(Prefer to watch? Check out the same welcome back message on YouTube.)

Hello to all of you amazing school leaders! Welcome back to what is already shaping up to be an incredible school year. 

At AWSP, we’ve had a busy summer continuing to “Shine the Light” on our most robust advocacy campaign ever. The role principals and assistant principals play in the system is critical. We won’t rest until everyone is paying attention to your needs as school leaders across the state. From working conditions to due process, to more protections, to compensation, to respectful contracts, to respect in general, and to more support, we are shining the light on you. 

The results from our recent statewide survey were clear: you love the impact of your job but also recognize the demands and workload are unrealistic. This has to change. While you focus on creating the best schools in the world, we’ll continue to work on improving your working conditions and expectations, with both short-term solutions to release pressure and long-term solutions to increase the pipeline and make the job more sustainable.

On behalf of the entire team here at AWSP, we would like to remind you of all the ways we are here for you. I just shared some of our advocacy efforts, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the support and resources your membership provides. We’re only a tap, click, or phone call away. You need individual support or assistance? Just call. You want powerful, relevant professional learning? just call. You want us to come provide training for all of the principals and assistant principals in your district…plus those who evaluate you? Just call. You want help with school culture and developing your leadership team? Just call. You want tools to help create relationships and authentic student voice? Just call. You want to join a network with colleagues walking the same journey as you? Just call. Want to get more involved with AWSP, your professional association? Please give us a call.

Whether it’s professional learning or professional support, we are here for you. Don’t ever hesitate to pick up the phone or send us an email. We are all things principal and assistant support through AWSP. We are all things student programs and support through AWSL. We are Outdoor Schools Washington. And we are the Cispus Learning Center. We’ve got you and your students covered. We are ready to walk with you this upcoming school year, no matter the want or need.

As you embark on the year ahead, don’t ever forget your impact as a leader. Your leadership matters. Your impact is forever. Because of you, the lives of students, staff, and your community will be changed forever. Go big this year. Make it happen, and reach out to us for anything. 

From all of us here at AWSP, AWSL, Cispus, and Outdoor Schools Washington, keep up the great work for kids and have an awesome year!