Courtney Walker, the assistant principal of teaching and learning at Carrollton High School in Carrollton, GA, was recently named NASSP’s 2024 National Assistant Principal of the Year. We asked her about the honor and what it means to her and her school.
What was your reaction when you learned you had been selected?
I did not expect it. When I went to Trailblazing Leadership Week in Washington D.C., in April, where they announce the winners, I was surrounded by different educational leaders from across the country and was floored by all the innovative things they’re doing in their schools. That week was also when the National Honor Society student finalists come to see who won scholarships. Several of those kids talked about how while they were sitting in these rooms, they felt like they had imposter syndrome, where they didn’t feel like they matched up or were as good as those around them. And I thought yeah, I feel like that sometimes, too. I was definitely humbled by the experience.
Why did you decide to apply?
My principal came to me and said he really wanted me to turn in an application. Once I started it, I appreciated the application process. What I liked is that it really isn’t just my story. The application lets us really tell the story of our school and our district, and all the people that are working together to make sure that we’re prioritizing student success, from different administrators in our building to the work our teachers are doing, and even the involvement of several of our community partnerships. To me the neatest part has been to be able to tell our school’s story and our district’s story, so I feel like the award is for all of us.
What are some of the issues you have focused on as you help lead your school?
A lot of our work has been to elevate teacher voice in our building. That’s something I’m personally very passionate about, that our teachers are involved in the decision-making in our schools, and that it is a model of shared leadership. When positive change happens, it doesn’t typically come from the top down. It happens when our teachers are invested in that process. Related to that, I’m always looking at professional learning that’s tied to what teachers need and can apply in their classrooms. I’m less in favor of the approach where teachers sit and listen to a consultant who is telling them what they should do in their classroom. I really believe in elevating our teachers as experts in their field and letting them lead the professional learning for their colleagues in one area or another.
You’re also a big proponent of listening to students.
I think the biggest piece for me is student voice and trying to figure out how we get kids in the conversation as well, especially in high school settings. We’re very passionate about customized learning for students. I want kids plugged into courses and curriculum and extracurricular activities that they’re passionate about. I believe in kids not just graduating but also learning some leadership development skills so they can be successful in their communities. That’s really the next step for us in terms of professional development in our building: getting students to help lead the professional learning for teachers, because I think when you have a diverse group of students who can clearly articulate some interests and needs, then it’s important for the adults to be responsive to that.
Is winning this award a big deal for you and your district?
Any time our staff or students are recognized, it’s a big deal here. Our district does a great job of recognizing all the accomplishments of our teachers and our leaders and our students. Getting an opportunity to share locally and outside of our community about our great school is a blessing. I also want to say just how wonderful NAASP has been from start to finish, from the organization of Trailblazing Leadership Week to the way the application process was set up and the effort they put into recognizing school leaders. Lots of times we do a lot of work to recognize teachers through Teacher Appreciation Week. But sometimes administrators are overlooked so I appreciate the efforts on behalf of the organization to do that.