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January 2023 LeadershipMatters

Mattoon’s LIFT Facility CreatingNew Opportunities for Students

IASA PD Opportunities: Register for Acadamies and Workshops

Legal Corner: NewFederal & State Rules for 2023

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MATTOON’S LIFT FACILITY

In August 2022, Mattoon CUSD #2 opened LIFT to students in the area. LIFT offers a non-traditional education experience for students that prepares them to enter the workforce and forge a successful career. Learn more about this new facility in Eastern Illinois.

Podcast Q&A with Dr. Lisa Leali on her book Leading Through Chaos: Ten Strategies for School Leaders During Crises

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Elevating Education

IASA Professional Development Opportunities IASA Legal Corner: Federal and State Law Changes

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IASA News in Brief

IASA Calendar of Events

LegalCorner

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Chad Watkins IASA Associate Director/General Counsel maMi, ut eturibe ratiam, conem coratius, nihita ius volut atus, sunt. Ga. Ci culparu mquasperor aut quam, omnis estrum estiis di ad ma sitinto quibusa id que imus dolorep udistia archili tatem. Neque occupta temque voluptur, quas pro to et occus di doluptatiur, inciendae que aspid moluptium faciis dolupta vit, et el eaquisque nobit, consequis aceat elibus. Ini odionsequi simi, conet quosam, quiam dolor maio cum qui debit id qui dis dolesercidi ipist, sitibus, sequis a volenihitia consequam re perum exere verio dolorio. Ut aut et, ipiducipit, estrum aut qui senihil eum fugitat iassercius et eos mi, optatur, sam aut quam soluptati volorep tibusam, to officatur aut expernat earchil ipid quia

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Volume 11, Issue 1 January 2023 LeadershipMatters 22307 Jason Nevel Director of Social Media and Publications jnevel@iasaedu.org

if nec., see orig. legal art prototype on pg 9 of summer 2020 issue

COVID-19 has impacted every area of school operations and student residency is no exception. School districts face verifying the residency of newly registered and returning students at the start of each new school year; but 2020 is anything but a usual school year. To help you in this process, we will look at best practice tips for verifying student residency, and the wrinkles involved in verifying student residency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Determining Residency Of course, only a student who is a “resident” of the district can attend tuition-free. Typically, this means that a student is a resident of the district in which his parent or legal guardian resides. There are, however, other factors which may influence the student’s residency. As such, districts must make five critical determinations when registering a student: 1) Whether the student is eligible for special education services.... (continue reading)... replace w/ new

2648 Beechler Court Springfield, IL 62703-7305 217.753.2213 800 Woodfield Road, Ste. F109 Schaumburg, IL 60173-4717 847.466.5075 0 LM Month 2019 Student Residency in the Era of COVID-19

Marjorie Gladish Graphic Designer mgladish@iasaedu.org

1200 West Main Street Marion, IL 62959-1138 618.364.0501

www.iasaedu.org

Scan here with your phone’s QR code reader to get the IASA APP— Don’t have a QR reader? Go to or and search for IllinoisASA.

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Message From the Executive Director LIFT Facility InMattoon Is Inspiration ForWhat Education Systems Can Be

Dr. Brent Clark

In the United States, 53 percent of all jobs require more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree. Plumbers, HVAC specialists, manufacturers, and medical technicians are all examples of this kind of work. However, only 43 percent of workers are trained to this skill level. As an example, the skills gap may leave an estimated 2.4 million manufacturing jobs unfilled between 2018 and 2028. School districts can be part of the solution. Many districts in Illinois already are. Let’s take advantage of this opportunity to provide training for jobs that potentially pay more than $60,000 per year, helping break cycles of poverty in our communities. I hope you read about the LIFT Innovation Center in Mattoon. The program is an inspiration for what our education systems can potentially look like. Awesome work by Tim and his staff at Mattoon CUSD #2. To close, I hope each of you enjoyed the Winter Break and got to spend time with family and recharge your batteries. There is demanding, but also rewarding, work ahead. I’m confident each of you are up to the challenge.

IASA is always proud to highlight innovative and dynamic work happening in schools across our state. In this month’s issue, we showcase an exceptional program in Mattoon CUSD #2. The LIFT Innovation Center opened its doors to students in August. The state-of-the-art facility has advanced robotics equipment, high-powered manufacturing machines, a culinary institute, a communications studio, a CISCO lab and other 21st century luxuries not typically afforded to students in a rural area. Mattoon CUSD #2 was able to open its facility when Consolidated Communications opted to sell its headquarters to the district. But as Tim Condron, the district’s superintendent, notes schools anywhere can offer similar opportunities for students without a 50,000-square foot facility. I personally am a strong advocate for school districts maximizing vocational opportunities, providing opportunities to earn credentials and certifications and preparing students to enter the workforce and forge a successful career. The data shows our country is experiencing a significant skills gap and there is a growing need to prepare students for high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand career fields.

