“In any given moment we have two options:

to step forward into growth
or to step back into safety.”
Abraham Maslow

A good teacher prepares for class and considers the initial scenario. More precisely, they think about how to pull their students into the lesson, what will engage them, what will motivate them, and how deep they will be able to go. The same holds true for adults. We also want to be engaged, motivated, and given the freedom to let our thoughts focus and expand on a topic. With the upcoming AASA conference, there is a plethora of ways to intellectually engage.

As the Chief Executives of our respective school districts, we are also the Chief Learning Officers, so what would the ideal adult learner look like and what should we be looking to get out of our conference experience? We may take the responsibility to approach the conference a little differently than students… but how would we model learning if all of our students were watching? What would they learn from us as we learn from our colleagues across the nation?

The theme of the conference — “personalized, accountable, and visionary” — encapsulates the approach good teachers and good leaders take in educating students. In fact, these are all things that I aspire to be and hope to inspire in those around me.

I am very much looking forward to the conference, engaging in the learning and connecting with colleagues as we curate knowledge to bring back to our respective school districts. The countdown begins to the conference experience — a personal and professional opportunity for growth, with an accounting of best practices based on sound research and successful implementation, and a chance to envision something greater than the sum of the knowledge and experience we each bring to our respective educational landscapes. Here’s to a great conference experience as we consciously decide to take our step forward.

Travel safe and see you in New Orleans!

Paul