All Pre-Conference Workshops will take place on
Wednesday, March 5.
- 1:00 – 4:00pm
Bold Women, Bold Conversations
Presenter:
Deborah Kerr
All women rise when we lift one another. Join in this inspiring opportunity with AASA past presidents and highly successful Superintendents, led by Dr. Deb Kerr, to build your personal and professional network. No matter where you are in your leadership journey, we will strengthen your personal vision of who you are as a leader, amplifying your leadership with empathy and compassion. You will leave with a clear vision of your goals for the future.
- 1:00 – 4:00pm
Blended Coaching
Presenters:
Gary Bloom
Jackie Wilson
Learn how to use a model of blended coaching to support the development and supervision of school leaders from Gary Bloom and Jackie Wilson, the authors of Blended Coaching, Supporting the Development and Supervision of School Leaders. Participants will learn how to listen, observe, question and stretch coaches, using facilitative, instructional, collaborative, consultative and transformational coaching skills. Through role plays designed around relevant school problems of practice, participants will grow their skills. The session will also include strategies and tools for coaching based supervision and coaching for systems change. Participants will learn how to use language stems and questioning to determine if the coachee needs to focus on his or her “way of doing” or “way of being” to make effective progress on goals. Learn from practitioner thought leader Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, Superintendent of Hartford County, CT School District, provides supervisory support to school leaders in her district.
- 1:00 – 5:00pm
Partnering on a Comprehensive Community Strategy
Presenters:
Carrie Patterson, Executive Director, MindUP, Toronto, Canada
Kimberly A. Schonert-Reichl, NoVo Foundation Endowed Chair in Social and Emotional Learning, University of Illinois
Andrew DuRoss, Superintendent, School District 54, Schaumburg, IL
Dido Balla, Head of Education and Brain Trainer, MindUP, Boynton Beach, FL
Using the Rubrics of Practice and Suggested Measures for School Communications published by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), participants will begin to understand the elements of creating a comprehensive communication program. These elements include supporting board policies, training for cabinet-level staff, creating a communication plan based in research, social media and branding. Participants will also see the importance of aligning the communication program with the district's strategic plan.
Examples of high performing superintendent-communications director teams will be shared as well as success strategies for superintendents in small districts without the capacity to add communications staff.
- 1:00 – 5:00pm
School Safety & Security
Presenters:
Renae Murphy, Chief Communications Officer, Rockwall Independent School District, Rockwall, TX
John Villarreal, Superintendent, Rockwall Independent School District, Rockwall, TX
Rosanna Mucetti, Superintendent, Napa Valley School District, Oakland, CA
Julie Borders, Director of Communications and Community Relations, Napa Valley Unified School District, Napa, CA
This session is designed to provide resources and tools to effectively plan and institute, or enhance school safety.
Featuring industry speakers and experts who will ensure participants leave with actionable takeaways and resources, as well as an understanding of industry trends.
- 1:00 – 5:00pm
Next Education Workforce: Transforming Schools with Team-Based Staffing Models
Presenters:
Brent Maddin, Executive Director, Next Education Workforce, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Jan Vesely, AASA Liaison with the Next Education Workforce, Retired Superintendent, AASA/ASU, Tucson, AZ
Andi Fourlis, Superintendent, Mesa Public Schools, Mesa, AZ
Laura Toenjes, Superintendent, Kyrene School District, Tempe, AZ
Rebecca Hutchinson, Superintendent, Concord Community Schools, Concord, MI
Jay Reutter, Principal, Mason City Middle School, Mason City, OH
James Niedermeier, Associate Superintendent, Questar III BOCES, Castleton, NY
Explore the groundbreaking initiatives of Arizona State University’s Next Education Workforce and delve into the evolution of team-based staffing models in education. Originating in Arizona and now adopted by over 40 school systems nationwide, these models address immediate staffing needs while fostering sustainable, positive change within schools. By leveraging teams, educators can combine their unique expertise and experiences to distribute tasks effectively, alleviating individual workloads and enhancing working conditions to improve teacher recruitment and retention. This collaborative approach not only promotes a sustainable teaching environment but also cultivates dynamic, interactive lessons that increase student engagement and participation. A team approach also enables teachers to better address diverse student needs, developing comprehensive strategies for academic, social, and emotional growth.
Aligned with AASA’s Learning 2025, this session features insights and experiences from superintendents and education leaders actively implementing these innovative staffing approaches. Attendees will experience a virtual site visit in teams-based environments and gain access to practical resources for redefining educator roles. Learn about opportunities to join a 24/25 learning cohort and/or register for site visits to teams-based model schools to explore and prepare for a pilot launch within your school or district.