Washington, DC—From March 27-29, nearly 400 school leaders will gather in the capital to shape national policy through discussions with top decision-makers, including leaders in the Department of Education, members of Congress and legislative staff during the first-ever National School Leaders Advocacy Conference, hosted jointly by the National Associations of Elementary (NAESP) and Secondary (NASSP) School Principals. “School leaders are crystal clear about what their schools need now fr...| NASSP
Running an NHS chapter is an exciting responsibility—but it also comes with a lot of moving pieces. Whether you’re preparing for inductions, celebrating senior achievements, or recognizing student leadership throughout the year, having the right tools on hand makes everything smoother. Here are a few chapter essentials every adviser should keep stocked: Membership Pins: The classic NHS pin is a lasting symbol of your students’ commitment to scholarship, service, leadership, and charac...| NASSP
Today marks the start of October, that special month when we honor principals nationwide. To kick off the celebration of your hard work and dedication, we’re re-upping the following School of Thought posts from our members—middle and high school principals and assistant principals just like you. Their stories are heartfelt, relatable, and worth your time. Enjoy National Principals Month and happy reading! 1. Honoring My Heritage This Hispanic Heritage Month 2. Combatting Spring Ab...| NASSP
September can be a scramble. In addition to a fresh cohort of students to look forward to, principals must often onboard brand-new teachers. Most arrive excited to get started but may lack the practical experience needed to handle the day-to-day realities of teaching in high school. Below, Greg Johnson, the principal of West Liberty-Salem High […] The post How One NASSP Board Member Supports New Teachers appeared first on NASSP.| NASSP
Ever since my election last spring to the National Student Council, I’ve met some amazing people from our officers’ team, our fantastic state representatives, and our national advisers from NASSP, Ann Postlewaite and Taryn Erminio. However, getting to this point and being able to experience these opportunities is something I would have never imagined for myself two years ago when I first joined student council. If you’re a student reading this post, I encourage you to step out of yo...| NASSP
As a child of immigrants, I have always taken great pride in being an American of Mexican descent. My earliest memories include long family trips driving six hours south to visit relatives in Ojinaga, Chihuahua, the Mexican border town across from Presidio, TX. Spanish was my first language, and at home, my parents spoke almost exclusively Spanish. At school, as one of the older children, I was placed in the English as a Second Language program at Sundown Elementary School, in the district wh...| NASSP
A Course for Developing Your School’s Applied Learning Framework Connecting Classrooms to Careers brings together practical strategies from principals who've successfully built learning pathways tailored to their unique school communities-whether urban, suburban, or rural. Our first NASSP Academy course guides you through identifying local assets, building community partnerships, and creating sustainable programs that authentically connect curriculum to meaningful applications. Course avail...| NASSP
September is Workforce Development Month, a time for school leaders to consider how they are preparing students for the careers of tomorrow. In a rapidly evolving job market, the traditional path isn't the only route to success. Principals like you can ensure students have access to pathways, bridging the gap between education and meaningful employment. But where do you begin? NASSP’s newest offering, NASSP Academy, offers a comprehensive roadmap. Connecting Classrooms to Careers, NAS...| 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
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
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. […]| 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
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
