Resilience Alone Doesn’t Work to Sustain Rural Schools, According to a Panel of Rural Leaders at State and Federal Levels
“Resourcefulness over resources” was echoed throughout an hour-long session titled “Resilient Leadership to Enhance Opportunities for Rural Youth” on Thursday afternoon at the AASA National Conference on Education in New Orleans. All five panelists serve in leadership roles in various statewide and national organizations that promote advancement in rural education. They all agreed that being […]
Superintendents Share Practical Tips for How They Navigate Undue Pressure, Criticism at AASA Conference Session
Superintendents have long had to handle political pressure, criticism and community concerns. But amid incidents of racism, school violence and staff misconduct, the depth, breadth and volume of crises and challenges facing school leaders may be reaching new heights. During a Thought Leader session at the AASA national conference Thursday titled “Navigating Political Pressures,” superintendents […]
Springfield, Mo., District Maps Out Its Strategies for Successfully Raising Student Attendance in the Years Following COVID
With student attendance so essential to an effective education, an AASA national conference workshop on Thursday morning featuring panelists from Springfield, Mo., discussed the methods they used to boost attendance rates and improve funding in schools. Community involvement, incentives to students and partnerships with local media were the keys for the Springfield schools to engage […]
ESSER’s End Will Demand Greater Cross-Sector Collaboration for Public Schools to Continue Their Pandemic Recovery, Conference Panel Says
School district leaders and experts on after-school and summer programming for students discussed the end of ESSER, a vital federal source of school revenues over the past four years, at a Thought Leader presentation at the AASA national conference Thursday. The panel consisted of Quintin Shepherd, superintendent in Pflugerville, Texas; Magaly Sanchez, chief family advancement […]
Applying Improvement Science Leads to Student Literacy Gains in Missouri District, According to the System’s Leaders
Two leaders of the Grandview C-4 School District in Grandview, Mo., showcased how they introduced improvement science as a technique to boost student literacy rates in their schools during a workshop at the AASA national conference on Thursday. Kenny Rodrequez and Prissy Lemay, superintendent and assistant superintendent, respectively, of the Grandview district, attributed their district’s […]
Superintendent Panel Delivers Personal Advice for Attending to One’s Own Wellness as Organizational Leaders
“Changing selfish to self-full” to better the working environment in schools became an overarching topic at the “Leading Well by Living Well” panel on Thursday morning at the AASA National Conference on Education. Five superintendents, along with a consultant, addressed what they considered the biggest challenges facing their personal wellness in their respective workplaces. “Wellness […]
Superintendents Superpowering AI Tell Fellow Attendees: They’re Leading Innovation, Equity and Impact
Just a year ago, the conversation around AI felt theoretical. Now, it’s a reality driving strategic decisions in districts nationwide. Superintendents are leveraging AI tools and chatbots to tackle some of education’s toughest challenges: operational efficiency, chronic absenteeism, budget management and declining enrollment. With real-time data, predictive analytics and automation at their fingertips, school leaders […]
The Strategic Value of Cabinet-Level Communicators in Education Leadership Served at Conference Roundtable
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, effective communication has emerged as a critical component of successful school district leadership and a strategic asset in today’s complex educational environment. After all, as parents’ priorities shift toward safety, mental health and learning outcomes, effective communication becomes increasingly vital. In fact, according to the 2024 National School Public […]
Opening Conference Keynoter Pushes for Reimagined Classrooms and Holds the Evidence to Show What They Look Like
What would it look like if we completely reimagined the classroom? Carole Basile, dean of the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University, has been working on an answer. During her keynote speech at the 1st General Session of AASA’s national conference on Thursday, Basile explored the ways in which our education system […]
Promoting a Culture of Well-being: JED and AASA’s District Mental Health Initiative
Statistics show that 75 percent of mental health challenges emerge during adolescence and young adulthood, and 4 in 10 high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Support is imperative. This was the opening statement at the Thursday morning session “Pioneering Powerful Practices: A Comprehensive Approach to Enhancing Impact of Mental Health Support” […]
