Connect at the state level For State Affiliates Visit our State Affiliate Portal for resources specifically designed to help you partner with NASSP in promoting national membership and further excellence in middle level and high school education nationwide. For Members Every state has its own principals association, which typically offers conferences, state-specific education information, and professional development opportunities. Click your state to visit the website or obtain the e-mail ...| NASSP
“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. 2024 NASSP Advocacy Champion of the Year Chris Young, center, with 2023 Champion Melissa Shindel, left, and NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. Photo courtesy of NASSP. The announcement came this week at the National School Leaders Advocacy Conference...| NASSP
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. Although a number of candidates were deserving, one stood out. Melissa Shindel, the 2023 NASSP Advocacy Champion of the Year. After some intense discussio...| NASSP
This award is given to an individual who has worked to elevate the collective voice of school leaders in federal, state, and local policy and public discourse.| NASSP
Congratulations to Principal Derrick Lawson of Indio High School! Principal Derrick Lawson of Indio High School in Indio, CA, noticed virtual attendance dropping from 94% to as low as 70% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like hundreds of other schools hit hard by the pandemic, Indio High School’s vulnerable populations were disproportionately suffering. Half the students lived with family members who had gotten sick, a third lacked stable housing, and a quarter had begun working full time or ...| NASSP
Erika Burden, PhD, principal at Westwood Middle School in Spokane, WA, has been honored as the NASSP Advocacy Champion of the Year. The Advocacy Champion of the Year award—now in its second year of existence—recognizes an individual for outstanding and significant contributions to advancing the policy agenda of NASSP and advocating on behalf of all school leaders to ensure the success of each student. These individuals elevate the voice and influence of school leaders in federal, state, a...| NASSP
Tonight during the opening reception of the 2019 NASSP Advocacy Conference, Dan Richards, principal of Georgetown Middle High School in Georgetown, MA, was announced as the first-ever NASSP Advocacy Champion of the Year! The new Advocacy Champion of the Year award will be presented annually to an individual for outstanding and significant contributions to advancing the policy agenda of NASSP and advocating on behalf of all school leaders to support great public schools and ensure the success ...| NASSP
Terri Daniels, EdD, is the 2025 NASSP Advocacy Champion of the Year. The principal of Folsom Middle School in Folsom, CA, Daniels has more than 40 years of experience in public and private schools. Her leadership and advocacy have had a profound impact on educational policy at the state and national levels. One of her longtime priorities is advocating for students with disabilities by working to strengthen protections under IDEA and Section 504 and ensure equitable access to high-quality ...| NASSP
