AP of the Year – AASSP
2025 AASSP Assistant Principal of the Year - Tabitha Blades
Tabitha Blades has been named the 2025 Assistant Principal of the Year by the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP). She is also recognized as the 2025 Alaska Region III Assistant Principal of the Year.
The AASSP Assistant Principal of the Year program annually recognizes outstanding middle level and high school assistant principals who have successfully provided high-quality learning opportunities for students. In addition, these assistant principals are acknowledged by their peers for the exemplary contributions they have made to the profession.
AASSP President Rick Dormer said, “Tabitha is a strong, effective leader who positively connects with the students at Soldotna High School. She has passionately worked for a healthy and safe student body in her multiple years working at SOHI." Dormer added, "This is a well-deserved recognition for Mrs. Blades and the community of Soldotna.”
Assistant Principal of the Year Award (requires a nomination)
A call for nominations is made each fall, with recognition at the Fall Principals Conference each year. Nominations should be submitted through the approved nomination application form which will be directed to the designated AASSP Region Director, who coordinates the voting/selection process for their Region.
All principals nominated for Regional Assistant Principal of the Year must be a member of AASSP/NASSP at time of nomination and selection and must have been an assistant principal for two or more years.
Regional Assistant Principals of the Year may be nominated by anyone — students, staff, parents, district office staff or principal peers. Nominations must include a RPOY Nomination form that can be obtained by the Regional AASSP board member.
Only nominations that meet all above criteria will be included in the ballot for each region. Selection of the Regional APOY is made only by current AASSP members in their region.
Winners of their region’s Regional APOY award are encouraged to then apply for the Alaska Assistant Principal of the Year by completing the NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year Award Application.