A Message from the AASSP President
Wow….what a busy semester! The spring semester has flown by and I hope that it has been positive for each of you. Now, there are some of you that may be wishing that the ALSDE will put standardized testing during the summer months, in addition to the regular ACAP and ACTs given during the spring. I AM NOT ONE OF THEM! But let me digress.
Now that school is out, I am tired, as I know many of you are. Let us use the next few weeks to relax. In that relaxation, reflect about the successes you and your schools have accomplished. In the same vein, think about areas where you, your staff, and students can grow.
I hope you have already done so, but make sure you register for the CLAS Convention in June. I am looking forward to learning with each of you. You are the greatest teachers! I learn so much from the sessions, not only from the presenter, but from conversing with you. While you are at the conference, connect with old and new friends as well!
Going into the summer, I will be passing the presidential torch to a good friend and colleague, Bobby Tittle, for the 2024-2025 school year. I am grateful for the many friends I have met along my journey as your President. I am here to always serve you, as I am indebted to many for their service and guidance to me along the way.
I wish each of you a great summer and I look forward to connecting with you in a few weeks at CLASCON24.
Many thanks!
This Is Why We Do What We Do
Do halls of our schools echo with the laughter and final projects of students ready to step into their next chapter? When the silence in your buildings once the students leave is deafening is when we realize that their presence is why we do what we do. For principals, this time of year is a poignant blend of reflection and anticipation. Your leadership, a steadfast beacon through the storms and sunshine of the academic year, now guides the culmination of months of hard work, growth, and transformation.
Leadership in education is not just about administration; it’s about heart. It’s about the quiet conversations with a struggling student, the encouragement whispered to a nervous teacher, and the unwavering commitment to fostering a community where everyone feels valued. This year, perhaps more than any other, has tested the resilience and creativity of principals. Yet, amidst the challenges, you have shown extraordinary grace and fortitude.
As we enter the summer, take a moment to celebrate the collective achievements of your school community. The progress and triumphs of your students are a testament to the environment of support and excellence you have cultivated. Every graduation speech, every end-of-year ceremony, is a tribute to your dedication and vision. Remember that the influence you have extends far beyond the school gates; it shapes the futures of the young minds in your care.
Your leadership is seen in the eyes of every student who walks across the stage to receive their diploma, in the confidence of teachers who feel empowered to innovate, and in the smiles of parents who entrust you with their children's education. It is in these moments that the impact of your role truly shines.
As you prepare for a well-deserved break, carry with you the knowledge that you have made a profound difference. Reflect on the memories created, the lives touched, and the growth fostered under your guidance. The end of the school year is not just a conclusion; it’s a celebration of leadership, community, and the undeniable spirit of public education. Thank you for being the heart and soul of our schools.
Time to Recharge Your Battery
Summertime is upon us! That means time for the master schedule, personnel moves, interviews, facility upgrades and planning, summer practices, weight training, summer games, finalizing teacher reviews, etc. That doesn't seem like down time, it seems like another busy time for school administrators. That is why it is imperative to take time for YOU!! Take time for your family, take time for your PD, take time for yourself, take time for your vacation, take time to recharge and reboot!!
Remember, as the leader goes, so go the followers! If you are burnt out mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally, then your followers will reflect that "burned out feeling". A strong start to next school year requires a strong summer to recharge yourself. As I stated before, take time to spend with family and friends away from school. The summer months quickly come and go and soon, a new school year starts.
I hope your summer is smooth and stress free! I also hope to see you all at the CLAS Summer Convention at the Mobile Convention Center June 9 - 12. Let me know if I can be of any help to any of you!
How to Run a "How To" Conference
The Spring Semester brought a great deal of excitement to Boaz Middle School
In March, BMS was recognized as a Lighthouse School for Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence. According to Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, The Leader in Me Lighthouse School title is awarded to honor the attainment of a well-rounded leadership model. The recognition further notes that Lighthouse Schools serve as models of leadership and mentors to other schools.
Then, following the conclusion of ACAP Testing in April, in order to further model new opportunities for the students, Boaz Middle School hosted its first “How-To Conference” to better prepare students for a combination of life, career, and leisure skills.
According to Principal Kyle Pinckard, the teachers came up with session ideas related to topics they believed students needed the opportunity to learn. The “How-To” hands-on activities included the following:
- make survival bracelets
- make a boomerang
- make bread
- make jam and butter
- juggle
- crochet
- use the correct fork
- conduct routine maintenance on an automobile
- play different card games
- take care of their skin and hair
- start a checking account
- to become an EMT
In order to get things started, the teachers gave each student a map of the school with a list of all the sessions they could choose to attend with the understanding they could select only four sessions.
To better facilitate the opportunities available, Principal Pinckard invited community members from the local banks, hair salons, fire stations, and other businesses. Most of the sessions not only provided students with the opportunity to learn how to do something, but it also provided them with the tools they would need to continue practicing at home.
The event concluded with students walking away with crocheting hooks, juggling balls, air pressure gauges, chess sets, playing cards, and other items.
Principal Pinckard hopes to make the “How to Conference” an annual event at Boaz Middle School that will take place each year after state testing.
Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP)
Email: katrina@clasleaders.org
Website: www.clasleaders.org/aassp
Location: Council For Leaders in Alabama Schools, Pelham Street, Montgomery, AL, USA
Phone: 8002393616
