ACSA’s 2011 Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year Mark Anderson has been selected to represent California as the National Association of Secondary School Administrators’ Assistant Principal of the Year.
Anderson was recognized for his work as vice principal of Nogales High School in Rowland USD, a position he held since 2006. He also had a unique split position as district learning director. He has since taken a new position as principal at Marshall Fundamental High School in Pasadena USD.
Anderson said all educational administrators work hard and give tirelessly of their time to their schools and communities, and it is important to celebrate the profession and the work they do.
“I am very humbled by this joint honor with ACSA and NASSP, and I am grateful that my membership and work with ACSA can also be connected on a national level through NASSP,” he said.
Anderson said, as the federal government addresses laws and regulations regarding education, it is more important than ever before to forge strong partnerships between both state and national organizations.
“As the federal government continues to make more decisions on a national level, it is important that we as administrators expand our voice beyond the state level to the national level as well,” he said. “It is the partnership between ACSA and NASSP that allows us to do that and have a voice with our senators and congress-men and -women who have the difficult task of making these decisions.”
Anderson is known as a leader who is dedicated to ensuring all students reach high academic levels. Always a teacher at heart, learning is at the core of everything he does. Under his leadership, Nogales High School had a 75-point growth on the API in four years, and proficiency on the CAHSEE improved by more than 10 percent.
He is also known as a collaborative leader who can effectively lead a team to carry out a shared vision of success. Under his leadership, teachers, school staff, parents and students all work together to implement innovative ideas that lead to school improvement.
As California’s finalist for the national title, Anderson will be honored at the annual State and National Assistant Principals’ Forum and Awards Galas in Washington, D.C. April 18-21.
Sponsored by Virco, the NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year program annually recognizes outstanding school leaders who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students.
These APs are acknowledged by their peers for the exemplary contributions they have made to the profession. Their leadership reflects the themes as outlined in the Breaking Ranks framework for middle level and high schools, including personal excellence; collaborative leadership; curriculum, instruction and assessment; and personalization.
For more information on the award, visit www.nassp.org.