CharacterStrong and John Norlin

Serving Thru Professional Development - Mike Nelson

Season 05 - Episode 6

Today our guest is Mike Nelson, Assistant Executive Director for Professional Learning at the Washington Association of School Administrators. We talk to Mike about WASA and the role that it plays in Washington in supporting Administrators. He shares about the top 3 needs that his organization has heard loud and clear from educational leaders and talks about some of the ways that leaders can help meet these needs. Michael (Mike) Nelson began his career as an elementary school teacher before becoming an elementary school principal. During his time as the principal, his elementary school received a National Blue Ribbon by the U. S. Department of Education. As a district leader, he led learning initiatives in both the Federal Way and Enumclaw school districts in Washington state. In January 2007, he became the superintendent for the Enumclaw school district during which time he led several initiatives to improve the district’s cultural support and academic outcomes for Native students. In 2019, the Washington Association of School Administrators named him the Washington State Superintendent of the Year. Currently, he is the Assistant Executive Director for Professional Learning for the Washington Association of School Administrators.