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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
Consensus Not Easy Between Superintendents and Their Boards, a Point Upon Which NSBA, AASA Executive Directors Concur
A good relationship between a public school superintendent and the school board can have a significant impact on the success of a school district. This partnership can create a collaborative environment that allows for effective decision-making, increased accountability and improved student outcomes. That was the takeaway from the Thought Leader Session at the AASA national […]
Conference Panel Tackles the Subject of ‘Imperfect’ Leadership of Education Organizations
A good leader is willing to admit when they have made a mistake, Peter Stiepleman, president of Imperfect Leadership in After Action in Bainbridge Island, Wash., told an AASA conference audience on Thursday. His session was titled “Imperfect Leaders.” “Serve as a leading learner,” said Stiepleman, a former superintendent. “Leading with vulnerability is one of […]
School Trauma Expert, in Thought Leader Session: Care for Yourself and the Members of Your Staff
School administrators step up in crisis whenever they help their schools and families. But they weren’t trained to do that work, said David Schonfeld, director of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement and Pediatrician at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Schonfeld presented on “Caring for Yourself and Your Members” at a Thought Leader […]
Stronger Principal Preparation Leads to Better Student Outcomes, RAND Researcher Tells Conference Attendees
Five panelists addressed the importance for principals to be ready to take on their role as leaders and the process to be prepared for the job. At a Thought Leaders session titled “Redesigning University Preparation Programs,” Rebecca (Becki) Herman, a senior policy researcher for the RAND Corporation, spoke as the lead presenter about the recent […]
Countering Social Media Ills Among Students Addressed at Conference Panel
The founder of SmartSocial, Josh Ochs, delivered a presentation at the AASA conference on Thursday about social media safety and ways school districts can use technology and social media as a tool to benefit students academically. Ochs was joined on his panel, which addressed “How Superintendents are Navigating Social Media Use to Keep Students Safe,” […]