[Video] Building an Employee-Centered District (2:20)
This session with Georgette Warnock explored how superintendents can re-engage teachers and make their districts a top destination for those with the capacity and desire to help students grow. This story was produced by Silas Bryant at the 2023 AASA Conference in San Antonio, Texas.
New Hampshire Panel Details the School District’s Tack for Countering Opposition to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Work
The AASA conference panel “Introducing, implementing and sustaining DEI in Predominately White School Communities” on Friday afternoon offered advice on how to include more attention to diversity, equity and inclusion in school districts, even in places where there is some opposition to the work. The session was led by three employees of New Hampshire’s School […]
[Video] Interview: Ryan, Mejia and Andreski on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (9:45)
District leaders led interactive conversations surrounding how to implement diversity, equity and inclusion. Watch this in-depth interview with Andres Mejia, Christopher Andriski and David Ryan on implementing DEI in predominantly white school communities. This story was produced by Angelina D’Elia at the 2023 AASA Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Read more.
Oceanside Superintendent Moves Audience to Tears in Discussing Support of LGBTQ+ Students
How educators can create a safe and inclusive climate for all students of the LGBTQ+ community was the focus of an AASA conference session led by Julie Vitale, superintendent of the Oceanside Unified School District in California, on Friday afternoon. Vitale wants all schools to ensure students of diverse backgrounds thrive and flourish. Her session, […]
Addressing School Security Will Lend Appeal When Districts Recruit New Staff, Conference Panel Says
To address the teacher shortage, three school district administrators spoke to an AASA conference audience on Friday afternoon about how to create a safety-first culture that they contend will empower, recruit and retain teachers. The panelists at “Lessons from Districts: How a Culture of Safety Improves Teacher Retention and Recruitment” also explained the importance of using […]
Creating a Happiness Advantage to Educators Brings Positive Results to an Iowa School System
Joel Pedersen, superintendent of the Cardinal Community School District in Iowa, exudes excitement when he talks about his eight-year implementation of the Happiness Advantage in his school system. Pedersen first learned about the Happiness Advantage from AASA. His district was subsequently featured by Shawn Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage, in his keynote address at […]
Covey’s Keynote Challenges School Leaders to Trust and Inspire, Not Command and Control
The future of education in today’s fast-changing world requires leaders who trust and inspire, not command and control. This, said Stephen M.R. Covey, in his keynote address at the 2nd General Session of the 2023 AASA national conference, represents “a profound paradigm shift” that makes inspiring “the new competitive advantage.” Seismic changes in society include […]
Merits of Participating in AASA Learning 2025 Touted to School Districts at San Antonio Conference
Becoming part of the AASA Learning 2025 demonstration initiative gives school districts opportunities for mentorship and support, several panelists said at an AASA conference session on Friday in San Antonio. Bill Daggett, founder of both the Successful Practices Network and International Center for Leadership in Education, encouraged superintendents to join the network of rapidly improving […]
[Video] Blessings in a Backpack (3:45)
Blessings in a Backpack is an annual backpack stuffing event sponsored by Sourcewell. The backpacks support low income students’ families local to the San Antonio area. This story was produced by Logan Reid at the 2023 AASA Conference in San Antonio, Texas. Read more.
Volunteers by the Dozens Turn Out as Conference Volunteers for Blessings in a Backpack to Support 1,000 Local Children
It’s become annual ritual for the good-hearted volunteers who come to the AASA national conference, to take an hour out of their professional learning to stuff children’s backpacks with necessary items. The event, known as Blessings in a Backpack, drew several dozen conference participants Friday morning, where they filled 1,000 packs with school supplies for […]