AWSP
AWSP Blog Header

AWSP Blog


  • Start Strong: Cathy Sork Shares Nine Ways to Boost Student Engagement from Day One

    Mishele Barnett, Communications & Digital Media Coordinator, AWSP
    Aug 13, 2025
    How you start the school year matters. The first days and weeks set the tone for everything that follows — and no one knows that better than Cathy Sork, 2024 AWSP Elementary Principal of the Year and principal at Dorothy Fox Elementary in Camas. In her recent article for NAESP’s Communicator, Cathy shares nine creative, practical ways principals can help students feel like essential members of their school community from the moment they walk through the doors.

  • The Hiring Diet: Saying No to Fast Food Hiring

    Ryan Preis, Ed.D, Principal, Kent School District (KSD)
    Nov 5, 2024
    The "Healthy Hiring" approach moves away from the ineffective "fast food hiring" practices commonly used in education. Instead, it emphasizes non-cognitive interview measures, such as high-fidelity tasks and scenario-based assessments, to better evaluate candidates' real-world skills and fit within the school context. This method aims to enhance the quality of hires, boost school performance, and foster a healthier educational environment.

Like to Write?

We're always looking for guest contributions. If you have a passion to write and things to share, email David about a guest post or a role as a recurring guest blogger.