National Principals Conference

National Principals Conference 2018: A Forum for National Problem-Solving

Posted by NASSP on June 5, 2018

Guest post by Amber Schroering

After the recent Parkland shooting in Florida, I found myself sitting in church and couldn’t bring myself to sing. I just stood there, almost feeling numb, wondering how I could make a difference. I began to feel the same feelings creep in as I read and saw the extent to which our country is still divided over race and gender inequality. My hopelessness continued when a seventh-grade student came into my office because her dad had been arrested the night before after his inebriated girlfriend called the police and claimed domestic violence. The student said her father was punched in the nose, handcuffed, and arrested. And my feelings of despair hit rock bottom when Deputy Jake Pickett was shot and killed in the line of duty. His wife teaches at one of our elementary schools and he was a 2002 graduate of Brownsburg High School. (more…)

Solutions for Singletons: Building a Professional Learning Network

Posted by NASSP on April 13, 2018

Guest post by Abbey Duggins and Amber Schroering

If you’ve spent any amount of time building a high school master schedule, you are familiar with the dreaded “singleton.” A singleton happens when just enough students sign up to create one section of a course—usually an AP or obscure world language—and it throws a major wrench into scheduling every other aspect of the student’s day. A singleton is a scheduling nightmare, but it is also a necessary part of education.

Many positions in instructional leadership can feel like a singleton: there is one superintendent, one principal, one coach. These positions are often lonely, lacking the camaraderie that classroom teachers develop among their peers through the common bonds of students, lesson planning, grading, shared hallways moments, and outside-of-school fun.

So what is a singleton to do? (more…)

The Happiness Advantage: Promoting Positivity in Schools

Posted by NASSP on March 29, 2018

Guest post by Bart Peery

In January 2014, while shopping in our local Walmart, I received a voice mail from the county sheriff’s office. Assuming that it had to do with our school, I went to the school to call them back. When I returned the call, my life was forever changed. The officer told me that one of my students had taken her life. I remember sitting alone in my office sobbing, not knowing what to do next. (more…)

Grow Teacher Leaders to Cultivate a Collaborative Climate: Tools to Use Today

Posted by NASSP on December 22, 2017

Guest post by Brent Rowland

Do you have a handful of rock star teachers who are your go-to people, so you keep going to them over, and over, and over?

Imagine finding that just-right leadership spot for all of your teachers—that place where school needs match teacher interest. What would that do to connect them to the school’s mission, distribute leadership, and develop teacher capacity?

(more…)

Take Time Out to Learn from Your Peers—and Help Your School in the Process

Posted by NASSP on November 16, 2017

Guest post by Lenore M. Kingsmore

When I received the call that I was the New Jersey Principal of the Year, I was elated. Receiving my award in the nation’s capital would be a highlight of my career—and it was —but what was more important were the rich professional development opportunities I received that I had not imagined were possible. The NASSP Principals Institute breathed new life into me as a school leader, expanded my vision of leadership, and catapulted me into the 21st century of professional learning. (more…)

Advocacy Update

Posted by Zachary Scott on July 24, 2017

The 2018 Advocacy Conference Has Been Announced!

Didn’t get enough advocacy information at the National Principals Conference? Then you’ll be happy to know that NASSP has officially announced the 2018 Advocacy Conference! This conference will offer educators the ability to speak directly with the NASSP advocacy team; the chance to hear from some of our nation’s greatest thought leaders in education; and an opportunity to meet with members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill. Best of all, registration for the conference is free! (more…)

Advocacy Update

Posted by Zachary Scott on July 17, 2017

Influence NASSP Policies by Commenting on Position Statements

Last week, the NASSP Board of Directors approved a new position statement on the nationwide teacher shortage. The board also chose teacher leadership, privatization, and teacher quality as topics for future position statements. As these statements are drafted and go through the approval process, NASSP will be seeking your opinions. (more…)

Advocacy Update

Posted by Zachary Scott on July 10, 2017

Tell Your Senators to Protect the Nation’s Most Vulnerable Children

Last month, congressional leaders unveiled their Affordable Care Act repeal bill, the American Health Care Act (AHCA). Under this proposed legislation, dramatic cuts to the Medicaid program will prevent schools from providing comprehensive services for students. NASSP urges you to contact your senators on this issue by participating in our newest action alert. (more…)

Advocacy Update

Posted by Zachary Scott on July 5, 2017

Tell Your Senators to Protect the Nation’s Most Vulnerable Children

How Will You Unconference?

Posted by National Principals Conference on July 5, 2017

Learning doesn’t just happen in a lecture-style setting with a speaker addressing an audience. Unconferences provide an alternative to traditional conference programs, allowing you to collaborate and learn from one another in informal, flexible, and inspiring ways. (more…)