AWSL has prepared an MLK Presentation for your schools! The I AM | WE ARE program includes a pre-recorded speech to include in your MLK assemblies/events presented by James Layman. This program also includes an assembly implementation guide, school-wide discussion questions, and access to James Layman throughout the process of putting your assembly together. Elementary ($150) and Secondary School ($250) versions available! Visit our I AM | WE ARE webpage for more information.

AWSL’s ¡La Chispa! Program is Now Available

Dream, Learn, Serve: ¡La Chispa! is an engaging bilingual (English-Spanish) program for secondary Latinx students designed for both virtual and socially distant settings. The culturally-responsive program aligns with Washington State and CASEL social-emotional learning standards and builds positive academic and self-identity agency within Latinx students. Visit our AWSL social-emotional learning pages for information, and samples.

We are saddened to report that Bill Williams passed away before he could receive the AWSP President's Award, but his wife Maxine was able to accept it on his behalf. Bill served on the WSPEF Board as the business representative for many years. He was a tireless advocate for education and his vision, wisdom, and sound guidance always made an impact.

Huge shout out to our former Learning Center Director Marty Fortin who recently received an Honorary FFA Degree from the American FFA. Fortin was honored for his tireless service in advancing horticulture education. Way to go, Marty!

Honoring Ruth Anderson, Friend of AWSL

In September, we shared the sad news about the passing of Ruth Anderson, Susan Fortin’s sister, who was an educator in Tacoma for 40 years and a 25-year director of Cascade Middle School Leadership Camp held at Cispus Learning Center. We were all sorry to hear about her passing and were blessed in the contributions she made to AWSL. Ruth requested memorials be given to AWSL to further equity and social justice through leadership education.

AWSP is excited to announce our Washington State Principals and Assistant Principal of the Year. Congratulations to Secondary Principal of the Year David Cooke, principal at Jemtegaard Middle School in the Washougal School District; Elementary Principal of the Year Dr. Mandi Rehn from Opportunity Elementary from the Central Valley School District in Spokane Valley; and Jobie Flint, Assistant Principal of the Year from Cedar Heights Middle School in the Central Kitsap School District. Watch for more information about each of our winners in the next issue of Washington Principal magazine.

AWSP and the Washington School Personnel Association (WSPA) bring you a brand-new workshop series called Two-Way Conversations Between HR and School Leaders. The series will feature dynamic human resource director and school leader teams sharing best practices on everything from hiring and interviewing tips to how to understand MOUs and CBAs. The series features five sessions between January and May. Session 1 is coming on Jan. 20. Learn more and register for our Two-Way Conversations series.

AWSP is pleased to offer you two options as we help you on your “journey” toward becoming a data-literate school leader! You can choose four recorded workshops on demand OR register for our four-part staff facilitated training to guide you through the workshops. This series is designed to help school leaders close opportunity gaps and increase learners’ life chances. Build your school leadership capacity to lead collaborative data analyses with your school staff.

AWSP is offering a brand new five-part workshop series on inclusion to AWSP members absolutely free. “How to Be All In as an Inclusive Leader” features international filmmaker Dan Habib, the creator of such award-winning documentary films as "Samuel," "Who Cares About Kelsey?," “Mr. Connolly Has ALS,” and many others on disability-related topics. Habib is a filmmaker at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability. This series is funded by our OSPI Inclusionary Practices Project grant. The third workshop in the series is from noon to 1 p.m. on Jan. 26. (And if you missed Session 1 and 2, we recorded them for you!) Learn more and register today.

Calling All Superheroes, Find Your Vision and ¡La Chispa! are module-based programs that were developed in the summer of 2020. These programs are engaging school‐wide program designed for both virtual and socially distant classroom settings! These programs align with Washington state and CASEL social‐emotional learning standards to provide dynamic multi‐faceted tier‐one opportunities for schools and communities. Learn more about AWSL’s Social-Emotional Learning series.