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Region Principal of the Year and Principal of the Year (POY)

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Read the Full Press Release

Dave Dershin Named 2024 AASSP Alaska Principal of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 4, 2024

The Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) is proud to announce the Alaska Principal of the Year for 2024 is Dave Dershin, principal of Randy Smith Middle School in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Principal Dershin received his Bachelor's Degree in Geology and Teaching Certificate from the University of Indiana. He completed his Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Principal Dershin has served as a Principal in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District since 2011. He served as Principal at Lathrop High School from 2011 to 2014, before becoming principal at Randy Smith Middle School.
Rick Dormer, President of AASSP, said Principal Dershin has been an exemplary leader in Alaska for many years. "His calm demeanor and caring advocacy for kids have made him an effective leader who certainly deserves this recognition as Alaska Principal of the Year." Dormer added, "It has been an honor to work with and learn from Dave through his service on the AASSP Board."
When it comes to leadership at Randy Smith Middle School Principal Dershin said, "I've always been an educator who believes in building genuine relationships with students while maintaining high expectations for all." He shared that, "Receiving this award speaks to the quality of the people I have had the honor of working with over the years."
Dr. Luke Meinert, Superintendent of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, said, "Principal Dave Dershin's selection as Alaska's Principal of the Year is a tremendous and well-deserved achievement that reflects his outstanding leadership and deep commitment to student success." Dr. Meinert added that, "Dave has a great heart for education that shines through in everything he does. We are proud to have such a dedicated, visionary principal representing the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District."
Each year, the AASSP State Principal of the Year winners are submitted for consideration to be the NASSP National Principal of the Year. Principal Dershin will travel to Washington, D.C., to represent Alaska this fall for the NASSP Principals Institute.

2024 AASSP Regional Principals of the Year

Ginger Crockett

2024 Region I Principal of the Year - Ginger Crockett - Brevig Mission School, Bering Strait School District

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Huntington David

2024 Region II Principal of the Year - David Huntington - Nenana City School, Nenana City School District

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2024 Region III Principal of the Year - Chris Brown - Homer Flex School, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

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2024 Region IV Principal of the Year - Bennetta Orchitt - Clark Middle School, Anchorage School District

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2024 Region V Principal of the Year - Molly Yerkes - Dzantik'i Heeni Middle School, Juneau School District

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2024 Region VI Principal of the Year - Dave Dershin - Randy Smith Middle School, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

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2024 Region VII Principal of the Year - Alicia Miner - Bethel Regional High School, Lower Kuskokwim School District

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Marvel photo updated

2024 Region VIII Principal of the Year - Jason Marvel - Wasilla High School, Mat-Su Borough School District

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AASSP sponsors Regional and Statewide Principal of the Year recognition programs

Region Principal & Assistant Principal of the Year Award (requires a nomination)
A call for nominations is made each January, with recognition at the Fall Principals Conference each year. Nominations should be submitted through the approved nomination application form which will be directed to the designated AASSP Region Director, who coordinates the voting/selection process for their Region.

All principals nominated for Regional Principal of the Year must be a member of AASSP/NASSP at time of nomination and selection and must have been a principal for three or more years.

Regional Principals of the Year may be nominated by anyone — students, staff, parents, district office staff or principal peers. Nominations must include a RPOY Nomination form that can be obtained by the Regional AASSP board member.

Only nominations that meet all above criteria will be included in the ballot for each region. Selection of the RPOY is made only by current AASSP members in their region.

Winners of their region’s RPOY award are encouraged to then apply for the Alaska Principal of the Year by completing the NASSP National Principal of the Year Award Application.

Alaska Principal of the Year Award (requires completion of an application)
All regional winners will be eligible to complete the Alaska State Principal & Assistant Principal of the Year Award Application. Applicants must be members of AASSP and NASSP at the time of application, and must have been a principal in a K-12, middle or high school for three years. Applicants must be a member of AASSP/NASSP at the time of recognition and meet all other criteria.

A selection committee is formed and makes final selection. The selections made for Alaska Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year are then invited to complete the NASSP application for consideration as National Principal & Assistant Principal of the Year.