OAESP Association Updates

Glen Abshere, OAESP Executive Director

Membership

OAESP membership continues to grow this year. OAESP has 842 members. Of those 842 members, 179 of those members are new to OAESP this year. Thank you for being a member of OAESP!

NAESP National Leaders Conference

The Annual NAESP National Leaders Conference was held February 26-29, 2023 in Washington, D.C. Attending this year was OAESP President Janalyn Taylor, OAESP President-Elect Traci Newell, State Rep and Federal Relations Officer Julie Bloss, and OAESP Executive Director Glen Abshere. We had great visits with the Oklahoma Senators and Congressional Representatives to promote public education.

OAESP Amended Constitution and Bylaws

The OAESP Constitution and Bylaws was amended to update some language to current practice. Thank you to those that voted. It passed unanimously.

TeleLEAD

TeleLEAD is wrapping up its 3rd year. We averaged 33 participants this year. TeleLEAD will return in September 2023.

OAESP Presidential Election

The OAESP Presidential election took place in February. Tara Burnett, Principal of Highland Park Elementary School, Woodward Public Schools was voted as the next OAESP President-Elect. She will begin her role as PresidentElect in July.

OAESP Principal of the Year Program

The OAESP Principal of the Year program honors outstanding elementary and middle-level principals who ensure that America’s children acquire a solid foundation for lifelong learning and achievement. The OAESP Administrator of the Year/National Distinguished Principal (NDP) application packet was sent to 11 nominees. The NDP selection committee reviewed and scored the application packets and narrowed the list to the top three candidates. The NDP Committee conducted school visits last month. The committee interviews the principal, a committee of teachers and a committee of parents and community members. The site visit also includes a tour of the school. The results after conducting the site visits are:

■ Oklahoma Principal of the Year – Danielle Patterson, Principal of Ethel Reed Elementary School, Holdenville Public Schools

■ Oklahoma Principal of Excellence – Darren Nelson, Principal of Westwood Elementary School, Stillwater Public Schools

■ James R. Burnette Distinguished Principal – Jeff Gibe, Principal of Jay Elementary School, Jay Public Schools

NAESP National Conference

The NAESP National Conference will be held this summer in National Harbor, Maryland. The conference is July 10-12, 2023. Some of the speakers include Houston Kraft, Co-Founder of Character Strong; Joanne McEachen, CEO and Founder of Learner First; and Freeman Hrbowski, III, President Emeritus of the University of Maryland. Registration is now open. ■