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CLAS Leadership Award
CLAS Honors Two Outstanding Leaders with the 2025 CLAS Leadership Award
For the first time in the history of the CLAS Leadership Award, two recipients have been honored at the 2025 CLAS Convention. This prestigious award recognizes exemplary school and district leaders for their outstanding service, leadership, and contributions to public education in Alabama. A committee of CLAS Board of Directors members, unable to break a tie in judging, selected Dr. Karissa Lang of Hartselle City Schools and Mr. Keith York of Opelika City Schools as this year’s co-recipients.
Dr. Karissa Lang, Principal of Crestline Elementary School, is the nominee representing the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators (AAESA). A member of CLAS since 2010 and AAESA since 2013, Dr. Lang has served in numerous leadership roles, including AAESA President, and has represented the affiliate on the CLAS Board of Directors. She is nationally and locally recognized for her achievements, including being named the 2023 National Distinguished Principal and leading Crestline Elementary to its designation as a 2024 U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School. A National Board-Certified Teacher and CLAS Certified Instructional Leader, Dr. Lang is also actively involved in her community, serving on the Hartselle City Steering Committee and her church’s leadership team.
Mr. Keith York, Director of Human Resources for Opelika City Schools, is the nominee representing the Alabama Association of Middle School Principals (AAMSP). A veteran educator, Mr. York has served as teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and now district leader. He spent many years as principal of Opelika Middle School, where he became known for his servant leadership, deep compassion, and impact on the school community. Twice named Alabama Middle School Principal of the Year, Mr. York currently serves as AAMSP President for 2024–2025, and has long played a key role in strengthening the organization’s reach and relevance. His peers describe him as a leader who “elevates everyone around him,” and his dedication to students, faculty, and school leaders across the state is widely respected.
The CLAS Leadership Award is sponsored annually by Horace Mann, a longtime CLAS partner dedicated to supporting educational excellence. At the 2025 convention, representative Yahrasiel Colbert presented $500 checks to each recipient, honoring their leadership and outstanding contributions to Alabama education.
Congratulations to Dr. Karissa Lang and Mr. Keith York on this well-earned recognition. Their impact on students, educators, and communities across the state is a powerful example of leadership in action.
Additional Leadership Award Nominees
Floyd Collins, Alabama Association for Prevention, Attendance and Support Services (AAPASS)
Seth Taylor, Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP)
Eryn Thrash, Alabama Child Nutrition Directors (ACND)
Dr. Justin Hefner, Alabama Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (AASCD)
Phillip Hazelrig, Alabama Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA)
Dr. Walter Gonsoulin, School Superintendents of Alabama (SSA)
Angela Bonds, Alabama Council of Administrators of Special Education (ALA-CASE)
Dr. Richard Templeton, Alabama Association of 504 Coordinators (ALA504)
Dennis Duncan, Alabama Association of Career/Technical Administators (ACTA)