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Mattoon’s LIFT Facility Creating New Opportunities for Students

By Jason Nevel IASA Director of Social Media and Publications

Surrounded by a cluster of aging brick buildings and traditional streetscapes, the newly renovated, six-story LIFT Innovation Center in Mattoon CUSD #2 stands out like a wind turbine in a cornfield. Nestled in the heart of Mattoon’s historic downtown, the 50,000-square foot building—formerly the headquarters of the internet and telecommunications provider, Consolidated Communications—houses a cutting edge new opportunity for 11th and 12th graders from up to 25 school districts in Eastern Illinois. The modern facility was designed as a way to connect students to career pathways and programs that will help them navigate the post high school graduation world. Students

can earn job skills, industry credentials, certifications, soft skills demanded by employers as well as leadership training, through the Leader in Me program, that prepares them for the future. State-of-the-Art Facility For a rural Illinois community with 16,870 people, the innovation and technology center renovated by Mattoon CUSD #2 is unquestionably unique. The state-of-the-art facility has advanced robotics equipment, high-powered manufacturing machines, a culinary institute, a communications studio, a CISCO lab and other 21st century luxuries not typically afforded to students in a rural area. According to Mattoon CUSD #2 Superintendent Tim Condron, LIFT is the manifestation of a dream dating back several

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The state-of-the-art facility has advanced

decades. Community leaders desired a non-traditional education experience for students that prepares them to enter the workforce and forge a successful career. A combination of good luck, hard work, a dedicated staff and community vision turned that dream into a reality. When it opened its doors to students in August 2022, 105 students from Mattoon and surrounding districts enrolled. By Year 3 or 4, Condron expects enrollment to more than double and reach its capacity of 420 students. “LIFT has provided our students, and students throughout the region, a pathway for new experiences and a better life,” Condron said. “We are incredibly excited for the future, and the potential it holds for our students and our region.” The benefits LIFT has for students only tells half the story. Perfect Partnership Located in Coles County about 50 miles south of Champaign and 30 miles north of Effingham, Mattoon’s history is tied to the railroad. The town’s name actually comes from the man who helped construct the Terre Haute and Alton Railroad in 1854. Over the years, Mattoon has also developed a strong presence of manufacturing, agriculture, education institutions and a burgeoning healthcare system. But there’s been a nagging problem. With a countywide population of just under 50,000, Coles County doesn’t have a large workforce to pull from. Condron and Christy Hild, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services in Mattoon CUSD #2, said the school district was a natural partner to help develop a pipeline of workers for area businesses. The district serves 3,059 students—64 percent of which come from low-income households. “A big part of the story of LIFT is about economic development,” Hild said. “Our businesses needed workers

robotics equipment, high powered manufacturing machines, a culinary institute, a communications studio, a CISCO lab and other 21st century luxuries not typically afforded to students in a rural area.

and wanted to partner with the school district. It’s been a great relationship and a win-win for everyone.” One of the main ingredients to LIFT’s success has been community involvement, Hild said. Over the years, different working groups were formed and, in total, around 150 community members made recommendations on everything from what skills job applicants need, what the facility and equipment should look like and what type of facilitators would make ideal instructors. The Mattoon Chamber of Commerce and Coles Together, a local economic development group, were also involved in researching local labor market trends. As a result, the project generated tremendous support and excitement from the community, making the financing a much easier sell. FinancingLIFT For years, the major hangup to opening LIFT had been securing or building a new facility. The district’s luck changed in February 2021 when the Lumpkin Family, owners of Consolidated Communications, opted to move out and sell its headquarters, located across the street from the administrative office. The company’s decision to move out was influenced heavily by the pandemic and an employee’s ability to work from home. While the price tag to renovate wasn’t cheap, it cost significantly less, around $12.5 million, than to build from the ground up. With the support of the Board of Education, a financing plan was developed that relied on County Schools

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Mattoon ... cont’d.

Facility Sales Tax to pay off debt, mixed with grants, local funds and donations. In addition, the district had to budget for hiring additional staff. Four of the seven people who work at LIFT were existing employees who could be shuffled around. The other three came directly from the trades. According to Hild, the district assisted with the costs associated with securing an alternative licensure from the state and any other necessary training the LIFT employees needed. To help them succeed in the classroom, the district paired them with an instructional coach. Mattoon CUSD #2 is a Tier 1 district funded at 68 percent of adequacy. The district has a $44 million operating budget. “We told them you are exactly what we need from an industry standpoint, and we want to help you learn how to teach kids,” Hild said. “We have made that investment in them.” DesigningEducationPathways Before LIFT could open its doors, there were major challenges from an educational and operational standpoint for administration to work through. LIFT would have seven education pathways, which were selected based on community input. Each pathway is aligned to jobs in the area as well as employment forecasts, designed with potential for ISBE-approved college and career pathway endorsements. The pathways are: • Childcare • Communications • Culinary arts • HVAC/Green energy/Robotics • Information Technology • Leadership Institute • Manufacturing, Architecture and Construction Hild was tasked with developing the curriculum for each pathway. Since Mattoon CUSD #2 offers a competency based education program, required content can be embedded into a variety of classes, she added.

