Its Starting…

You have probably noticed your email inbox filling up—dinner invitations, meet-ups, reminders to download the conference app, hotel confirmations, and last-minute nudges to finalize registration. YUP—those are all the tell-tale signs that it’s time to make sure your plans are in place to make the most of this year’s NCE.

The buzz is real, the calendar is filling quickly, and the energy is building.

Celebrating the Next Generation of Superintendents

I arrived a bit early this year so I could attend the graduation ceremony for three aspiring superintendents I’ve had the privilege of mentoring over the past year. What an incredible program AASA’s Aspiring Superintendent Program is!

A huge congratulations to my three mentees—Randy, Kym, and Syene—and to all of the aspiring superintendents graduating tomorrow. As I move further along in my own career and begin to think about retirement (not too far off!), it is reassuring and inspiring to see talented, committed leaders ready to step forward into these critical roles. Our profession—and our students—are in good hands.

Leadership Behind the Scenes

Another bonus of arriving early was the opportunity to join my friends on the AASA Executive Committee for dinner this evening. Having served on the Executive Committee over the past few years, I was grateful for the chance to reconnect as a +1 and catch up with colleagues.

I’m not sure everyone realizes just how much thoughtful, behind-the-scenes work goes into keeping AASA strong and responsive. The Executive Committee and Governing Board devote countless hours to ensuring the organization runs a tight ship and continues to support thousands of superintendents across the country. You truly could not ask for better leaders—these groups set the vision for our organization, and they do it exceptionally well.

Learning Before the Learning: Pre-Conference Work

Tomorrow, I’ll be participating in a pre-conference session focused on Portrait of a Graduate work titled:

Co-Designing the Portrait: Engaging Communities in Future-Ready Learning through the Public Education Promise.

I’m excited to learn, reflect, and continue growing my practice in this important area. If you’ve never explored the pre-conference sessions, I highly recommend taking a look in the future. They offer a rare opportunity to dive deeply into a topic and spend meaningful time learning alongside colleagues who are doing similar work.

Ready to Go—QR Code in Hand

Once the pre-conference wraps up, it will be time to officially register. YUP—I’ve got my QR code ready to go, and I hope you do too. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you in line, in sessions, in hallways, and in those informal moments where some of the best learning happens.

Here’s to Connection, Learning, and Renewal

NCE always reminds me why this work matters. It’s a chance to reconnect with purpose, to learn from one another, to challenge our thinking, and to return home re-energized for the work ahead. Whether this is your first conference or your twentieth, there is something powerful about being in a space filled with leaders who care deeply about public education.

Here’s to a week of learning, connection, inspiration—and to making the most of every moment. See you soon at NCE!