The Hawai‘i Association of Secondary School Administrators (HASSA) has named Ryan Micale as the 2022 Assistant Principal of the Year. Micale, who is earning his MEd in Educational Administration, is the Vice Principal of Castle High School. He and Laura Ahn, the 2022 Hawaiʽi State Principal of the Year, were recently honored at a National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) conference in Washington, D.C.
Created in 1980, HASSA is the local affiliate of NASSP. The four-day conference and celebration was held in November and provided opportunities for connections with other administrators from across the U.S. Key topics included social media narratives, racial healing, improving school culture, and mental health and systemic wellness.
“There was unity amongst administrators in knowing all states are experiencing and overcoming issues of teacher shortage, faculty and staff burnout, social-emotional wellness concerns among students, and recovery from Covid-19,” Micale said.
Micale’s passion for education began in 2001 when he taught at a bilingual school in Bratislava, Slovakia. He went on to teach 9th–12th grade science in the Hawaiʻi Department of Education (HIDOE) for 14 years before becoming Vice Principal at Castle High School where he is also the Academy Principal for the Academy of Medical Services and Culinary Arts.
“Assistant Principal Micale is dedicated to providing a safe and positive learning environment for our students, said Castle High School Principal Bernadette Tyrell. “He keeps student wellbeing at the forefront and constantly seeks ways to validate all of the positive contributions they make to our school and community. We are so proud of him!”
Among his many contributions to his school, Micale implemented HERO, a positive behavior intervention and support program that promotes student equity and instills school values. Students are motivated to showcase positive behaviors which, in turn, earns them points that they can use to purchase school gear, snacks, and other items.
“Through the COE, I have gained a deeper perspective and incorporated much of my learning on equity and cultural collaboration in my work as an administrator,” Micale said. “Building and sustaining collaborative systems to support student learning, growth, and achievement is my primary drive to be a leader in education. Every course taken has provided a unique lens through which I view my learning and work, helping me grow as an educator and expand my understanding of the needs of those we serve.”
