For the first time, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has named a New Jersey Vice Principal as the National Assistant Principal of the Year – our own Brad Currie, Vice Principal of Black River Middle School in Chester.
As we celebrate the accomplishments of all assistant principals this week for the vital role they play in ensuring a positive climate and culture in our schools where students can learn and thrive, this award represents a recognition of all of the more than 1,250 NJPSA members who serve as assistant principals in New Jersey, making indispensable contributions to our administrative teams. As a true leader in this field, Brad Currie is most deserving of this national award.
A well-known and respected educator, presenter, author, and innovator, Brad Currie has led several programs at Black River, including a 1:1 Chromebook initiative, Makerspace, Google Apps for Education, and an EdCamp-style in-service day focusing on technology integration. He also relies on the student voice to improve the Chromebook environment through the Chromebook Committee, the Student Roundtable, and the Tech Detectives Club. He is the author of three books — All Hands on Deck: Tools for Connecting Educators, Parents, and Communities; Personalized PDS: Flipping Your Professional Development; and 140 Twitter Tips for Educators. He is also a Google Certified Trainer, a Google Certified Educator, and an Adjunct Professor at Drew University.
A leader and advocate for the use of social media in education, Brad is the co-founder (along with Scott Rocco) of #SATCHAT, a weekly Twitter chat for educational leaders to collaborate, pose questions, and share expertise, while expanding their own Personal Learning Network (PLN). Every Saturday morning, participants from around New Jersey, around the country, and around the world log in to Twitter and follow the hashtag #SATCHAT to join in the conversation. In addition, Brad has presented in the “Social Media Lounge” over the past several years at the NJPSA Fall Conference, teaching fellow members how to best use all of the social media platforms in their schools and districts.
Brad will receive his national award at the NASSP Conference in Philadelphia in July and the NJPSA Award at our Fall Conference in Long Branch in October.
Edweek article on Brad Currie – Assistant Principal of the Year