The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has named Kawānanakoa Middle School Vice Principal Bebi Davis a finalist for its 2023 National Assistant Principal of the Year award.
Davis, who joined the Hawai‘i State Department of Education 21 years ago as a high school teacher, is one of three finalists selected from across the country vying for the national designation.
She started her HIDOE career as a physics and chemistry teacher at Farrington High School, where she earned impressive awards including the prestigious Milken Educator Award in 2005 and Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year in 2009. She later transitioned to a STEM resource teacher role before joining Kawānanakoa Middle’s administration.
The local chapter of the NASSP, the Hawai‘i Association of Secondary School Administrators (HASSA), named Davis its 2023 Assistant Principal of the Year, making her eligible for the national award. NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe, HASSA staff and board members joined Kawānanakoa students and faculty in honoring Davis at a school assembly Wednesday.
"I wouldn’t be here without strong students, strong parents, strong communities, strong educators and strong administrators who have guided me and supported me," Davis said. "This didn’t happen just because of what I do – it’s a reflection of all of us and our hard work."
Davis also credited Kaimuki-McKinley-Roosevelt Complex Area Superintendent Linell Dilwith and Kawānanakoa Principal Veronica Victor for their leadership.
"I see her working with you in the classrooms, at the science fair; I see her working with the teachers, you name it," Victor told students gathered for the assembly. "She’s very devoted and that’s why she is so deserving of this honor and we are so proud of her."
HASSA’s other Hawai‘i finalists included John Secreto, vice principal at Olomana School; John Walje, vice principal at Wheeler Elementary; Ian Haskins, vice principal at Princess Nahi‘ena‘ena Elementary; Suzanne Ochi, vice principal at Waiakeawaena Elementary; and Ray Carvalho, vice principal at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle.