Originally posted on clasleaders.org.

The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) proudly announced Mrs. Katherine “Kelli” Fischer, principal of Opelika High School in the Opelika City School System, as the 2025-2026 Alabama High School Principal of the Year. This prestigious recognition, sponsored by American Fidelity, honors excellence in instructional leadership, school culture, innovation, and student success.

With 15 years in education and 10 in administrative leadership, Mrs. Fischer has brought transformative leadership to Opelika High School. Her tenure as principal has been marked by deep relational investment, thoughtful systems-level change, and a fierce commitment to ensuring every student feels seen, supported, and successful.

Following a community tragedy in 2023 where several Opelika High students were impacted by the Dadeville mass shooting, Mrs. Fischer redefined her leadership approach. She focused on building a school culture where belonging, purpose, and resilience are not just ideals but daily experiences. Two of the students injured that day returned to walk across the graduation stage in 2024, a moment Mrs. Fischer describes as one of her proudest professional achievements.

To turn vision into action, she launched two school-wide initiatives:

Dawg Impact Groups (DIG) – A daily advisory structure pairing each student with a consistent adult mentor and small peer group. DIG fosters relationships, accountability, and timely academic and social-emotional support.
Dedicated Dawgs – A student incentive program aligned with expectations for attendance, achievement, and behavior, offering frequent and meaningful celebrations to reinforce positive habits.
These programs have led to measurable improvements: chronic absenteeism has declined, student engagement has increased, and behavior referrals are down. More importantly, students report stronger connections to school and a sense of purpose in learning.

“Mrs. Fischer embodies the kind of leadership we need in schools today – relational, resilient, and relentlessly focused on students,” said Dr. Farrell Seymore, executive director of CLAS and AASSP. “She leads with both strength and heart, and her work at Opelika High School is a model of what’s possible when systems are built on trust and purpose.”

Mrs. Fischer will be recognized at the 2026 CLAS Convention in June and again at the AASSP/AAMSP Fall Conference in November 2026. She will also represent Alabama in the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Principal of the Year program.

2025-2026 Finalists for Alabama High School Principal of the Year

In addition to Mrs. Fischer, AASSP proudly recognizes three additional exemplary school leaders as finalists:

• Marsielena Williams, Carroll High School, Ozark City Schools
• Davey Reed, Haleyville High School, Haleyville City Schools
• Willie Moore, Athens High School, Athens City Schools

All finalists were selected through a rigorous application process. The High School Principal of the Year was selected following a detailed interview session with each finalist.

AASSP 2025-2026 District High School Principals of the Year

Each AASSP district selects a District High School Principal of the Year, and the finalists are chosen from these district principals of the year. The district principals of the year were recognized during an awards ceremony at the AASSP/AAMSP Fall Conference on November 11, 2025. This year’s district winners are:

• District 1: Tiffany Buchanan, Vigor High School, Mobile County
• District 2: Marsielena Williams, Carroll High School, Ozark City
• District 3: Curtis Black, Wilcox Central High School, Wilcox County
• District 4: Katherine “Kelli” Fischer, Opelika High School, Opelika City
• District 5: Jessica Williams, Northridge High School, Tuscaloosa City
• District 6: CJ Boyd, Saks High School, Calhoun County
• District 7N: Duane Keener, Central High School, Florence City
• District 7S: Dave Reed, Haleyville High School, Haleyville City
• District 8: Willie Moore, Athens High School, Athens City

“Each of our district winners and finalists represents the heart of what school leadership should be. They are visionary, student-centered, and deeply rooted in service,” said Dr. Seymore. “Their dedication to building strong school cultures, supporting teachers, and helping students succeed is inspiring. We are proud to honor these outstanding leaders and grateful for the impact they make across Alabama.”

For further information, please contact Alyssa Godfrey, Director of Communications and Technology at CLAS, at (800) 239-3616 or alyssa@clasleaders.org.

About AASSP

The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) serves as a voice and resource for public school secondary administrators. AASSP is an affiliate association of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS), which provides a framework to connect dedicated school administrators with a network for professional growth and support. For more information, visit www.clasleaders.org/AASSP.

About American Fidelity Assurance

American Fidelity Assurance provides employee and employer benefit solutions tailored for education employees. As a long-time supporter of CLAS, they are proud sponsors of the Alabama High School Principal of the Year award, recognizing outstanding leadership in education.