Thought Leader sessions are large-format educational sessions that touch on some of the most critical topics in the public education field.
Thursday, March 6
All times are Central Standard Time (CST)
9 – 10am
BUILDING SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR EQUITY-CENTERED LEADERS: EQUITY CENTERED PRINCIPAL INITIATIVE
The Wallace Foundation has funded eight school systems in an Equity-Centered Principal Initiative. This session will feature highlights of progress being made in four ECPI districts with superintendents sharing how they have grown their systems’ focus on equity.
10:15 – 11:15am
MESSY LEADERSHIP
Embracing MESSY Leadership places the power of coaching at the heart of leading education change. Learn from the author of Embracing MESSY Leadership and three female superintendents who are shifting the culture of “nice” to a culture of “trust” in their small-, medium-, and large-size school systems.
12:45 – 1:45pm
SOBOLS' LECTURE - POLITICAL LEADERSHIP LEADING DURING TURBULENT TIMES: POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN THE SUPERINTENDENCY
In the Sobol lecture, Dr. Jennifer Cheatham will share what she is learning as co-chair of the Collaborative on Political Leadership in the Superintendency with a focus on a new research-based framework that describes the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary for political leadership in education. Dr. Cheatham will be joined by several prominent program leaders who are dedicated to superintendent development – Lindsay Whorton from the Holdsworth Center in Texas, Caitlin Sullivan at Leading Now, and Cheryl Logan at the McGraw Center at Penn – to share what they are learning about what politically astute superintendents are doing well and the support superintendents need today.
2:15 – 3:15pm
RESILIENT LEADERSHIP TO ENHANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RURAL YOUTH
Great opportunities for rural youth, connecting workbased learning and higher education and building hope for meaningful careers and viability of local economic development require nimble, resilient leadership. Hear from the author of The Resilient Rural Leader Melissa Sadorf and superintendents in AASA’s Advancing Rural Education cohort on how they apply resilience as they are building industry credentials and enhancing pathways for rural youth in their states.
SCHOOL WAS IN SESSION THIS SUMMER BUT LESS THAN HALF OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS ENROLLED
Researchers from RAND will share their findings regarding summer programming. District superintendents with highly successful summer programs will share their strategies and outcomes.
Friday, March 7
All times are Central Time (CT)
11:15am – 12:15pm
THE NEXT EDUCATION WORKFORCE: HERE, SUCCESSFUL AND EXPANDING
How can we create schools where students engage in deeper, more personalized learning experiences to better prepare them for post-secondary success? How can we reimagine and transform school design to cultivate and empower the Next Education Workforce?
Discover how Mesa Public Schools undertook a comprehensive redesign of its instructional pedagogy and school environments. Explore the transformative journey of how two elementary schools reimagined and redesigned spaces to align with this innovative approach. Plus, gain insights into the outcomes of a research project conducted by the John Hopkins Institute for Education Policy, evaluating the early impact of this structural overhaul on students and educators alike.
SHIFTING ROLES OF PRINCIPAL SUPERVISORS AND PRINCIPALS
Join this thought leader session with three teams of superintendents, principal supervisors and principals as they share how the role of principal supervisor has shifted and strengthened outcomes.
12:45 – 1:45pm
FUTURE DRIVEN SCHOOLS: INNOVATING EDUCATION FOR OUR STUDENT'S TOMORROW
Join education leaders Bill Daggett (SPN) and Kristine Gilmore (AASA) for an inspiring session on the future of education. In “Future Driven Schools: Innovating Education for Tomorrow,” Daggett and Gilmore will explore groundbreaking strategies and visionary practices that are reshaping the educational landscape. The session will emphasize the importance of creating a culture that understands the evolving world and workplace, and the necessity of structural changes from central office to the classroom. Attendees will gain insights into how to prepare students for a future shaped by rapid technological advancements and changing societal needs.
2:30 – 3:30pm
DEVELOPING AND SUPPORTING THE LEADERSHIP PIPELINE
This is a two-part session with executive directors of AASA, NAESP, NASSP and ASCD/ISTE unpacking how their national associations are developing and supporting a high-quality, diverse leadership pipeline to serve America’s schools. The second part of the session will include executive directors of the two school boards associations with AASA executive director Dave Schuler, sharing how they are supporting system leaders.