I was expecting that when that many forward thinking, innovative drivers are put together, that there would be a plethora of best practices shared as well as ideas as to how we can all move our individual buildings forward. I was NOT disappointed.

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Cris Turner
Former Principal, Bonney Lake High School

I can honestly say this has been the best professional development I've ever had. The things I have learned and brought back to my building have had a direct impact on student achievement.

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Jason Smith

We are all experienced administrators, and now we are in a position to benefit from one another's experience, and then pass our collective ideas onto others so that we rise together in Washington.

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Kirsten Rue

Professional Learning

One size doesn't fit all, so we provide a number of different ways for principals to stay sharp and improve their skills. We offer content for interns, assistant principals, and principals in all stages of their career, in person and online. From our cohort-based Launching Principal Leadership and Building Effective Leadership networks to our video workshops, we've got something bound to be up your alley. 

Featured Event


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  •  AWSP's Building Effective Leadership (BEL) is a three-part series for leaders in years 2 and beyond. The series is built on the belief that authentic leadership is rooted in understanding and leveraging one’s own strengths and personality. BEL is not about lectures or your typical sit-and-get workshop.
  • To become an effective leader you need to experience dynamic, scenario-based learning that mirrors the complex challenges school leaders face every day. With your colleagues, you will navigate real situations and connect your leadership to your strengths to maximize the positive impact on students and adults. 
  • The more effective school leaders are, the more resourceful, instructive, and effective our school systems can become. Professional learning is your super power and you won’t want to miss this!

Workshops / Conferences


Launching School Leadership
  • Identifying and assessing system health and developing action steps
  • Maximizing your personal strengths to begin building your school’s five-year vision
  • Helping you move from surviving to thriving
  • Strategies to get the most out of your classroom observations

The AWSP Learning Lab (LMS)

Learn to Lead. Lead to Learn. 
Whether live or on-demand, we've got you covered anywhere, anytime, and on any device. 


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Additional Workshops

The Main Idea Book Club | Starts Sept. 23 | Virtual
Keep hope alive this fall with our Main Idea Book Club. Join Jenn David-Lang and Washington state principals Kim Doepker and Terrie Garrison as we dive into book summaries to help you problem-solve, connect with others around each book's central theme, and walk away with concrete implementation ideas. Get the skills to grow yourself, and grow your school.

Assistant Principal Leadership Institute | Oct. 3, 2024 | Vancouver, WA

School leadership is supposed to be fun, fulfilling, and rewarding! And, yes, it is very challenging. AWSP and Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year Dr. Nick Davies will give assistant principals, principal assistants, vice principals, and deans of students the initial tools to move from surviving to thriving in school leadership. APs will start to make that reality starting the moment they leave this engaging workshop. Register early and save!

Women in Leadership | Oct. 8, 2024 | Virtual
Members from AESD, AWSP, WAMOA, WASA, WASBO, WSPA, and WSSDA are invited to this free virtual fall kick-off event on Tuesday, October 8th from 8:30-10 am. We’ll hear from several dynamic education leaders, including Dr. Rachelle Rogers-Ard, connect in breakout rooms by ESD region, and see the calendar of statewide and regional events taking place throughout the year. Our associations are committed to paving a smooth pathway of support for women who are aspiring to or serving in educational leadership roles. 

Professional Learning That's Relevant and Fun

At AWSP, we believe adult learning should be fun and engaging, just like it should be for the students in your building. We promise to never deliver death-by-PowerPoint and bore you with sit and get learning. We believe learning happens when adults APPEAR:
  • Access expertise inside and outside of the group
  • Participate in authentic activities with the group
  • Practice using relevant problems of practice
  • Engage (formerly and informally) with colleagues
  • Apply new learning to professional contexts
  • Reflect on leadership and new learnings

MPLN 5

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Scott Seaman addresses the Mastering Principal Leadership Network during their fifth meeting.

School Leader Paradigm