A Matter of Principals

Association of Washington School Principals
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A Matter of Principals is the podcast from AWSP, the Association of Washington School Principals. We exist to support principals and the principalship in the education of all students. We believe strong leaders create strong schools and strong students. Join us.

  1. 02/28/2025

    Legislative Update for February 28, 2025: Budget Challenges, Key Bills, OSPI Disclipline Rules Updates, and a Call for Action for Simple Majority for Bonds

    Roz's update dives into this past week in the Legislature, including budget challenges, key education bills on the move (or getting cut), and what’s next as lawmakers shift focus to floor votes. Plus, we’ll cover OSPI’s discipline rule changes and an urgent call to action for simple majority bonds.

    22 min

  2. 12/18/2024

    AWSP TV: 2025 Session Preview with Sen. Wellman

    Join Roz Thompson, AWSP's Director of Government Relations, in an engaging conversation with Senator Lisa Wellman, Chair of the Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee. In this episode, they discuss essential topics for the upcoming legislative session, including funding for basic education, special education, transportation, mental health support, and operations costs. Senator Wellman also shares insights on potential new legislation and her commitment to addressing family crises and school support systems. Stay informed about the latest in education policies and how they impact principals and assistant principals across the state. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:48 Senator Wellman's Legislative Insights 02:05 Special Education and Transportation Funding 03:30 Operational Costs and MSOC 04:58 Student Initiatives and EpiPen Legislation 07:41 Parents Bill of Rights and LGBTQ+ Support 09:18 Addressing Anti-Semitism and Student Safety 10:55 Support for Principals and School Leadership 15:36 Concluding Remarks and Appreciation Special Guest: Sen. Lisa Wellman.

    17 min

  3. 02/24/2023

    The 2023 Principal Bills: Why These Bills and Why Now?

    For 51 years, AWSP has supported principals and assistant principals (the individuals) and the principalship (the profession) in the education of each and every student. We exist to support principals as a means to the same goal we all have in K-12 education: for all of our students to have hope. Today, we find ourselves in one of the most challenging spots in the history of our association, specifically regarding the two “principal bills", Senate Bills 5085 and 5175. It seems like the winds are shifting on these bills by the hour, but there’s been one constant: we find ourselves between a rock and a hard place. Many of our principals and assistant principals across the state want us to keep pushing for 5085 to pass in its original form. On the other hand, we have some districts, superintendents, partners, and school boards in opposition and with varying levels of frustration. AWSP is one of the strongest principals’ associations in the country, and our strong partnership and relationships with our districts is the driving force behind that. We know that nothing happens in a school without trust and relationships, so we’ve engaged with our partners on a path forward. {If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together} I want to be clear. Our state has phenomenal superintendents and districts who are exemplary in their support of their principals, from strong relationships and partnerships, robust contracts, clear and defined due process protocols, and provide as much support as possible coupled with reasonable expectations. And over the last few years, we’ve heard more and more appreciation, compassion, and support for our principals and assistant principals. We’re not the only voice in the room saying we need to do more to support our principals, but we don’t need the educational equivalent of thoughts and prayers; we need policies and change. We have many options for how to move forward, but doing nothing is not one of them. Let’s talk briefly about why I’m sitting here talking to this camera, and you’re wherever you are, watching or listening to me.

    15 min

  4. 02/05/2023

    The "Principal Bills" and the 2023 Session

    Executive Director Dr. Scott Seaman sits down with Roz Thompson, our Governmental Relations and Advocacy Director, to talk about our advocacy this session, specifically around SB 5085 and SB 5175. Learn more about the intent and ideas behind these bills.

    1 min

  5. 01/04/2023

    Marc Yonts: Thoughts on Leadership and Supporting a Leader in Your Life

    Welcome to another episode of A Matter of Principals. In this episode, Associate Director Kamrica Ary-Turner asks Walla Walla teacher and former head football coach Marc Yonts his advice on leadership and what family members can do to support the school leader in their life. If the last name is familiar, it's because Marc is married to Associate Director Gina Yonts. Listen in to hear Marc's wisdom and advice for leadership and supporting a school leader.

    25 min

  6. 11/30/2022

    Bernadette Ray: Who she is and how she leads!

    Meet Silas High School Principal Bernadette Ray, the only woman of color serving in Tacoma at the high school level. Learn about her, who she is, and how she leads. How she navigates through her leadership as a woman, woman of color, and day-to-day principal life. Hear how she supports and leads with her assistant principals. And lastly, she shares her big equity leadership move. Podcast Principal Tips: * Reflect, Reflect, and Reflect Again * Student Voice * Teacher Voice * Transparent and honest communication with the school community * Compliment with an "I" not an "E" Nuggets to think about: * How is your team calibrating? * What's your admin team rhythm? * How do you receive feedback? * What helps prepare a leader to be a Principal? Episode Links * Native American Heritage Month (https://www.firstnations.org/news/how-to-celebrate-native-american-heritage-month/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA1ZGcBhCoARIsAGQ0kkpJtayouH8OCOVgjYznxHpEsdva21hGgjU8lLWiz4zcyMkJdNPu7PsaAuczEALw_wcB) * Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum Resources (https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/resources-subject-area/time-immemorial-tribal-sovereignty-washington-state/tribal-sovereignty-curriculum-resources) * Silas High School (https://silas.tacomaschools.org) * AWSP (https://awsp.org/) — The Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) provides support, resources, and professional development for building leaders. Member please login to your account and visit the AWSP Online Learning (Path LMS) to watch the videos on the School Leader Paradigm (https://www.pathlms.com/awsp/courses/18840). Special Guest: Bernadette Ray.

    40 min

  7. 10/20/2022

    AWSP TV: Get to Know Kamrica Ary-Turner

    We're back in the studio for another episode of AWSP TV. Our special guest this time is one of our own, Kamrica Ary-Turner! Kamrica is one of our newest directors. Hired to support the ESD 121 and 189 regions, her impact is sure to be felt across the state. Watch the episode to learn more about Kamrica and her work here at AWSP. Special Guest: Kamrica Ary-Turner.

    30 min
  8. My Disability Roadmap with Dan and Samuel Habib

    08/02/2022

    My Disability Roadmap with Dan and Samuel Habib

    In this podcast, My Disablity Roadmap Co-Directors Samuel Habib and Dan Habib introduce the 23-minute film that recently appeared in the New York Times. Following the film's audio, Dan interviews Samuel about his education, post-secondary transition, the process of making the film, and more. The podcast also features an extended conversation between Samuel and with one of his “mentors” featured in the film, comedian and actor Maysoon Zayid. Special Guests: Dan Habib and Samuel Habib.

    57 min
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About

A Matter of Principals is the podcast from AWSP, the Association of Washington School Principals. We exist to support principals and the principalship in the education of all students. We believe strong leaders create strong schools and strong students. Join us.

Information

  • Creator
    Association of Washington School Principals
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2025
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Association of Washington School Principals
  • Show Website
    A Matter of Principals