MASA eUpdate
July 9, 2026
Dear MASA Members,
I hope this message finds you well and that you are taking advantage of the different cadence that summer offers to find a good mix of rest and productivity — both are important as we prepare for the 2026-27 school year.
As I begin as your executive director, I am seeking your perspectives to shape my leadership of this fantastic organization. In collaboration with our premier-level business partner ThoughtExchange, I am asking MASA members to respond to two questions:
What do you expect of me as your MASA executive director?
What should the MASA executive director expect of you?
Our organization’s powerful mission statement expects us to be the leading voice for public education, shaping and influencing the State and National education agenda, ensuring a world-class education for Minnesota public school students. While I am accountable for the organization and its mission, we are all responsible for it. Your responses to these questions will be instrumental in my approach to our work together. I will share the results with members at the fall conference in Brainerd.
You can participate in the ThoughtExchange here. The exchange will be open until August 6.
Here are a few notes to conclude this week’s update:
Lodging Closes Monday! 2026 MDE/MASA Back to School Conference!
August 4, 2026 | Minneapolis Marriott NW
Secure your spot here! | Lodging Info
Hotel room block cut-off is July 13! Act now!
Gather your leadership team and join colleagues from across Minnesota as we launch into a new school year — together! This is your opportunity to connect, align your team, and set a strong, strategic tone for the new school year. Come ready to engage, collaborate, and leave energized for the work ahead in the 2026-27 school year!
Registration Fees: $289 Active Members | $149 Retiree Members
2026-27 MASA Great Start Cohort Registration Open!
Do you know of any new superintendents or administrators in your region? Encourage them to register for the 2026–27 MASA Great Start Cohort, a nine-session professional learning experience designed to support leaders in their first year of a new role. Participants will build connections with fellow leaders, learn from experienced superintendents, and gain practical strategies to help them navigate the opportunities and challenges of educational leadership.
The first session will be held July 15, 2026, at the Quora Education Center in Little Canada!
Participants must be current MASA members to attend, and CEUs will be provided for each session. Register by July 8, 2026. View session dates, details, and registration information at www.mnasa.org/great-start-cohort.
Thanks to the generous support of Ehlers for sponsoring the Great Start Cohort.
Nominations Open for the 2027 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year
MASA is now accepting nominations for the 2027 Minnesota Superintendent of the Year award. This prestigious honor recognizes outstanding leadership among Minnesota’s active public school superintendents and serves as the state’s nomination for the AASA National Superintendent of the Year program.
Submit a nomination by August 31, 2026, at soy.aasa.org. Nominees must complete their application by September 21, 2026. Learn more and view eligibility details at www.mnasa.org/superintendent-of-the-year.
This award is proudly sponsored by ATSR.
Registration Open! 2026-27 Advanced Leadership Academy
September 2026 – May 2027
Advanced Leadership Academy (ALA) is a cohort-based leadership experience designed to strengthen and sustain excellence in the superintendency. Participants engage in meaningful learning, build lasting connections with peers and executive coaches, and spend intentional time in community reflecting on leadership in a “never normal” and ever-changing environment — all with a focus on better supporting each student in every community they serve.
Check out what last year's academy members had to say!
Monthly AI Lab for School Leaders: Join us on August 3
MASA is partnering with Gruvy Education to offer a new Monthly AI Lab for School Leaders.
Next Lab Topic: Using AI to Streamline Staff Observations, Staff Feedback, and Meeting Follow-Up
Date: Monday, August 3, 2026
Time: 9-10 am Central
Location: Virtual | Zoom
This session shows district leaders how to use AI to streamline staff feedback, observations, and follow-up communication from leadership conversations. Register once here to receive all future calendar invites, reminders, and access to all recordings and resources!
MASA Leaders Represent Region at AASA Advocacy Conference
MASA members and AASA Governing Board representatives Scott Monson, Ann-Marie Foucault, Lisa Sayles-Adams, along with AASA Past President David Law, participated in the AASA Advocacy Conference and Governing Board meeting held July 7–9 in Washington, D.C.
The conference provided an important opportunity to represent our region, collaborate with educational leaders from across the country, and advocate for policies that support students and strengthen public education. We are grateful for their leadership and commitment to ensuring Minnesota's voice is heard at the national level!
Summer is the time to relax, simplify and save!
Educators who switch their auto policies to Horace Mann save an average of $877* per year. That’s meaningful savings you can put toward travel, home projects or simply enjoying your summer.
With Horace Mann, educators get:
- No deductible for auto vandalism on or near school property
- Extra protection for school-related items
- Support beyond insurance, including retirement and financial resources
Get an online quote or call 217-789-2500 to start getting these benefits and savings. Enjoy your summer! You deserve it!
Horace Mann is a Fellow Level Business Partner with MASA.
New Episode! Rethink Possible Podcast Episode 33: Pillars of Leadership Practice
Episode 33: Pillars of Leadership Practice | Listen Here
In this episode, Dr. Bob McDowell meets up with Dr. Tim Anderson, Executive Director of Academics for Prior Lake Savage Area Schools. He shares what he has termed the six pillars of leadership practice of focus and alignment, clarity precedes competence, systemness, capacity building, monitor and support, and celebrate values and victories. These pillars can be applied to any leadership challenge and are focused on connecting initiatives to priorities, providing clarity, creating a strong system, building capacity, monitoring progress and providing support, and recognizing achievements. This framework is designed to help leaders focus on the most important aspects of their practice in order to improve student outcomes.. Listen here!
CESO is a Key Level Business Partner of MASA.
Time to Renew your Jobsite Subscription!
Post unlimited job vacancies, for all levels of positions! The MASA Jobsite Online is well managed with daily attention to detail and customer service. The cost of an annual subscription is less than just a few advertisements placed in the major and local newspapers. Also, the Department of Education recognizes the MASA Jobsite as a valid advertisement when a school district is seeking a variance for a teacher in a specific subject. We currently have 118 districts using the Jobsite and they have posted nearly 2,000 jobs!
Don't have a subscription yet? Join today: https://jobsitemnasa.org/.
