Generational Change: Jack McKay Hangs Up His Spurs from Horace Mann League After 29-Year Run
It’s not every day that a legend in school leadership decides it’s time to call it a day. But that’s exactly what we witnessed at Friday’s annual meeting of the Horace Mann League during the AASA National Conference on Education in San Antonio. Jack McKay, who has led the organization through three decades of change, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Kansas and Kentucky Educators Receive Women in School Leadership Awards at Conference’s 2nd General Session
Two outstanding educators from Kansas and Kentucky were named AASA’s Women in School Leadership Award winners at the AASA conference’s 2nd General Session in San Antonio on Friday. Tiffany Anderson, superintendent in Topeka, Kan., was honored in the superintendent category. CheyAnne Fant, district director of nutrition services and afterschool programs in Barren County Schools in […]
Leading School for Impact Means Knowing Why You are Leading, Greco Says in Conference Session
Leadership is critical for a school’s success, said Patricia Greco, a consultant with Studer Education, who presented at the “Lead for Impact” session at the AASA National Conference on Education on Friday in San Antonio, Texas. “I’m not improving, because the state is telling me I have to,” said Greco, a retired superintendent in Wisconsin, […]