'25 MSAA Summer Institute

Conference Fee: $150 / $205 non-member
Click here to register

This workshop will explore how Restorative Practice is a fundamental change in how to respond to misbehavior and rule violations and is viewed as an alternative to traditional school discipline. Participants will review the principles of Restorative Practice and how they are designed to gain a better understanding as to what happened, why it happened, and how the damage can be fixed. The restorative approach, within a school setting, attempts to shift the emphasis from managing behavior to focusing on building relationships. Also, Restorative Circles are a strategy used for building the school s or classroom s community through authentic dialogue coming to an understanding and making things right.

Participants will:

• Explore the fundamental principles of Restorative Justice.
• Understand that Restorative Justice is an alternative to traditional disciplinary approaches.
• Understand that Restorative Justice is non-punitive, is relationship focused, addresses conflict and promotes collaborative problem solving, among students and staff. 
• Explore the use of Community Building Circles used for intentional communication to establish values, shared experiences and build relationships.

Great leaders aren't born-they are built through experience, mentorship, and intentional growth. In this engaging professional development session, I'll share the key advice, strategies, and lessons I received from mentors that helped shape my journey to becoming a Nationally Distinguished Principal. Together, we'll explore the blueprints of effective leadership, focusing on practical insights that foster resilience, decision-making, and school transformation. Attendees will leave with actionable takeaways to apply in their leadership journeys, ensuring they build a strong foundation for success.

This presentation will examine the family engagement strategies employed by two different elementary schools within the same school district. Key topics will include effective communication protocols, home-school partnerships that foster student learning, and the development of welcoming and inclusive environments for all families. Furthermore, the presentation will discuss relevant district-level initiatives within administrative and leadership teams, all grounded in research underscoring the critical impact of strong home-school connections on student success.

The MSAA has created a program to support new administrators with trained independent and confidential coaches. Coaching for novice administrators is more important than ever as principals and assistant principals struggle to become instructional leaders while engaging in the social, emotional, academic, and cultural conflicts within our society.

Ensuring principals have the skills and knowledge to lead schools is too important not to plan for. Principal turnover is disruptive to school and district progress and often leads to higher teacher turnover and, ultimately, lower student achievement.

Participants in this workshop will understand the role of coaching for new administrators and be able to understand the systematic approach to coaching developed by MSAA using a combination of Blended Coaching and the GROW models that are the foundations of the program.

Through this workshop participants will understand how MSAA provides two full years of formal coaching by a train

Step into the world of 90s alternative rock and discover how the raw energy, emotion, and rebellion of the grunge era can inspire innovative school leadership. This session, designed for educational leaders, pairs ten iconic songs with ten transformative leadership lessons. Each track serves as a metaphor for navigating the complexities of school administration, from fostering resilience and student engagement to embracing change and breaking free from outdated practices. Attendees will explore how the rebellious spirit of Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soundgarden, and other legendary bands aligns with key leadership principles. Let Marty Geoghegan rock out with you in your best flannel to leave feeling energized and ready to tackle the ever-evolving educational landscape. Whether you're a longtime fan of alternative rock or just looking for fresh leadership insights, this session promises a unique and impactful experience. Come as you are, and let's rock the future of education together!

Let's review the financial benefits to MA educators as a result of the elimination of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) pursuant to the Social Security Fairness Act 2025. This is the same workshop offered during MSAA's 2025 Winter Conference - Presented by Karen Vernamonti Agent - Horace Mann Middleboro

School counselors play a critical role in student success, but they are often stretched thin with competing demands. How can school leaders create an environment that allows counselors to maximize their impact without burning out? In this interactive breakout session, we'll explore strategies for optimizing your counseling team's time, streamlining responsibilities, and aligning their work with schoolwide goals. Learn how to remove unnecessary burdens, leverage proven practices, and foster a collaborative culture that supports both student achievement and counselor well-being. Walk away with actionable insights to help your counselors work smarter-not harder-so they can focus on what they do best: supporting students.