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Elementary School Principals Association of Washington (ESPAW)

The Elementary School Principals Association of Washington is one of three AWSP component boards and is comprised of practicing elementary principals from around Washington state. ESPAW is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of an executive committee, regional directors and ex-officio members as directed by the ESPAW Bylaws.

The Board meets four times per year in various locations throughout the state:

• In January, in conjunction with all component and AWSP Board meetings January 25, 2009 Minutes
• In May, in conjunction with the AWSP/WSPEF meetings April 24-25, 2009 Minutes
• In June, in conjunction with the AWSP/WASA Summer Conference June 28, 2009 Minutes
• In October, in conjunction with AWSP's Principals' Conference October 17-18, 2009 Minutes

The executive committee includes a president, president-elect, past president, treasurer, east side vice president, west side vice president, NAESP representative, three-year AWSP representative and the ESPAW Director.

Regional directors are selected by members in each of the 18 geographic regions across the state. Directors serve a three-year term for a maximum of two terms. They disseminate information from the Board meetings to their regional members. Regional Directors have access to regional activity funds to assist with local programming.

• Regional Map
• Duties and Responsibilities of Regional Directors

Ex-officio members consist of the two co-chairs to the Resource Committee, an OSPI liaison, ESPAW support staff coordinator and any ESPAW members who currently serve on national boards or committees.

The Elementary School Principals Association of Washington believes that the child is the focal point of the education program and that education in our society must assist each child. The Association commits its efforts and resources to assure that each child shall have an equal opportunity.

ESPAW's purposes are:     

• To improve the educational opportunities for the boys and girls in the elementary schools of the state of Washington.
• To enhance the image of the elementary school principal as an educational leader and to promote greater recognition of the professional skill and performance demanded by the position.
• To assist principals in fulfilling their leadership responsibilities in elementary schools.
• To enhance the unique and harmonious professional relationships between elementary school principals and elementary school teachers.
• To furnish opportunities for principals to exchange professional ideas and materials.
• To work for professional conditions that will enable principals to function properly as leaders in their schools and communities.
• To encourage professional growth through special assignments, creative work, and study among principals in their local areas.

ESPAW Resource Committee

The Resource Committee is comprised of representatives from each of 18 regions across the state of Washington. Each committee member serves a three-year term. Co-chairs are selected by committee members, one from the east side and one from the west side. The committee meets three times a year (fall, winter and spring), and its main purpose is to be a resource to principals.

National Distinguished Principals Program

The National Distinguished Principals Program is a program to recognize excellence among elementary school principals. It is jointly sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals in corporate partnership with AIG VALIC. Click here to view the 2009 regional winners. Each year the regional winners are recognized at the ESPAW annual business luncheon held in conjunction with AWSP's principals' conference.

Nominees are selected at the regional level. To nominate a colleague, please contact your regional director. If you are unsure of who your regional director is, please e-mail Cris Sippel. Regional directors actively solicit nominees between October and early December. For more information about this program, please contact Paula Quinn.

• Timelines for 2009-10
• Nomination Form
• Eligibility criteria

2010 ESPAW Election

The Elementary School Principals Association of Washington will hold it's annual Board election in October. An online ballot, administered by Zoomerang, will be sent to ESPAW members the week after the Principals' Conference. Open positions include President-elect and Vice President.

• 2010 Election Candidates
• Duties and responsibilities of President-elect
• Duties and responsibilities of Vice President (East & West)

Last Updated: 12/04/2009