April 16, 2024
Sarah Swartz, News Reporter
Ginger Crockett, Principal of Brevig Mission School has earned the title of AASSP Region 1 Principal of the Year. Crockett has spent the entirety of her career in education serving students at Brevig Mission School, a school in the Bering Strait School District (BSSD).
Crockett’s ascension to Principal at Brevig Mission School followed years of observing the school’s high turnover rate with principals. While raising four children and working full time as the school secretary, Crockett worked on earning her teaching degree, eventually earning enough credits to be eligible for a Principal position.
“I just took a class, and I took another class. And then before I knew it, I had the stuff to become a Principal. Another Principal left, [so] I said, ‘maybe I’ll just apply.’” Crockett said.
Crockett credits her nomination to her fellow educators and staff at Brevig Mission School, where she has served as Principal since 2014.
“It’s a really challenging time to be in education and that getting an award like this doesn’t set anyone apart from anyone else. We’re all facing the same struggles.” Crockett said.
Crockett emphasized that combining cultural identity with education is crucial to being a successful educator in rural Alaska.
“When your students are grounded in their culture and identity, they can go anywhere. We're a very typical, rural school in a beautiful little community. We look very seriously at what our students need in various situations and try to help them learn and how to meet their needs. We do a lot of restorative practices, and that's been really good for us.”
Crockett is regarded as “an innovative thinker and finds ways to overcome obstacles or barriers that the school faces.” Tammy Dodd, Interim Superintendent of the Bering Strait School District, said in a BSSD press release. “Her dedication to Brevig Mission School is seen and felt by everyone at the school, as she creates a relevant learning environment for all students.”
AASSP 2024 Regional Principal of The Year recipients will be awarded and recognized at the 58th Annual Alaska Principals’ Conference in September. Crockett plans to attend.
