Celebrating Our Assistant Principals: Honoring Impactful Leadership

Mishele Barnett, Communications & Digital Media Coordinator, AWSP
Apr 3, 2025

Banner for National Assistant Principals Week, April 7–11, 2025, with colorful dots and organization logo.


As we head into Assistant Principal Week, we’re taking a moment to shine a spotlight on some of the most dynamic and dedicated leaders in our schools — our assistant principals. At AWSP, we recognize the essential role these leaders play not only in their buildings but across our state, especially through their service on our Grade-Level Leadership Committees (GLLCs).

The GLLCs are made up of principals and assistant principals from all nine Educational Service District (ESD) regions, offering equitable and authentic representation across grade levels and school sizes. These committees serve as the driving voice behind AWSP’s advocacy, resources, and support systems — and assistant principals are vital to this work. Whether shaping policy, promoting student voice, or strengthening regional networks, the APs on our GLLCs exemplify leadership that moves the principalship forward.

To honor their contributions, we’ve created a series of “trading cards” featuring each assistant principal currently serving on a GLLC. These cards highlight their professional journeys, passions, and the impact they are making on the broader educational landscape. You’ll find all their profiles at the bottom of this post — and we hope they inspire you as much as they inspire us.

Why It Matters

School leadership is both a privilege and a challenge — and the support systems we create for our leaders matter deeply. Through the GLLCs, APs find a collaborative network, gain valuable insight into statewide initiatives, and help shape the future of education in Washington. It’s a unique opportunity to elevate your voice and influence the systems that support our students and schools.

As outlined in both the AWSP Leadership Framework and the School Leader Paradigm, effective leaders cultivate culture, build systems, and lead learning. Our GLLCs give assistant principals the space to grow their practice while actively contributing to that very work at a statewide level.

Join the Movement: Apply by April 15

We’re currently accepting applications for our Grade-Level Leadership Committees. If you're a current principal or assistant principal who’s ready to make a greater impact, we want to hear from you. The deadline to apply is April 15.

Together, let’s continue building strong schools, strong students, and strong leaders.

Apply Now to Join a GLLC



Meet this year’s incredible GLLC assistant principal leaders!

Portrait of C.D. Williams, assistant principal at Horse Heaven Hills Middle, with AWSP membership info.Portrait of Justin Pierce, assistant principal at Chief Umtuch Middle, with AWSP membership details.Portrait of Heidi Fagerness, assistant principal at Chehalis Middle, with AWSP membership details.Portrait of Barry Warren, assistant principal at Michael Anderson Elementary, with AWSP membership details.
Portrait of Thomasina Rogers, assistant principal at Ridgetop Middle, with AWSP membership details.Portrait of Nicholas Mifflin, assistant principal at Washington Middle, with AWSP membership details.Portrait of Lacey Griffiths, assistant principal at RA Long High, with AWSP membership details.Portrait of Molly Butler, assistant principal at Wenatchee High, with AWSP membership details.
Portrait of Wallace Shearer, assistant principal at Sunnyside High School, with AWSP membership details.Portrait of Mallory Wilson, assistant principal at Olympia High School, with AWSP membership details.Portrait of Tamera Marcoe, assistant principal at Hunt Elementary, with AWSP membership details.Portrait of Patrick Egrubay, assistant principal at Salish Middle, with AWSP membership details.
Portrait of Karen Schotzko, assistant principal at Moses Lake High, with AWSP membership details.Portrait of Kevin Pattinson, assistant principal at Hawkins Middle, with AWSP membership details.Portrait of C.D. Williams, assistant principal at Horse Heaven Hills Middle, with AWSP membership info.Sign with AWSP logo and bold blue text reading “Thank You For All You Do!” on a white and orange background.

 


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