April Update
Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals
President's Message
Rick Dormer
Greetings Alaskan admins!
With the busyness of the final weeks of the school year, I want to take a moment and congratulate each of you for your Herculean efforts on behalf of the children in your schools. The AK education atmosphere is swirling with talk of vetoes, budgets, grants, maintenance of effort, homeschooling funding, charter schools and the politics of it all. In the middle of this, we have been tasked with educating kids, EVERY child, no matter their background, and we have achieved some amazing results. As you wrap up the 23-24 school year and busily plan for the upcoming 24-25 school year, please consider the following:
1–Celebrate, congratulate and reflect on this year. Although it’s busy, take time to celebrate your achievements, congratulate staff on their accomplishments, and reflect, both as a staff and individually, as you plan for the upcoming year. One of my mentors used to constantly remind me that, “You don’t have to be sick to want to get better” and to continue to reach for the next rung on the ladder. When you are working our youth, there is no mountaintop, you’ve never “arrived” and it’s never good enough. I know I’m preaching to the choir. Keep up the excellent effort, Alaskan educators.
2–Learn from sub-standard results and improve. We are responsible for a lot, and our resources are very thin. Don’t place blame (and when you must, take ownership as school leaders), but rather recognize failures for what they are, and move onward and upward. This is the very basis of the scientific method–which I’m confident your students are learning within the walls of your schools–which has led to world-changing progress.
As an Alaskan principal, I’m privileged and honored to work with so many dedicated, hard-working educators in our state. I wish you the very best as you lead through these busy but exciting final months of the 23-24 school year. Take time to take care of yourself, be grateful for the many good things in your life and know that the positive impact you are making for children is changing lives. As always, don’t hesitate to reach out if I, or any other board members, can support in any way.
Congratulations to our Region POY’s and AK AASSP POY Dave Dershin!
All the best,
Rick Dormer, Principal
Ketchikan High School
AASSP President
Congratulations to Dave Dershin
The Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) is proud to announce the Alaska Principal of the Year for 2024 is Dave Dershin, principal of Randy Smith Middle School in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Principal Dershin received his Bachelor's Degree in Geology and Teaching Certificate from the University of Indiana. He completed his Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Principal Dershin has served as a Principal in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District since 2011. He served as Principal at Lathrop High School from 2011 to 2014, before becoming principal at Randy Smith Middle School.
Rick Dormer, President of AASSP, said Principal Dershin has been an exemplary leader in Alaska for many years. "His calm demeanor and caring advocacy for kids have made him an effective leader who certainly deserves this recognition as Alaska Principal of the Year." Dormer added, "It has been an honor to work with and learn from Dave through his service on the AASSP Board."
When it comes to leadership at Randy Smith Middle School Principal Dershin said, "I've always been an educator who believes in building genuine relationships with students while maintaining high expectations for all." He shared that, "Receiving this award speaks to the quality of the people I have had the honor of working with over the years."
Dr. Luke Meinert, Superintendent of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, said, "Principal Dave Dershin's selection as Alaska's Principal of the Year is a tremendous and well-deserved achievement that reflects his outstanding leadership and deep commitment to student success." Dr. Meinert added that, "Dave has a great heart for education that shines through in everything he does. We are proud to have such a dedicated, visionary principal representing the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District."
Each year, the AASSP State Principal of the Year winners are submitted for consideration to be the NASSP National Principal of the Year. Principal Dershin will travel to Washington, D.C., to represent Alaska this fall for the NASSP Principals Institute.
AASSP/ACSA Executive Director
Greetings from the Capitol City!
As the end of the school year draws near, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional dedication you demonstrate every single day to enhance the success of our students. As Principals, you understand that it is "Our Time" to lead. Despite the myriad challenges you encounter, your unwavering commitment to our children's growth and achievement is truly amazing!
I understand that the ongoing struggle to secure sufficient legislative backing for education funding can further compound your challenges. However, please rest assured that your relentless advocacy and unwavering support for our students, families, and communities do not go unnoticed. Your tireless efforts and passion for Alaska's students inspire me, and it is through your dedication as educators, our youth can realize their full potential.
As we approach the end of the legislative session, staying informed about legislation that could impact education in our state is imperative. I encourage you to participate in our weekly legislative updates, held every Friday at 1:30 p.m., open to all principal members.
Our organization has been supporting Principals in Alaska for over 50 years, and we remain a steadfast and reliable source of leadership in public education, committed to representing your best interests. Our purpose is to help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of public education.
As we navigate the final stretch of the academic year, I urge you to maintain your focus and strive to finish strong. Spring symbolizes new beginnings and renewed hope, and I am confident that you will continue to impact our students' lives positively.
Once again, I extend my gratitude for your invaluable contributions. Your hard work and dedication are making a tangible difference in the lives of students, families, and communities across the state; we are profoundly grateful for that.
If you need any support or assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to the ACSA team. We are here to serve.
Thank you for all that you do. I am sending you light and wishing you all good thoughts as we reach the finish line.
Together, we are shaping a brighter future for Alaska's students.
Warm regards,
Dr. Lisa S. Parady
Executive Director
ACSA Legislative Updates
Join us each Friday at 1:30 for Legislative Updates at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89916514305?pwd=WGxyYVNZNlRTdzZ1bXdud3ZlTTNKdz09
PK-12 Monthly Principal Meetings
Mark your calendars! Our final PK-12 Principal Meeting of the year will be held on Tuesday, May 14th at 10:00 AM.
Meeting ID: 870 8664 1903
Passcode: 044123
Save the Date!
Our 2024 Alaska Principals' Conference will take place September 27th at 28th at the Sheraton Anchorage. Details are forthcoming and it will be a great event for all school leaders. Mark the dates down now and plan to attend!
Professional Development Opportunities
2024 Alaska School Leadership Institute
We invite you and your leadership team to our 16th Annual Alaska School Leadership Institute (ASLI), an educational conference designed for school and central office leaders.
Embracing the School Leader Paradigm as our guiding principle, this year's conference promises insightful discussions and productive planning sessions.
Our agenda is focused on empowering you to elevate your schools through a process of continuous improvement. We'll harness the power of the cycle of inquiry to examine past practices and learn how to more efficiently work as a team to chart a course for the future.
Join us at ASLI as we embark on a journey of "becoming while doing" --exploring ways to be a learning leader leading a learning organization.
ASLI is designed for leadership teams from rural and small schools, but school teams from anywhere in Alaska can participate. There will be large and small group sessions, time to learn with colleagues in our same role from other districts, plus dedicated time to work together as a school or district team.
Code.Org
Please share the no-cost teacher level professional learning opportunities below with your staff.
Note: All the great opportunities provided at no-cost for your district. Free-Forever curriculum, relevant professional learning, and now we have added District level support.
The Computer Science team at Alaska Staff Development Network is helping districts look at a where they are “now" and where they hope to be in the "near future". We want districts to keep those programs that are working well and that fit into their budgets, and then identify where the gaps in implementation remain a challenge across their districts. This is a service to support Alaska Districts.
Code.org has developed some resources that support these processes and made them available to our staff and to the Alaska’s Program Districts.
Our first districts to join this new program are Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and Yukon Flats School District. We hope these resources will help them reach their short term and long-term goals.
Please feel free to reach out to Cheryl Bobo at cbobo@alasakacsa.org. for more information.
Join us for the National Conference on School Leadership!
July 15th - 17th, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee
Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals
Email: alaskaprincipal@alaskaacsa.org
Website: alaskaprincipal.org
Location: 234 Gold Street, Juneau, AK, USA
Phone: 907-586-9702
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alaskaprincipals