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Newhalen School Principal Ed Lester has been named Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) Region VII Principal of the Year. Newhalen School is in the Lake and Peninsula School District, where he has served for 12 years.
AASSP sponsors regional and statewide Principal of the Year recognition awards to honor the educational leaders who play such a pivotal role in student success. They may be nominated by anyone – students, staff, parents, district office staff or principal peers - with awards finalized by AASSP members in their region. Regional Principals of the Year are eligible to be in the running for the statewide Alaska Principal of the Year.
Kacy Leyba, LPSD Student Services Coordinator, said, "Mr. Lester is an outstanding student advocate and constantly pursues family and community engagement, both for his own school and LPSD." She added, "As an alumni of Newhalen School he is a role-model for our students on a multitude of levels."
Superintendent Kasie Luke congratulated Principal Lester on his recognition saying, "I extend my congratulations to Mr. Paul "Ed" Lester on being recognized as Regional Principal of the Year. This honor reflects the dedication and hard work educators across our district bring to their schools daily."
Rick Dormer, AASSP President, said, "Our Alaska Regional Principals of the Year are hard-working leaders who have made purposeful, positive impacts on the lives of students, staff and the communities in which they work."
Dormer congratulates the 2025 AASSP Regional Principals of the Year saying, "I'm proud to be colleagues with these exceptional leaders. Thank you for serving our schools in such an excellent manner."
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