MADISON – Dr. Brian Clayton recently traveled to Washington D.C. to advocate on behalf of the state’s schools with national legislators.

Clayton’s visit was associated with his role as 2018 Secondary Principal of the Year in Alabama. He works as Principal of James Clemens High School.

“As a principal, my job is to provide each student in my school every resource and opportunity possible so they can reach their full potential,” Clayton said. “That job extends to advocating for my students at the highest levels of government.”

Clayton spoke with members of the Alabama delegation in the U.S. Congress during the week of March 19. “He encouraged Alabama’s members of Congress to pass laws that enhance the nation’s public schools,” John S. Peck said. Peck works as Public Relations Manager for Madison City Schools.

Clayton’s discussions involved one component of the annual Advocacy Conference, which the National Association of Secondary School Principals or NASSP sponsors. Clayton is in the running for the national NASSP Principal of the Year Award.

While in the nation’s capital, Clayton met with staffers from the offices of Sen. Doug Jones and Alabama representatives Mo Brooks and Martha Roby. Their discussion topics included gun control and funding of professional development for educators. 

Clayton believes his conversations with members of Congress gave them a clearer impression of their decisions’ impact on local Madison schools.

Clayton was among 150 school leaders that attended the annual advocacy conference. The event included a series of presentations and panel discussions on the most pressing federal policies affecting education and culminated with a day of visits to elected officials at their offices on Capitol Hill.

When Clayton accepted his principal of the year award, he acknowledged James Clemens’ distinctive accomplishments, which make him “very proud of our students. It’s a team effort — great students, great people working with us and a very supportive board of education, superintendent and Central Office staff.”

National Association of Secondary School Principals is a preeminent voice for principals and school staff members across the United States. NASSP administers the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Elementary Honor Society and National Student Council.