NAESP Update- Earl Franks, Ed.D., NAESP Executive Director

Timely new resources for you, your teachers, and your school

Happy 2018 from all of us here at NAESP! Please know that daily, your NAESP staff strives to provide resources and services based on our mission, “to lead in the advocacy and support for elementary and middle-level principals and other education leaders in their commitment for all children.” Below is an update on NAESP programs, products, and services. As NAESP members and future members, I hope you will take the time to access these valuable benefits. Hopefully these services can assist you in the important work you do for the students you serve.

New Opportunities

NAESP is proud to offer new resources and opportunities to help principals hone their craft. Here is a sampling of NAESP’s offerings—all meant to help you do your job better.

  • Webinar Wednesdays. This fall, NAESP launched its newest FREE member benefit: Webinar Wednesdays. Each month, NAESP members will have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field on a wide range of school leadership topics. Archived webinars are available only to members using your NAESP log in. Learn more at naesp.org/career/webinars
  • Principals of Literacy Institute. Looking to learn more about literacy instruction? Need to expand your expertise as an instructional leader and learn how to develop and implement a strategic, schoolwide literacy plan that empowers your teachers, families, and students? Gather your leadership team and join NAESP and Scholastic for the Principals of Literacy Institute, Sept. 20-22, 2018, in Nashville. Learn more at scholastic.com/principalsinstitute.
  • Afterschool and Summer Learning. NAESP has partnered with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to offer a new portal to help principals support and champion quality afterschool and summer programs. The initiative—which launches this winter—features a special supplement to Principal magazine, an interactive web-based portal with state specific tools and resources, best practice videos, and a research report. Visit http://afterschool.naesp.org/ to learn more.
  • NAESP’s Annual Conference in Orlando. We hope you are making plans to join us for the NAESP Pre-K–8 Principals Conference, July 9-11, at the Orlando World Center Marriott. This premier professional development conference for elementary and middle-level principals will afford you the opportunity to connect with your peers, learn best practices, and have access to today’s education movers and shakers. To date, we have confirmed three keynote presenters: Sal Kahn, Daniel Pink, and Sean Covey. Visit the conference website and register today: naespconference.org.
  • Principal Insights Delivered to Your Email. NAESP has relaunched its bi-weekly news aggregate, Before the Bell, to Principal Insights. It’s still delivered to your email twice a week—but the new content is geared toward leadership development for principals.
  • Social Media Takeover. Every month, principals can connect with their peers to find practical solutions to the challenges of being a school leader. #NAESPChat is hosted by members of NAESP’s newly formed Digital Leadership Ambassador Program.
  • Resources for Your Students. Help build the next generation of leaders with American Student Council Association (ASCA)—NAESP’s newly relaunched program that recognizes and supports student councils across the nation for making a difference in their schools and communities. Visit the new ASCA website, naesp.org/asca, to access information, activities, awards, and a student council store. Your students will be glad you did!

In Case You Didn’t Know

  • NAESP Offers Legal Benefits. NAESP offers a solution to uncertain or inadequate liability coverage: a professional liability plan with legal assistance benefits. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that if your school district doesn’t have sufficient coverage or refuses to defend you, your back-up plan is in place. Your association’s affiliation with the Trust for Insuring Educators (TIE) makes this valuable member benefit possible. Visit naesp.org/membership/legal-benefits to learn more.
  • Student Awards Programs. NAESP administers the President’s Education Awards Program (PEAP) and the American Citizenship Awards (ACA); both are now open for the 2018 awards season. These programs offer a unique opportunity for principals to reward students’ success. This year we are proud to offer two new products: graduation cords and certificate jackets for PEAP. For more information on the awards and to order, visit peap-aca.org.

Other News

  • NAESP welcomes Danny Carlson as the new Assistant Executive Director, Policy, Advocacy, and Special Projects. In this role, Carlson will guide NAESP’s advocacy and legislative initiatives and strategic alliances to advance the Association’s policy agenda. Reach out to Danny at dcarlson@naesp.org, or connect with him on Twitter @dannydcarlson
  • Vice President Election. The 2018 NAESP Vice President Election will be open from March 20 – March 30. Look for your customized ballot in your email on March 20. In the meanwhile, learn more about the two candidates, Kimbrelle Barbosa Lewis and Thomas Payton. Visit naesp.org/2018-naesp-election to learn more.

If you are not a current NAESP member, please accept my personal invitation to join our family of principals, assistant principals, and other administrators. NAESP is the only national association committed to serving elementary and middle-level school leaders. Our unwavering commitment is to enhance our advocacy efforts and impactful support that we currently provide and to offer innovative and inspired products and services—all delivered with un-paralleled service. We put you, our members, at the forefront of everything we do.

If I, or our team of dedicated professionals at NAESP, can be of service to you, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thanks for being a part of the NAESP family and best wishes for a successful school year.