News Release
Contact: Kaylen Tucker, NAESP
703-518-6257
ktucker@naesp.org

Researchers analyzed the state of principal evaluation practices and outlined criteria for developing comprehensive guidelines at NAESP's National Leaders Conference

Media Advisory
Kaylen Tucker, NAESP
703-518-6257
ktucker@naesp.org

Expert panel discussed the report’s recommendations, including a call for federal, state, and local policy integration and the principal’s role in developing a common strategy for early learning

Media Advisory                                                             
Kaylen Tucker, NAESP
703-518-6257
ktucker@naesp.org

Media Advisory                                                             
Kaylen Tucker, NAESP
703-518-6257
ktucker@naesp.org

Media Advisory                                                             
Kaylen Tucker, NAESP
703-518-6257
ktucker@naesp.org

Media Advisory                                                             
Kaylen Tucker, NAESP
703-518-6257
ktucker@naesp.org

Media Advisory                                                             
Kaylen Tucker, NAESP
703-518-6257
ktucker@naesp.org

The September/October 2010 issue of Principal magazine has been honored with a Gold Award in the TRENDS 2010 All-Media Contest, which recognizes the national association community’s top media products of 2010.

We proudly welcome Robert L. Monson, principal of Parkston Elementary School in Parkston, South Dakota, as the recently elected president-elect of the 15-person board of directors of NAESP. “Facing today’s challenges and those yet to come will require a president-elect who has leadership experience and forward-looking vision,” Monson said. “We must be advocates on many levels and in numerous areas to provide the best eduation for all of our students.”
Monson, a member of NAESP since 1997 who served on its board of directors from 2007 to 2009, has also held memberships in the School Administrators of South Dakota and in the South Dakota Association of Elementary School Principals, serving in the latter as president (2005-2006) and treasurer (2001-2004).  
In NAESP zone elections, the following individuals were elected to the board of directors: Dean Warrenfeltz, principal of Berkeley County School in Martinsburg, West Virginia, will represent Zone 3 principals in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia; Nancy Flatt Meador, principal of Madison Middle School in Nashville, Tennessee, will represent Zone 4 principals in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the Virgin Islands; and Mark J. White, principal of Hintgen Elementary School in La Crosse, Wisconsin, will represent Zone 6 principals in Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Barbara A. Chester, principal of Cherry Park Elementary School in Portland, Oregon, will be installed as NAESP 2010-2011 president on July 1 and Monson will assume the office of president one year later.

Do you have the skills to write a children’s book? If so, here’s a great opportunity for you. The NAESP Foundation, in cooperation with Charlesbridge Publishing, has launched the National Children’s Book of the Year Contest for aspiring children’s book authors.
This is your chance to get your work endorsed by the NAESP Foundation and published by a nationally known publisher with a proven track record and extensive outreach across the nation.
Prospective authors may submit a picture or chapter book written for children ages 3-16. Judging will be based on content, originality, and age-appropriateness. So get started on your potential best-seller—the deadline for entries is Feb. 15, 2011.
More details about the contest and the submission process, including entry forms, are on the NAESP Foundation Web page. Good luck!

In an interview on NAESP Radio, Yong Zhao, distinguished professor at Michigan State University and founding director of the Center for Teaching and Technology, says America’s public education system is well-positioned to produce students with the skills needed to compete in an era of increased technology and globalization. Zhao suggests that current reform efforts, such as calls for increased standardization and accountability, misinterpret the strengths of America’s public schools and fail to address the needs of students living in an era of globalization.
Zhao also says that to achieve meaningful school reforms, America needs a law or a political environment that will encourage education leaders to innovate rather than increase standardization, and elementary school principals play a critical role in ensuring that reform efforts meet the needs of America's students.
Research validates Zhao’s comments by indicating that elementary principals are catalysts for learning and for shaping the long-term impact of school reform, and it is imperative that principals’ voices and perspectives are included in the discussions about America’s public education system that are currently taking place at the federal level.
Listen to the full interview with Zhao on NAESP Radio. We invite you to leave any comments about the interview or education reform in general right here.

The editors of Principal magazine, NAESP’s flagship publication, have finalized themes for the 2010-2011 editorial year and are seeking writers interested in submitting articles for publication:
Sept./Oct. 2010: School ManagementNov./Dec. 2010: MathJan./Feb. 2011: Building RelationshipsMarch/April 2011: Turnaround SchoolsMay/June 2011: Early Childhood
Our submission guidelines provide descriptions of each theme as well as deadlines and information on how to submit an article for consideration. Take this opportunity to share what you know about education and the principalship with our 25,000 readers.

Principals know more about turning around schools than anyone. That is why NAESP will feature “Transformational Leadership Across America: Turnaround Principals in Action” during NAESP’s annual convention in Houston. On Saturday, April 10, eight talented principals who successfully turned around academically struggling schools will participate in a panel presentation and share the process they used to make significant changes in their schools.
Each of the eight principals will also lead a workshop during the convention to further share unique strategies for change based on the principal’s school location and demographics. These outstanding principals have used their knowledge, expertise, and training to make change in schools and to sustain that transformation to better serve all of their students and communities.
These principals have a proven record and have been recognized for their successes, including raising test scores and narrowing the achievement gap separating students. To learn more about this special event, including panelist bios, visit www.naesp.org/2010.

Never been to a convention in Houston? No problem. Here are the top 10 reasons why you should make a beeline to NAESP’s 89th Annual Convention and Exposition, which is being held in Houston, April 8-11, 2010.

