AWSP Blog

Kim Doughty, principal at Peter G. Schmidt Elementary School in the Tumwater School District, has been named the 2026 Washington State Elementary Principal of the Year. At the heart of Doughty’s leadership is a simple yet powerful belief: every student, staff member, and family deserves to feel seen, known, and valued. Under her guidance, Peter G. Schmidt Elementary has become a place of hope and high expectations for all learners.

AWSP is celebrating YOU this October for National Principals Month! We’ve partnered with Books Are Fun to bring an exciting surprise to AWSP members and their students. Books Are Fun is offering an opportunity that supports your students and comes with a meaningful reward for you. Books Are Fun is offering a $500 AWSP professional learning scholarship to the first 50 AWSP members/schools who partner with Books Are Fun to launch the Book Blast program at their school between now and December 10. This scholarship can be used toward any one AWSP conference, workshop, webinar, or series.

As we look to wrap up a great National Principals Month, I just wanted to remind you that we celebrate and support you every day, not just in October. The work you do every day for students, staff, and your school communities is immeasurable and should be recognized throughout the year.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of visiting eight incredible schools across our state to present them with their School on the Rise banners and certificates, and each visit has filled my heart in ways I didn’t expect. You can’t walk into these buildings without feeling the energy... that mix of purpose, pride, and pure joy that lives in every hallway, classroom, and gym.

Each year, AWSP’s Advocacy Advisory Council has the opportunity to select a state-level public servant who has demonstrated support of principals and the principalship in the education of all students. We’re thrilled to announce that our 2025 Torch of Leadership Award is presented to Representative Steve Bergquist (D-Renton), who currently serves on the Appropriations, Education, and Early Learning & Human Services committees.