ESD Supe Elected as Next President of State School Administrators Association

The Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) has elected Michael Nelson, superintendent of , as president-elect for 2012–13, said a press release Friday.

Nelson has been an active member of WASA and has served in a variety of association positions, including serving as WASA’s Region 110 president in 2011–12.

“I am both humbled and honored to serve our membership as WASA president-elect," Nelson said. "This is a time of great change in public education in our state and nation. I look forward to leading collaboratively among all our members and facilitating partnerships with other agencies and organizations around a united vision to improve student learning, influence decision-makers on education issues, and develop leadership capacity in Washington State.”

As president, Nelson’s goals are to ignite a passion among all WASA members to:

• Create an unwavering focus on leading staff to improve student achievement.
• Advocate and influence decision-makers on both funding and instructional initiatives at the state and national levels.
• Collaborate and partner with organizations to unite efforts in meeting our mission.
• Celebrate and promote the great work of educators across our state.

Nelson started his career in 1985 as a teacher for Orting School District. He went on to become an assistant principal for Sumner School District in 1992, a principal in 1993 for Federal Way Public Schools, and a director of curriculum for Federal Way in 1997. In 1999, his career took him to Enumclaw School District, where he became an assistant superintendent. Since 2007, Nelson has been the superintendent of Enumclaw School District.

Nelson received his Superintendent Credential from Seattle Pacific University in 2005, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration in 1987 from Pacific Lutheran University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Pacific Lutheran University in 1985.

There are more than 1,100 WASA members across the state who are education administrators in central office, building management, and educational agency positions. A not-for-profit organization, WASA is funded by membership dues and association events.

Nelson will assume the presidency in July 2013, following the term of the current president, Dr. Paul Sturm, superintendent of Pullman School District.