July 22, 2005
Contact:
Jocelyn McCabe, Director of Communications
Association
of Washington School Principals (AWSP)
360.357.7951
or 360.951.5269 (mobile)
jocelyn@awsp.org
Bellingham’s Clarke in the Running for National
Honors
Upcoming trip to Virginia will determine National Principal of the
Year
OLYMPIA – Bellingham High School Principal Steve Clarke is
on the verge of becoming a national celebrity of sorts.
Yesterday, Clarke was notified by the National
Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) that he is one of
three finalists for the National High School Principal of the Year
award, an honor given to only one high school principal in the nation.
NASSP and MetLife co-sponsor this annual honor for middle level and high
school principals.
This past spring, Clarke learned he was the
state’s top high school principal, as determined by the Washington
Association of Secondary School Principals, a component of the
Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP).
“I have always known that Washington
state has amazing principals, and thanks to Steve Clarke, everyone else
will soon know it too.” said Gary Kipp, AWSP executive director.
“It is really an honor to be named the state principal of the
year. To reach the national finals underscores how talented Steve really
is and how lucky we are to count him among our ranks. Whatever the final
outcome, we know that Steve and the students, teachers, staff and
community in Bellingham are all winners because of his efforts. We
wish him the best in this next round of interviews.”
As part of the nomination process, Clarke will
travel to Reston, Va., on August 15 to meet with NASSP representatives
in a one-hour interview. He will also give a 10-minute presentation to
the review panel. The winner will be announced by NASSP later this
fall.
“Steve is well known in our community as
an outstanding professional who builds strong relationships with
students, their families and staff. He has created a positive
school culture that focuses on student learning and emphasizes a sense
of belonging for every student," said Bellingham Public Schools
Superintendent Dale E. Kinsley. “He has sustained this school
culture in the five years since Bellingham High reopened and is most
deserving of this national recognition by his peers."
Each National Principal of the Year finalist
receives an award and a $1,500 grant. The National Principal of the Year
receives an award and a $5,000 grant. These grants are used to improve
learning at the recipient's school, including, but not limited to, a
special school project and/or professional development
opportunities.
Clarke’s own career has been closely tied
to the Bellingham community. His first job in education was teaching
English and drama at Bellingham High. He entered the principalship in
1993, serving first as assistant principal at Nooksack Valley Jr./Senior
High School, then back at Bellingham High. He next became interim
principal at Sehome High School, and took his current post back at
Bellingham High. As the planning principal from 1998-2000, he helped the
student body transition from a 1938 building that closed for a major
remodel in 1998 and reopened in 2000.
To learn more about the MetLife/NASSP Principal
of the Year program, visit the Web at www.principals.org. Select “Awards” then “Principal of
the Year.”
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About the Association of
Washington School Principals (AWSP)
The Association of Washington School
Principals is a professional association serving principals and
assistant principals. Formed in 1972, the Association now includes more
than 3,500 members from public and private elementary, middle and high
schools statewide. The mission of AWSP is to support principals and
assistant principals and the principalship in the education of all
students.
| Steve Clarke, Bellingham High School |
|
P (360) 357-7951 or (800) 562-6100 