1. NAESP’s convention is the choice meeting for pre-K-8 principals to learn, share, and get re-energized. Nowhere else will you find thousands of like-minded leaders who are committed to making our nation’s schools better.
2. Houston is a world-class city, the fourth largest in the United States, with a robust economy, diverse population, and thriving cultural scene.
3. The convention features top notch general session speakers: Christopher Gardner, author of The Pursuit of Happyness; Marlee Matlin, award-winning actress and advocate for the disabled; and Greg Mortenson, co-author of the New York Times best-seller Three Cups of Tea.
4. Enriching professional development in the form of 3-hour workshops and pre-convention workshops can earn you valuable PDUs. 
5. Concurrent sessions on topics that will help you lead effective learning communities.
6. The Bayou City is known for its eclectic mix of cuisines. Prepare to loosen your belts as you dine on barbecue, Tex-Mex, soul food, Gulf Coast seafood, Cajun and Creole favorites, and a Texas steak.
7. Space Center Houston welcomes visitors interested in exploring the nation’s space flight activities.
8. Get a little sun at Galveston Beach, less than an hour away.
9. Make a lasting impression on Houston schools by participating in NAESP’s Service Day.
10. You can save on convention registration and housing with early bird rates—Offer Ends Sept. 30 Use the $100 you’ll save to bring another team member. Teams of three or more members register for just $130 per person!

Visit www.naesp.org/2010 to register and to learn more about the latest happenings before, during, and after the convention. You don’t want to miss this dynamic event that has been developed just for you.

The beginning of the school year marks the end of our summer hiatus on the Principals’ Office, so as you prepare for the new year we are standing by to begin discussions on such topics as restraint and seclusion, H1N1 flu, NAESP’s new initiatives, the issues that keep principals up at night, and much more. We also plan to launch a new blog series featuring NAESP President Diane Cargile.
Stay tuned!

Congratulations to the principals who were elected to the NAESP Board of Directors in this year’s election:
President-elect: Barbara Chester, Cherry Park Elementary School, Portland, Oregon
Zone 5 Director: John Ansman, Roberta Tully Elementary School, Louisville, Kentucky
Zone 7 Director: Kenny Jones, Parkside Elementary School, Powell, Wyoming
Zone 9 Director: Dwight Liddiard, East Meadows Elementary School, Spanish Fork, Utah
The 2009-2010 board will begin its term July 1, with Diane Cargile of Rio Grande Elementary School in Terre Haute, Indiana, as president.

NAESP election time is fast approaching for the 2009 membership year. This year’s election will “go electronic” and use eBallots! We are very excited about this important transition to online voting. We hope this change will make it easier for our eligible members to vote and increase the overall voter turnout.
The positions being filled this year are president-elect, Zone 5 director, Zone 7 director, and Zone 9 director. Read each candidate’s bio on the NAESP Web site and look out for an e-mail on/around April 14, which will direct you to a secure Web page at VoteNet, our election provider.
Good luck to all candidates!

The Delegate Assembly is held on the last morning of the convention. The main business at hand is to approve the constitutional changes that have been recommended by the resolutions committee. One of the key items to be voted on this year is electronic voting for national office, which passed.
Also during the Delegate Assembly, outgoing members of the NAESP Board of Directors are given a token of appreciation from their states.
I have considered it an honor to have had the privilege to act as the NAESP convention blogger. I hope that in some small way my contribution to the blog has been helpful to you. My best to you as you finish your school year!

This morning, I started my day bright and early at the Zone 7 breakfast. We have an election for Zone 7 director this year and have two very good candidates from which to choose. South Dakota was the host and did a wonderful job. One of the cool parts of the breakfast is the state giveaways. Each state brings something from their state (e.g., artwork, book) and names are selected to win these prizes. I would encourage anyone to attend their zone breakfast if given the opportunity.
My first concurrent session for today was titled "Teaching 2.0: Learning & Leading in the Digital Age." The presenter did a very good job of talking about the technology that is being used in his school, but also shared thoughts about how technology can be better utilized. One analogy that he shared showed a plate full of food. The initial idea is that our plates are too full already to try and use technology in education. His point is that technology should not be another piece of food but should be seen as the spices that go into making the food taste better. Technology should be a way to enhance, not add to, education.
The Third General Session speaker was Jeff Corwin. He is the well-known conservationist who, amongst other endeavors, hosts the TV show The Jeff Corwin Experience. Before he began speaking, the new chief executive director for the National Parent Teacher Organization, Byron Garrett, briefly greeted the group. Wow! I have to tell you that I was very impressed. I was able to give him my business card-I thought the national PTA might like to include some information regarding PTO in my state association publication.
Corwin shared his passion for our world and especially the natural resources that, in his words, "our world has been blessed with." He encouraged principals to do all that we can to help promote the cause of conservationism through education in our schools.
After lunch, I attended a session titled "When Consequences Don't Work: Succeeding With Difficult Students." This may have been one of the more practical sessions I have attended regarding useable strategies. I am very interested in getting Conscious Classroom Management, a book written by the presenter. A major premise is that behavior should be taught step by step, just as in teaching mathematics. When expectations are clear, the art of effective instruction can begin.
My last official activity for the day was to attend the National Distinguished Principals Reunion. I had the good fortune to have been named the 2008 NDP for North Dakota. I can't begin to tell you how impressed I am with my peers, and after getting to know them better I was even more humbled to have been given the opportunity to a part of that group. Thanks to NAESP for lining up this reunion!