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About Us
About Us
Since 1969, CLAS has focused on children by providing school administrators with the professional learning and resources needed to advance public education in Alabama.
CLAS History
History, mission, and organizational structure of CLAS
Executive Committee
The CLAS executive committee serves as officers on the CLAS Board of Directors
Board of Directors
These individuals serve as voting members on the CLAS Board of Directors
CLAS Staff
View the members of our staff
Affiliate Presidents
Leaders of CLAS affiliate organizations
CLAS Past Presidents
View the list of individuals who have served as CLAS president
CLAS Merchandise
Get the CLAS logo on a variety of items including shirts, hats, and more.
Contact Us
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Professional Learning
Professional Learning
CLAS and its affiliates provide numerous professional learning opportunities throughout the year.
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Affiliates
Affiliates
CLAS is an umbrella organization serving twelve different affiliate organizations.
AAESA
Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators
AASSP
Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals
AAMSP
Alabama Association of Middle School Principals
AAPASS
Alabama Association for Prevention, Attendance and Support Services
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Business Partners
Business Partners
Our corporate partners and sponsors are vital to the success of our organization. Check out our partners when considering a vendor for a project, or if you are a partner, please consider being a part of our organization.
Sponsors
View organizations that go above and beyond in their support of CLAS, its affiliates, and its membership
Partnership Benefits
View benefits of being a CLAS partner
Partnership Directory
Looking for a vendor to help with an upcoming project, check our list of CLAS supporters first
Exhibit Opportunities
Showcase your products and services with CLAS and its affiliate organizations
Advertising
Check out our advertising opportunities which include a quarterly publication as well as banner ads
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Awards
Awards
CLAS and its affiliate organizations offer many different awards and recognition programs for current school administrators, students, schools, school systems, and programs.
Administrator Awards
Awards for individuals who already serve in an administrative capacity
Scholarships
Student scholarships offered by CLAS affiliates
Banner Schools/Schools of Distinction
Outstanding educational programs which serve as models across the state of Alabama
CLAS Leadership Award
Awarded to a CLAS member who exhibits outstanding leadership in their affiliate or at the state level.
Other Awards
Awards and recognition programs for entities other than schools, students, and administrators
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Membership
Membership
The Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools was founded in 1969 by administrators and for administrators. We focus on high quality professional learning, networking, legal defense, advocacy, communication, and recognition for Alabama's school leaders.
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Communications
Communications
CLAS offers its members various communications to help them stay informed about educational matters including upcoming events, legislation, State Board of Education, CLAS news, affiliate news, and so much more.
CLAS Publications
Our quarterly CLAS School Leader magazine
The PrincipAL Truth Podcast
A podcast by Dr. Vic Wilson featuring school leadership themes
News
CLAS and affiliate news and press releases
Members-Only Communications
Friday Update, Main Idea Book Summary, State Board of Education Updates, Legislative Updates, Affiliate Newsletters -
Advocacy
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Calendar
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Mentoring
Communications
News
District Nominees for Alabama's NAESP National Distinguished Principal Recognized
AAESA, CLAS, and Renaissance Learning proudly announce the selection of the district nominees for Alabama's NAESP National Distinguished Principal. These individuals were nominated for their outstanding contributions to educational leadership.
Nov 27, 2023
by
Alyssa Godfrey, CLAS Director of Communications
Montgomery, Ala. – November 14, 2023: The district nominees for Alabama’s NAESP National Distinguished Principal have been named by the Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators (AAESA).
Each AAESA district selects a K-8 school principal as a nominee for the Alabama NAESP National Distinguished Principal. The district nominees were recognized at an awards luncheon at the AAESA Fall Instructional Leadership Conference on November 14, 2023. The district nominees are:
District I | Mrs. Shannon McCaskey, Frances Nungester Elementary, Decatur City |
District II | Dr. Kimberly Williams, Saraland Early Education Center, Saraland City |
District III | Dr. Jami Rainey, Northridge Middle, Tuscaloosa City |
District IV | Ms. Harriette Thompkins, Wylam Elementary, Birmingham City |
District V | Mrs. Teresia Hall, Cobb Preparatory Academy, Anniston City |
District VI | Dr. Margaret Jones, Edgewood Elementary, Selma City |
District VII | Ms. Cindy Poteet, Northside Intermediate, Opelika City |
District VIII | Mrs. Misty Wilkinson, Stonebridge Elementary, Baldwin County |
District IX | Mrs. Melissa Layton, Hillcrest Elementary, Enterprise City |
District X | Mr. Clifford Porter, Monte Sano Elementary, Huntsville City |
Three finalists will be selected from the district nominees. Once the finalists have been chosen, a panel of judges will conduct a school visit with each finalist. Interviews with the finalist, teachers, parents, and community members will be a part of the overall judging process. After all site visits have concluded, the judges will reconvene to select Alabama’s NAESP National Distinguished Principal. Finalists will be selected in January and Alabama’s NAESP National Distinguished Principal will be named in spring 2024.
The Alabama NAESP National Distinguished Principal program is the state recognition program of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) National Distinguished Principal program. The Alabama program is sponsored by AAESA and Renaissance.
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About the NAESP National Distinguished Principal Award: Each year, NDPs represent Pre-K through grade 8 public schools from across the country as well as principals in U.S. private schools and those from the United States Department of Defense Office of Educational Activity and the United States Department of State Office of Overseas Schools. Public school elementary and middle-level principals are nominated by peers in their state, and final selections are made by committees appointed by each of NAESP’s state affiliate offices. Honorees from private schools and overseas schools are selected by special committees.
About AAESA and CLAS: The Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators (AAESA) is a state chapter of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) and an affiliate association of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS). CLAS is an umbrella association that serves thirteen different affiliates comprised of Alabama’s public school administrators. CLAS is dedicated to providing the framework to connect dedicated school administrators and other successful leaders with a network for professional growth and support. For more information, visit clasleaders.org.
About Renaissance: Renaissance Learning is a global leader in assessment, reading, math, and early literacy solutions for Pre-K-12 schools and districts. Renaissance Learning is the sponsor of Alabama’s NAESP National Distinguished Principal program.
Photos: View the photo gallery from the 2023 AAESA Fall Instructional Leadership Conference.