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Meghan Redmond honored during National Assistant Principals Week

Reston – The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has named Meghan Redmond, assistant principal of Chief Ivan Blunka School in New Stuyahok, AK, the 2019 National Assistant Principal of the Year. Her award announcement is made during NASSP’s annual celebration of National Assistant Principals Week.

Redmond is in her fourth year as assistant principal at Chief Ivan Blunka School in New Stuyahok, AK, a K–12 school consisting of 134 students who can only access the school by boat or plane. Because the remote nature of the school limits opportunities for exposure to various careers and other robust experiences, Redmond leads the school’s quarterly exploration weeks which allow students to focus on one or two courses that help them explore careers and interests—with some exploration weeks leading to industry-based certifications. “I never want my students to feel as if they missed out on anything because of where they are from or who they are,” Redmond said. “So, I have made it my mission to find creative solutions using technology; a strong school staff team; and partnerships with local, regional, and state entities in order to close the opportunity gap for my students.”

Redmond also started the Small Schools Matter group to draw attention to the needs of remote schools and recently brought students to the state capital of Juneau to advocate for funding. Driven to provide a culturally relevant education for the nearly 100 percent Yup’ik Eskimo Alaska Native population, Redmond incorporates the native language into the school. Such efforts build trust within the native community—a trust which is often tested by high teacher turnover in rural Alaska. The school’s administrative team focuses on valuing teacher talent in order to retain it, evidenced by a 100 percent staff retention rate for the current school year.

Redmond holds a bachelor’s degree in middle childhood and early adolescence education from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Alaska–Anchorage. She also serves on the executive board for the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals.

“Mrs. Redmond commits an exorbitant amount of time developing quality relationships with all of our students,” said Principal Robin Jones. “These relationships, built on trust and rapport, provide a solid foundation for challenging students to set goals and to reach their full potential. She builds these relationships in her role as assistant principal and also as the guidance counselor, student council advisor, and senior class advisor. Under Mrs. Redmond’s direction, students feel safe to take risks and explore the impossible.”

“Meghan Redmond is a shining example of the leadership NASSP describes in our Building Ranks framework,” said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. “Her efforts to build culture and lead learning at Chief Ivan Blunka School provide a platform for students to fulfill their greatest potential. We at NASSP are proud to congratulate her as our 2019 National Assistant Principal of the Year and commend her for her achievements.”

Redmond will formally receive her award during the National Principals Conference, July 18–20, in Boston.


About the NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year

The NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year (APOY) program annually recognizes outstanding middle level and high school assistant principals who have made exemplary contributions to their profession and to their students’ learning. Each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity, and the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools selects one assistant principal to represent their state. Of these, three finalists are named as contenders for the award, with one being recognized as the NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year.

For more information on the APOY program, please visit www.nassp.org/apoy.

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 Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Student Council.