AWSP Blog

Megan Mauro, assistant principal at LaVenture Middle School in the Mount Vernon School District, was named this year’s Washington State Assistant Principal of the Year. Every year, the Association of Washington School Principals selects a state winner. Mauro will also be recognized at the national level by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), where she will compete with winners from other states for the NASSP’s National Assistant Principal of the Year award, announced in early April.

AWSP is looking for an amazing elementary principal to be the National Association of Elementary School Principals’ (NAESP) National Outstanding Assistant Principal honoree from our state. This program promotes excellence in educational leadership and calls attention to the fundamental importance of the assistant principal.

Alexandria Haas, principal at McMicken Elementary in the Highline Public Schools, was named this year’s Washington State National Distinguished Principal. Every year, the National Association of Elementary School Principals recognizes one winner from each state. After reviewing nominations, Ms. Haas has been chosen to represent our state by the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP).

This year we are celebrating our 50th year in existence as one of the country’s premier professional membership organizations for principals. Our humble beginning started in 1972 thanks to a handful of courageous leaders who believed “principals” needed their own voice in the P16 educational system. And, 50 years later, AWSP has maintained that vision and continues to be a leading voice for principals and assistant principals throughout our state and across the country. There has never been a more important time for us to make a stand for the important role and work principals and assistant principals do every day for students, staff, and school communities. As we embark on our 50th anniversary, we will spend the year celebrating you and the organization that has faithfully and consistently represented you. The work you do every day for students, staff, and your community is too important not to be recognized and celebrated. We will use this 50th anniversary as an opportunity to continue sharing with the world the work and impact you have day in and day out.

If you’ve never met Cameron but you’ve watched Ted Lasso, you’ve basically met Cameron. His leadership is all about the power of the positive and building relationships. I can’t speak to his biscuit skills, but the belief in people and bringing out their best…that’s all there. I had the chance to visit him at Lincoln Middle School in Pullman for this Fast Five video on creating a positive staff culture a few years back. Even with just a few students and staff around, the sense of family, belonging, and love is palpable. It’s something you feel as soon as you walk in – this is a place people love to be. Read our interview with AWSP Past President Cameron Grow.