Dear Colleagues,
We are just weeks away from closing out the 2021-2022 school year. Hang in there. We know you are facing head on the busiest time of year: planning age appropriate year end events, MCAS administration on top of the day to day demands; not to mention finishing year end evaluations. I am confidant that each of you can do this. It has been such a pleasure to get to know so many of you through our Ring Central Gatherings - that is why I am so certain you can do this!
This also may be an emotional and disturbing time for each of you and your school as we mark the one year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd. Henry Turner Principal of Newton North High School and Kathy Lopes the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for Newton Public Schools have produced a video called Changing the Narrative - if you haven't already used it, this may be a good time to do so. You can find the link to the video in the Timely Videos and Articles section of this newsletter.
Updates
The MSAA Finance Board met with Commissioner Riley last Thursday (May 13th) and there will be a special edition late next week outlining our meeting with him. We are our member's voice and we thank you for your thoughtful and meaningful questions. Rest assured we are your staunchest advocates.
Summer Institute
Mark your calendars. Wednesday, July 28th- Friday, July 30th The Summer Institute, a three-day conference for all school administrators, offers an unparalleled gathering and learning opportunity each summer.
The MSAA is proud to announce the Summer Institute in our new venue set in historic Plymouth, MA. The Hotel 1620 will be the host for SI 2021 and for the next three years beyond.
This year’s conference will prove to one of our best, with outstanding speakers scheduled. JC Pohl, a nationally recognized “School Culture and Mental Health” professional, will kick off the conference on Wednesday morning. Thursday morning will feature best-selling author Sean Covey, who wrote the book, the 7 Habits of Effective Teens. Sean has written extensively on The 4 Disciplines within Me, The Leader in Me, and the 7 Habits of Effective People. On Thursday we’ll look forward to DESE Commissioner Jeff Riley’s report on the status of education in the Commonwealth. Finally, we’re excited to announce another outstanding leader who will address our attendees, Coach Sherry Winn. Coach Winn is a two-time Olympian, National Championship Basketball Coach, and a three-time Amazon best-selling author.
The institute offers over 40 exciting and informative presentations from practicing administrators in our state, networking with colleagues, exposure to MSAA Corporate Sponsors, opportunities for family fun, access to all historic Plymouth has to offer, and the amenities offered by the hotel.
The theme for our conference is “Unite and Ignite 2021,” and this is a great way to get excited and prepared for the new school year! Check out this cool SI video made by the SI Committee.
Videos/Articles
I have included a Sesame Street video that models talking about race and why people have different skin tones and color. The second article is the latest CDC guidance for schools. The third article from Principal magazine addresses how SEL will look differently and should post pandemic. The fourth article and video is a feel good story about a junior from Highland Park High School.
Leadership Licensure Program (LLP)
There are still openings for our Leadership Licensure Program and it not to late to apply! LLP is a one year DESE approved program that fulfills all the requirements for an educator to obtain their Principal/Assistant Principal licensure. LLP has been in existence for 15 years and we have successfully graduated between twenty-nine to forty graduates in any given year. Our graduates consistently tell us it has a been a life changing experience for them.
The instructors of our LLP courses are either retired or practicing Superintendents and Principals. All are, or have been, long time successful leaders in their districts. The course of studies is delivered in the summer and on weekends (1 per month) beginning in June and ending in May the following year. Instructors come from our partner, Teachers21, a highly respected and renowned local organization for high quality professional development.
Our state also requires the successful completion of the Massachusetts Performance Assessment for Leaders (MAPAL) prior to granting the initial certification for the principalship. LLP has embedded the requirements of MAPAL into the content of the courses, as much as possible. In addition, LLP provides training in the completion of MAPAL and one-to-one advisory regarding the process. Our graduates far exceed the passing rate of the state average for other programs on the MAPAL.
LLP is provided by MSAA as an alternative to longer graduate programs. We not only provide PDPs that help with lane changes, we also partner with Fitchburg State University to offer a CAGS Program and in the future a Masters in Leadership Program. Our graduates rave to us about how inspirational their experiences were and how LLP so positively impacted all aspects of their leadership. Currently, LLP graduates serve in leadership roles from the Berkshires to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
Please consider who in your building is that standout teacher leader(s) and encourage them to pursue their licensure in administration! Our LLP is the premiere program in the Commonwealth - we need to support our future leaders! Here is the link to the LLP website at www.leadershiplicensure.org. We count on our current leaders to encourage and support their teacher-leaders to take that next step.
Closing Message from Bill Gaine
On behalf of MSAA and Executive Director, Bill Gaine: Stay safe, stay strong, and take time for yourself.
Warm Regards,
Beth
Beth Wittcoff
MSAA Assistant Executive Director
MSAA Matters Newsletter
Middle Level and Elementary Committee Liaison
Ring Central Gatherings
