National Association of Elementary School Principals

Write for the March/April 2025 issue of Principal on "Rethinking Assessments and Standards" and the May/June 2025 issue on "The Whole Child: Individualized Education and Community Engagement." Submit articles by Oct. 4 and Dec. 6, respectively.

Review our writing guidelines here:

Writing Guidelines - NAESP If you have an idea for an article, NAESP wants to hear from you! NAESP accepts article submissions for its blog, Principal magazine, and Communicator e-newsletter. Before you begin writing, read a sample article from these publications to get an idea of what the editors are looking for—practical,...

Promote better student attendance with effective health-centered supports. In the latest issue of , authors Maureen Kelleher and Phyllis Jordan, along with contributions from FutureEd, provide critical insights and strategies. Read the full article here: https://www.naesp.org/resource/5-health-centered-supports-for-student-attendance/ "

NAESP joins the nation in mourning the tragic loss of life of four people after a shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia. Our hearts are with the additional nine injured people and the school families, educators, and community.

NAESP is pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa Patschke, Ed.D., as its new membership liaison. Patschke is a distinguished leader with decades of experience in education as an elementary principal, a professor, and an author. Read more about her! https://www.naesp.org/news/naesp-announces-veteran-leader-as-new-membership-liaison

Please note, National Association of Elementary School Principals offices will be closed on Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day. We will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, September 3. For resources and information, visit our website at www.naesp.org. Have a safe and happy Labor Day!

We’re proud to partner with U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Education to help celebrate the importance of healthy school meals at the start of this school year. Join in at 1:45 pm ET at usda.gov/live

Join the National Association of Elementary School Principals Board of Directors! We have five open positions and need your help to find outstanding candidates. Serving on the board is a remarkable opportunity to shape the future of . Check out the positions & application deadlines:https://naesp.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OverviewOpenDirectorBoardPositions2024.pdf

🏫Congress is determining FY25 . The Senate aims to increase funding, while the House proposes significant cuts. Ask your representatives to support education funding using this link-

Ask Your Members of Congress to Support preK-12 Education Funding

UNITED: The National Conference on School Leadership is a dynamic conference experience presented by National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Building on the success of our inaugural joint conference, we are excited to continue this collaboration, bringing together our two organizations' summer conferences into one highly anticipated event. Designed for pre-K-12 school leaders at all levels of the leadership journey, UNITED offers a unique opportunity for professional growth and networking.

Share your expertise and experiences July 11-13 in Seattle by submitting a proposal to present. The deadline to submit your proposal is Oct. 18.

📚 As we embark on a new school year, understanding and defining your school's identity is crucial. In the latest episode of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) , hosts Xavier Reed and Dr. Ryan Daniel, both esteemed education leaders, invite Dr. Quennel Cooper and Harold McCray, Jr., Ed.D. to share their insights on this important topic.

🎧 Join us for a deep dive into strategies for identifying and cultivating your school's unique identity - a key to fostering a positive and engaging learning environment. Listen now:https://www.naesp.org/resource/find-your-schools-identity-at-the-start-of-the-year/

We're incredibly proud to announce the graduation of seven dedicated emerging leaders from the National Aspiring Principals Academy (NAPA). This program, a collaborative effort between the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), and the AASA, The School Superintendents Association, equips professionals with the critical skills necessary for successful school leadership.

Join us in congratulating Julia Gaines, Lynda Granady, Shalonda Howze, Danielle Jackson, Garrett Maier, Gavin Quinn, and Rafael Vasquez on this significant achievement. Their commitment to advancing their leadership skills is commendable and we look forward to witnessing the positive impact they will undoubtedly make within their respective schools.

Read more about their journey and the NAPA program here:

NAESP, AASA, and NASSP Honor 2024 National Aspiring Principals Academy Graduates - NAESP Seven emerging leaders have acquired essential skills needed to advance to the next level of school leadership.

Join our peer-driven ! Overcome challenges with insights from fellow National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) members. This unique blend of brainstorming, peer accountability & collective support enhances both & personal development.

Here’s what current participants have to say about their experience in the NAESP Mastermind group. These takeaways highlight the transformative impact of peer-driven mentoring and the value of being part of a supportive leadership community.

-Diverse Perspectives: You'll gain access to a variety of perspectives, experiences, and expertise from other group members. This diversity can spark new ideas, solve problems creatively, and provide insights you might not have considered.

-Personal and Professional Growth: Mastermind groups are focused on continuous improvement. Through regular meetings, feedback, and shared experiences, you'll be encouraged to step out of your comfort zone, learn new skills, and grow both personally and professionally.

-Accountability: Regular meetings with a group can help keep you on track with your goals and commitments.

-Networking Opportunities: It can open doors to new connections, partnerships, and opportunities.

Don't lead alone, join us!

teaches skills that will help your students become better leaders. Here's how:
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✅ Community Involvement
✅ Student voice
✅ Positive peer role models
Join ASCA to start a student council at your school! https://naesp.org/for-students/american-student-council-association-asca/

The Senate’s funding bill would increase funding for Title I, while the House bill would cut funding for Title I by 25%. Tell your members of Congress to reject the House cuts & support the Senate investments in preK-12 education.

Ask Your Members of Congress to Support preK-12 Education Funding

The Senate’s FY25 funding bill provides $18.7 billion (+$280 million) for Title I. These funds are critical to providing socio-economically disadvantaged students with a high-quality education. Learn more here:

House and Senate Appropriations Committees Clash on Education Funding Priorities in FY25 Budget - NAESP A House appropriations subcommittee has introduced an education funding bill for FY25 that makes deep cuts to foundational K-12 education programs—but there's still time for us to take action and urge the House to change course.

Preparing for a safe school year is key. As part of your back-to-school prep, consider these 5 actions from SchoolSafety.gov:

📚 Explore the Reading List ✅ Review the Checklist 🔧 Use the Safety Readiness Tool 📧 Share the Community Bulletin sign up 🔗 Connect with SchoolSafety.gov on Facebook and X

Learn more: https://www.schoolsafety.gov/back-to-school-campaign

Cultivating Dynamic Learning Environments With John Hattie | In this episode of , you will hear from John Hattie, educator and researcher, as he empowers educational leaders to nurture their learning environments. Tune in using the link below.

Cultivating Dynamic Learning Environments With John Hattie - NAESP In this episode, you will hear from John Hattie, author and keynote speaker, as he empowers educational leaders to nurture their learning environments.

Get ready for an enlightening episode of the National Association of Elementary School Principals ! We're excited to have our partners from Lead IDEA Center join us for a thought-provoking discussion captured at . Stay tuned to learn from their insights and expertise.

Submit a Proposal to Present at UNITED25 | : The National Conference on School Leadership is July 11-13, 2025, in Seattle. Don't miss your chance to present. Submit a proposal by Oct. 18. Use this link - https://nassp.confex.com/nassp/united25/cfp.cgi

🎵The National Association of Elementary School Principals Back-to-School Playlist is a curated compilation of inspiring and energetic tunes designed to re-energize and motivate educators as they prepare for the new school year.

With a diverse mix of genres, this playlist offers a little something for everyone. From chart-topping hits to timeless classics, these tracks will get you pumped and ready to welcome your students back to school. Turn up the volume and let the music inspire you to make this school year the best one yet! Enjoy the playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Lqu5ulDKFeTpyqIh8LWeu?si=6ac8f568d79d4b98

The rise in Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) is a concerning reality in our digital world. Over the last decade, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received 36 million reports of child sexual abuse material online, a massive increase from 1 million in 2014.

At National Association of Elementary School Principals, we believe in empowering families to protect their children. That's why we've created our latest . This resource provides actionable strategies to teach children safe and responsible internet navigation habits.

You can use this report in various ways - print it out, include it in your e-newsletter, add it to your website, or share it on social media. It's available for download in both English and Spanish, making it accessible for diverse school families.

Knowledge is power. Let's work collectively to ensure the safety of our children in the digital space. Download the report here 👉 https://www.naesp.org/resource/10-best-practices-to-protect-kids-online/

Session Notes from Joe Sanfelippo & Jimmy Casas' Break the Script: Culturize Your School to Excellence | These strategies can help principals break free from fix-it mode to find balance and intentionality as school leaders.

Joe Sanfelippo and Jimmy Casas inspired a packed ballroom of principals from across the country at hashtag . Their message was clear from the outset: Our work as school leaders needs to be intentional and include balance.

Remember who you were when you sat in the seat for your job interview. We can so easily forget the purpose and why we chose this profession. “Take yourself back to the interview chair. That is the real version of you.”

Learn more here:

Break the Script: Culturize Your School to Excellence - NAESP Session notes from “Break the Script: Culturize Your School to Excellence,” led by Joe Sanfelippo and Jimmy Casas, at UNITED: The National Conference on School Leadership.