AFF I LI A T E AWAR D S
NAESP Announces National Distinguished Principal From Nebraska The Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals has elected Casey Slama as the 2021 Distinguished Principal of the Year.
SLAMA
Mr. Slama has been in education since 2001. He started out as a substitute teacher at Sidney Public Schools. From there, Casey moved onto a permanent classroom position at Gordon Elementary teaching 1st and 3rd Grade. He was then promoted to the Gordon-Rushville Rural Attendance Centers Dean of Students at Gordon-Rushville Public Schools in 2006. In 2014, Mr. Slama was hired on as the Elementary Principal at Gordon Elementary School. He has been a member of the following organizations for a number of years: Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), Nebraska Council of School Administrators (NCSA), National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE), Nebraska Coaches Association (NCA), Nebraska High School Officials Association (NHSOA), and the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).
Lori Liggett, Superintendent of Gordon-Rushville Public Schools, praised Mr. Slama stating, “Casey is committed to ensuring that every student feels welcomed, included, appreciated, and loved. He models and promotes positive interactions with students and staff alike. Mr. Slama establishes guidelines and rules that while keeping everyone safe, more importantly demonstrate the importance of treating everyone with respect. He makes having a positive relationship with each and every student in his building a priority.” Lynn Schott, a teacher at Gordon Elementary, states, “Under the leadership of Mr. Slama, our school system has initiated and encouraged many programs such as those suggested within the Danielson Model of Instruction, the Reading Mastery Program, the Red Ticket Behavior Management System, and more recently the early stages of the CHAMPS Classroom Management Program.” Casey’s colleague, Keri Homan, said, “Over the many years I have worked with Mr. Slama, he has demonstrated his commitment to education, his students, and his staff. He holds high expectations for all and keeps students at the focus of his work. Mr. Slama demonstrates that he believes it is his responsibility to promote not only his school, but all Nebraska Schools.” A Kindergarten teacher, Donna Johnson, commended Mr. Slama stating, “Every year, Mr. Slama has displayed great leadership by communicating with the staff and students. He has the ability to lead our staff to excel and to create a positive learning environment. He is an out-standing member of our small community.” Slama has previously held numerous leadership positions as part of the Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Region IV Principals Group as well as serving as a member on the NCSA Executive Board. He is also active in the community by serving as a board member on the Gordon American Legion Baseball organization, as well as being a youth sponsor at Grace Lutheran Church, a member of the Gordon Youth Baseball & Softball organization, an official for the Volunteer Youth Basketball program, and a baseball and softball coach. Casey Slama received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He also earned his Master of Arts Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Congratulations to Mr. Casey Slama for his outstanding performance as an Elementary School Principal at Gordon Elementary School. He will be considered as a candidate for the National Principal of the Year award. The Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) appreciates the contributions to the profession and is proud to name Casey Slama of Gordon Elementary School as the 2021 Distinguished Principal of the Year! ■
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NCSA TODAY WINTER 2022
