May 6th Edition

AWSA Update

A New Chapter for the Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance

Founded in 1991, the SAA advocates on behalf of school leaders to strengthen Wisconsin’s national leadership in education. AWSA was one of the founding members. Today, the four member association’s executive directors announced changes in store for the alliance.

Advancing Student Achievement: Coherent Systems, High Expectations and a "Name-by-Face" Approach

Gibraltar Area School District has undertaken a comprehensive transformation to ensure every student is known “by name and by face” and supported through intentional, high-impact learning systems. By aligning instructional practices, professional learning, and student support structures, the district has created a cohesive approach that has driven measurable gains in student achievement and system-wide excellence. Read more here.

Just Be Honest

It sounds so simple, but if we could all just be honest and engage in the difficult conversations versus avoidance, we would be amazed at the impact. I wish someone had told me that when I began my administrative journey; that when we avoid taxing conversations, we pay for it in culture and data. Now in my fourth year as a principal, I have become comfortable being uncomfortable and here’s how I did it. Read more here.

Navigating the Ripple Effects of Education Reform and Geography in Wisconsin’s Public Schools

Over the past several decades, Wisconsin has been at the forefront of significant educational policy shifts, including major reforms to teachers’ union power and changes to educator certification requirements. School leaders manage these transitions daily while working to maintain high standards for student achievement and teacher retention. My recent research takes a comprehensive look at two critical areas: the long-term impact of Act 10 on student performance and the unique labor market challenges facing our rural schools. Read more here.

AWSA Election Results

The following members have been elected or re-elected to serve on the AWSA Board of Directors in 2026-27: See results here.