ClickHere toReadLIFTProgramGuide2022–23: https://www.iasaedu.org/cms/lib/IL01923163/Centricity/ Domain/4/LIFT%20Program%20Guide%20PDF.pdf

What separates LIFT from other vocational centers, however, is its focus on leadership training. LIFT is a Franklin Covey partner and has adopted the Leader in Me platform, an evidence-based approach that empowers students with the leadership and life skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. “The one constant in each pathway is the focus on leadership skills,” Hild said. “Every student takes classes on the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People . Part of the reason for that is our employers told us they can train someone to run a piece of equipment, but they can’t train someone to have a good work ethic.” Operationally, Mattoon CUSD #2 elected to have three sessions of LIFT each day that are two hours long. Students from neighboring districts are either transported by bus or drive themselves. Each student, or the district on their behalf, pays a $1,000 tuition. Scholarships are offered to offset the cost. “We’re still in the early stages right now, but our goal moving forward is to lower the program cost and find ways to remove barriers to participation,” Hild said.

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Don’tWant toLeave The biggest takeaway from an operations standpoint is that once students arrive at LIFT, they don’t want to leave. Hild is already trying to figure out how students can spend more time at LIFT while fulfilling graduation requirements. Mattoon High School seniors Jason Skocy, Berit Haldorsen and Luke Perry said attending LIFT is always their favorite part of the day. Ian Gardner, a junior at Charleston High School, felt the same way. Skocy is enrolled in the Leadership Institute pathway. He picked that pathway to better understand the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and apply the lessons to his future career. Haldorsen is taking finance classes at LIFT that she believes will provide her with a leg up in college. As part of requirements for LIFT, each student creates a leadership portfolio that can be shown to college advisers. In addition, the students create a capstone project showcasing what they learned and do community service projects. “I want to be a financial advisor, so this training has really helped me,” Haldorsen said. “What I also like about LIFT is it feels like the day is done after my fourth period, and I get to come here. We are all very close, and it feels like a family here.” Gardner, the junior at Charleston, drives to Mattoon each day to study robotics. In a few short months, he has learned how to program a robot to pick up blocks and move around.

The robot Gardner operates uses the same programming system found in many automotive and manufacturing plants, his teacher, Dan Compton, noted. “He will be able to walk in right out of high school and understand how to use the equipment,” Compton said. “That’s the type of skills employers are looking for.” ProgramsAreMore Important ThanaBuilding Both Condron and Hild said Mattoon CUSD #2 was extremely fortunate that Consolidated Communications was looking to sell its building. Having a building that size helped generate excitement in the community and provided space to create an expansive program. However, school districts looking to launch a similar initiative don’t need 50,000-square feet, Condron and Hild said. For the HVAC course, for example, students build a model where they have to wire a blower to a thermostat on a sheet of plywood. Much of the work for audio/visual production can be done on a phone or laptop, and the Leader in Me component does not require substantial space. “I really believe schools can provide similar opportunities in classrooms across our state,” Condron said. “The key has been the partnerships we have forged with businesses and community members. It has opened up doors for students.” To learn more about LIFT, visit https://www.mattoon.k12.il.us/o/lift.

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Dr. LisaLeali, superintendent of LakeBluff ESD

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Whatmadeyouwant towrite thisbook? I really wasn’t looking to write a book, and it actually started a little bit prior to the pandemic. It actually started out more as a journal. I think you can learn a lot by taking a little bit of time to journal and document what you’re going through. As we entered into pandemic times, I started to see patterns emerge in the things I was writing about. When those patterns started to emerge, it just kind of came together as maybe this is something that could help a new superintendent navigate some of these situations. I’ve heard the quote many times by other people. This is not me. I think you need to write the book that you wish you had or the book you need to read. This is definitely one that I’ve needed in my own life and hopefully will be helpful to others. Youmentioned journaling. Canyoushare some tipsabout your processand the importanceofmaking time todo it? Finding time is the biggest issue. My process has been a little bit varied over the years depending on my life circumstances and where things are in my home life with my children and the rest of my life.

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#65,wroteher first book, Leading through Chaos: TenStrategies for School LeadersDuring Crises. Thebookwaspublished inOctober and isavailable for purchasehere.

IASA recorded a podcast with Dr. Leali in December. Click here to listen to the podcast. The following story is a condensed and edited version of that conversation.

