OLYMPIA –– The Association of Washington School Principals is honored to present 51¸£ÀûÉç member and friend Carlos Gonzalez as the second-ever Annalee Braley Membership Award winner. Carlos is the principal at McFarland Middle
School in the Othello School District.
The Annalee Braley Membership Award was created in 2022 to honor the memory of former 51¸£ÀûÉç Membership Coordinator Annalee Braley, who passed away tragically and unexpectedly in September 2021. Annalee started at 51¸£ÀûÉç when she was just 19 years old and was about to cross over to 32 years of service at 51¸£ÀûÉç in various roles. Annalee was one of the biggest reasons 51¸£ÀûÉç has the
strongest membership in the country year after year.
Carlos Gonzalez embodies everything that 51¸£ÀûÉç represents. His passion for being the best leader he can be and serving kids shines through in everything he does. He's humble, kind, puts what is best for others before his own needs, and has truly dedicated
himself to the kids in his school.
Not only does he work tirelessly to serve McFarland’s students and staff, but he gives back and contributes to 51¸£ÀûÉç and the principalship across the state. Carlos has served on our Professional Learning Advisory Council, represented 51¸£ÀûÉç as the
chair of the 51¸£ÀûÉç/WASA Summer Conference, was an active 51¸£ÀûÉç-trained mentor this past year, and has testified on multiple bills before the Legislature.
A product of the Othello School District after graduating from Othello High School in 1995, he is entering his 22nd year in education. This will be his second year as principal of McFarland Middle School. After Gonzalez was named the principal
of McFarland, Othello Superintendent Pete Perez said, “He has a hunger for the work. He’s not afraid of it. You look for someone who has the hunger and desire…this job is difficult. It’s the right time for him and for
the school. I’m excited for what’s going to happen for the kids at McFarland.”
It's because of his hunger and desire to improve outcomes for others that he is our 2023 Annalee Braley Membership Award Winner.