Here at Lancaster Central High School in Lancaster, NY, more than 300 of our students have been recognized through the National Association of Student Councils’ Distinguished Student Leader Program over the years. As the school’s Student Union (what we call our student council) adviser and co-director of our Leadership Academy, I’m proud that we’re a leader in using this national program to help our students become young leaders.
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A School Full of Distinguished Student Leaders
NASSP and Over 100 Organizations Demand Funding for the Educator Pipeline
NASSP and over 100 partner organizations sent a letter to members of Congress today demanding they increase Title II funding by 10%. The largest amount of federal funding dedicated to recruiting, retaining, and improving the practice of educators, Title II is one of the only federal programs that also helps ensure school leaders are well-prepared and more likely to stay in the profession. Read the letter below.
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Transforming Futures: How Educators Can Ignite Passion for Law and STEM Careers in Middle and High School Students
In the fast-paced global job market of today, the fields of law and STEM offer not just growth, but explosive growth opportunities. Middle and high school students are at a stage where they can explore various career options and develop a passion for subjects that align with their interests, skills, and the demands of the labor market. Studying law and STEM can equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their academic and professional pursuits.
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Support for High-Quality High School Psychology Courses
High school psychology is a popular course that has the potential to benefit students in numerous ways. As the scientific study of the mind and behavior, psychology engages students in the scientific process and the course covers content directly applicable to students’ lives. A high-quality psychology course can:
(more…)NHS Fundraiser Brings Out Diverse Talent
Every January, William Mason High School in Mason, OH, hosts one of its biggest events of the year: the NHS talent show. It’s a fundraiser for community groups, and this year’s show raised almost $2,200 for the Lindner Center of HOPE’s treatment program for adolescents.
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Build Career Literacy and Support Postsecondary Planning
Embarking on the journey from high school to a fulfilling career is pivotal in every young adult’s life. As school leaders, you are vital in equipping students with tools and resources to navigate this transition successfully.
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School Leadership Amid the U.S. Immigration Debate
I will not disclose today if I’m leaning left or right because the issue at hand is not about politics. At the core of the debate over immigration in this country is humanity, an issue that should unite us all.
(more…)From the Classroom to Capitol Hill: NASSP’s Trailblazing Leadership Week
At NASSP, we bring together school and student leaders to reimagine and rebuild an education system that meets every student’s needs. This mission is based on the powerful idea that when we have everyone in education—from students to school leaders—sharing their expertise and uniting their voices, the world will listen.
(more…)Assistant Principals NetworkNASSP Assistant Principals of the Year Alumni NetworkNHS ScholarshipWomen in School Leadership Network
Why You Should Attend UNITED This Summer
When elementary and secondary school leaders from around the country gather in Nashville this summer for UNITED: The National Conference on School Leadership, you can bet I’ll be there. I’ve attended and presented at national and state conferences throughout my 24 years as an administrator, and I’m looking forward to UNITED for the following reasons:
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Promoting Student Voice Through Thrive Thursday
Every year before school begins at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, VA, we review our school improvement plan, including elements like on-time graduation rate, numeracy and literacy scores, and chronic absenteeism. As with many schools, since the pandemic, our chronic absenteeism rate has steadily increased, and we are also combatting a significant increase in mental, social, and emotional health issues in our school.
(more…)Why You Should Participate in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Student Visionaries of the Year
My name is Matthew Hauser. I am from Pennsylvania and am a stage four Burkitt’s lymphoma survivor. I was diagnosed with this aggressive form of cancer when I was only two and a half years old. Intensive chemotherapy saved my life, but also caused me to go into heart failure 14 years later. After living with a heart pump for almost a year, I underwent a heart transplant in March of 2023—a life-changing experience for me.
(more…)Assistant Principals Reflect on AP Week
This week is National Assistant Principals Week. In honor of it, Mario Balderrama, the assistant principal of Vail Academy and High School in Tucson, AZ, and Rhoda Núñez-Donnelly, an assistant principal of Harper’s Choice Middle School in Columbia, MD, share what this special time means to them.
(more…)NASSP’s Assistant Principal of the Year Finalists
NASSP has named Jeffrey Horstman, Sheri Murphy, and Courtney Walker as the finalists for the 2024 NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year award.
(more…)Principals Advocate on Capitol Hill
On the final day of the National School Leaders Advocacy Conference last week, the nearly 400 NASSP and NAESP school leaders who attended the gathering in Washington, D.C, headed to Capitol Hill for a full day of meetings with their elected representatives. That included 10 school leaders from Alabama, who met with lawmakers and staff from every member of the state’s congressional delegation: two senators and seven representatives.
(more…)Principal Chris Young: The 2024 NASSP Advocacy Champion of the Year
“She’s super nice. Except when it’s time to fight.”
That was NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe praising Melissa Shindel the 2023 Advocacy Champion, as she prepared to pass the torch to Chris Young, the principal of North Country Union High School in Newport, VT.
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Election Advice From an NHS Adviser
At New Albany High School in Ohio, where I’ve served as the National Honor Society adviser for almost six years, I don’t worry that we won’t have enough candidates to fill the six officer positions in our chapter. As a high-performing school, we attract a lot of students who become NHS members, and the biggest challenge is making sure that the students who run are doing it for the right reasons.
(more…)Women’s History Month With NASSP
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, NASSP proudly recognizes the contributions of female school and student leaders who are shaping our country’s future. Check out NASSP’s resources curated to help inspire you to lead with diversity, equity, and inclusion at the forefront.
(more…)Join Us at UNITED
This summer, elementary and secondary school leaders will come together in Nashville for an unparalleled opportunity to collaborate toward a common goal. UNITED, The National Conference on School Leadership, marks a joint effort between the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Taking place July 15–17, in the heart of Music City, this year’s conference offers a stage for innovation and leadership in education.
(more…)Support Your Case to Attend
At UNITED, school leaders of all levels will come together to amplify their collective voices, learn from each other, and find inspiration and fresh ideas to take back to their schools. You can elevate your own leadership by joining us in Nashville this summer, July 15-17, and we can help you build support for your case to attend.
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Lifetouch Memory Mission 2024
Last month I was afforded the amazing privilege of attending the 2024 Lifetouch Memory Mission, alongside other educators. We spent eight days in Guatemala, with the beautiful members of the Xepatan community, building three additional classrooms to expand their existing school site. While our hope in going was to support education for children there and offer what we could to this community, each one of us ended the week feeling as though we had just received many more gifts than we could ever give.
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