The UNITED 2025 Agenda Is Live: Find Your Path Forward - NASSP | NASSP
The UNITED 2025 agenda is now live—featuring 200+ sessions aligned to the urgent challenges school leaders are managing right now.| NASSP
The UNITED 2025 agenda is now live—featuring 200+ sessions aligned to the urgent challenges school leaders are managing right now.| NASSP
National Association of Secondary School Principals1904 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1537| NASSP
For NHS advisers, a new school year brings fresh opportunities to develop the next generation of student leaders. Here, Kathryn Kula, a chemistry teacher and NHS and student council adviser at Jefferson Township High School in Jefferson, NJ, shares how she helps students better understand and uphold the four pillars of NHS. 1. Scholarship The […] The post Another Chance to Teach the 4 NHS Pillars appeared first on NASSP.| NASSP
The ability to navigate tough conversations and foster growth through civil discourse is more important than ever. As cultural, economic, and political challenges persist across the country, it’s not just adults dealing with these issues and conflicts in their lives. Students are also wrestling with tough questions, though most of them don’t yet have the […] The post Why Helping Students Navigate Tough Conversations Matters More Than Ever appeared first on NASSP.| NASSP
NASSP is proposing three new sessions for the 2026 SXSW EDU Conference & Festival. One of the largest and most influential education conferences in the country, SXSW EDU will choose new sessions to include based on three elements, one of which is public voting. The polls close August 24, 2025, so make your selection today! […] The post Which NASSP Sessions Do You Want to See at SXSW EDU? appeared first on NASSP.| NASSP
My guiding philosophy for professional development is that gaining even a single new idea constitutes a successful experience. Last month, I attended United: The National Conference on School Leadership in Seattle. I was profoundly impressed by the insights presented. Rather than just one idea, I returned with 21 pages of innovative strategies to implement at […] The post My 5 Favorite Things About the United Conference appeared first on NASSP.| NASSP
Rahsaan “Saani” Perry, the assistant principal of West Florence High School in Florence, SC, was recently named NASSP’s 2025 High School National Assistant Principal of the Year and the next principal of John W. Moore Middle School. We asked him about the honor and what it means to him and his school. Were you surprised […] The post Meet NASSP High School National Assistant Principal of the Year Saani Perry appeared first on NASSP.| NASSP
At NASSP, we know that great schools begin with great leaders. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce six exceptional school leaders as finalists for the 2025–26 Middle Level National Principal of the Year and High School National Principal of the Year awards. From combating chronic absenteeism to implementing no cell phone policies to retaining teachers […] The post Celebrating the 2025–26 National Principal of the Year Finalists appeared first on NASSP.| NASSP
Elizabeth “Liz” Nelson, the associate principal of Pilgrim Park Middle School in Elm Grove, WI, was recently named NASSP’s 2025 Middle Level National Assistant Principal of the Year. We asked her about the honor and what it means to her and her school. What was your reaction when you found out you had been selected? […] The post Meet NASSP Middle Level National Assistant Principal of the Year Liz Nelson appeared first on NASSP.| NASSP
At Butler Middle School in Waukesha, WI, where Laura Jennaro is the principal, more than 250 eighth graders will gather in June for the last event of their middle school years: graduation. The school calls it a recognition ceremony to keep the focus on recognizing students’ varied achievements and to help them celebrate a milestone […] The post Four Tips to Make Middle School Graduation a Success appeared first on NASSP.| NASSP
Let’s be honest: Engaging in professional development opportunities—let alone attending a national conference—might feel like the last thing on your list right now. But if you’re carrying the weight of leading through burnout, political pressures, and constant change, UNITED 2025 is your lifeline. School leaders at UNITED 2024 in Nashville. Photo courtesy of NASSP Five reasons you need to be there in Seattle, WA, July 11–13: 1. Real networking, real support Everyone say...| NASSP
Upcoming EventsNASSP offers a range of in-person and virtual events that will help take your leadership to the next level.SEE ALL UPCOMING EVENTSLeadership NetworksLooking to connect with other school leaders in a meaningful way? Join one of NASSP's Leadership Networks, a safe and supportive community of principals and assistant principals where you can share your experiences, challenges, and successes while expanding your professional network on a national level.| NASSP
It’s a fact—secondary teachers are by nature more individualistic than lower-grade teachers. In most schools, they are singleton teachers who are specialists in their content area. Although this specificity is critical at the secondary level, it can often prevent collaboration and collegiality from becoming part of your school culture. The question for secondary school leaders is, how do you encourage content-area teachers to work together for the benefit of all students? Essentially, how...| NASSP
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
Women in School Leadership Network FacilitatorsUpcoming Network MeetingsLatest Women in Leadership News| NASSP
Middle Level Network FacilitatorsUpcoming Network MeetingsLatest Middle School Leaders Network News| NASSP
NASSP’s Leadership Networks are collaborative spaces for school leaders to share similar lived experiences, passions, and interests.| 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
Since 2019, the Advocacy Champion of the Year Award has honored a leader whose influence in policy and public discourse has helped shape the future of education. This prestigious award is NASSP’s highest recognition for education advocacy—highlighting individuals who elevate the voices of school leaders at every level of government. 2025 NASSP Advocacy Champion of the Year Terri Daniels, center, with NASSP Board President Raquel Martinez, left, and NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. Photo courtesy o...| NASSP
Principals play a pivotal role in fostering high-quality professional development (PD) and creating a culture of continuous learning for their teachers. As instructional leaders, it is imperative for principals to create the conditions—and provide the support necessary—for effective PD so that meaningful improvements in student learning can take place. At St. Vrain Valley Schools, a district of 33,000 students in Longmont, CO, principals have leveraged technology—notably the use o...| NASSP
The purpose of this position statement is to highlight the impact poverty has on students and their ability to succeed in the classroom as well as offer policy recommendations on how to best support the academic, social, emotional, and physical success of these students. Download (.pdf) Each day countless students come to school, each with their own set of unique gifts, abilities, and challenges. Recent data has found that students living in poverty often face far more challenges than their p...| NASSP