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Canyousharea littlebit about yourself and your school district? I’m in my third year as superintendent, but I’ve been a district level administrator since around 2008. I have worked primarily in the area of curriculum and instruction for three different school districts of varying sizes. I’m really proud of all that work and this book is kind of a reflection on some of those situations that I’ve encountered. It’s by no means a comprehensive guide to dealing with all chaos, but really the things that I’ve learned over my years and the things that I’ve dealt with.

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Iwant you tosharesomenutsandbolts strategies fromthebook. Canyou talk about tips for answeringemails? I think they need to be answered, unfortunately. The tip is not to not do it. However, I think there are some strategies that new superintendents might not think about right away. One of them is to just pause and prepare yourself. When you see an email, and you know there’s going to be an issue that’s going to be stressful or complicated, it’s important to make sure you’re in the right frame of mind to actually even open it. If you open it in a frame of mind that’s fearful or that’s angry, your reaction isn’t going to be as Leadership under Dr. (Courtney) Orzel’s leadership and to have those conversations. Anecdotally, it feels like some women might struggle with feeling confident enough in their leadership to say, ‘I’m not sure how we’re going to proceed, but we’re going to proceed together, and we are going to collaborate on this together.’ Openness and the confidence to be able to do that is a level of authentic leadership that people are looking for right now. deservingof the job.Why is it better for superintendents toadmit that theydon’t haveall theanswers? I think there’s a line, right? You definitely don’t want to come across as if you have no idea about what you’re doing. You were hired for a reason. But at the same time, you aren’t going to have all the answers on your own. I think there’s a level of confidence that the community, your new staff, parents and students are looking for. They want to know that they have a leader who has strategies for success and is confident in their own leadership ability. However, I think part of leadership is collaboration and being open to different opinions, different ideas and the history of the organization. It’s important to be open to what’s worked and maybe what hasn’t worked as well. If you’re open to all of those things, then you aren’t going to have all the answers. It’s about saying I’m new here, and I want to hear how you feel and better understand how we can move forward together. I’ve been so grateful to be part of Women in

Is the target audience for your book newsuperintendentsor canveteran superintendentsbenefit fromreading it? I think it’s a book that could be accessible to anybody who’s been in a leadership position. I think sometimes when you change positions you feel like a new leader because you’re in a new place with a new set of circumstances and new sets of people. It’s my practice to try to show gratitude every time, so I often write an email to thank a colleague for taking the time to talk with me. That’s a reflection for me because I’m going to go back to that conversation. Then it’s just kind of finding a way to put all of that together to put that in a place that’s accessible to you. There are so many tech tools right now and different strategies that people can use to curate. Whydidyoudecide touseaWizardofOz analogyor quote for each chapter? I love the movie, and I love that story. It didn’t come into the book until it was almost written. I was looking for a way to anchor it and to have a through line. As I was thinking about lessons in my life that I’ve learned, or stories that kind of mirror leading through a chaotic situation, the story of Dorothy felt right. A lot of the quotes jumped out as anchors that would work well for the book. Youwriteabout hownewsuperintendents shouldnot beexpected toknoweverything. I suspect thismight beanareasomenew superintendents strugglewithbecause theywant toshowthey’resmart and Working as a school leader, I think, you have to find the time that makes the most sense for you and also the method that works best for you. I think sometimes it’s helpful just to have a running document that you can go to all the time and jot notes down whenever you want to remember something. Sometimes for me, it’s been a more formal process of dealing with a situation over time that’s evolving. Sometimes it’s been voice recordings when I’m in the car just reflecting, and sometimes it’s been reflection through talking with others over the phone or professional conversations.

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Why Support

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What is IPAC? IPAC is a statewide, non-partisan Political Action Committee (PAC), organized by members of the Illinois Association of School Administrators. It is funded by contributions from indi vidual school administrators and the IASA. The dollars are dis tributed strategically as campaign contributions to legislators from both political parties aligned with our educational mission. Why support IPAC? A well-funded IPAC is an essential tool to get legislators to listen to our challenges and support our mission. Your donation ensures IASA keeps its seat at the table, secures face-to-face time with legislators and continues to have meaningful input on education policy. This partnership plays a key role in advancing IASA legislative priorities, reducing unfunded mandates and limiting legislation that could be harmful to school districts. Contributions are also vital in IASA’s ability to block or amend unfunded and curricular mandates introduced each legislative session.

What has IPAC accomplished? The dollars have been integral to the success of Vision 20/20, the passage of Evidence-Based Funding and other key legisla tive victories that have improved public education in Illinois. Your contributions also help block or amend short-sighted legislation that has unintended consequences on student learning. Howmuch are IPAC Annual Contributions? Our goal is to have every IASA member support IPAC. Annual contributions are $100. How is your contribution spent? IPAC contributions position IASA to have legislative success. The funds are used to make strategic campaign contributions and pay costs associated with attending legislative outings and events. Attending these events increases our face-to-face time with legislators, enhancing our advocacy efforts.

