Two Alaska Principals Named 2012 Alaska Principal of the Year

A panel of statewide judges has selected Greg Wohlman, principal of George Morgan Jr/Sr HS in Kalskag as the 2012 Alaska Middle School Principal of the Year and Cheryl Huber, Principal of S.A.V.E High School in Anchorage as the 2012 Alaska High School Principal of the Year. The Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals sponsors the Principal of the Year Recognition each year. Applicants were scored based on their accomplishments and completion of the rigorous MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year application. The application involved writing a reflective written essay on their school improvement efforts using the NASSP Breaking Ranks Framework, including topics such as Collaborative Leadership; Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment; and Personalization. Wohlman has served as assistant principal in 2007-08 at Gamble School in the Bering Straits School District, and has served in current position since 2008 as Principal of George Morgan MS/HS in Kalskag. Kalskag is in the Kuspuk School District. Wohlman serves as principal of three school sites in the villages of Kalskag and Lower Kalskag, each school separated by several miles. Wolmans leadership has allowed his staff to overcome early challenges of high staff turnover, low-test scores, low school attendance, and low parent participation in his high poverty community. When he arrived in Kalskag, Wohlman began focusing his efforts on school improvement, as many students in the school scored only in the high teens on statewide assessments. His Colleague Susan Hubbard, an upriver principal in the Kuspuk School District describes Wohlman as having a laser like focus that allows him to each day work thoughtfully and efficiently. While maintaining a focus on students first, using data to guide quality instruction, and making the curriculum relevant for each students needs, the result has been higher achieving students, stronger staff, and a learning environment where students are now thriving. Kuspuk Superintendent Brad Allen states, Greg exemplifies what it means to be a bush principal, hard work, caring for his students and staff and an endless desire to do what is best for kids. Huber has served in various administrative roles in the Anchorage School District for 13 years, including assistant principal (Whaley School 1999-2004)), and Curriculum Principal (West HS 2004-2007), before becoming principal in 2007 at S.A.V.E. HS. S.A.V.E HS is an alternative high school in the Anchorage School District that combines an academic curriculum and vocational training for students. A majority of S.A.V.E. students are 17 to 19 years old, many without the traditional family supports needed to ensure success. Hubers staff strives to understand student basic needs so they may provide appropriate basic physical, social, academic and social supports.

Two Alaska Principals Named 2012 Alaska Principal of the Year

In Hubers application for Principal of the Year, she shared this strongly held belief; My most important role as educational leader is to create an environment that allows others to develop an environment that allows others to develop their full potential and be teachers of excellence in a team environment. Hubers application contained many examples of how her vision permeates every aspect of S.A.V.E.s learning environment for students. King Career Center Assistant Principal Craig Walker shared, Cheryls reach is FAR and the results many She is exceptional. Superintendent Carol Comeau shared that Cheryl Huber has wide respect among her peers, and the administration, for tenacious advocacy and commitment to some of Anchorages most challenging and disenfranchised students . Wohlman and Huber are now eligible as candidates for recognition as the 2013 MetLife/NASSP National Middle School and High School Principal of the Year. They will attend a special State and National Principals Institute and Awards Banquet in Washington D.C in September 2012, where the Middle and High School Principals of the Year for all fifty states will share their expertise among peers and national leaders in education.