March 10th Edition

Communications Tools Every Principal Can Use, Joe Donovan

When it comes to school communication, I often refer to the use of various tools. In fact, I often refer to an "invisible" toolbox that educational leaders use to communicate.  

As we continue to work through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is value in considering the various communication tools we have available to us—and to ensure we are using the right ones.  

Read More.


12 Wisconsin Public School Leaders Receive Kohl Leadership Awards 

The purpose of the Herb Kohl Leadership Award is to recognize and support excellence in Wisconsin school administration. The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation's goal is to support Wisconsin principals in pursuit of their unrealized goals for their schools or professional development. The 12 public school Kohl Leadership Award recipients and their schools will each receive $6,000 grants from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation.  

2021 Public School Honorees: 

Erin King,
Forest Park Middle School, Franklin

Mary Garcia-Velez,
Banting Elementary School, Waukesha

Robin Schrot, Germantown
Mill Valley Elementary School, Muskego 

Mary Kilar
Lincoln Elementary School, Whitewater 

Matt Renwick,
Mineral Point Elementary School, Mineral Point 

Kelly Schaeffer,
Washington Elementary School, Wisconsin Rapids

Tina Miller
Howe Elementary School, Wisconsin Rapids 

Andrew Bake
Valley View Elementary School, Green Bay

Rod Bohm, 
Southwest High School, Green Bay

David Beranek,
Marathon High School, Marathon

Andrea Steffen, Altoona
Altoona Intermediate School, Altoona 

Peggy Ryan,
Saint Croix Falls High School, Saint Croix Falls

AWSA would like to thank the Herb Kohl Foundation for their continued partnership and commitment to promoting high-quality educational opportunities for every Wisconsin school.


State Assessment Webinars 

Federal and state-mandated assessments are resuming this spring despite a challenging year of pandemic schooling. On February 24th AWSA hosted two webinars on assessment, including an overview of the state and federal policy landscape and information on planning considerations for the spring. 

Topics included the following:
  • Modifications made to the assessment windows and assessments to ease administration.
  • Possible options for including students in virtual education models.
  • Scheduling considerations for schools operating in hybrid models.
  • Planning for a potential pivot to virtual during the testing window.
  • Family outreach.
  • And other questions from the members' survey.  

State Assessment Grades 3-8 Webinar Recording
State Assessment Grades 9-12 Webinar Recording


March 24th Edition

Photo of YaribelAWSA Welcomes Yaribel Rodriguez to the Staff

Yaribel Rodriguez will join the AWSA staff on July 1.  Yaribel will join Joe Schroeder and Tammy Gibbons in facilitating professional learning and support for members. 


COVID Updates

This article includes links to updated guidance, an ESSER I-III funding snapshot, Community Recovery Meetings, and today’s National Safe School Reopening Summit.

Read more.


Assessing for Impact: GPS for Your Leadership Actions, Joe Schroeder

School administrators are action-orientated by design.  This makes great sense because there are so many decisions and responsibilities that require one’s attention!  But while rampant activity is a given in the role, progress based on that activity can be highly variable and often elusive.  Therefore, any leader serious about impact will want to think about how to assess for it upfront as a sort of GPS for the leadership journey ahead. 

Read more.


Legal Update: Teacher Renewal and NonRenewal, Malina Piontek

Wisconsin’s annual legal requirements for teacher contract renewal and non-renewal are upon us.  This article includes what you need to know. 

Read more.



Purple Up! April is the Month of the Military Child!

by Shelley Joan Weiss

April has been celebrated as the Month of the Military Child since 1986.  Wisconsin joins individuals, schools, and organizations across the country in recognizing the contributions and challenges of the children of military families. There are over two million children who have one or two parents serving in the military.

Read more.



2021 Leading for Equity Academy

In order for Wisconsin’s students to be prepared for their futures and Wisconsin’s communities to remain strong in a global economy, it is imperative that all students graduate college-, career, and life-ready. As Wisconsin’s student population becomes increasingly diverse, persistent disparities in the educational system pose real challenges both to individual opportunity and economic progress. 

WASDA and AWSA are partnering to provide the 2021 Leading for Equity Academy (LEA). The  LEA will engage you in a deep analysis of your district so that you are equipped to thoughtfully address complex problems of equity and effectively action plan next steps to tackle persistent -- but not insurmountable -- opportunity gaps, however they are manifested within your local community.  This Academy fosters application of learning and related plans with timely opportunities for reflection and adjustments so that participants can cultivate sustainable practices and mindsets back home. The overall goal of the LEA is to increase the capacity of district leaders to move beyond well-intentioned, piecemeal equity efforts in order to pursue equity systems change aimed at advancing the learning of all students.