June 25, 2012

Contact: Linda Farmer, APR | Director of Communications
Association of Washington School Principals
O: 360.357.7951 | C: 253.232.2891
lindaf@awsp.org

OSPI’s Michaela Miller Earns AWSP’s President’s Award

She earned the award for her work on the new Teacher Principal Evaluation Program

OLYMPIA – Association of Washington School Principals President Jim Rudsit today honored Michaela Miller with the 2012 AWSP President’s Award. Miller manages the Teacher Principal Evaluation Program (TPEP) for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The Olympia resident earned the award for her efforts in advancing TPEP, which was created by the Washington State Legislature in 2010.

“Michaela didn’t have an easy job,” said Rudsit, who is principal at Purdy Elementary (Peninsula School District). “She had to get a whole host of different education organizations—some with competing interests—to work together for a common goal. We’ve come far since the original legislation and she’s the main reason,” he said.

The President’s Award is given to a person outside the association who has advocated on behalf of principals and the principalship in Washington state.

Miller was one of the state’s first 100 National Board Certified teachers. Five years ago she moved from her teaching and department chair position at River Ridge High School in the North Thurston School District to head up OSPI’s National Board Certification for Teachers program. Under her leadership, Washington has become one of the country’s top producers of nationally certified teachers. And it is very much due to her influence that Washington state was chosen as a pilot for the National Board Certification for Principals Program.

Two years ago, she was chosen to lead TPEP for OSPI. Under her tenure, she has advanced this revolutionary new evaluation process that will result in a more growth-oriented system for principals and teachers

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About the Association of Washington School Principals
The Association of Washington School Principals is a professional association serving principals, assistant principals and principals in training. Formed in 1972, the association now includes more than 3,400 members from public and private elementary, middle and high schools statewide. It is governed by a board of practicing principals drawn from three grade-specific boards representing the elementary, middle and high school levels. For more information, visit www.awsp.org.