Howard, Wis. – In a surprise presentation at his school, the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators named Paul Hermes of Bay View Middle School as the winner of this year’s Associate Principal of the Year Award.
The Wisconsin Associate Principal of the Year program recognizes an Associate Principal whose leadership has resulted in improved student learning, instructional collaboration, and a safe and positive school environment. Nominations come from fellow administrators, school board members, teachers, students, or parents. Criteria for being chosen to represent the state’s school associate principals include a commitment to personal excellence; collaborative leadership; personalization; curriculum, instruction, and assessment; and being an established and respected member of the community.
Hermes has been associate principal at Bay View Middle School for six years. During that time, he has created and led an effort to introduce data collection and analysis to help make data-informed decisions. He has also created the Harbor Program, which offers academic, social, emotional, and behavioral supports that help ensure that students with special needs succeed.
“The Wisconsin Associate Principal of the Year program recognizes an Associate Principal whose leadership has resulted in improved student learning, instructional collaboration, and a safe and positive school environment. This award is personified in the collective work of Paul Hermes,” said Bay View Principal Steve Meyers. “There is not a person I know who is as passionate and hard-working as Paul, doing the right things the right way for students and teachers in schools.”
The Associate Principal of the Year Selection Committee is made up of representatives from the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, the Department of Public Instruction, Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, Wisconsin Association of School Boards, and Wisconsin PTA. Major support comes from the Meemic Insurance Company.
Mr. Hermes will formally accept a plaque at the State Associate Principal Conference on January 28 in Madison. In addition, he will receive a check for $1,000, to be used for a project at his school. Finally, Mr. Hermes will represent Wisconsin at the national principals’ convention in Orlando, Florida in February, where the 50 national Associate Principals of the Year will be honored.
“It is a tremendous honor to recognize school leaders with this annual award,” said Jim Lynch, Executive Director of the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators. “Wisconsin has a rich and very proud tradition of outstanding school leaders. Paul Hermes represents the great work associate principals do throughout the state.”
