Two ACSA members will be representing California as state finalists in the 2025 NASSP Assistant Principal of the Year program.

Atikah Osman, assistant principal at Saddleback High School (Santa Ana USD), is a finalist for High School Assistant Principal of the Year. Ryan Price, assistant principal at Sierra Vista Middle School (Vacaville USD), is a finalist for Middle Grades Assistant Principal of the Year.

The NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year program annually recognizes outstanding middle level and high school assistant principals who have succeeded in providing high quality learning opportunities for students. These assistant principals are acknowledged by their peers for the exemplary contributions they have made to the profession.

New this year, NASSP is honoring one assistant principal at the high school level and one assistant principal at the middle school level. Previously, one assistant principal was selected from either level for each state.

In her nomination, Osman was praised as a collaborative and transformative leader dedicated to empowering individuals within her school. She uses walkthrough data to address instructional needs, implementing a data collection process that leads to mini professional development sessions and standardization of instructional practices. Osman effectively uses diverse data sources to guide decision-making, strengthening the PBIS program and achieving Platinum PBIS status. Her data collection protocols illuminated the needs of marginalized students and informed adjustments in teaching assignments within the master schedule, ensuring equitable access to quality instruction for all students.

Price, who recently became interim principal of Ben Lomond Elementary School, was lauded as an exceptional leader who adeptly implements, manages, and supports various school programs that address specific needs within the school community, such as literacy enhancement programs, STEM initiatives, and extracurricular activities. Price has a keen ability to allocate resources efficiently, ensuring that programs have the necessary funding, staffing and materials to thrive. Price’s support for school programs extends beyond logistics ­— she actively engages with teachers to provide professional development opportunities that ensure they are well-equipped to contribute to the success of students.

These two state finalists will be recognized at the National Educational Leadership Awards program in Washington, D.C., on April 9-12.