NAESP, NASSP, and AASA Honor 2024 National Aspiring Principals Academy Graduates
Seven emerging leaders have acquired essential skills needed to advance to the next level of school leadership.
Alexandria, VA—August 21, 2024—The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and AASA, The School Superintendents Association are pleased to announce seven emerging leaders have completed the National Aspiring Principals Academy (NAPA). This professional learning program is designed to support aspiring principals in learning essential knowledge, skills, and practices they need to advance to the next level in education leadership.
Highly skilled and nationally recognized educational leaders and mentors led the yearlong, standards-based professional learning opportunity. Topics of focus included building professional learning communities, leading for equity, understanding governance, and addressing critical issues and trends.
“NAESP knows how important it is to help build a new generation of innovative and resilient leaders to strengthen the principal pipeline,” said NAESP Executive Director L. Earl Franks, Ed.D., CAE. “We’re proud to collaborate with AASA and NASSP on NAPA. The program goes beyond traditional leadership training to support aspiring school leaders across the K-12 spectrum. These forward-thinking educators are committed to their growth as leaders and passionate about meeting the diverse and ever-changing needs of students, teachers, and communities. Congratulations to the 2024 graduates!”
“These future leaders are ready to roll up their sleeves and make a real difference—whether it’s creating a welcoming environment for all students, building strong partnerships with families, or championing innovative teaching practices,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. “I can’t wait to see the positive impact they’ll have in their schools and the incredible experiences that await them in their careers.”
“The future of learning depends on passionate and visionary school leaders like these recent graduates: Leaders who are not only prepared to meet today’s challenges but are ready to transform the future of education in ways we can’t yet even imagine,” said AASA Executive Director David R. Schuler. “A big congratulations to the 2024 graduates of the National Aspiring Principals Academy! AASA welcomes every opportunity to collaborate with NAESP and NASSP on this critical work of growing and strengthening our school leadership pipeline.”
Congratulations to these NAPA graduates:
- Julia Gaines, Assistant Principal, East Lake Academy of Fine Arts, Tennessee
- Lynda Granady, Assistant Principal, Robert Frost Elementary School, Maryland
- Shalonda Howze, Assistant Principal, John Ruhrah Elementary/Middle School #228, Maryland
- Danielle Jackson, Assistant Principal, Clayton Huey Elementary School, New York
- Garrett Maier, Assistant Principal, Verrado High School, Arizona
- Gavin Quinn, District Supervisor of Science, K-12, Moorestown High School, New Jersey
- Rafael Vasquez, Assistant Principal, Monroe-Woodbury High School, New York
Eric Cardwell, a retired elementary school principal and past NAESP president, and Gail Pletnick, a retired superintendent and past AASA president, facilitated NAPA, and program mentors included:
- Patricia Buck, AASA
- Tracy Hilliard, Principal, Urbana Elementary, Frederick, Maryland
- Gwendolyn Taylor, Retired Principal, Warner Robins, Georgia
- Rick Varney, Principal, John Cline Elementary, Decorah, Iowa
For more information about NAPA, contact Gracie Branch, NAESP associate executive director, Professional Learning, at [email protected].
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About NAESP
Established in 1921, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) leads in the advocacy and support for elementary and middle-level principals in the U.S. and internationally. NAESP supports principals as the primary catalysts for creating lasting foundations for learning through policy and professional learning, advocacy, programs, and resources for effective instructional leadership. For more information about NAESP, please visit www.naesp.org.
About NASSP
The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of middle level and high school principals and other school leaders across the U.S. NASSP seeks to transform education through school leadership, recognizing that the fulfillment of each student’s potential relies on great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society, and National Student Council. For more information, visit www.nassp.org.
About AASA
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the U.S. and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org.
