Blog
One High School’s Varied Celebration of Black History MonthÂ
February is Black History Month, and schools around the country are in the middle of celebrating the numerous contributions of African Americans to our history and culture. One of those schools is Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, CT, where Assistant Principal LaShante James, students, and staff are marking the month with a variety of...
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, School Leadership
NHS Conference Proves Valuable for Students and AdvisersÂ
Stacey Behrensmeyer, a math teacher and National Honor Society (NHS) adviser at Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, KY, brought her five officers to the recent NHS Conference in Chicago. With more than 15 years of experience as an NHS adviser at different schools, Behrensmeyer has attended national conferences in the past, but this was the...
Student Leadership
Strengthening Student Mental Health: JED and AASA Launch Innovative District InitiativeÂ
In response to the growing mental health challenges facing America's youth, The Jed Foundation (JED) and AASA, The School Superintendents Association, have joined forces to launch an initiative supporting mental health and suicide prevention in school districts nationwide. (more…)
Guest Blogs
How Our Middle School’s Week of Service Honors MLK’s LegacyÂ
Each year, students at John A. Carusi Middle School in Cherry Hill, NJ, participate in the Carusi CARES Martin Luther King Jr. Week of Service. It brings together our students in grades six through eight for a series of events aimed at helping the less fortunate in the local community. Working after school, our student...
Uncategorized
How School Leaders Can Support Immigrant Students and FamiliesÂ
School leaders have a unique role to play when it comes to supporting and partnering with immigrant families. As a leader, you can set the tone and create a vision for what kind of school community you wish to see. Of course, it’s not your job alone, but we have seen again and again that...
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, School Leadership
National Student Council Shares Insights on Gun Violence Prevention With White House and Federal Officials Â
Last month, the National Student Council (NSC) offered its recommendations on gun violence prevention and safety to White House and federal officials. In a December 17 letter, NSC President Anjali Verma writing on behalf of the NSC gave feedback on active shooter drills, mental health, and safe firearm storage. NSC is a flagship student leadership...
Education Policy, School Safety, Student Leadership
How a Dog Shaped My LeadershipÂ
Seven years ago, my family brought home a fluffy Siberian Husky named Rustam. At first, I didn’t feel connected to him. He was energetic, unpredictable, and honestly, a bit intimidating. I was unsure how to handle his wild personality and felt frustrated by his constant need for attention. (more…)
Student Leadership
The Mental Health Crisis in the Digital Age  Â
My guess is, if you’re a student reading this post, you’re on your phone. Nevertheless, however you found your way here, welcome.   (more…)
Mental Health/Wellness, Student Leadership
Five Reasons to Attend the National Student Council ConferenceÂ
Michael Flynn is the youth services coordinator for Estill County Middle School in Irvine, KY, and a longtime adviser for the school’s student council. He’ll be bringing 23 student council members to the National Student Council Conference happening January 31–February 2 in Chicago. The event is co-located with the National Honor Society Conference. Below, Flynn...
School Leadership, Student Leadership
Honoring Our Veterans and Inspiring the Next GenerationÂ
Veterans Day holds a special place in my heart, both as a school leader and as the proud son of a Vietnam Veteran. My father served honorably and later dedicated himself to community service through our local VFW post. I grew up volunteering alongside him at events like our small town’s Rodeo and Apple Festival,...
School Leadership, Student Leadership
Representing National Student Council at the White HouseÂ
Last month, Kaylyn Woods, vice president of leadership development for the National Student Council (NSC), proudly represented student leaders from across the nation during an afternoon visit to the White House. The visit October 10th visit was part of a White House event in partnership with the National Partnership for Student Success.   (more…)
Student Leadership
Student-Led Philanthropy With LLSÂ
As educational leaders, we know one thing for sure: Our students are amazing! I am happy to say that another organization, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), knows this too. During the 2023–24 school year, a group of students at New Jersey’s Burlington City High School (BCHS) partnered with LLS’s student-led, philanthropic program, Student Visionaries...
Guest Blogs
The Power of One: How a Single AP Course Can Transform Students’ FuturesÂ
Some of the benefits of Advanced Placement® (AP)—including building skills for college and career and providing an opportunity to earn college credit and placement—are familiar to many educators.  (more…)
Uncategorized
Four Scholarship Resources for NHS Members
As a member of the National Honor Society (NHS), you've already demonstrated your commitment to academic excellence, leadership, service, and character. Now, it's time to leverage your achievements and explore scholarship opportunities that can help fund your higher education. Here are four valuable scholarship resources to consider: (more…)
Student Leadership
This Pride Month Holding Space for Us All
Walking the dirt street to reach my house, I hear a homophobic slur emanate from the car driving past me. A meek 12-year-old, I rush on in fear—fear of what they would do if they knew how right they were. “How do they know?” I ask myself. “Am I too masculine? Too feminine?” My identity...
LGBTQ+, Mental Health/Wellness, Student Leadership
Students Gain National Voice Through Newly Elected Council
As the nation wrestles with critical issues from the future of education to democracy itself, student voices have been left out of the conversation—until now. NASSP recently held its first election for the newly created National Student Council. The ten students elected to the Council will advocate on behalf of millions of their peers on...
Uncategorized
Reflecting on Our Progress During Mental Health Awareness Month
My voice matters. Seeking change is welcomed. I am supported.  These three sentences best reflect my experience with NASC, NHS, and my role as a facilitator with NASSP’s Student Leadership Network on Mental Health and Well-Being.  (more…)
Mental Health/Wellness, Student Leadership
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month and Happy Endings
The month of May kicks off Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, and I am overjoyed to be writing about what this special month means to me. I think it is amazing that we have a month that celebrates the incredible achievements of leaders who come from Asian American and Pacific Islander backgrounds,...
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Student Leadership
It’s Our Turn to Lead
Maurits Acosta at the LEAD Conference in November. Photo by Allyssa Hynes/NASSP. It was close to midnight on March 7th. I stood in the East Room of the White House as a delegate representing Florida to the 62nd annual U.S. Senate Youth Program. Just a few months earlier, I walked through the very same room...
Student Leadership
Digital SAT: Connecting More Students to More Opportunities
Recently, high school students across the globe began navigating a new testing experience: the digital SAT®. (more…)
Guest Blogs