August 12th Edition

AWSA Update

Nominate an Outstanding Principal

Nominations of Wisconsin PK-12 principals can now be submitted online at KohlEducation.org for the 2027 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Principal Leadership awards. The deadline for submission is Friday, October 2, 2026, at 5 p.m. Central Time. Awards are $6,000, with an additional $6,000 grant going to the school of each selected principal. Nominations are accepted from teachers, parents, principals, and community members. Learn more here.

Choosing Joy on Purpose

There is something about August that has always felt a little different to me. Maybe it’s the feeling of a fresh start. Maybe it’s the excitement of seeing people you haven’t seen all summer, walking into a building that has been quiet for a few months, and watching it slowly come back to life. There is something about a new school year that makes you believe, even for a moment, that anything is possible. Of course, August can also feel like a lot. Read more here.

AWSA Serving District Leaders

In early summer, our District Leaders’ Commission analyzed survey results from AWSA members serving as district-level leaders of teaching and learning. The feedback revealed a critical need for members to collaborate across district lines, break down silos, bridge connections between district staff and building instructional leaders, and address the professional development gap unique to these roles. In response, AWSA is actively developing new, dedicated programming designed specifically for district-level leaders of teaching and learning, including expanded conference sessions, targeted academies, and online network opportunities. Read more here.