April 22nd Edition

AWSA Update

Register Today for the 2026 Elementary Principals’ Convention

Learn and enjoy time with your colleagues around the state October 7-9, 2026 at the Grand Geneva Resort! Registration is now open.

Storms Don’t Ask If You Are Ready: How Humility & Teamwork Can Turn Your Toughest Seasons into Your Proudest Growth

Every school leader has their story - the sink-or-swim moments when they are faced with a series of difficult challenges they never predicted or asked for. The moments when they have to decide if they are going to leave the profession, just survive, or somehow lead their team to strive for excellence despite the challenges. Challenges make for great stories in retrospect; yet in the midst of what can seem like a never-ending onslaught of them, it is easy to question if weathering the storm is worthwhile. Read more here.

From Fragmentation to Focus: How Clarity Transformed Teaching and Learning at North High School

Two years ago, North High School in Eau Claire faced challenges familiar to many secondary schools: unclear instructional expectations, inconsistent classroom practices, and a professional culture shaped more by isolation than collaboration. While educators worked hard, efforts were fragmented, improvement was difficult to sustain, and students failed to demonstrate significant progress or achievement. First prioritizing relational capacity and then instruction backed by research, the turning point came with a collective commitment to clarity— clarity about what strong teaching looks like and how adults learn and improve together. Read more here.

Wisconsin Act 222 Ensures Native American Students Can Wear Traditional Tribal Regalia at School Events

2025 Wisconsin Act 222, which ensures that Native American students can wear traditional tribal regalia at school events, was signed into law by Governor Evers on April 8, 2026. Read more here.

Supreme Court Rules Miranda Rights Should Have Been Read at School Interrogation

On March 26, 2026, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, in State v. K.R.C., held that a 12-year-old middle school student was "in custody" for Miranda purposes while being interrogated by police at school. Read more here.

Wisconsin’s Amanda Jamerson Named National High School Assistant Principal of the Year

Associate Principal of Shorewood High School, Amanda Jamerson, received the honor by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) at an annual National Education Leadership Awards event on Friday, April 17. Wisconsin leaders have been selected five times in the last six years as Principals of the Year: Deb Paradowski, Mukwonago (2020), Misa Sato, Milwaukee (2023), Andy Farley, Elmbrook (2024) & Liz Nelson, Elmbrook (2025). Read more here.

Are You Retiring?

If you are retiring this year, please let us know by sending an email to [email protected]. We’d like to include you in our recognition announcement and also share with you information about retired membership with AWSA.

April 8th Edition

AWSA Update

Teacher Contract Renewal and Nonrenewal

Teacher evaluation is an important part of your job as a principal. Hopefully you are prepared to make informed recommendations about staff contract renewal, as shortly we will be in the statutory timeframe when school boards must make those decisions. This Article will provide you with the essential information you need regarding the renewal and nonrenewal of teacher contracts. Read more here.

Janesville’s Culture of Excellence

The School District of Janesville is seeing significant results from its "Culture of Excellence" initiative, a systemwide approach to continuous improvement that has led to measurable gains in student achievement. By aligning district priorities with classroom practices, Janesville has created a "ripple effect" of success across its 20 schools. Read more here.

The Principal’s Calendar Now Available!

AWSA has created a monthly calendar to help you maximize your time. Click here to view.

The 2026-27 District Leader's Calendar is Now Available!

Use this calendar to maximize your time. Click here to view.

AWSA Affiliating with the National Principal Association July 1st

AWSA has always operated as a single, unified PK–12 association. At the national level, however, school leader support has long been split between two organizations: the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Beginning July 1, 2026, AWSA will transition from these two separate national partners to the single unified National Principals Association (NPA). Read more here.

April is the Month of the Military Child

April is the “Month of the Military Child,” and we get to honor the military children in school districts in Wisconsin and throughout the United States. We are proud to recognize our military children and their families, as well as the many school district staff members and their families who have served or are serving in the military. Read more here.

At the Capitol: Bill Signings Move Forward, Surplus Deal Still Pending

The Governor continues to act on legislation sent to him at the close of the legislative session. Several K–12 bills remain under consideration and are expected to be signed. Read more here.

Wisconsin Pathways to High School Graduation

According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s WISEdash Public Portal, approximately 4,700 students did not graduate with their class in 2024. In response to such data, Wisconsin provides several graduation pathways that, with school board approval, lead to a regular diploma. Read more here.

National Inventors Hall of Fame Education Programs

Looking for an engaging way to spark creativity and boost student success this summer? Camp Invention®, a non-profit program of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for your district to inspire students through hands-on STEM exploration – all in just one week! Read more here.