LM Sept. 2023_final

59TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

September 27–29, 2023 BOS Center and the President Abraham Lincoln Springfield—A DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

IASA Member Showcase: Real People, Real Talk Thursday 3 p.m. Fourth General Session Illinois is blessed with talented school leaders who are elevating education and moving their districts forward. Learn more about each leader’s journey in this engaging session.

Dr. PJ Caposey Dr. PJ Caposey is the Illinois Superintendent of the Year and Finalist for National Superintendent of the Year as well as being a best-selling author having written ten books for various publishers. He believes that humility is understanding that everyone has a story—and that most people’s stories are better than yours. By understanding our own story, and examining our self-awareness, we can unlock the key to maximizing our own potential. More importantly, as our self-awareness increases our ability to understand and appreciate everyone else’s story increases ten-fold. The key to leadership starts and ends with our ability to understand ourselves. Dr. Keely Roberts Dr. Keely Roberts was recognized during her superintendency at the diverse Zion, Illinois Elementary District 6 for simultaneous academic student growth, taxpayer savings and advocacy for all. She is also the wife and mother of six whose lives were forever changed in the 2022 mass shooting at the Highland Park, Illinois Fourth of July parade. She personally was shot and seriously wounded, and her young son, Cooper, was also shot and is currently paralyzed because of the injury to his spine. Dr. Roberts has been featured in local and national media talking about the shooting, its impact on Cooper and his twin brother Luke, and her hope that Americans can come together to bring out the good in communities and create more positive environments for all. Chuck Schneider Chuck Schneider has been a superintendent/principal in a small, rural district for the past seven years with prior teaching and leadership experience throughout his 30-plus year career. His presentation will emphasize the maintaining of boundaries and balance between work and personal life. “It’s what we do, not who we are.” Although mental health doesn’t necessarily have a bandage, cast or stitches that doesn’t mean there isn’t an injury. Chuck will share his experience with mental health, and the pivotal role that boundaries and balance played in his recovery.

12 LM August 2023