Reston, VA—Petra Davis-Johnson, science teacher and activities director at Las Flores Middle School (LFMS) in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, has been named the 2021 Warren E. Shull Middle Level Adviser of the Year by National Student Council (NatStuCo). This award is supported by NatStuCo’s parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). 

Davis-Johnson developed the original Associated Student Body (ASB) program at LFMS, guiding her students’ growth and helping them build their capacity as leaders on campus. She challenges her students—whom she calls “my leaders”—to think outside the box when designing activities or brainstorming themes. Davis-Johnson was also recently recognized by the California Association of Directors of Activities as the Middle School Activities Director of the Year.

“As an educator, Davis-Johnson has worked to extend learning beyond the traditional boundaries of school, allowing for her students to better understand how to be civically engaged and how to find their voices through activities and service,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. “We’re proud to honor Petra Davis-Johnson with the 2021 Warren E. Shull Middle Level Adviser of the Year Award for the work she’s done helping students to develop their passion for leadership.”

The annual award is named for Warren E. Shull, the founder of National Student Council, and recognizes middle level and high school student council advisers for their exemplary character, leadership, and commitment to young people, and for fostering student leadership development.

About National Student Council

National Student Council provides and promotes professional development and leadership training to student council advisers who, in turn, teach leadership skills to student council members. The organization is dedicated to preparing and empowering student leaders to better serve their schools and communities. For more information, visit www.natstuco.org.

About NASSP

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and school leaders from across the United States and 35 countries around the world. The association connects and engages school leaders through advocacy, research, education, and student programs. NASSP advocates on behalf of all school leaders to ensure the success of each student and strengthens school leadership practices through the design and delivery of high-quality professional learning experiences. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers National Student Council and the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, and National Elementary Honor Society.