Philadelphia, PA – The members of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) have elected a new president-elect, Christine Handy, principal of Gaithersburg High School in Gaithersburg, MD, and eight additional school leaders to serve on the 24-member NASSP Board of Directors.

Dr. Christine Handy believes in creating an equitable environment that cultivates student success, and that it is the job of school leaders to ensure every student is ready to realize their goals, dreams, and aspirations upon concluding their education. Handy engaged more with NASSP in 2003, when she became county representative for the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP). She later served as secretary, president-elect, president, past president, and state coordinator on the executive board. Since 2014, she has served on the NASSP Board of Directors as a regional representative. In 2006, Handy was named the Maryland High School Principal of the Year.

“The Wallace Foundation’s research shows that school leadership is one of the most important factors in a child’s education, second only to instruction,” Handy said. “With uncertainty dominating conversations about the future of American education policy, it is an honor to serve in this role and work with NASSP to provide school leadership with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to ensure the success of all students.”

Handy assumes a leadership position at NASSP during a crucial time in the history of U.S. public education. States are deeply involved in the implementation of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, which call for meaningful engagement of all stakeholder groups, including principals. Meanwhile, the advent of a new presidential administration has reintroduced a conversation about the appropriate federal role in education. That conversation has reinvigorated proponents of school choice and privatization. The NASSP president-elect will play a crucial role in representing her principal colleagues nationwide in those important conversations.

“Christine Handy understands the unique role of school leaders in school improvement and student success,” remarked NASSP Executive Director, JoAnn Bartoletti. “We look forward to her leadership as NASSP president in 2018–19 as we continue our mission of supporting leaders to transform education for the future.”

The eight additional school leaders elected to the board for two-year and four-year terms are:

  • Kip Motta, Principal, Rich Middle School, Laketown, UT
  • Arthur L. Adamakos, Principal, Manchester Memorial High School, Manchester, NH
  • Arthur W. Ahl, II, Principal, Rock Hill High School, Rock Hill, SC
  • Aaron D. Huff, Principal, North Junior High School, Evansville, IN
  • James R. Voelz, Principal, Doe Creek Middle School, New Palestine, IN
  • William Baylis, II, Head Principal, Oberlin High School, Oberlin, OH
  • Danny Brackett, Principal, Har-Ber High School, Springdale, AR
  • Kevin G. Lowery, Principal, Lebanon High School, Lebanon, MO

As stipulated by NASSP’s bylaws, each of these new board members were elected during the association’s Annual Business Meeting, held this year at the National Principals Conference in Philadelphia, PA, July 9–11. All board and officer terms began July 10, 2017. Handy will succeed current Rhode Island principal Daniel P. Kelley as president on July 1, 2018.

For a complete roster of the NASSP Board of Directors, please visit www.nassp.org/board.

About NASSP

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for principals and other school leaders across the United States. NASSP seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student’s potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor SocietyNational Junior Honor SocietyNational Elementary Honor Society, and National Association of Student Councils.