As 2025 winds to a close, it’s the perfect time to consider your goals for the year ahead. If one of them is to take leadership to the next level, then it’s time to join NASSP—if you aren’t already a member.
We recently caught up with a newer NASSP member, Dara Savage, Ed.D., the associate principal of the Early College School at Delaware State University. The tuition-free, 7–12 public charter school offers students the opportunity to earn up to 60 college credits while still in high school.
Below, she shares how NASSP helps her lead with confidence and why fellow administrators should join.
1. Forge lifelong professional connections.
In 2022, I was an associate principal for 13 days before I went to my first NASSP meeting. I have an amazing team with Nyia Pritchett, EdD, as principal and Evelyn Edney, EdD, as head of school. But the connections I make with other leaders through NASSP have been so helpful for my career on a tactical level. I meet administrators from across the country, and it’s been incredibly valuable to learn from others navigating the same journey I’m on.
2. Leverage valuable professional development opportunities.
I regularly attend outstanding workshops at NASSP events that make me more effective as an administrator. What we are doing at the Early College School is unique to Delaware, but through NASSP, I can learn from leaders like me, who are implementing dual enrollment programs like ours. If you want to be your best as an educator, NASSP ensures you have the tools and knowledge to make that happen.
3. Meet your heroes.
In addition to lifelong professional connections, NASSP is where I’ve been able to authentically engage with my mentors, like bestselling author, Baruti K. Kafele, and award-winning leading and principal mentor, Ashley Moore.
4. Find smaller communities of support.
I have really enjoyed meeting fellow administrators of color through NASSP’s affinity groups like the School Leaders of Color Network. Smaller, more intimate Leadership Networks enable us to meet, connect, and empower each other in personal and professional ways beyond.
Whether you’re looking for a group just for assistant principals or for an affinity group like the Women in School Leadership Network, NASSP is where you’ll find others who understand your unique challenges and will help you achieve the goals you set for yourself.
5. Go beyond the principalship.
I serve on the Seaford Board of Education. As a board leader, I’m working to make an impact on the state level and communicate effectively across my district. Thanks in part to more effective communication strategies I have learned through NASSP, today our board has a YouTube channel from which we stream meetings, and our social media presence has tripled. Our superintendent has relaunched her newsletter, and our policies are all up to date.
Ultimately, change occurs through collaboration and connection with others as passionate about education as we are.