NAESP Announces Veteran Leader as New Membership Liaison
Melissa "Missie" Patschke, Ed.D., will help to boost engagement and contribute to NAESP member recruitment and retention efforts.
Alexandria, VA—September 4, 2024—The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa “Missie” Patschke, Ed.D., as its new membership liaison. Patschke is a distinguished leader with over 30 years of experience in educational leadership as an elementary school principal, a professor, and an author. Her extensive involvement with NAESP has been a cornerstone of her career, demonstrating her commitment to advancing educational leadership.
In the membership liaison role, Patschke will boost engagement with NAESP state representatives and contribute to member recruitment and retention efforts. These responsibilities aim to promote the benefits of NAESP membership and strengthen the organization’s outreach and engagement with its members.
About Patschke
Patschke’s key NAESP contributions include serving as:
- Zone 2 director on the NAESP Board of Directors, from 2013 to 2017;
- Pennsylvania state representative to NAESP, from 2017 to the present;
- Federal relations coordinator for Pennsylvania, from 2010 to 2013;
- Editorial advisor for Principal magazine and other NAESP publications, from 2008 to 2011; and
- Professional development trainer and coach for NAESP’s National Mentor Training and Certification Program.
Patschke’s leadership expands beyond her work with NAESP. Her expertise, honed from classroom teaching to school administration, is exemplified by her tenure as the principal of Upper Providence Elementary School in Royersford, Pennsylvania. Under her guidance, the school was awarded the prestigious Golden RAM Award in 2019, a testament to her effective leadership. Her academic prowess is further demonstrated by her role as an adjunct faculty member in various graduate programs.
Patschke’s multifaceted career demonstrates a profound understanding of NAESP benefits and the members we serve. Her ability to understand the role of the NAESP state reps and her extensive service to the Pennsylvania Principals Association, an NAESP state affiliate organization, makes her an invaluable asset to our organization.
