When I applied to be an NASSP Ambassador, I was focused on what I could contribute to the group and on being fully committed to the experience. I knew there would be regular meetings over many months, and I wanted to make sure that I arranged my schedule to participate, which—as all principals know—is sometimes […]
Category: Principal Pipeline: Recruitment and Retention
What Being an NASSP Ambassador Means to Me
Rural School Leaders NetworkWomen in School Leadership Network
For Principals, Attitude Is Everything
“Do you like your job?” That’s a question I’ve been asked several times by students and even teachers over the course of my nine years as a secondary school principal. It’s a valid question and one that people who are contemplating their position in life probably think about more than say out loud, but it’s […]
Out-of-the-Box Solutions for Hiring During a Teacher Shortage
Twenty days before teachers return to our school this September, in the sweltering heat of the hottest summer in 120,000 years, at 5:01pm on the final day of the official deadline for teachers to notify principals of transfers, I received yet another teacher resignation. The Great Resignation continues, and education has turned into the Serengeti […]
School Leaders of Color NetworkWomen in School Leadership Network
Moving From Good to Great This Year
With the start of the school year just around the corner, I want to share a note of encouragement with my colleagues around the country. First off, I want to acknowledge how hard you work in such a difficult job. The responsibilities of a school leader are staggering. In my first several years as an […]
NASSP Principal of the Year Alumni NetworkWomen in School Leadership Network
Leading From a Place of Yes
I am honored and truly humbled to be named Massachusetts Principal of the Year. As we all know, it is a collective effort to create dynamic learning experiences in schools, and I could not accomplish anything without the incredibly talented educators I work with, who equally deserve this award. As I reflect on this recognition, […]
Aspiring School Leaders NetworkAssistant Principals NetworkNASSP Principal of the Year Alumni NetworkWomen in School Leadership Network
Pursuing the Path to School Leadership
Jessica Rehberg, an assistant principal of Winder-Barrow High School in Winder, GA, is the first to admit that the principalship isn’t the most romantic calling—at least at first. “Whether you’re a child or college kid dreaming of being a teacher, school leadership isn’t something you necessarily aspire to,” she says. “Rather, the desire to lead […]
Aspiring School Leaders NetworkAssistant Principals NetworkWomen in School Leadership Network
A Powerful Collaboration Between School Leaders and Student Leaders
Here in Washington state, we have what I think is a unique—and powerful—relationship between the Association of Washington Student Leaders (where I serve as director) and the Association of Washington School Principals. The best way to put it is that we work in tandem: The principals’ association supports principals on down and we support students […]
Support, Coach, and Sustain to Recruit and Retain
When I became a school administrator over 15 years ago, the applicant pool for filling certified teaching vacancies was deep, if not overflowing. It was not uncommon to receive ten or more quality résumés from which to select worthy candidates. Two and possibly three rounds of interviews might ensue to select the best person for […]
Middle School Leaders NetworkNASSP Principal of the Year Alumni NetworkRural School Leaders Network
How Serving as a Principal and Colonel Made Me a Better Leader
In honor of Veterans Day, we asked NASSP’s Director of Leading and Learning Robyn Hamasaki to share how serving as a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and a PK-8 principal simultaneously made her a better leader. Thank you, Robyn, for your service. Happy Veterans Day to all!
A Principal Who Brings Joy to the Job
For National Principals Month, we are highlighting school leaders who have made valuable contributions to their schools and communities. A few of the people they’ve impacted the most tell their inspiring stories. This week, instructional coach Magdalena Mata shares about her principal, Dr. Beto Hinojosa.