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?
I was honored that my principal had nominated me for the state award and was beyond thrilled when I was chosen. When I got the email that I was a national finalist and I should book a flight to Washington, D.C., for in-person interviews, I was almost nine months pregnant. I did make it for that trip but not the final gala, announcing the awards. My husband and I watched on Instagram Live and that’s how I found out I won. I was shocked and overwhelmed with gratitude. I couldn’t wait to share the news with my principal, family, and colleagues.
Can you share some areas you’ve focused on as associate principal?
At Pilgrim Park, we have two continuous improvement goals. One centers around academic growth and the other around community and belonging. I’m really proud of how we’ve done in both areas. In academics, for example, from 2021 to 2024, our students’ exam proficiency rates rose from 61% to 75% in English Language Arts and from 58% to 77% in math. Our students’ feelings about belonging in school have increased 11% over that time, and behavior referrals have fallen 40%.
Where do these improvements come from?
With academics, I think our success really comes from the work of our professional learning communities in analyzing student work, looking at how we can improve, and working toward constant improvement. It’s about doing what’s best for students by responding to their individual learning needs, which teachers determine through formative and summative assessments. In the area of student community and belonging, our motto is that we are safe, respectful, and responsible. That’s nothing revolutionary, but have tried to model and teach those things explicitly, like how do we walk in the hall in a safe way, and how do we transition to lunch in a respectful way? We also have 35 student clubs and activities, which give our students lots of places to feel like they belong. About 70% of our students participate, but if they don’t like the existing options, they can start their own club.
Was winning the award a big deal in your school and community?
Yes, it was. I’ve been in the local newspaper and on TV. It’s fun when families and friends send me screenshots of my appearances. So that’s been very cool and humbling. But more than anything, this award is really affirming because our success is the collective work of the whole school. Yes, I play a role in it, but our teachers and staff are the ones who make the magic happen, and it’s amazing that we’re getting state and national attention.