LM april 2021 final hi

IASA Special Virtual Event with Don Yaeger Fri., May 7, 2021 • 9am CST

POST-CONFERENCE EXTRA!

Don Yaeger is personally carving out a special session for IASA on Becoming a Team of Great Teammates! It’s an engaging bonus session you do not want to miss!

IASA’s 56th Annual Conference, held virtually April 7–8, was highlighted by speakers and presenters who inspired, recharged and provided timely professional development to attendees after an incredibly difficult year for educators caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 600 people registered for the Annual Conference. The Opening General Session featured Inky Johnson, whose presentation empowered and inspired all to remember in life people don’t burnout because of what they do—people burnout because life makes us forget “WHY” we do it. Inky brought his unique perspective about overcoming life’s challenges. In college, Inky seemed destined to the NFL before his future was dramatically altered due to a severe injury. Through it all, he never gave up hope.

Don Yaeger, Keynote Speaker

“A loss is not a failure until you make an excuse.”

Inky Johnson, Keynote Speaker

IASA’s 56th Annual Conference last week. Before Wooden passed away in 2010, Yaeger brought one of the recently printed bookmarks to show the coach as the two worked together on a book project. Wooden, at age 96, examined the list of 16 characteristics and told Yaeger he would be making a terrific mistake if he didn’t make a change. “Down here at No. 13, you list that the truly great understand the value of association,” Wooden told Yaeger. “Don, outside of hating to lose, that’s the No. 2 characteristic of any champion you will meet. The truly great ones understand you are only as great as those you surround yourself with.” Yaeger listened, and the bookmarks he distributes today reflect the change. “You will never outperform your inner circle,” Yaeger told IASA conference registrants in the Closing General Session. Highlights from Day 1 The Opening General Session also featured remarks from IASA Executive Director Dr. Brent Clark, IASA President Dr. Victor Zimmerman and a special video with interviews from seven superintendents about navigating unprecedented challenges this past school year. Dr. Zimmerman picked the conference theme of Celebrating the Superintendency . Each superintendent was mailed a coin with the phrase, “It’s a Great Day to be a Superintendent.” In his opening remarks, Dr. Zimmerman shared the poker chip theory penned by national education expert Dr. Richard Lavoie.

“When you have a really bad day, be sure to treat the world better than it treated you.”

“Never allow life to make you forget your calling, your mission, your purpose of why you do what you do,” Inky said.

Characteristics of Greatness Tucked away in a cardboard box inside Don Yaeger’s office in Florida are 5,000 bookmarks that have collected dust for more than a decade. The bookmarks are the first iteration of 16 Characteristics of Greatness—a presentation Yaeger crafted based on interviews he conducted with legendary coaches and athletes, like Michael Jordan and John Wooden. The legendary UCLA men’s basketball coach is actually the reason those 5,000 bookmarks collect dust, Yaeger shared at

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LM April 2021