'25 MSAA Summer Institute

Conference fee: $150 / Non-member $205
Click here to register

This workshop introduces school administrators and faculty to the principles and practices of Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation, based on the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Participants will explore the six principles of nonviolence and the six steps of nonviolent conflict reconciliation, gaining tools to foster a culture of peace within their schools. Administrators and faculty will learn how to address conflicts constructively, promote equity, and build inclusive school communities.
 
The workshop also offers strategies for integrating nonviolence education into school policies and daily interactions, enhancing leadership and curricular skills through empathy, active listening, and restorative practices. This professional development opportunity equips administrators and faculty to lead with compassion, resolve conflicts effectively, and create a safe and supportive environment for all students and staff.

Participation in our session will provide a framework (professional development, communication, and structures) for those seeking to learn, explore, and potentially implement equitable systems of feedback (i.e. SBR) in their schools - shared from the perspectives of building-based leadership, department chairs, and teachers.

Literacy Launch, the Healey Administration's investment in early literacy in the Commonwealth, will provide no-cost professional learning to support our public school educators, Institutions of Higher Education faculty, and licensed early education and care providers in increasing the use of evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining practices in early literacy instruction. Learn about the options available to your district through Literacy Launch Professional Learning as DESE's potential partners outline the design and implementation of statewide Professional Learning Institutes; the differentiated tracks to provide specialized training and professional learning for educators; opportunities for educators to co-design and co-facilitate institute sessions; and opportunities for follow-up coaching in schools to support effective implementation.

By emphasizing a whole-child approach, Gates Middle School has seen significant progress in ensuring that all students receive the support they need to thrive. Join members of the school team as they share the comprehensive steps they have taken to implement a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) designed to foster academic, social, emotional, and personal growth for every student. Included in the presentation will be tools to identify student needs, ideas to establish a collaborative team approach, and evidence of integrated data-driven interventions at multiple levels. The presentation will highlight the positive outcomes resulting from their efforts, including improved academic performance, stronger social-emotional well-being, and a more inclusive school culture.

In this session, I will showcase how AI tools like ChatGPT, Napkin AI, and Canva can enhance school leadership, streamline communication, and improve decision-making processes. By sharing practical examples from Henry C. Sanborn School, participants will learn how these tools can support administrative tasks, professional development, and school culture initiatives. Attendees will also engage in a hands-on activity to explore how AI tools can be applied in their own schools. Whether it's drafting communication, creating data visualizations, or designing engaging presentations, these tools offer efficient ways to meet the challenges of modern educational leadership. The session will also address challenges such as balancing AI with human judgment and ensuring data privacy, providing a holistic view of how AI can serve as a valuable asset in education.

Description:
According to the World Health Organization (2023), 5-15% of adolescents experience loneliness. As reported in Ed Week (2023), this is something that experts warn may be connected to an increased risk of mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideations. What is more, once these adolescents become young adults, the loneliness rate jumps further. In fact, in 2024, Harvard's Making Caring Common reported that 24% of adults ages 18-29 reported serious feelings of loneliness. This number is staggering if we are to consider public schools as a community hub and as places vital to the strength, connectivity, and economic development of a location (Jacobson, 2016).

It is for these reasons that loneliness is a concept that should be at the forefront of school and district discussions, as addressing this concern can help improve academic, social, and community outcomes, all the while, helping students become more invested in their communities, connect

Our district has gone cell-phone free, with remarkably positive results. While getting to this point was a heavy lift, the hard work has paid off in an improved school culture for every student. (Pioneer Valley is one of the districts featured in the MA Attorney General's Toolkit for School Leaders around cell phones and social media.)

Participants will learn about our district's experience in three key areas: how we collaborated with School Committee to craft the phone-free policy, how we communicated with our community before and during the change, and how we have implemented the policy carefully and consistently with students.

We will share a well-curated set of resources that will be helpful to any district working towards a healthy, phone-free environment for students.