District Five administrator honored in Washington as assistant principal of the year finalist
April 25, 2015
IRMO, SC – A Lexington-Richland School District Five administrator was honored as a finalist for a nationwide award during a recent National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) event in Washington, D.C.
Sarah Longshore, Dutch Fork High Assistant Principal for Instruction, formally received her award at the NASSP State Assistant Principals Forum, which was held April 15-17. As a state winner and national finalist, Longshore joined other state honorees and national finalists to discuss key education issues and legislation with federal policymakers.
“Receiving the South Carolina Assistant Principal of the Year award was a tremendous honor, and it was my privilege to represent Dutch Fork High School, School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties, and the state of South Carolina in Washington, D.C.,” Longshore said. “More importantly, it gave me the unique opportunity to share all of the wonderful things that are happening in our public schools and to encourage our members of Congress to pass laws that support education and school leadership.”
The NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year program recognizes outstanding middle level and high school assistant principals who have demonstrated success in leadership, curriculum, and personalization. NASSP honors all State Assistant Principals of the Year at a forum and awards luncheon held each April in Washington, D.C. This event salutes assistant principals and provides an opportunity for them to share best practices and expertise with each other.
“We were honored to have so many extraordinary assistant principals gather in Washington, D.C., to receive the attention they deserve,” said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. “Our goal is to ensure assistant principals are recognized for their work, but also to include their voices in the national conversation about education. The participation of the 2015 State Assistant Principals of the Year provided a set of strong, unified voices that were truly heard in the halls of Congress.”
The 2015 Assistant Principal of the Year selection process started in early 2015, when each NASSP-affiliated state principals association submitted their state assistant principal of the year. A panel of school leaders and educational thought leaders reduced the field to 10, from which another panel selected the three finalists. Longshore was announced a finalist in February. The two other finalists for this year’s award include Jessica Ainsworth of Lithia Springs, Ga. and Dyan Harrison of Gaithersburg, Md. The National Assistant Principal of the Year will be announced during a surprise assembly at the assistant principal’s school before the end of the school year.
Longshore is in her seventh year as assistant principal and third year as assistant principal for instruction at Dutch Fork High School, a Lexington-Richland District Five school recognized as one of the highest performing schools in South Carolina. Longshore has led the school’s extensive AP program, which successes have been measured both in high scores and in the involvement of students in all demographic areas.
During her tenure, the school implemented Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), helping to significantly reduce discipline referrals and foster a community-school environment. Longshore also began leading Dutch Fork High’s data team initiative in 2011, focusing on research-based instructional strategies that impact student growth.
“We know that leadership is second only to instruction in school-based factors that affect student achievement,” said Longshore. “So I hope that I will be able to bring attention to one of the most vital roles in ensuring the overall success of any school: the assistant principal. By investing in leadership, you invest in learning.”
