Milwaukee – Misa Sato, assistant principal at MPS Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School, has been named National Assistant Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
Each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity, and the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools may select one assistant principal to represent their state. Of these, three finalists are named, with one being recognized as the NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year.
The announcement is part of NASSP’s Trailblazing Leadership Week, bringing together state principals and assistant principals of the year and National Honor Society Scholarship finalists to celebrate their accomplishments and connect with one another.
Earlier this year, the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA) named Misa Sato as its 2022 Wisconsin Associate Principal of the Year. Sato represented the state of Wisconsin at the National Principals Conference on April 23 in Washington, D.C., where the 50 Associate Principals of the Year from across the country were honored.
Sato was formally recognized at the Wisconsin Associate Principals Conference in January 2023. She receives $1,000 for use on a project of her choice at her high school.
Sato has served as assistant principal of Reagan High School for the past six years, and has focused on fostering a school culture based on respect and high expectations. At the same time, her leadership has emphasized student and staff well-being, with every student in her school knowing that the school values their contributions.
“This award is a well-deserved recognition of Ms. Sato’s exemplary work as an administrator within the district,” said MPS Superintendent Dr. Keith P. Posley. “Her work over the years is grounded in high standards that benefit students throughout high school and beyond.”
Over the years, Reagan High School has seen dramatic gains in student achievement. It was awarded the Wisconsin RtI Center Gold Award in Reading, Behavior, and Math in 2021 and 2022, and students are outperforming their peers statewide on a number of key measures.
“Assistant principals are leading some of the most critical and innovative programming in schools, and Misa embodies these efforts,” said NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe. “She has directly tackled the educator shortage by building career-related programming in her school and community that prepares her students to become educators, thus building a pipeline of future teachers. Reagan High is lucky to have her, and we’re grateful to have dedicated leaders like Misa who bring their passion and drive in service of their community.”
“It is a great pleasure to recognize Misa Sato, a school leader who combines incredible dedication with the skill to develop systems and the empathy to build relationships that foster student success,” said Jim Lynch, executive director of AWSA. “During her time at Reagan High School, the school has seen dramatic gains on key measures of school success. Ms. Sato rightfully deserves joining a list of outstanding school leaders who have earned this prestigious award.”
“Misa’s work with the International Baccalaureate Career Programme has been nothing short of outstanding,” said Mike Roemer, principal of Reagan High School. “She has been a driving force in ensuring our students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for success in a global context. From 2014 to 2022, the CP program grew from a cohort of thirteen students to 150 students within Reagan High School. Most recently, Misa has added an education pathway to CP, hoping to create a pipeline to future educators.”
The Wisconsin Associate Principal of the Year program recognizes an assistant 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. The selection criteria include a commitment to personal excellence, collaborative leadership, personalization, curriculum, instruction and assessment, and serving as an established and respected member of the community.
The Associate Principal of the Year Selection Committee includes representatives from the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, the Department of Public Instruction, the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators, and the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. Considerable support comes from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation.
Reagan High School is located at 4965 S. 20th St., Milwaukee, 53221.
