OLYMPIA – When Ann Schlotfeldt-Spratt first began as principal at Icicle River Middle School in 2000, she was already thinking five years beyond her start date. Her goal: to make the school a model for others in the state.

Five years and many hours of hard work later, Schlotfeldt-Spratt has helped her students and staff achieve this goal—and more. Icicle River is now first and second in reading and math for comparable schools. Under her leadership, the school has also seen its achievement on assessments like the Washington Assessment of Student Learning steadily increase over five years’ time. The school’s overall environment has changed, as well, becoming more focused on academic achievement by engaging staff in problem-solving and focusing on professional development.

For these efforts and more, Schlotfeldt-Spratt has been named the 2005 Middle Level Principal of the Year by the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) and its middle level component, the Association of Washington Middle Level Principals (AWMLP).

Ann has demonstrated an exceptional level of leadership both among her peers and within her building as the catalyst for deep, sustained change,” said Jody Scott, director of middle level programs for AWSP. “It was clear to those on the selection committee that Ann’s efforts have transformed Icicle River into a learning culture, where students and staff are oriented toward the same goal: success for all,” she said. “We could not be more pleased with our award selection this year, and are eager to help her celebrate this accomplishment with her colleagues, students, staff and the community.”

Schlotfeldt-Spratt was selected from four finalists by a panel of middle-level principals from across the state. Each year, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) recognizes outstanding secondary school leaders who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students. The program honors principals who have demonstrated excellence in the areas addressed by the selection criteria, including:

·      Educational leadership – Implementation of strategies for improving teaching and learning by putting programs and improvement efforts into action;
·      Problem-solving skills – Demonstration of time management skills, resolution of short- and long-term objectives and awareness of current education issues;
·      Staff and self-development – Commitment to continued professional growth, teaching of others and fostering creativity; and
·         Community service – Involvement in the community in the life of the school and use of community resources for students.

“Ann’s leadership has been instrumental in transforming Icicle River Middle School into a model for other schools across the state,” said Dr. Rob Clark, superintendent, Cascade School District. “We are so very fortunate to have someone like Ann at work in our district. She has been a leader not only in her building, but across the educational community, helping her colleagues and staff do what is best for children.”

With an educational career spanning 30 years, Schlotfeldt-Spratt has been a teacher, counselor, assistant principal and principal in a variety of schools across the state. Schlotfeldt-Spratt has been a school administrator for eight years, including the past five as principal of Icicle River. Prior to joining Icicle River, she served as assistant principal at Keithley Middle School in the Tacoma Public Schools.   

Schlotfeldt-Spratt holds a master’s in education from Springfield College in Massachusetts. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Marylhurst College in Oregon. She has also completed post-graduate work at such universities as the University of Utrecht (Dutch language immersion), Ball State, Loyola Marymount, St. Martin’s, the University of Puget Sound and Harvard.

Schlotfeldt-Spratt will be officially honored at the Association’s 2005 K-12 Conference this October in Spokane. As the state winner, Schlotfeldt-Spratt will go on to represent Washington at the national level, as one of more than 50 nominees for the national award. Each state, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity and the Department of State’s Overseas Schools select one middle level and one high school principal. From these state winners, six finalists (three middle level, three high school) are selected and eligible for the National Principal of the Year award.

For more information on the National MetLife/NASSP Principal of the Year program, visit www.principals.org.