PRINCIPALS MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY!
At its February meeting, the PAESSP Board of Directors
unanimously endorsed Thomas W. Sigafoos, Jr., a fellow elementary principal,
for President-Elect in the National Association of Elementary School
Principals (NAESP) 2009 Election. Mr. Sigafoos is the principal of Maple
Glen Elementary School in the Upper Dublin School District and serves as the
NAESP representative on the PAESSP Board of Directors.
Paper or electronic ballots will be sent to NAESP
(elementary) members the week of April 13th. Elementary members: please look for
your ballot and SUPPORT PENNSYLVANIA BY VOTING FOR TOM SIGAFOOS! The deadline to
cast your ballot is May 14, 2009.
Below you’ll find some background information on Mr. Sigafoos, as well as his candidate’s statement:
Education: Doctoral student, Widener University (present); Superintendent Letter, Widener University (2001); M.Ed. and Reading Specialist Certificate, East Stroudsburg University (1994); and a bachelor of arts degree, Moravian College (1989).
Professional Positions: Elementary principal, Maple Glen E.S. (2007-present); elementary principal, Colonial S.D. (1996-2007); Colonial S.D. director of federal programs (2003-2007) and teacher, Stroudsburg A.S.D. (1988-1996).
NAESP Activities: Member, (1996-present); NAESP representative (2001-2005 & 2008-present); NAESP Zone 2 director (2005-2008); NAESP Convention participant (1998-2008); NAESP Convention delegate (1998-2008); National Leaders’ Conference participant (2001-2008); PALS training, Miami, Fla. (June 2008); represented NAESP on the European Council of International Schools, Nice, France (2006); Federal Relations Conference attendee (2006); NAESP Credentials Committee member (2003 & 2004); President, Northeast Region Elementary Principals’ Council (Zones 1 & 2) (2003-2004); and NAESP Nominations Committee member (2001).
Other Professional Activities: PAESSP conference committee chairperson (2005); Southeast Pennsylvania Regional Representative on the PAESSP Board (1997-2001); Colonial Educational Administrators president (2001-2003); and PAESSP/Hershey Co. Mini-Grant chairperson (1997-2000).
Candidate’s Statement: Elementary and middle level principals are the best hope for providing children with the richest educational experiences possible. Today we are faced with many issues such as high-stakes testing, principal shortages, expanding technology, school safety, ever changing curricula and mandates that are partially funded or not funded at all. It is important that we, as a profession and an association, remain strong and diligent advocates for the children in schools across America. With a new President of the United States and other elected representatives, we must help legislators and the public see what is right in the world of public education.
Principals make a difference every day by seizing opportunities to provide the children they serve with a quality educational experience.
NAESP is a “we” not “me” organization. We cannot meet the needs of children and our members without the strong support of everyone working together. I believe that my 20 years as an educator and my people skills will help me facilitate the collaboration among individual principals, the board of directors, NAESP staff, state affiliate leaders and national educational alliances. I will always be committed to putting the needs of children and principals first while serving our association. My experience serving on the NAESP Board of Directors has given me a national perspective on education and a clearer understanding of the challenges facing NAESP and its members at this time. I would be proud to tell the stories of how my fellow principals make a difference every day in the lives of the children in their schools.
It is with energy, experience, pride and integrity that I aspire to serve my colleagues as NAESP President-Elect and I humbly ask for your vote.