Conference Daily Online

AASA's award-winning newsletter, providing daily coverage of key speakers, topical sessions, photos and video clips of the conference.

[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.

Superintendents Jointly Advance Work of Diversity, Inclusion in Schools

The AASA conference session “BIPOC and White District Leaders Work on Race and Equity Together” addressed diversity, belonging, inclusion and equity as steps to creating an equitable culture in the workplace and schools. The Thursday morning panel was facilitated by Lee Teitel, founding director at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Darnisa Amante-Jackson, founder/president […]

[Video] Paul Freeman on the Challenges of White Superintendents Confronting Racism in School Communities (3:40)

Paul Freeman, superintendent of Connecticut’s Guilford Public Schools, shares best practices on how white superintendents can learn together about the critical issues of race, racism and equity. Freeman led the session “Personal, Professional and Practical Challenges for White Superintendents Confronting Racism” at AASA’s National Conference on Education in Nashville, Tenn. (Video produced by Selah Oden)

Get at the True Meaning of Equity to Make a Difference in Schools, Conference Panel Says

Two superintendents and two other administrators serving on a conference panel Friday discussed what courageous leadership means and why equity is necessary to improve schools and central offices. Tammy Campbell, superintendent of Federal Way Public Schools, Federal Way, Wash., was the main panelist at “Courageous Leadership: A Systems Approach to Equity” at the AASA National […]

Schools Can Expand Equity in Gifted Programs, Conference Attendees Told

How can schools ensure that all deserving students have access to gifted programs? Presenters from Arizona tackled that topic in a session called “Equitable Identification of All Gifted Students: Obstacles and Solutions” on Friday afternoon at AASA’s national conference in Nashville. The current gifted student identification process can overlook students, according to Kimberly Lansdowne, executive […]

Champions for Equity to Receive Effie Jones Humanitarian Award

Steven T. Webb, superintendent of Vancouver Public Schools, and the late Joe A. Hairston, former associate professor at Howard University and co-founder of the AASA/Howard University Urban Superintendents Academy, will be recognized as Dr. Effie H. Jones Humanitarian Award recipients at the 1st General Session of the AASA national conference in San Diego on Thursday, Feb. 13.

Effie Jones Luncheon Call: ‘Let Us Be Dissatisfied’

Charles H. F. Davis III began his keynote address midday Friday at the annual Effie H. Jones Memorial Luncheon in an unusual manner. He led the attendees through a rousing rendition of what’s widely considered the “black national anthem” – James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Davis, an assistant professor of clinical education […]