'25 MSAA Summer Institute

School leaders play a critical role in preparing students for success beyond high school, yet many workforce-bound graduates lack clear pathways. This session explores how high schools can build equitable workforce pipelines by leveraging local employer partnerships to ensure that all students have access to meaningful careers.

Learn actionable strategies to connect students with high-demand industries in their communities, leading to sustainable employment while addressing barriers that often limit career readiness for underserved populations. Through real-world examples and practical frameworks, attendees will leave equipped with a replicable model for integrating career-focused DEI initiatives into their schools.

Join us to discover how Specialized Career Guidance empowers school leaders to bridge the gap between education and industry, ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has a clear path to economic independence and professional success.

Every student deserves to attend a school where they feel valued for their unique talents and contributions and safe to be their truest selves. Developing and implementing a vision of a graduate in your school is one way to help learners feel celebrated for the qualities and attributes that make them unique and special. Join NEASC staff and the co-principals of Nipmuc High School to talk about how the successful implementation of a vision of a graduate can give learners another way to shine. We will discuss the development and implementation of this important tool with specific examples from Nipmuc HS and other schools.

Given the range of learning styles and abilities of students today, educators need technology and resources to accommodate and personalize learning. Apple builds accessibility features into every product, so everyone can use them in ways that work best for them. Join us for an interactive learning session to learn about built-in accessibility features on iPad.

The Tenacity Challenge is an academic competition for teams of African American and Latina/o high school students, and on a separate date, middle school students. Students prepare for several months to compete in four events on the culminating day: the history argument before a panel of judges, the literature analysis (with with written rationale and videotaped performance), the math quiz bowl and the art installation.  On another date, the middle school challenge includes a leadership competition, the literature analysis, a STEM challenge and the math quiz bowl.   With over 2000 students impacted to date, the preparation and the competition build academic risk taking, collaboration, deep learning and leadership skills, all of which contribute to a sense of belonging and the closing of achievement gaps at their home schools.

Systematic discrimination and oppression impacts our interactions and decisions. We acknowledge that due to inequality, we all have not lived the same experience or have access to the same opportunities such as education and employment, which influences our daily lives. As we are working towards being anti racist institutions, it is important to be cognizant of our identity and how it impacts our daily interactions. This session will allow participants to consider strategies for how they might address authentic school-based equity scenarios using the "Reflection Tool for Equity in Education."

In today's educational landscape, school leaders and educators must be prepared to foster inclusive, affirming environments for all students. This session, "Renaissance Leadership: Creating Brave and Inclusive Spaces for LGBTQIA Youth & Adults in Schools," provides school leaders with practical strategies to ensure that LGBTQIA students-particularly those from historically marginalized backgrounds-feel valued, seen, and supported.

Designed with an emphasis on building leadership capacity in predominantly conservative or uncertain environments, this session will equip participants with the tools to navigate resistance, develop inclusive policies, and foster belonging among all students. The workshop is inspired by Beyoncé's Renaissance album, using themes of boldness, resilience, and authenticity to empower educators to lead with confidence and compassion.