Recalling the many times in my career that principals and peers challenged me to think outside the box, and then in turn me sharing the same advice with my student leaders, the idea of “thinking inside the box” seems counterintuitive. After all, we want our students to think about the possibilities when faced with hurdles […]
Category: School Leadership

Thinking Inside the Box: Because Boxes Are Reality
A Season of Giving
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we spoke with Lynnette Hollis, an instructor in the Freshman Transition Academy at Delcastle High School in Wilmington, DE, about the school’s inspiring service project, the Soul to Sole Sock Drive. Hollis is also the adviser of the school club Leading Ladies Empowerment Group and the heart behind the service […]
Four Podcasts for School Leaders on the Go
Finding time to gather insights and inspiration can be a challenge. For your convenience, we’ve curated a selection of podcasts sure to be of interest. They feature NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe and State Principals of the Year. Whether you want to learn something new on your morning commute or take a well-deserved ten-minute working break, […]

Transforming Schools Into Communities
School leaders want students to succeed and become their best selves, within schools bursting with positivity. However, the reality is that educators are dealing with some hard challenges. Amidst a trifecta of concerns at schools around the country—student learning loss, low student engagement, and a rise in student behavior problems—how can school leaders like yourself […]
Wisconsin Principal Named NASSP National Principal of the Year
NASSP announced that Andrew Farley, the principal of Brookfield East High School, in Brookfield, WI, is the 2024 NASSP National Principal of the Year.
What to Look for in a Professional Development Partner
District and building administrators have a dizzying array of professional learning options to choose from these days. It’s a big investment for any decision-maker, but an essential one. Forbes estimates $18 billion is spent each year on K–12 professional development (PD) in the United States—but that’s a national statistic. Your decision of which PD to […]

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 […]
NASSP Members’ Schools Receive National Blue Ribbon Award
Of the 353 schools that the U.S. Department of Education named National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2023, 11 are headed by school leaders who are members of NASSP. The recognition, announced in late September, is given to schools in honor of their overall academic performance or for their progress in closing achievement gaps.
NASSP Announces 2024 Principal of the Year Finalists
At the start of National Principals Month, NASSP today named Sham Bevel, Andrew Farley, and Kimberly Winterbottom the 2024 NASSP National Principal of the Year finalists. This annual award recognizes outstanding secondary school principals’ exemplary contributions to their schools, staff, students, and the profession.

Ensuring Safety at Football Games and After-school Events
An exciting part of fall is the return of Friday night football. But tragically, many communities across the country have already been shattered by gun violence this school year on far too many Fridays. While school shootings continue to be a painfully regular occurrence, we hope that Americans refuse to become complacent in accepting this […]