AWSP Blog

Ever feel like your day as a principal is a whirlwind of interruptions, meetings, and endless emails? You’re not alone. Dr. Nick Davies, our 2024 Washington State Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year, offers a straightforward strategy to help school leaders take control of their schedules and align their time with their school’s priorities.

The Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) proudly announces the 2025 Washington State Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year award recipients. These outstanding school leaders have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student success, equity, and community engagement. Their visionary leadership has transformed their schools into inclusive, high-achieving environments where students and staff thrive.

February is AWSP Member Engagement Month! Each week this month, we're highlighting opportunities for members like you to get more involved with your professional association. This week we want to call special attention to our Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year Award program.

Jessica Buchan, assistant principal at Renton High School in the Renton School District, was named this year’s Washington State Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year. Buchan 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.

Deborah Henderson, assistant principal at Frank Wagner Elementary School in the Monroe School District, was named the 2023 Washington State Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year. In addition, she will represent Washington as our state’s winner of the National Association of Elementary School Principals National (NAESP) Outstanding Assistant Principal award. The NAESP recognizes one winner from each state every year.