Scan QR code (or click here) to contribute to IPAC today: t i

Questions? Contact Ashleigh Knudson at 217–753–2213 or aknudson@iasaedu.org.

A copy of our report is filed with the State Board of Elections and is or will be available for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois 62704. Contributions to IPAC are not deductible as charitable or political contributions for federal income tax purposes.

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LealiQ&A ... cont’d.

healthy, thoughtful and mindful as it needs to be. I think taking a pause first and giving yourself an opportunity after you’ve read it to think it through. I also think sometimes phone calls are way better than responding via email. Or even in-person conversations. There’s too much tone. There’s too much context. Everyone’s reading it from their side of the table. Something like that can really be way more productive than just firing off an email and getting it out of your inbox. Q Everysuperintendent isgoing tohave to dealwithanangryparent or community stakeholder. Inyour book, you talkabout somestrategies todealwith that situation. Couldyousharesomeof those? I think taking ownership is one of the first things that I would talk about. Passing the buck or blaming somebody else for something in the organization is not going to yield great results in terms of resolution. I think that we can also take more time to fully understand what’s upsetting or even understand what the emotion is. Brené Brown talks a lot about emotional granularity, and I think we are too quick sometimes to think everything is coming from anger. Sometimes it’s about fear. Sometimes it’s about sadness. Sometimes it’s about frustration. Actually pinpointing those emotions before you start to problem solve is important. That’s because, not only do you have a better sense of what the resolution could be, you also are able to validate and really make sure the other person feels heard and understood before you move forward together. A Whydidyouwriteabout the importanceof laughter andsuperintendentsquestioning if they’re funnyor not? I enjoy laughing and having fun and being joyful at work, and I think that’s something that everybody enjoys and there’s brain research that backs that up. Being in an environment where you can enjoy yourself and have fun is important for people building teams, creating relationships and de-escalating situations. It can also create a sense of belonging. A

Why isdocumentation important for new superintendents? When you look back and somebody asks you how you got to the place you were in, you can give some solid and concrete examples of the decisions that you’ve made, the conversations you’ve had or your journey. There’s so much shared wisdom in education. We have so many talented leaders and educators. We don’t share with each other enough, and the only way you can really share is if you’re documenting or if you’re journaling. You have to think about those successes that you’ve had and find ways to see if they can be replicated in other places. Any final thoughts? My final thought is I don’t think chaos is going away in education. I think it’s here, and we’re getting ready to ramp up into additional chaotic situations. The more we can share with each other about our strategies to handle that and keep calm, it’s going to be easier to keep focused on what’s right for kids. We’ve descended into an era where chaos is a norm, and we don’t want that for our students. We want them to feel grounded, stable and supported. That’s really important to me, not only as an educator, but also as a parent. I have three kids that I’ve seen go through this crazy time these last few years, and we’re dealing with the after effects together. We’re working through it together. The more that we can do as educational leaders to tamp that down, and stay focused on what’s right for kids, the better off we’re all going to be. We all went into education to support kids—and kids are joyful. I just think it’s about creating a climate and culture of joy and ensuring that your organization is modeling that because that’s what we want for kids. When we think about humor, it’s very personal and you have to know your audience. I mean it’s not like you can have the same humor at home with your family that you would with folks at work. But I don’t think it’s necessarily jokes. It’s about being able to bring a sense of lightness, especially at a leadership level or with teachers. It shows who you are.

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Education Elevat g We continue our series highlighting tremendous educators across Illinois who have given their time and energy to ele vating the superintendency and public education as a whole. Each month, we will feature two educators who are going the extra mile and truly making a difference beyond their school districts and local communities. While we are aware of many of the contributions administrators are making, we are open to any suggestions for someone to feature next month. To make a recommendation, contact Jason Nevel, IASA Director of Social Media and Publications, at jnevel@iasaedu.org or by calling 217–753–2213. Dr. Andrea Evers Murphysboro CUSD#186 Dr. JonBartelt Bloomingdale SD#13

Who: Dr. Jon Bartelt, superintendent What: Coaching for Leaders; Support of educators practicing mindfulness; IASA COVID-19 Transition Team; School board governance training; Fostered a positive district culture; Educational League of Illinois; Community organizations Where: Bloomingdale SD #13, DuPage Region

Who: Dr. Andrea Evers, superintendent

What: Leading Cairo USD #1 through tumultuous times; Box meal delivery program; Helping schools set up COVID-19 testing clinics; Supporting the fine arts; Setting up an educator pathway program in a rural district; IASA Global Service Project

