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December 2011 --
From MESPA NAESP State Representative Steven Geis
Priceless National Networking
What have you done to enhance your principal leadership skills recently? What is the most recent book you have read professionally and for pleasure? When was the last time you attended a national conference? What have you done for enjoyment recently? (Read this article to find my answers to the above questions.)
There’s only one national professional event in 2012 designed entirely for elementary and secondary principals that will open your eyes, sharpen your focus, look closer at the important topics, and build your knowledge as a principal practitioner. This will all be accomplished by attending the National Association of Elementary School Principals annual conference: Best Practices for Better Schools, Seattle, WA, March 22-24, 2012.
The conference is packed with content-rich, career-enhancing experiences, from keynote and plenary sessions to a multitude of concurrent sessions, and an expo where you’ll find top suppliers for products and services your schools need. You will learn how to transform your school into a high-performing learning community. Plan on taking away the best practices and turnaround strategies to achieve and sustain success in your school.
In addition to the content-rich presentations, you will be in one of America’s favorite cities as voted by travelers. I personally was there this past March and had the most delightful time touring the harbor, Space Needle, aquarium, and enjoying delectable meals. Another highlight was visiting the Pike Place Fish Market where the story and philosophy of FISH (be present, make their day, chose your attitude) originated. The employees were as you saw them in the films and several still are employed there enjoying their work.
The advantage of attending a conference focused on elementary and middle level principals is national networking. You will be with colleagues all holding the same positions and the rich conversations are, as Mastercard commercials say, “priceless.”
There is something for every educational leader at the NAESP 2012 conference:
- Accountability and Assessment
- Evaluation of Classroom Instruction
- Leading for Change
- School Culture
- Student Academic Achievement
- Technology for Leadership
If you have or plan on purchasing an iPad you will have to attend Justin Baeder’s session. He is the author of The Essential iPad Guide for Principals. He will help increase your productivity as an educational leader by using the iPad to manage your time and work. You will learn how principals use the iPad for walkthroughs, emails, documentation, and much more.
In answer to my questions: Attending the national conference in Tampa last April was the most beneficial professional development I have done this year. I just finished reading Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent (outstanding); and Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick (author of the Caldecott Medal Winner The Invention of Hugo Cabret) which was a masterpiece and two stories in one. Professionally, I am rereading Donalyn Miller’s The Book Whisperer. The most recent fun I had was Halloween trick-or-treating with my four little ones. Additionally, I am looking forward to having a great time in Seattle with a large delegation from MN. Please plan on having fun and learning a great deal with colleagues and friends alike.
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| Mission: The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.
Leading schools toward excellence through the MESPA vision to be the premiere resource for preparing today's principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education.
Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association
1667 North Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
651.999.7310 MN toll free 800.642.6807
Fax: 651.999.7311 E-mail: mespa@mespa.net |
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