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AWSP Blog


  • MLK Day Plans? An Update, a Favor, and Maybe Grab a Kleenex.

    David Morrill, Communications & Technology Director, AWSP
    Dec 17, 2021
    What are you doing for MLK Day this year? How are you creating light for others? What is your school doing to make sure everyone belongs and feels humanity? If you don't have your MLK Day celebration plans already, or even if you do and would like to supplement them, I would highly advise you to check out the I AM | WE ARE program James and the AWSL team put together. There's a version for elementary and secondary. Both versions include the keynote address, an implementation guide, and discussion questions.

  • Creating A School Of Dancers, Not Devious Lickers

    Mac Martin, Junior, Stanwood High School, Stanwood Camano SD
    Nov 18, 2021
    What is the "Devious Lick Challenge"? It is a challenge on TikTok, where students are encouraged to take something from their school; these items may include the bathroom sink, a soap dispenser, or even a teacher's desk. Schools have tried a multitude of ways to stop students, yet this challenge is just as popular today as ever. Clearly, many solutions aren't working. So what is the solution?

  • You Cannot Be What You Cannot See

    James Layman, Director of Student Programs, AWSL
    Nov 9, 2020
    The 2020 AWSL Virtual Fall Conference was a smashing success with over 5,000 attendees. Yes, we can celebrate the number of participants, but the success of this conference lies in who was able to attend. With the need to switch to a virtual format, we invited and encouraged schools to bring as many students as they wanted. Focusing on equity, becoming while doing, and the belief that all students can lead, we hoped that students who had never attended a conference of any kind, especially a 'leadership' conference who could learn, grow, connect, and see the leadership abilities within them.

  • Senior Activities and Graduation Ideas

    Greg Barker
    Apr 30, 2020
    AWSL is constantly updating lists of resources and ideas for schools who are searching. Check out AWSLeaders.org/2020Resources for daily updates on senior activities and graduation ideas.

  • National Geographic: "For decades, our coverage was racist. To rise above our past, we must acknowledge it."

    Kurt Hatch, Associate Director, AWSP | James Layman, Program Specialist, AWSL
    Aug 13, 2019
    This blog’s title comes from a recent National Geographic article describing the magazine’s investigation into its historical arc-of-reporting on people of color in the U.S. and abroad. The patience and time dedicated by the editor-in-chief to curate and dissect how the magazine treated issues of race is a helpful model for school systems. In order to serve our students and facilitate honest and open dialogue, we too must examine and reconcile with our own long-standing cultural narratives and how certain students are adversely impacted by the educational systems we lead.

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.