When: Superintendent of Bloomingdale SD #13 since 2012. Twenty-two years experience as superintendent Why: The eight days of training Dr. Jon Bartelt received in the Coaching for Leaders academy transformed his leadership skills. “Sandye Brown and Dr. Nancy Blair helped me become a better listener and a better leader,” Dr. Bartelt said. “Since then, I’ve tried to facilitate that training for others. I strongly believe that learning how to develop others on your team, and being able to find that development within ourselves, will ultimately help you better serve the needs of students in your community.” Dr. Bartelt is the facilitator of Coaching for Leaders Academy, an 8-day learning experience held at Bloomingdale SD #13 designed to build competence and confidence among leaders. Participants who complete the academy are certified as a leadership coach. Since its inception in 2018, approximately 100 educators have graduated from the academy. A one-day

Where: Murphysboro CUSD #186, Shawnee Region When: Superintendent of Murphysboro CUSD #186 since 2020; Superintendent of Cairo USD #1 from 2012–20 Why: As the leader of Cairo USD #1 from 2012–2020, Dr. Evers encountered one of the most daunting situations any superintendent could ever face. Cairo is considered one of the poorest cities in Illinois and has seen its population decline at one of the fastest rates in the country. The challenges for the school district were exacerbated by a public housing crisis that forced hundreds of families to relocate. During her tenure, Dr. Evers saw Cairo USD #1’s enrollment decline from approximately 600 students to less than 400. More public housing closures, and lack of development, has resulted in enrollment dropping to 271 students today.

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Education Elevat g Evers ... cont’d. refresher course with Dr. Blair and Sandye Brown is also offered. Dr. Bartelt is also well regarded for his efforts to promote Bartelt ... cont’d.

However, Dr. Evers said her time at Cairo USD #1 helped her become the leader she is today. She is proud of boosting the district’s graduation rate, despite immense adversity. She is also proud of the partnerships she helped forge with businesses, including a local mattress company that provided beds to families experiencing infestation from substandard living conditions. In addition, she helped launch a summer breakfast and lunch delivery program in 2015 to help feed needy families. She has presented to her peers on the initiative at conferences. Dr. Evers’ proudest achievement, however, is the deep connections she made with students and staff. “My why is all about the who,” Dr. Evers said. “I always try to get to know students by making those connections. I go to sporting events, choral events, church performances or anything they’re in just to show I care about them and believe in them. Cairo was a challenging situation, but I feel incredibly blessed to have made those connections with students and educators, who had the purest hearts and intentions.” At Murphysboro CUSD #186, Dr. Evers has supported the fine arts and expanded opportunities for students. The district purchased new musical instruments for students and has expanded performance opportunities, including online shows during the pandemic. Murphysboro CUSD #186 elected to stay open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and implement an extensive testing operation. The district was one of the first five schools in the state to get a CLIA license. Dr. Evers later helped her peers navigate the licencing process and set up COVID-19 testing programs on site. In addition, Dr. Evers said she is excited to develop an educator pathway program at Murphysboro CUSD #186 that will begin to create a pipeline of future teachers. The program has been strengthened by a recent event that brought together retired, current and future teachers. “When you saw those three groups together sharing stories, there was a real energy and connectedness that gives you optimism for the future of our district,” Dr. Evers said. Lastly, Dr. Evers participated in the first IASA Global Service Project, which performed charitable work in schools in the Dominican Republic.

mindfulness among his peers and staff at Bloomingdale SD #13. To help his peers, Dr. Bartelt led a mindfulness workshop with two other superintendents. He has also written a Leadership Matters article on tips to manage stress and promotes positivity and mindfulness on social media. Within Bloomingdale SD #13, Dr. Bartelt has facilitated mindfulness training and additional social-emotional support interventions for his staff. “We feel nobody’s problems are insignificant, and we can collectively work through anything together,” Dr. Bartelt said. Dr. Bartelt served on the IASA COVID-19 Transition Team during the COVID-19 pandemic. The team provided actionable tools and supports for superintendents across Illinois. The experience solidified his belief in the importance of superintendents collaborating and supporting each other. “This profession can be lonely unless you’re connected to a great group of superintendents like the ones I had on the Transition Team,” Dr. Bartelt said. “Having a support network like that keeps you grounded and gives you access to knowledgeable people who you can bounce ideas off and learn from.” Dr. Bartelt is hoping to improve networking and learning opportunities for superintendents by helping revive the Educational League of Illinois, a 142-year-old organization originally set up to provide a platform for educators to discuss the implementation of educational principles. “The group has historically met during the Joint Annual Conference, but we’re looking to do quarterly meetings and focus more on the needs of superintendents and other school leaders across our state.” Bloomingdale SD #13’s Board of Education has received governance awards for the past seven years. Dr. Bartelt has presented on board strategies, board relations and best practices at the Joint Annual Conference and IASA Annual Conference. Lastly, he has served on the boards of numerous community organizations, including the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. “I am blessed to be around a phenomenal team of educators and a supportive Board of Education at Bloomingdale SD #13,” Dr. Bartelt said. “The success we’ve had is because of the hard work of the people in this organization and our supportive community. It’s truly a great place for all learners.”

