NAESP Announces New American Student Council Association Advisory Committee
Nine school leaders to serve on inaugural advisory committee to develop strategies to support strong, active elementary and middle-level student leaders.
Alexandria, VA—August 15, 2023—The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) is pleased to announce a new American Student Council Association (ASCA) Advisory Committee—a body of practicing school leaders who are committed to supporting strong and active elementary or middle school student leadership opportunities.
“NAESP believes public schools are the cornerstone of American democracy and play a key role in fostering student voice and positive citizenship and developing a sense of responsibility to the community,” said NAESP Executive Director L. Earl Franks, Ed.D., CAE. “Through ASCA, NAESP recognizes and supports elementary and middle level student councils for making a difference in their schools and communities through student leadership. We’re excited to establish an advisory committee that will further NAESP’s efforts to support student councils and the advisors that lead them.”
The 2023-2024 ASCA Advisory Committee members are:
- Tara Falasco, Blue Point Elementary School, New York
- Liz Garden, Henry P. Clough Elementary School, Massachusetts
- Tracy Hilliard, Urbana Elementary School, Maryland
- Debra Houghton, Madison Crossing Elementary School, Mississippi
- Denise Kelly, Sterling Elementary School, Alaska
- Matt Moyer, Rupert Elementary School, Pennsylvania
- David Naylor, Model Laboratory School, Kentucky
- Jon Wennstrom, Riley Upper Elementary School, Michigan
- Heather Wolf, George Washington Elementary School, Tennessee
Student councils help teach skills outside of the academic curriculum such as leadership, civic responsibility, and organization and planning. ASCA members are positive role models for all students in their school by leading school spirit events, fundraisers, and community engagement.
The new advisory committee will work to:
- Support and promote strong and active student leadership opportunities;
- Provide ASCA and NAESP with informed input to develop new initiatives;
- Recommend areas of improvement within ASCA and expansion of benefits to ASCA members; and
- Advocate for ASCA to increase its visibility and promote membership.
For more information about ASCA or the ASCA Advisory Committee, email Nikki Sparks, NAESP Assistant Executive Director, Executive Services and Recognition Programs, at nsparks@naesp.org, or visit naesp.org/ASCA.
