required reading for my own two children before they graduate high school.

Anything else you would like to share?

The job of a principal can be a lonely one. Find a mentor or other principals who you can confide in. Being able to share your frustrations and successes with someone who truly understands the complexities of your job is invaluable.

National Distinguished Principal® (NDP) Program

NAESP’s National Distinguished Principal® (NDP) program honors outstanding elementary and middle-level principals who ensure that America’s children acquire a sound foundation for lifelong learning and achievement. Each year, NAESP congratulates principals from across the nation, in both public and private schools, and overseas, for their exemplary achievements.

Nominations are now being accepted for AAESP's 2024 National Distinguished Principal!

Award Criteria

The nominee:

• Has been a member of AAESP/NAESP for at least one year at the time of nomination and will maintain membership through the conclusion of the NAESP NDP Award Ceremony;

• Is an active principal of a school in which a commitment to excellence is clearly evident;

• Has been an active principal for at least five years;

• Will remain in active service in a position of school leadership during the school year in which he/she will serve as NDP;

• Shows a strong commitment to the principalship through active membership in professional associations;

• Is respected by students, colleagues, parents, and the community at large;

• Assumes an active role in his/her community, distinguishing himself/herself as a leader in civic, religious, or humanitarian activities;

• Shows strong educational leadership by setting high expectations for school staff and students; and

• Maintains an orderly, purposeful learning environment.

Nominations are being accepted until March 22nd via this link: https://forms.gle/9SKvmSyGQWQYMqdp9

Greetings from the Capitol City!

We're thrilled to share some uplifting news from our recent trip to Washington, D.C. Our AAESP and AASSP school leaders had incredibly successful meetings with Congresswoman Mary Peltola, Senator Murkowski, and Senator Sullivan's offices. It's heartening to see such strong support for the unwavering efforts of our educational leaders, who work tirelessly for our students, families, and school communities. We're truly fortunate to have such outstanding support at the national level.

A big thank you to everyone for your advocacy efforts on SB140. Your dedication made a significant impact, as evidenced by the incredibly close vote yesterday. While we didn't get the outcome we hoped for, now is not the time to lose hope. With the session continuing until May 15th, there's still ample opportunity to rally support for public education.

In exciting news, there's a promising bill in the House Rules Committee, HB193. The proposed clean BAG bill aims to boost internet speeds in rural schools up to 100Mbps. We'll be advocating vigorously for the swift passage of this bill to benefit students in rural communities.

Additionally, SB 52, the BSA bill providing a $680 increase, is currently in House Finance after successfully passing the Senate. Every step forward brings us closer to our goal of bettering education for all.

Though we may have faced a setback, our determination only grows stronger with each challenge. Let's continue to lift each other up and persevere until we reach our shared goals. Together, we have the power to make a real difference for our students.

Below, you'll find information on how you can continue to amplify your voice on crucial issues during the remaining days of the session. Remember, we're here to support you every step of the way. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

I extend heartfelt gratitude for your dedication to your students, staff, families and communities. Your commitment is truly inspiring.

Let's stay the course and keep pushing forward!

Warm regards,

Dr. Lisa S. Parady

ACSA Executive Director

Join us each Friday at 1:30 for Legislative Updates at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89916514305?pwd=WGxyYVNZNlRTdzZ1bXdud3ZlTTNKdz09

Mark your calendars! We have started a new Open Chat for School Leaders! This will be a time for you to meet with and collaborate with one another on topics that are important to you! Our next meeting will take place on Thursday, March 28th at 2:00 PM.

Topic: School Leader Chat

Time: Mar 28, 2024 02:00 PM Alaska

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82595309674?pwd=aWRQYnl3dGVwNzJXR21nSVcyeTlKZz09

Meeting ID: 825 9530 9674
Passcode: 847568

Also, our next monthly PK-12 Principal Meeting will be held on April 9th.

Meeting ID: 870 8664 1903

Passcode: 044123

Hear from colleagues around the state on important issues we are facing, as well as from experts in the field. We look forward to seeing you there!

Tackling Complex Issues in Special Education Spring 2024

A Four Part Series with Dr. Sharon Azar

In this four-part virtual workshop series, nationally recognized presenter, Dr. Sharon Azar will enhance and deepen the participants’ understanding of the complexities that we are facing today in Special Education. She will delve into academic learning gaps, challenging behaviors in the classrooms, and ways to support struggling teachers who are facing the many requirements of teaching Special Education. Dr. Azar will provide tools and strategies during each session. Her core belief guiding this work is when we know better we do better.

Session 1: Special Education Post-COVID

In this session, we will discuss “learning gaps” and the high number of Special Education referrals. We will discuss five high yield instructional strategies for closing the instructional gap.

Session 2: This Behavior is UNBELIEVABLE!! What Can We Do to Shift This Trend?

In this session, we will discuss evidence-based Practices and Strategies to support our most challenging behaviors in the classroom.

Session 3: How Do We Determine the Level of Support for Students with Disabilities?

In this session, we will discuss a data driven decision-making process for determining what services our students with disabilities need to access and make progress in the general curriculum.

Session 4: How Do Administrators Support Struggling Teachers?

In this session, we will discuss strategies administrators can use to support teachers having difficulty meeting the complex needs of students with disabilities. Also, we discuss strategies for supporting families with students with complex needs.

Live sessions will take place from 4:15-5:45 (Alaska Time) on 2/29, 3/21, 4/4 and 4/18/2024.

Follow up check-in/coaching sessions will be available from 4:15-5:45 (Alaska Time) on a sign-up basis following the class sessions. The first session has been recorded and you can still join us for tomorrow's class!

1 credit will be available at a cost from UA - registration information will be provided immediately following the first session.

REGISTRATION FEES

Free to AAESP and AASSP Members

$250 for Non-Members. You may pay with Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover.

Contact Jennifer Schmitz at jschmitz@alaskaacsa.org to check if your membership is current or to become a member, or with any other questions.

The 2024 NAESP Vice Presidential Election is open, and you should have received your personalized ballot in your email box. If you have not yet received it, please email Jen Rinaldi (jrinaldi@alaskaacsa.org) for assistance. For more information on the election, please go to: Board Election - NAESP, or check out the candidate button below.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, concerns, or areas that your association can support you! Have a wonderful March! - Jen

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