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Professional Development In the next month, IASA will send out an email with a call for breakout session proposals for the Annual Conference. High-quality breakout session topics are pivotal to the success of the conference so please be thinking about innovative programs and strategies you could share with your peers. To close, please take a look through the next few pages to see dates, information and links for registration for IASA academies and workshops. We have a full schedule right now of unique learning opportunities.

Dr. Courtney Orzel IASA Associate Director of Professional Development

I am happy to share we have secured three keynote speakers for IASA’s 59th Annual Conference, September 27–29, 2023 in Springfield. This year’s keynotes will be: Jill Siler, Executive Director for Professional Learning for the Texas Association of School Administrators; Adam Welcome, a former educator and author; and Merlyna Valentine, an educator and national consultant. We selected these speakers based on member feedback that indicated superintendents were interested in a speaker with more of an education background. Each of these speakers fit the bill and will share insights and lessons you can take back to your districts.

IASA Offering Initial and Retraining Academies for Principal Evaluation Need Evaluator Training?

IASA is currently offering initial principal evaluation and evaluator retraining academies. These academies are designed to fulfill Illinois State Board of Education requirements. To learn more about dates and requirements, click the link at right.

info•register

PERA, EvaluationsandSB7/RIF: Putting It All Together

The evaluation, retention and dismissal of your staff is really a series of interconnected steps that create a cycle that must be followed each year. In this three-hour workshop, the presenters will focus on the components of this cycle. Information will be shared on each step of the cycle, including the PERA Joint Committee, the SB7/RIF Committee and the timelines in which each of these committees must complete their work. Participants will also review the pertinent documents from their own districts relevant to this cycle. Time will be given for Q and A. Presented by Ralph Grimm and Pat Durley. Upcoming dates: January 12, January 18, January 19 and January 24. info•register

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The Power of Positive Leadership AA 3730 The research is clear. Being a positive leader is not just a nice way to lead. It’s the way to lead if you want to build a great culture, unite your organization in the face of change and adversity, develop a connected and committed team and achieve superior goals. Great leaders understand that to succeed, you succeed with people–and this training shows you how. You’ll learn skills to enhance your leadership capability and leave with a practical action plan to bring out the best in yourself and your team. While leaders always need to display positive leadership, in our current situation it is crucial. Presented by Dr. Kelly Stewart Upcoming dates: February 22 and April 25. info•register Leadership Strand Based on the proven principles from Jon Gordon’s best-selling book, The Power of Positive Teams (POPT), we’ll share proven strategies and practices to help you build a stronger, more united, and connected team. POPT is an interactive program that gives teams the necessary tools to: Create a positive team culture fueled by a shared vision and greater purpose; Activate the competitive advantage of positivity in day-to-day teamwork; Enhance team grit to overcome challenges and create solutions; Generate team alignment and engagement; Foster team caring and inclusivity; Drive continuous improvement; Leave a team legacy of greatness; Address and remove team negativity to improve team communication and clarity; and Build team trust and unity. Presented by Dr. Kelly Stewart. Upcoming dates: January 9 and March 14. info•register The Power of Positive Teams AA 3927 Leadership Strand

Leadership Strand Adaptive Leadership: Dealing With Change AA 1825

Quality schools utilize the practice of continuous improvement. Student growth and learning should never be stagnant. There are always new practices and strategies being discovered that will enable students to be more engaged and to learn better. However, teachers are not necessarily quick to change their practices to what many might perceive as “the latest trend,” although these practices have demonstrated improved learning for students. How do we, as administrators, challenge and encourage teachers

to be open-minded to new practices and strategies for learning? Administrators have a responsibility to know and understand how to implement change so that they may convey these practices to those with whom they work to be the best teachers possible for their students. Presented by Dr. Gary Zabilka Upcoming dates: January 26 and March 16 info•register

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PD ... cont’d.

Problem-Solving and Collective Bargaining Using an Interest-Based Approach AA 3782

Professional Development

Collective bargaining in your district does not have to be an adversarial process. This IASA academy can help administrators, board members and association (union) members better understand how a collaborative approach to solving problems can help your school district amicably reach results that will be lasting and durable.

