That’s a Wrap: My First National Conference on Education
By Lance Gibbon I came to my first National Conference on Education hoping for some “stepping away to see more clearly.” Well, mission accomplished! After several days of thought-provoking speakers, enthusiastic conversations, and interesting vendor exhibits, I certainly have renewed perspective. I’m returning home reinvigorated, inspired, and equipped with fresh insights. Superintendent Stories: The Good, […]
AI in Education: Tools for Small Schools
By Dr. Lance Gibbon At the final keynote of the National Conference on Education, Christian Jackson, CEO of Edapt Schools, delivered a powerful message: AI isn’t here to replace us—it’s here to support us. For leaders like me from small, rural districts, this is an opportunity we can’t afford to ignore. AI as a Personal […]
Reimagining School Mental Health: From Crisis to Opportunity
By Dr. Rui Dionisio The hallways of our schools have changed. As I walked through our schools last week, I was struck by the courage and resilience of our students. I noticed something that would have been incredibly rare a decade ago: students openly discussing their scheduled therapy appointments, with teachers incorporating helpful mindfulness practices, […]
Cohort-Style Instruction and Career Academies Benefit Current Needs of Students, According to a Conference Panel from Mesa, Ariz.
The Mesa Public Schools in Arizona operate on the promise of “knowing every student’s name and preparing them for college, career and community.” This ambitious goal was shared by the panelists from Mesa at ”Transforming Education Through Work-Based Learning Opportunities and Partnerships” on Saturday morning at the AASA national conference in New Orleans. “Robust academic […]
[Video] Integrating AI and Educational Technology (2:25)
Alena Zachary-Ross, alongside two superintendents and one chief academic officer, discussed Saturday morning how they moved from developing artificial intelligence policies to integrating its use among staff, teachers and students. Zachary-Ross shares innovative approaches and practical strategies for using the latest trends in educational technology. This video was produced by Emercyn Randolph at the 2025 […]
Dealing with Declining Enrollment? Here’s How One Colorado District Turned Emergency Closures into Better District Planning
As Tracy Dorland became the superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools in Colorado in 2021, the district was facing some big challenges. She arrived on the heels of an emergency closure of an elementary school because it was underused. Soon after, the forced closure of another school triggered Dorland to initiate a plan to combat […]
[Video] Superintendent-Board Relations and Communications (1:22)
Bhavna Sharma-Lewis, superintendent of Diamond Lake in Illinois, spoke on a panel Saturday morning discussing the importance of relationships between superintendents and school board members. Sharma-Lewis conveyed her experiences as a superintendent and how upholding communication with the board was the most important step to success in her district. This video was produced by Bennett […]
Topeka’s Superintendent Delivers a Discourse on Building Districtwide Engagement Among Families to Contribute to Better Student Outcomes
Tiffany Anderson knows how to bring her community together to get things done, no matter what. “Programs come and go. Systems remain and they will outlive you,” said Anderson, the first African American female superintendent of the Topeka Public Schools in Topeka, Kan., and the author of Building Parent Capacity in High-Poverty Schools: Actions for […]
Make AI the Robin to Your Batman: Tech Entrepreneur Shares Practical Tips for District Implementation at 3rd General Session
Artificial intelligence tools are growing at a rapid pace, and so are their adoption and sophistication. Just over two years after its launch, some four billion people across the globe are visiting generative AI tool ChatGPT monthly. And, even in just the last few months, AI tools have gotten closer than ever to resembling human […]
Likening Superintendents to the Skippers of a Ship, AASA’s Incoming President Encourages Flexibility at the Helm to ‘Stay the Course, Adjust the Sails’ through Inevitable Rough Seas
AASA’s incoming president, David Law, told the 3rd General Session audience at AASA’s national conference Saturday that he thinks of them as “skippers” of ships navigating high seas. “Whether you are leading a small crew or a massive fleet, we share the same mission — to navigate our schools toward success,” said Law, who assumes […]
