OAESP/OMLEA

Will Parker, OASSP/OMLEA Executive Director

OASSP/OMLEA Combined Conference

Even amidst snow cancellations, our annual conference was able to provide a modified schedule for both in-person and virtual guests by live-streaming our keynote events on February 23-24 at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center in Edmond. February 23 featured keynote speaker, Timothy Alexander who is a bestselling writer, award-winning speaker, and life coach who thrives at the intersection of character development, counseling, and mentorship. After a life changing car accident in 2006, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down, Timothy has embodied a “never giving up” spirit that inspires educators to do the impossible in their schools and lives. February 24 included keynote speaker Joe Sanfelippo, Superintendent of the Fall Creek School District in Fall Creek, WI, who shared on the topic “Leading with Hope and Confidence,” which includes strategies for educators who are committed to improving student outcomes by building positive school culture. In addition to great keynote speakers, both days include breakout sessions and round-table discussions from Oklahoma middle-level and secondary educators.

New Principals Academy

Elementary, Middle-Level and Secondary Principals benefited from the fourth session of CCOSA’s New Principal’s Academy held on December 9, 2021, with 55 principals completing the training. Principals received professional development in the following areas:

■ School Safety and Security with Jon Parker, OSDE Office of School Safety and Security

■ Running Effective Meetings with Chris LeGrande, Guthrie High School Principal

■ Hiring and Supporting Staff with Julie Bloss, Grove Early Childhood Center Principal

■ Human Resources Best Practices with Dana Ezell, Chief Human Resources Officer, Jenks Public Schools.

Principal’s Day at the Capitol

OASSP/OMLEA and OAESP will host a Principal’s Day at the Capitol on March 30, 2022. Building leaders will be encouraged to attend CCOSA’s legislative update meeting as well as schedule meetings with their state representatives for advocacy visits. Please encourage your principals to participate in this opportunity.

Assistant Principal of the Year Recognized

On December 7, 2021, OASSP announced Dr. Fielding Elseman, Assistant Principal at Jenks Freshman Academy, Jenks Public Schools, has been named the 2021 Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year. As assistant principal for the past eight years at Jenks Freshman Academy, Dr. Elseman helped develop the school’s ICAP program and a freshman induction program called Freshman 101. He will be recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) as a State Assistant Principal of the Year, and he is eligible to become one of three finalists to be named as contenders for the National Assistant Principal of the Year award.

NASSP Advocacy Conference

The National Association of Secondary School Principals hosted an advocacy conference February 28-March 2 in Washington, D.C. The event was attended by OASSP President David Beiler, OASSP/ OMLEA Executive Director Will Parker and OASSP State Coordinator Chris LeGrande. Participants received updates on current federal issues as well as schedule advocacy meetings to Capitol Hill with fellow school leaders from OAESP.

Advocacy Champion of the Year

During the NASSP Advocacy Conference, February 28-March 2, Chris LeGrande, Principal of Guthrie High School, was recognized as the 2022 Advocacy Champion of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. LeGrande is especially deserving given his long record of taking on important advocacy and leadership roles with the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals (OASSP) and NASSP. He serves on the OASSP Executive Committee and updates principals across Oklahoma with legislative alerts, hosts networking gatherings, and encourages his colleagues across the state to join him in raising their voices on behalf of students, school leaders, and public education. LeGrande has served as OASSP president, and in 2020 he was named Oklahoma Principal of the Year. You can read more about his award at this link: https://www. nassp.org/2022/03/01/chris- legrande-of-oklahoma-the-2022- advocacy-champion-of-the-year/

Membership

As of mid-March, OASSP membership is 875, exceeding last year’s total of 811 by 64 members. We are continuing efforts to reach new members through outreach to former members as well as campaigns to non-member principals across the state. OMLEA has 615 members representing 385 principals, 178 assistant principals, and 52 directors, deans or central office administrators. We have exceeded last year’s membership of 526 by adding 89 new members. OMLEA membership is a combination of both elementary and secondary members who also serve middle level learners. ■

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