Five exceptional students are beginning their college journeys with support from the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA), which has awarded them the 2026 Diann Woodard S
Some students have lost their mother, while others live apart from her due to divorce, incarceration, military deployment, or other complex circumstances.
The convention also marked the end of service for two longtime national officers. AFSA President Leonard P. Pugliese and Executive Vice President Lauran Waters-Cherry stepped down after years of steadfast leadership.
Delegates took decisive action to protect federal support for schools, demand greater investment in school leadership and reaffirmed AFSA's commitment to putting students first.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all of our convention sponsors. Your generous support made it possible for us to bring school leaders from across the country together to share ideas, build solidarity and chart a course for the future of public education.
Your commitment goes far beyond logos and banners—it represents an investment in the people who work every day to create safe, supportive and successful schools. Because of your sponsorship, we were able to provide meaningful sessions, inspiring speakers and unforgettable moments that will leave a lasting impact on our members.