The Florida Association of School Administrators (FASA) announced it named Ruckel Middle School Assistant Principal Lucretia Waskow its Assistant Principal of the Year in a release on February 2.

“Mrs. Waskow is a true leader who embodies FASA’s mission of providing a high-quality education to all students in Florida. She takes the time to know the passions and talents of the teachers, which creates a learning environment where students feel valued and empowered,” said Michele White, CAE, Executive Director, FASA.

The 23-24 school year is Waskow’s sixth as an assistant principal in Okaloosa county – and her second at Ruckel Middle School. 

“Mrs. Waskow is a true leader who embodies FASA’s mission of providing a high-quality education to all students in Florida. She takes the time to know the passions and talents of the teachers, creating a learning environment where students feel valued and empowered,” commended Michele White, CAE, Executive Director of FASA.

Joe Jannazo, Principal of Ruckel Middle School, lauded Waskow for her transformative impact and added, “Mrs. Waskow has helped to create a climate of success that extends beyond Ruckel Middle School to a globally competitive capacity. She believes we must bring out the intrinsic potential of each person on campus to positively impact potential capacity.”

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) annually recognizes accomplished middle and high school-level assistant principals from across the nation and beyond through its Assistant Principal of the Year Award. As the 2023-24 Florida honoree, Lucretia Waskow is set to join the distinguished 2024 class of awardees during a two-day event in Washington, D.C., culminating with an awards banquet in October.