Specifically, the course provides participants information on the three main components of Interest-Based Bargaining: Training, “Communication Lab” and Bargaining. Presented by Ralph Grimm and Pat Durley Upcoming dates: February 7 and February 9 info•register

Health Life Safety Compliance An Administrator’s Guide to the Fundamentals AA #3700 Offered Online via Zoom

Professional Development

IASA’s Health Life Safety Compliance Academy: An Administrators Guide to the Fundamentals returns in 2023 with two more sessions! Participants will develop strategies to reduce your district’s liability, engage stakeholders, learn the financial do’s and don’ts, as well as undertake a deep dive into your current 10 year HLS surveys and IWAS. This academy is activity- and collaboration-filled, where participants learn “the meat and potatoes” of health life safety and

compliance in Illinois. In addition, participants receive useful take back summary and guidance documents. Presented by Ralph Grimm and Pat Durley Upcoming dates: March 9 and May 31 info•register

Leadership Strand Why Your Why Matters AA 1445

IASA’s popular leadership academy strand focusing on your Why returns with five new sessions. Whether you’ve experienced a Why session before, or you’re taking Why Your Why Matters for the first time, register today and join your colleagues around the state to network, collaborate and reflect on why being an educator is the most important profession on Earth! The first of five sessions will be held virtually on December 6. The series continues with four more sessions, both online and virtually, through June 22, 2023.

Presented by: Dr. Courtney Orzel, IASA Associate Director of Professional Development. Upcoming Dates: • March 13, online; ; • June 8, in person (Springfield); • June 20, Schaumburg; • June 22, online

info•register

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Leadership Strand

Learning Leading Living

&

Women in Leadership:

AA 3665

Presented by: Dr. Orzel. Upcoming dates: • February 9 (IASA Office in Springfield) • June 5, 2023 (online)

IASA’s Women in Leadership Academy returns with a new version that focuses on facing our fears, increasing our confidence and, as always, networking, supporting and connecting with leaders across Illinois. Participants will leave with practical ways to build your PLN, support others in the field and gain a greater sense of work-life blend. All leaders—men and women—are encouraged to join this experience. Register today and join your peers from across the state for an inspiring, fun and important leadership academy!

info•register

New IASA Academy

THE UNFINISHED LEADER: A School Leadership Framework for Growth & Development AA#3896

School of Professional Development

This academy serves as a guidepost to help leaders understand they are works in progress and to help create a vision for their individual futures. To be the best version of yourself you have to be driven deeply by something. You must believe that you have an impact to make and a legacy to leave. You must know that the work will never be done. If you care deeply about making an impact—and you are willing to do anything for your students and

community—admit that you are unfinished and strive to get better every day. Presented by: Dr. Michael Lubelfeld, superintendent of North Shore SD #112, and Dr. Nick Polyak, superintendent of Leyden CHSD #212. Upcoming Date: April 20 info•register

... Webinars Women

Is The Superintendency For Me? Experienced female leaders share advice, answer questions in five-part series

The Illinois Association of School Administrators and Illinois Principals Association are proud to once again partner on a five-part series designed to support female educators considering the superintendency. Participants will listen and learn from a panel of five distinguished female superintendents. In each session, the panelists will discuss their experiences and share advice on what it takes to land that first job and how to be successful in a leadership role. A facilitator will help lead the conversation, and time will be reserved for participants to submit questions. Upcoming dates: • February 1 • April 19 • June 6

info•register

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Aspiring Superintendent Academy

An Immersive Learning Experience To Prepare You For The Superintendency June 26–June 30, 2023

“

They prepare you for the unexpected and demystify the superintendency. I came in with imposter syndrome and a little intimidated, but this programmade me realize I could do it. The person I came in as is different from the person that is leaving. —Matt Condon, Principal, Morton Grove SD #70

What Is The IASA Aspiring Superintendent Academy And Who Should Participate? IASA’s Aspiring Superintendent Academy is an immersive learning experience like no other in the state for educators considering the superintendency. Participants engage in active learning experiences and gain insights from respected practitioners about how to be an effective leader and leverage the position to change the lives of students. The fast-paced program features numerous simulations, reflection time and the creation of meaningful artifacts that reflect the current expectations of the job of superintendent. Mock interviews with professional search firms also help prepare you to land that first job. If you want a modern view of the superintendency beyond what is taught in graduate school, register today for IASA’s Aspiring Superintendent Academy! Target Audience: Central office staff, directors, principals, assistant principal and deans. Watch: Click here to watch a video of past participants discussing their experience.

• Grow your professional learning network • Gain immersive learning experience four days/nights • Attend working/networking dinners • Conduct mock interviews with a professional search firm • Earn Illinois Administrators’ Academy Credit • Build relationships that will last your career and your lifetime Why Should I Participate In The IASA Aspiring Superintendent Academy?

Application Deadline Fri., March 17, 2023

Contact Kristy Ponsler 217–753–2213 or kponsler@iasaedu.org Click for More Information/Application Questions?

FAST FACTS:

$1,750 per participant (program costs, resource materials, meals, and lodging) COST? ✓

Classes will be held at the IASA Headquarters 2648 Beechler Court, Springfield, IL 62703 217–753–2213 WHERE? ✓

June 26–June 30, 2023 (First day is an evening networking welcome reception. Remaining days will be 8am to 4:30pm) WHEN? ✓

Nearly 1/3 of participants have been hired as superintendent within five years of attending this academy VALUE? ✓