By CHRISTIE MASTRIC

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — Tony Koski, principal of downstate Northville High School, has been named Michigan’s 2023 Principal of the Year by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals and the Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies.

Koski, 1988 graduate of Westwood High School, will represent Michigan as the state’s nominee for the National Association of Secondary School Principals Principal of the Year competition, which will be awarded in October at the Recognition Gala in Washington, D.C.

Koski acknowledged he’s not “good with awards,” especially individual awards.

“At the same time, I’m humbled, honored and very appreciative,” he told The Mining Journal.

However, for Northville High School and the community, the award is a “cool thing,” Koski said.

“The students, families and community that is Northville Public Schools is incredibly fortunate that Principal Tony Koski chose us as his professional and personal home,” said Dr. RJ Webber, Northville Public Schools superintendent, on the NPS website. “Mr. Koski possesses levels of humility and will that inspire those who serve beside him and those he serves to get after it every single day. Mr. Koski has impacted the lives of so many in a way that will stay with them and us forever and we are all humbly grateful.”

A qualification for this award is that nominees must have served in a principal role for at least three years in grades 6-12. The selection committee includes students and principals from the Michigan Student Leadership Board of Delegates and the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals Board of Directors.

Koski has a varied educational background. After graduating from Westwood in the NICE Community Schools district, he attended Lake Superior State University to study business and Northern Michigan University to study education.

He taught and coached in Hartford, Wisconsin, plus spent a year in Illinois and was an administrator in the west side of Michigan for 10 years before coming to NPS.

Koski has been a teacher, football and basketball coach, and a principal, but believes in the value of the teaching and administrative roles.

“I don’t think one’s better or one’s more important,” he said. “I always knew I wanted to teach and coach. I kind of always knew I wanted to be a principal.

“I like being in leadership roles. You kind of have more of a ‘big picture’ view.”

Northville High School has about 2,500 students, so it’s not surprising to hear him say that he’s “always moving” on a typical day, dealing with things like students and parent issues.

“Don’t sit own too much in the day,” Koski said.

It’s all been gratifying for him.

“I’ve loved all aspects of my career,” he said.

On a personal level, Koski said education runs in his family. His parents, Bill and Diane, are lifelong teachers, while his brother and sister are in higher education.

“It’s in our blood, so I thank them for that,” Koski said. “We’re just fortunate to be in a family of educators. Education sometimes get a bad rap — teachers and educators. Our family doesn’t believe that.”

Koski also credited his Upper Peninsula upbringing.

“I am very proud to be a Yooper,” he said. “I’m very proud to be from Marquette County and very proud to be from the Ishpeming area because of that hard work ethic.”

Even though he is principal at a big school, Koski said Westwood had only about 550 to 600 students, but he pointed out that it had outstanding teachers, coaches and administrators.

“It’s where you started and where your character comes from, and it came from the U.P.,” Koski said.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.