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Leadership
Page 24 Electronic Edition: www .teachingtodaywi .com

Wisconsin’s 2025 Principals of the Year

Awarded by the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators

Supported by the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation, the Principal of the Year award recognizes school leaders who have helped drive student learning, foster instructional collaboration,
and create safe and positive school environments. Recipients are selected based on their dedication to professional excellence, leadership skills and service to their communities.

2025 Wisconsin Elementary School 2025 Wisconsin Middle School Principal 2025 Wisconsin High School Principal
Principal of the Year Samuel Karns of the Year Luke Spielman of the Year Dr . Brian Cox

Karns serves as principal of Todd Elementary School, a Spielman serves as principal of Park View Middle School Dr. Cox is the principal of Verona Area High School. Known
4K-5th grade building in the School District of Beloit. In just in the Mukwonago Area School District (MASD). There, he has for transparency, servant leadership, and a commitment to equity,
three years, he has guided the school from a “fails to meet focused on fostering a culture of continuous improvement, col- he has impacted the school by developing coherent systems that
expectations” rating to “meets expectations” on the State laboration, and empowerment, while prioritizing relationship support all learners—especially those traditionally underserved.
Report Card. His leadership style centers on service and building and trust. He has led strategic efforts to restructure the Under Dr. Cox’s leadership, VAHS has supported efforts
shared accountability, creating a culture where all staff, stu- school schedule, extend instructional time, and create protected like the Hope Team, Wildcat Academy, and schoolwide AVID
dents, and families are empowered to succeed together. collaboration periods for teachers, which have directly improved implementation. These programs have contributed to measurable
Additionally, Karns has embedded a continuous improve- student outcomes. gains when it comes to student perceptions of safety, reduced dis-
ment cycle into the school’s leadership structure, using 100-day Under Spielman’s leadership, Park View has implemented ciplinary incidents, and expanded access to advanced coursework
plans and data-informed decision making to identify needs inclusive, data-driven practices that close achievement gaps and through Equal Opportunity Schools and AP enrollment. This has
and drive change. His efforts have expanded tiered supports promote college and career readiness. Proficiency among students helped the school earn an AP Silver recognition.
for social-emotional learning, increased student engagement, with disabilities has improved significantly in both math and “We are thrilled that Dr. Cox has been honored with the
and raised attendance by 2.7 percent year over year. English Language Arts. Park View’s DPI Growth Priority Score 2025 Principal of the Year award,” said Superintendent Dr.
“As a principal, Mr. Karns leads with heart, purpose, and also rose from the 11th to the 75th percentile in just two years. Tremayne Clardy. “In his time at VAHS, he has proven himself
an unwavering belief in the potential of every student,” said “Mr. Spielman is the kind of principal every commu- a truly dedicated and dynamic leader, with a style that empowers
Superintendent Dr. Willie E. Garrison II. “His commitment nity hopes for—thoughtful, strategic, and relentlessly student students, staff, and families. This award is an enormous point of
to educational equity, community partnership, and continuous focused,” said MASD Superintendent Dr. Joe Koch. “Under his pride for our entire school community, and a well-deserved honor
improvement has transformed Todd Elementary into a thriv- leadership, Park View Middle School has become a place where for a highly skilled educational leader who always acts in the best
ing, student-centered school. Mr. Karns is a model for what students are challenged, supported, and inspired to grow. The interests of the students he serves.”
strong, servant leadership looks like in action.” impact of his leadership is visible not just in data, but also in the At VAHS, Dr. Cox has established advisory councils and
Karns holds a master’s degree in education and a bache- culture he has cultivated at the school.” restructured leadership teams into collaborative, data-driven
lor’s degree in kinesiology. He has also been an active member Spielman cultivates leadership among staff and students, units focused on continuous improvement. His advocacy extends
of the NAACP, AWSA, HEAR (Health Equity Alliance of establishing structures like the Guiding Coalition and student beyond the building, as he has become a national voice for educa-
Rock County), and the Beloit Back to School CommUNITY government. He also extends his impact regionally, facilitating tion policy through his work with NASSP and advocacy efforts at
Health Fair Planning Committee. a professional network of 44 area middle school principals and the federal level.
“On behalf of AWSA, we would like to congratulate teaching graduate-level education courses. “On behalf of AWSA, I would like to congratulate Dr. Brian
Samuel Karns on earning the 2025 Wisconsin Elementary Before becoming Park View’s principal in 2018, Spielman Cox for his selection as the 2025 High School Principal of the
Principal of the Year award,” said AWSA Executive Director served as an associate principal in the Watertown Unified School Year,” said AWSA Executive Director Jim Lynch. “He is a great
Jim Lynch. “His vision, collaborative approach, and commit- District, and he began his career in education as a social studies representative of the extraordinary work school leaders do every
ment exemplify the work of elementary school leaders across teacher. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and day throughout our state.”
the state. This is a well-deserved honor for a truly dedicated a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. Prior to his time at VAHS, Dr. Cox was principal of Johnson
school leader.” “On behalf of AWSA, I am thrilled to congratulate Luke Junior High School in Laramie, Wyoming. He also has experi-
Spielman on being named the 2025 Wisconsin Middle School ence as an assistant principal and associate principal. He began
Principal of the Year,” said AWSA Executive Director Jim Lynch. his career in education as a high school science teacher.
“He leads with heart and vision, empowering staff and students Dr. Cox holds an Ed.D. in educational leadership, a mas-
alike to reach their full potential. He exemplifies the work that ter’s degree in space studies (curriculum and instruction), and a
school leaders do every day.” bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry secondary education.

Courtesy of the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators