Happy October AAESP Members!
I hope this finds you doing well and having enjoyed a fantastic first quarter. Before diving into our updates, I want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to Heather Conn, our National Distinguished Principal, who was recently recognized in Washington, D.C. Heather, your dedication to your school and community is inspiring, and we are so proud of you for representing Alaska in such a remarkable way.
Once again this year, we are focusing on two key priorities at the state level: legislative advocacy and professional development. We are working to secure increased education funding, particularly improving the Base Student Allocation (BSA) and advocating for bills like HB193 to enhance internet access in rural schools. Despite setbacks, like the veto of SB140, we remain committed to engaging with legislators to ensure our schools' needs are heard.
On the professional development front, we are continually growing as leaders through statewide events, conferences, and collaborative sessions. These opportunities help us support teachers, address student learning gaps, and improve special education. Programs like Building Educational Leaders for Alaska (BELA) and Alaska School Leadership Academy (ASLA) play a key role in preparing early-career principals for leadership challenges.
Nationwide, principals are tackling similar issues. We are focused on personalized leadership development, mental health support, and educator loan forgiveness, all highlighted at the National School Leaders Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. Across the country, principals are addressing staffing challenges, managing data, and reducing absenteeism through family engagement and student health initiatives.
As we work to amplify student voices and navigate the rise of AI in classrooms, our dedication to student and staff well-being remains central as we build stronger, more resilient schools. No matter where you are in our great state, we are united in our advocacy for better resources and stronger leadership. Looking ahead, each of us can strengthen our advocacy—whether by engaging with legislators, attending events like the Alaska Legislative Fly-In, or sharing our school stories. Together, we can continue to shape the future of education.
Please reach out if there is ever anything that I, or our association, can do to support the work you do in your schools and with your students.
Sincerely,
Lori Rucksdashel
AAESP President
This month, Damon shares with us a project that he and his staff have been working on related to standards, and this site will also be added to our ELN Forum. Damon can be reached at: Damon.Hargraves@kibsd.org.
I have really been working with my staff on getting to know our state standards and I've been trying to reference them in my walkthroughs and observations. However, the state documents are pretty hard to navigate and impossible to navigate on a mobile device on the fly. Over this past summer I developed this website to serve as a mobile reference for our state standards.
https://books.hrgrvs.net/
This website is built as a PWA, which is a special website that can act like an app. If you save this to your home screen on your phone, you can use it as a quick reference guide to the standards and it will save your place as you go. It gives you a little bookmark to save the place where you were last reading. Another feature is that each header is linkable. I like to send my teachers a message through our school's chat system and link back to the standard section that I saw in class. We can then have additional discussion, share pictures, or provide additional context.
This is a website that I made for myself, but as other admin have seen it and expressed interest, I've added additional grade levels. I can continue to add more grade levels and content areas if people end up interested. I thought I'd share this as a resource to our admin team across Alaska. Feel free to share it.
Dear Principals,
As we celebrate National Principals Month this October, I want to recognize and express my deepest appreciation for each of you. Your unwavering commitment to leading your schools, guiding your staff, and supporting the growth and success of your students is nothing short of extraordinary. The impact you have on your school communities cannot be overstated, and the role you play in shaping the future of education is vital to the progress of our state and beyond. The work you do every day in service to your students, staff, and communities is inspiring, and it's an honor to work alongside you in this important mission.
Principals are the heart of our schools. You are not only educational leaders but also community builders, problem solvers, and champions for equity and inclusion. You foster safe and supportive learning environments where students can thrive, and your leadership empowers teachers and staff to be their best. In these challenging times, where the demands on education have grown immensely, you have risen to the occasion with resilience, innovation, and grace. Your leadership is what drives the positive change we see in Alaska's schools, and for that, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude.
It was wonderful to see many of you at the Alaska Principals Conference this past September. The energy and enthusiasm in the room were palpable, and the ideas shared during the conference reaffirmed the exceptional work that is happening in schools across our state. The sessions highlighted the importance of collaboration, creative problem-solving, and the power of shared leadership. I am always in awe of the innovative approaches that our principals are implementing to improve student outcomes, and this year's conference once again demonstrated how committed you all are to fostering continuous improvement in education.
The work you do is not without its unique challenges, but the dedication you show in facing those challenges head-on is remarkable. Whether it's addressing the complex needs of students in our unique Alaskan context, managing limited resources, or navigating the evolving landscape of education policy in our state, you consistently go above and beyond. I am inspired by your resilience and determination, and I want you to know that ACSA stands firmly beside you as you continue this important work.
In the coming weeks, ACSA will begin hosting constituent meetings across the state to connect each of you with your local legislators. These meetings will provide a valuable opportunity for you to build and strengthen relationships with lawmakers before the upcoming legislative session. We all know how critical it is to ensure that the voices of our educators and students are heard when important decisions about education policy are being made. By engaging with legislators, you can share your experiences, highlight the successes and challenges you face, and advocate for the needs of your students and staff. These meetings are a powerful tool for ensuring that your voice is part of the conversation as we work to shape education policy in Alaska. Your active participation in these meetings is crucial and will greatly contribute to the success of our collective efforts.
Please remember that ACSA is here to support you every step of the way. Whether you need access to resources, professional development opportunities, guidance on leadership issues, or simply someone to talk to, our team is always ready to assist. We are committed to standing with you as you continue to lead your schools with courage and conviction. You are not alone in this journey, and we will be there to support you through every challenge and success. Don't hesitate to reach out to us with any needs, questions, or concerns you may have.
As we move forward together, know that you are not alone. We are stronger together, and we are united by our shared commitment to the success of Alaska's students. The work you do is invaluable, and I am grateful for your partnership and dedication. Thank you for all that you do, and on behalf of ACSA, I wish you a happy and fulfilling National Principals Month.
Be well,
Dr. Lisa S. Parady
Contact Us
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
