Elementary Principal of the Year: Kim Doughty

Every year, the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) selects Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year winners at the elementary and secondary levels. The award is the highest level of recognition for school principals in the state, and winners have opportunities to be a voice for school leaders in Washington and beyond. This year, the ESD 113 region is home to both winners, Kim Doughty, principal at Peter G. Schmidt Elementary in Tumwater, and Traci Schultz, assistant principal at Southworth Elementary in Yelm Community Schools. Our Board of Directors will honor them at their April meeting. 

ESD 113 took a moment to catch up with our Principal of the Year as we head into the busy spring season to find out what sound advice she could give to other school leaders in our region. 

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If you’ve ever met Kim Doughty, principal at Peter G. Schmidt Elementary in the Tumwater School District, you know her energy and excitement are hard to beat. She lives leadership outloud, guided by the philosophy that every student, staff member, and family deserves to feel seen, known, and valued. 

Kim is a leader who successfully walks the tightrope between prioritizing academic excellence and social-emotional well-being. This has resulted in gains when students and families are surveyed about community, and benchmark test scores are analyzed. Hope is a key element in all she does, creating the foundation for multiple programs and initiatives that have been implemented to support student success.

Thankfully, Kim doesn’t keep these secrets to herself and had already built her reputation as a strong school leader prior to receiving the Principal of the Year award. We emailed with Kim about her leadership experience and her advice for other school leaders in our region. 

113: How are you currently serving in leadership roles, and what advice would you give to other school leaders about getting involved?

KD: I currently serve as the Elementary Representative for ESD 113 on the AWSP Grade Level Leadership Committee (GLLC) and remain deeply involved in leadership development work across the state. Over the years, I have participated in AWSP’s Launching School Leadership and Next Level Leadership and have worked alongside colleagues on systems-level thinking around culture, instruction, and student voice.

My advice to other school leaders, especially those in smaller or more rural districts, is simple: don’t lead alone. Leadership can feel isolating, and in smaller systems, there may be only one or two principals to collaborate with locally. AWSP and our regional ESD create spaces where you can think bigger, learn from diverse contexts, and be reminded that your challenges are shared ones.

Getting involved expands perspective, sharpens practice, and fills your bucket. The networking is powerful, but more importantly, it creates a professional community grounded in shared purpose. We are better for our students when we grow alongside one another.

113: What has serving Tumwater taught you about building strong school communities?

KD: Serving the Tumwater community has taught me that strong school communities are built on clarity, consistency, and care. At Peter G. Schmidt Elementary, we serve a beautifully diverse student population, and we are deeply committed to creating a culture where every child and adult feels known, valued, and supported.

I’ve learned that community isn’t built through programs alone; it’s built through relationships. It’s in how we communicate with families, how we collaborate as staff, and how we center students in every decision. When we align around a shared vision and hold high expectations while leading with empathy, schools become places of hope.

Tumwater has reinforced for me that systems matter, but people matter more. When you invest in people, build trust intentionally, and stay anchored in student-centered decision-making, strong communities naturally follow.

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The AWSP Elementary Principal of the Year honor doesn't come lightly, and in Kim Doughty's case, it’s been a long time coming. She has spent years building Peter G. Schmidt Elementary into a school where students feel safe, families feel welcome, and staff feel supported, while also serving as a guiding light for other leaders. 

Please join ESD 113 in celebrating Kim Doughty. She’s exactly the kind of leader Washington schools need!

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AWSP needs your help finding the next Washington State Principals and Assistant Principals of the Year! Let's recognize some of the amazing leadership around the state. Nominations open through May 31. Nominate today!