Central High Principal Dr. Karen Delbridge has been named Wyoming Secondary Principal of the Year by the Wyoming Association of Secondary School Principals (WASSP).

WASSP Executive Director Jeff Makelky said the selection was made due to Delbridge’s leadership and commitment to fostering a positive, unified school culture.

“Under her guidance, Central High School’s ‘One Tribe’ initiative has strengthened connections among students and staff, creating a supportive environment where students and staff feel valued,” Makelky said.

Delbridge explained following the COVID-19 pandemic, her objective was to regroup and develop a school culture where students and staff could cultivate a sense of belonging. She also wanted the school to give back to the community. First, she said, they needed to define themselves.

“ ‘One Tribe’ has helped provide our community with those deep seeded connections,” Delbridge said. “Central’s student leadership sets an outstanding example of this.”

Makelky added, “Principal Delbridge has also led significant efforts to elevate academic achievement, reflected in Central High School’s continued growth on the Wyoming Department of Education’s School Performance Report.”

Delbridge said, “If we expect kids to learn and grow, we as adults have to model that.”

Last school year, Delbridge said she joined the students’ freshmen orchestra group so she could learn to play the violin. Her goal was to play in two performances, which she did last fall and winter. 

“It’s important to be a part of what the kids are involved with,” she said. “I love our kids. They’re so smart, thoughtful, funny and insightful. It’s just the best that I get to hang out with them all day.”

Delbridge has been head principal at Central since 2022. Prior to that, she was associate principal. Additionally, she served as a Laramie County School District 1 instructional facilitator and the district’s K-12 English language arts curriculum coordinator. She was also a teacher at Johnson Junior High and East High.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a secondary teacher certification and minor in religion from Lee University, Cleveland, Tennessee; a master’s degree in K-12 education from Tusculum College, Greenville, Tennessee; and a doctorate in education and curriculum and instruction from the University of Wyoming, where she also received a K-12 reading endorsement and K-12 principal endorsement.

In April, Delbridge will join fellow state principal nominees in Washington, D.C., where the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) will announce the NASSP High School National Principal of the Year.