Leadership Matters - October 2013

There is still time to register for Oct. 9-11 IASA Annual Conference!

was named Administrator of the Year by the Illinois Association of Educational Office Professionals (IAEOP) and recipient of the Van Miller Distinguished Scholar Practitioner Award. He also has published several books, including “What Every Superintendent and Principal Needs to Know.” Key staff from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) will conduct a panel discussion titled “The Big Picture” regarding school finance, licensure, assessments and learning standards. Panelists also will be available to respond to questions on a variety of topics. ECRA President Dr.

The IASA Annual Conference is now just a few days away (October 9-11), but there still is time to register and benefit from the professional development opportunities presented by our great lineup of keynote speakers, including: Award-winning author Jamie Vollmer , president of Vollmer, Inc., a public education advocacy firm working to increase student success by raising public support for America’s schools. Vollmer’s presentation is titled “Welcome to the Great Conversation: Building public support for public schools one community at a time." The presentation will

John Gatta will join IASA Executive Director Dr. Brent Clark and members from the Vision 20/20 work groups for a panel discussion titled “IASA Vision 20/20: Creating a Vision for the Future of Education in Illinois.” They will discuss the impetus and motivation for the initiative as well as the process, research and information gathered so far for the statewide project.

focus on themes from his book “Schools Cannot Do It Alone,” which was called “one of the top 10 education reads of 2010” by the American School Board Journal. Those themes include community understanding of the challenges facing our children and our schools, community trust in their local schools to accomplish the goal, community permission to

make the changes needed to teach all children to high levels, and community support throughout the complex and emotional restructuring process. Susan Relland , vice president of the American Fidelity Assurance Company, who will talk about “Health Care Reform: What You Need to Do from Now to 2015.” Formerly an employee benefits attorney with the law firm of Miller & Chevalier in Washington, D.C., Relland was actively involved in the Affordable Care Act legislative debate. Her presentation will focus on the rules that create responsibilities for employers – and school districts – between now and 2015. Topics will include the Free Rider Penalty and other new plan design mandates, fees and administrative obligations. She will break down the requirements and help attendees create their own action plans. Veteran Illinois educator Jim Burgett , a former Illinois Superintendent of the Year and a popular national speaker, will talk about “Leadership in Challenging Times: Back to the Basics.” He will address such things as a countdown of leadership techniques and no-nonsense leadership skills that work and have passed the test of time. Burgett also

Our breakout sessions will focus on principal and teacher evaluations, 1:1 devices, social media in the schools, and school safety, to name a few topics, and we also will have breakout sessions each day designed specifically for new superintendents. The Conference will kick off with a General Session late afternoon on Wednesday (October 9) to be followed by the Welcoming Reception. The exhibitor’s hall will be open Thursday (October 10) and the Thursday luncheon will be served within the hall for all conference attendees. IASA is excited to include a new feature at this year's annual conference - a 'Super' 5K Fun Run/ Walk to be held on Thursday morning at 6:30 a.m.! The run/walk is designed for runners and walkers of all levels and will begin and end at the Lost Bridge Trail. Come join your friends and colleagues for this event at our annual conference (and receive a "First Annual ‘Super 5K T-Shirt"). All in all, it promises to be another great conference and a great opportunity. We hope to see you there!

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