Carlos Gonzalez is Our 2023 Annalee Braley Membership Award Winner

OLYMPIA –– The Association of Washington School Principals is honored to present AWSP member and friend Carlos Gonzalez as the second-ever Annalee Braley Membership Award winner. Carlos is the principal at McFarland Middle School in the Othello School District.

The Annalee Braley Membership Award was created in 2022 to honor the memory of former AWSP Membership Coordinator Annalee Braley, who passed away tragically and unexpectedly in September 2021. Annalee started at AWSP when she was just 19 years old and was about to cross over to 32 years of service at AWSP in various roles. Annalee was one of the biggest reasons AWSP has the strongest membership in the country year after year.

Carlos Gonzalez embodies everything that AWSP represents. His passion for being the best leader he can be and serving kids shines through in everything he does. He's humble, kind, puts what is best for others before his own needs, and has truly dedicated himself to the kids in his school.

Not only does he work tirelessly to serve McFarland’s students and staff, but he gives back and contributes to AWSP and the principalship across the state. Carlos has served on our Professional Learning Advisory Council, represented AWSP as the chair of the AWSP/WASA Summer Conference, was an active AWSP-trained mentor this past year, and has testified on multiple bills before the Legislature.

A product of the Othello School District after graduating from Othello High School in 1995, he is entering his 22^nd year in education. This will be his second year as principal of McFarland Middle School. After Gonzalez was named the principal of McFarland, Othello Superintendent Pete Perez said, “He has a hunger for the work. He’s not afraid of it. You look for someone who has the hunger and desire…this job is difficult. It’s the right time for him and for the school. I’m excited for what’s going to happen for the kids at McFarland.”

It's because of his hunger and desire to improve outcomes for others that he is our 2023 Annalee Braley Membership Award Winner.

Download the press release as a PDF.