NHS Students Reach Out to Help Native Neighbors

Many of us take for granted that on cold nights we can get warm inside from our central heating. That privilege is not shared by thousands of our Navajo and Hopi Nation neighbors here in Arizona. Many of them—the most recent figures say as many as one-third—lack adequate access to reliable heating.

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Expanding Their Impact: Checking in with State Assistant Principals of the Year

It’s AP Week, a time to celebrate the terrific work of assistant principals across the country. To highlight all that they do, we spoke with three NASSP 2022 State Assistant Principals of the Year: Diane Fox, an assistant principal of Hampton Bays in Hampton Bays, NY; Amber Grady, previous assistant principal of Elkins High School in Missouri City, TX; and Scott Wisniewski, an assistant principal of Wayne Valley High School in Wayne, NJ.

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Principal Melissa Shindel: The 2023 NASSP Advocacy Champion of the Year

This winter, a group of school leaders from across the country came together to review contenders for NASSP’s Advocacy Champion of the Year. Going in, they knew this wouldn’t be easy. The awardee had to embody the mission of the organization and demonstrate an exceptional commitment to advocating on behalf of school leaders and schools. Although a number of candidates were deserving, one stood out.

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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 comes with experience, not just seeing the great things that happen under a good leader but also the ways you can contribute. As you get a sense of the bigger picture of how schools run, you can’t help but get ideas.”

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Transgender Day of Visibility Brings Voice to School Leaders

Every day, I lead a community of students, teachers, and families who come together to create an environment where holistic, rigorous instruction is intertwined with a deliberate approach to empowering students to make the world a more just place. At the International Community School, a K–5 public charter school in Decatur, GA, we believe that differences are not a challenge to overcome but an asset that strengthens our community. As principal, I continuously preach this to my staff and students, encouraging them to be their authentic selves in all that they do. As a community, we can’t appreciate differences if we don’t celebrate and uplift them from within.

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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 on up, and we meet in a really cool place in the middle.

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Student Leaders Help Peers Dance the Night Away

In late January, our NHS chapter at Montrose High School in Montrose, CO, hosted a dance for students with special needs. While our students in mainstream classes organize several events throughout the year, such as homecoming, prom, and various sporting events, to help make their high school experience memorable, many students with special needs do not participate for a variety of reasons. As a chapter, we decided to host an event that would help these students feel comfortable and included.

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NHS Induction Essentials

Each spring, National Honor Society (NHS) chapters around the world hold induction ceremonies to welcome new members. For advisers, the induction ceremony is a major event that requires careful planning and preparation. Our store offers a wide range of high-quality induction gear, including certificates, pins, and banners. In this post, we’ll highlight induction essentials that every adviser needs to ensure a successful and memorable ceremony.

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Chasing Hours: A More Meaningful Service Requirement

As advisers and principals work tirelessly to count service hours as part of their district, school, or program requirements, it’s important to reflect on the process and meaning behind collecting this information. Are we collecting service hours to check off a graduation requirement? Or do staff and students understand the greater purpose? Does a focus on the number of hours required unintentionally hinder youth service? I’d encourage us all to evaluate our roles in administering service requirement programs and understand how our decisions impact students’ abilities to drive change.

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Women in Leadership: Advice from Members of NASSP’s Board

In honor of Women’s History Month and the amazing work you do as school leaders on behalf of your students and staff, we have gathered insights from five women on the NASSP Board of Directors who have faced challenges and succeeded in their careers. Whether you’re just starting out in your leadership journey or are well on your way, we hope this advice helps inspire you as you navigate the ups and downs of leadership.

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Harnessing the Positive Power of Social Media

Telling a school’s story on social media can be powerful. Just ask principal Michael Randolph. Randolph is in his sixth year leading Leesburg High School in Leesburg, FL, and he has helped to transform the community’s perception of the school simply by using social media.

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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 the open position.

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