AASA National Conference on Education

Thought Leader sessions are large-format educational sessions that touch on some of the most critical topics in the public education field. They are located in the Knowledge Exchange Theater in the Exhibit Hall or Room La Nouvelle Ballroom C.

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Thursday, March 6

All times are Central Standard Time (CST)

9 – 10AM

SETTING THE ATMOSPHERE: BELIEFS, PRACTICES, AND PROTOCOLS FOR FAITH-FILLED EDUCATIONAL LEADERS

Educational leaders face the daunting yet rewarding task of creating, implementing, and sustaining systems of belief, practices, and protocols that foster a thriving culture for staff and students. In this keynote, Dr. Deborah L. Wortham, author of Setting the Atmosphere, explores the transformative power of faith in school leadership. Drawing on research, personal experience, and biblical principles, she demonstrates how faith-based leadership can inspire resilience, achievement, and community unity. Attendees will gain strategies for cultivating an atmosphere where growth, trust, and innovation flourish, leaving equipped to lead with confidence, courage, and compassion.

BUILDING SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR EQUITY-CENTERED LEADERS

The Wallace Foundation has funded eight school systems in an Equity-Centered Principal Initiative. This session will feature highlights of progress being made in four ECPI districts with Superintendents’ sharing how they have grown their systems’ focus on equity.

10:15 – 11:15AM

THE UNCOMMON SENSE OF MESSY LEADERSHIP

Educational leadership has changed. Superintendents and principals are leading in increasingly complex and uncertain environments requiring them to draw on adaptive leadership expertise and collaborative approaches. In this thought leader session, co-author of the MESSY leadership book – Alyssa Gallagher (Head of BTS Spark America) – will share key insights including the top nine challenges that school leaders are grappling with and seeking coaching support on. She will reveal the ‘uncommon sense of MESSY leadership’ – turning on its head old doctrine on what ‘effective school leadership’ entails and will offer some practical strategies for leaders to trial as they free themselves up to embrace the wonderful ‘messiness’ of educational leadership.

WHAT'S NEXT? THE END OF ESSER, PHILANTHROPY AND THE NEAR-TERM FUTURE OF EDUCATION

The future of learning hinges on powerful alliances and steadfast commitment to progress. Join superintendents and philanthropic leaders in a dynamic discussion on building strong partnerships that nurture a thriving learner ecosystem.

12:45 – 1:45PM

SOBOL LECTURE - POLITICAL LEADERSHIP LEADING DURING TURBULENT TIMES

In the Sobol lecture, Dr. Jennifer Cheatham will share what she is learning as co-chair of the Collaborative on Political Leadership in the Superintendency with a focus on a new research-based framework that describes the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary for political leadership in education. Dr. Cheatham will be joined by several prominent program leaders who are dedicated to superintendent development –Lindsay Whorton from the Holdsworth Center in Texas, Caitlin Sullivan at Leading Now, and Cheryl Logan at the McGraw Center at Penn– to share what they are learning about what politically astute superintendents are doing well and the support superintendents need today. Every audience member will leave with practical tools and guidance on political leadership.

2:15 – 3:15PM

RESILIENT LEADERSHIP TO ENHANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RURAL YOUTH

Great opportunities for rural youth, connecting work based learning and higher education, building hope for meaningful careers and viability of local economic development require nimble, resilient leadership. Hear from author of The Resilient Rural Leader Melissa Sadorf and Superintendents in AASA’s Advancing Rural Education cohort on how they apply resilience as they are building industry credentials and enhancing pathways for rural youth in their states.

SCHOOL WAS IN SESSION THIS SUMMER BUT LESS THAN HALF OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS ENROLLED

Researchers from RAND will share their findings regarding summer programming. District Superintendents with highly successful summer programs will share their strategies and outcomes.

Friday, March 7

All times are Central Time (CT)

11:15AM – 12:15PM

THE NEXT EDUCATION WORKFORCE: HERE, SUCCESSFUL AND EXPANDING

How can we create schools where students engage in deeper, more personalized learning experiences to better prepare them for post-secondary success? How can we reimagine and transform school design to cultivate and empower the Next Education Workforce?

Discover how Mesa Public Schools undertook a comprehensive redesign of their instructional pedagogy and school environments. Explore the transformative journey of two elementary schools and how they reimagined and redesigned spaces to align with this innovative approach. Plus, gain insights into the outcomes of a research project conducted by the John Hopkins Institute for Education Policy, evaluating the early impact of this structural overhaul on students and educators alike.

Learn how assembling teams of educators and fostering learning communities district-wide significantly enhanced opportunities for addressing the diverse needs of both students and staff. Hear how leadership brought staff, community, and students into the process, embracing desired instructional shifts, and moving towards personalized learning and empowerment. Expand thinking about designing spaces for learning communities within the constraints of existing built environments. Discover how this approach addresses staff recruitment and retention by empowering educators; developing better ways to enter the profession, specialize and advance.

SHIFTING ROLES OF PRINCIPAL SUPERVISORS AND PRINCIPALS

Join this thought Leader session with three teams of Superintendents, Principal Supervisors, Principals as they share how the role of principal supervisor has shifted and strengthened outcomes.

12:45 – 1:45PM

NAVIGATING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS

Communication in education is more critical than ever. Join Dr. Timothy Patrick McCarthy, faculty chair of Harvard Graduate School of Education’s “The BRAVE Institute: Finding Your Voice for Your Values,” and Superintendent Dr. Matthew Montgomery of Lake Forest School District for an engaging session on navigating difficult conversations with empathy and levity. Together, they will explore strategies and practice for fostering safe and brave spaces for sharing diverse perspectives, applying the TALK framework (Topic, Asking, Levity, and Kindness), and communicating effectively during times of challenge and crisis. Participants will gain core competencies in managing contentious discussions with honesty and care, while building communication proficiencies essential for today’s educational leaders.

FUTURE-DRIVEN SCHOOLS: INNOVATING EDUCATION FOR OUR STUDENTS' TOMORROW

Join education leaders Bill Daggett (SPN) and Kristine Gilmore (AASA) for an inspiring session on the future of education. In “Future Driven Schools: Innovating Education for Tomorrow,” Daggett and Gilmore will explore groundbreaking strategies and visionary practices that are reshaping the educational landscape.
The session will emphasize the importance of creating a culture that understands the evolving world and workplace, and the necessity of structural changes from central office to the classroom. Attendees will gain insights into how to prepare students for a future shaped by rapid technological advancements and changing societal needs.

2:30 – 3:30PM

DEVELOPING AND SUPPORTING THE LEADERSHIP PIPELINE

This session is a two-part session with executive directors of AASA, NAESP, NASSP, and ASCD/ISTE unpacking how their national associations are developing and supporting a high quality, diverse Leadership Pipeline to serve America’s schools. The second part of the session will include executive directors of the two school boards associations with AASA executive director Dave Schuler, sharing how they are supporting system leaders. Both segments will be moderated by LaTonya Goffney, Superintendent in Aldine, TX.

3:45 – 4:45PM

YOUTH VOICE ON WHAT'S WORKING (AND WHAT'S NOT) IN EDUCATION

Hear directly from our young people on what’s working (and what isn’t) in education today. Do they feel prepared for the jobs of the future? What are the barriers to access and success? How can school leaders support the next generation of learners and leaders? If we want to improve how our systems connect with the young people we care about, the most effective place to start is with listening to them.