• This is our tentative time schedule for the 2024 Summer Conference. The agenda for the conference is being developed and will be completed by early May. Presentation times and room assignments may be revised during this process. During development, periodic updates will be made to the agenda below and published for your perusal. 
    Updated 4-29-2024

     

    MASSP / MAESA / MSASPA
    SUMMER CONFERENCE 2024
    Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino 
    Biloxi, MS

    Harmonizing Leadership:
    Cultivating Strong Relationships for School Success


    Tuesday, June 11, 2024

    1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.     Attendee and Exhibitor Check-in and Exhibitor Setup

    3:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.     Opening Session in Grand Ballroom
                           
                                             Welcome –
                                             Ronnie McGehee, Executive Director MASSP
                                             Cody Killen, MASSP Board President, Principal West Lauderdale Middle School
     
    Legal Updates #1

    Presenters:  Jim Keith and John Hooks, Adams and Reese LLP
    Jim and John will share their reflections, observations, and suggest some important actions to be taken within your schools or districts.

    Like Group Organization 

    Introduction of Like Group members and introduction of group leaders
    1A -- 2A – 3A – 4A – 5A – 6A – 7A -- MSASPA

    7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.   Family Poolside Reception
    Bring your family and enjoy the camaraderie, food, and pool!
    Name badges are required for admittance.

     

    Wednesday, June 12, 2024


    7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.      Breakfast Buffet in Grand Ballroom

    8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.      General Session in Grand Ballroom

    Legal Updates #2

    Presenters:  Jim Keith and John Hooks, Adams and Reese LLP
    Observations, reflections, and suggestions on how to lead your communities in an ever-changing school environment. 
     
    9:30 a.m.-- 9:45 a.m.            Visit with our Educational Partners


    9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.         Breakout Sessions # 1

    Ship Island A                   School Improvement: Now What??? 
                                              Best Practices for Escaping the Acronyms  

    Presenters:   Dr. Lundy Brantley, Leadership Coach, PBEC; Leah Ivey, PBEC; Jacob Drury, Principal, Neshoba Central Middle School
                           Dr.Cody Killen, Principal West Lauderdale Middle School
                           
    Escaping school improvement status can be quite a chore. Join PBEC practitioners Leah Ivey and Lundy Brantley as they team with West Lauderdale Principal Cody Killen and Neshoba Central Middle School Principal, Jacob Drury to discuss the specifics around school improvement and the best practices of schools who have been successful in moving toward or exiting from School Improvement.  (Performance Based Education Company)

    Ship Island B                 The Power of Knowing ALL Your Students”!    Engaging in the Work of School Improvement
                                             with Diverse Learners     

    Presenters: Dr. Jessica Broome, Curriculum Director, Brookhaven Public School District
                         Dr. Brandy Myers, SPED Director, Brookhaven Public School District
                         Kelly Earls, MS State Director of Bailey Education
    How can your school district enhance student outcomes, both academically and behaviorally, at every level from the district office to the classroom by learning about ALL of your students? In this session, we will explore the transformative impact of partnering with instructional coaches in leadership, data, and instruction to cultivate an inclusive and supportive educational culture. We will explore the impact of working side by side with all stakeholders to grow ALL students.   (Bailey Educational Group)                                           

    Ship Island C                 Ensuring Student Success on the Algebra I EOC MAAP Assessment 

    Presenters:  Rod Martin, Vice President of Curriculum / Regional Director, Jumpstart Test Prep
    After being piloted by multiple schools in the spring, Jumpstart’s new Algebra I EOC Assessment Review can help your teachers be certain that your students are ready for test-day success. Designed to mimic the MAAP Algebra I assessment, the Jumpstart’s Algebra 1 EOC Prep is an online tool that not only reveals your students’ strengths and weaknesses but also provides video rationale for each question along with additional timed practice on the reviewed skills! Whether used individually for personalized remediation or as a whole group lesson series, the Jumpstart EOC Prep tool is a game-changing tool for your algebra teachers! (Jumpstart Test Prep)


    Deer Island                    The MAGIC of COACHING in the Middle

    Presenters: Dr. LaQuanta Nelson, Instructional Coach Team Leader/HeadCoach, Kids First Education
                         Angela Jaynes, Instructional Strategist/Assistant Principal, Bay Waveland Middle School
    GROWTH FOR ALL is the name of the game! Yes, we are talking about building teaching capacity through a growth mindset! In  this highly engaging session, we will explore research-based strategies that are easy to implement through effective coaching to support higher levels of student engagement, rigor, and academic discourse, specifically in the math classroom,. We will explore the various components of an effective coaching cycle and share things that you can immediately add to your instructional leadership toolbox! Let’s GROW educators and make the MAGIC of learning come alive for all! (Kids First Education)

     

    Petit Bois                       MSASPA  - Shay Williamson 
                       
    Cat Island                      So, You Want to be a Superintendent / Assistant Superintendent?


               
    10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.        Break with Educational Partners 
                                               

    11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.        Breakout sessions # 2

    Ship Island A                 “Achieving Success in All Subgroups with Tools like AI”

    Presenters:  Dr. Mina Ross Bryan Lightsey, Consultant, The Excellence Group and
                          Laurie Brewer, Consultant, The Excellence Group, Dr. Cody Killen and Shane Rogers, Lauderdale County School District
    Academic success for all students is the goal of all educators. Achieving success in all subgroups requires using all the tools available. Tools include a systematic approach for teachers to use while planning to endure they are addressing all components of effective lessons. Participants will be guided through the importance of appropriate planning and effective delivery to meet the needs of All Students. Using AI…Friend or Foe? AI can assist teachers in developing a range of educational resources to assist in meeting the needs of all students. Participants will leave the session with knowledge of what direct instruction looks like, and ideas on how to reach all students. (The Excellence Group )        

    Ship Island B                Leverage Teachers’ Leadership Skills: Increase Efficacy, Agency, and Engagement

    Presenters: Dr. Paula Tharp, Dr. Leigh Ann McMullan, and Dr. Myron Labat
                         Professors, Mississippi State University Department of Educational Leadership
    In the era of teacher shortages, increased accountability, and expanding challenges, the pressure continues to impact administrators and teachers. We believe a solution lies in working together in new ways that engage all staff in learning and problem-solving. You are invited to hear how Teacher Leadership and School Administration candidates describe their action research and innovative ways of working in their schools to lead improvement efforts. Their work has increased their efficacy, agency, engagement, and motivation. (MSU Department of Educational Leadership)

    Ship Island C                 Principal Leadership

    Presenters:  Mr. Chris Harlow, Principal Senatobia High School and Dr. Susan Rucker, Director of NCEE
    Chris Harlow will discuss his journey of being a first-year high school principal in a new district. This includes where he started, and the journey he is making. He will discuss the change in the climate and the culture within the school. He will also talk about some of the strategies he is putting in place while being a part of guiding coalition to engage his community. (National Center for Education and the Economy)
     
    Deer Island                    The Partnership: Surviving & Thriving: Building better relationships through proactive and intentional actions.

    Presenter: Andrew Marotta
    Want to have better, stronger relationships with your stakeholders?  Tired of getting/feeling ‘beat-up?’  Want to improve your public speaking and communication skills? Have people coming at you way too hard and not sure how to handle it and want some effective strategies?  Feel like you are being too reactive instead of more proactive in your relationships?  Come join Andrew Marotta and be part of the fun, interactive, and thought-provoking workshop The Partnership: Surviving & Thriving:  Building better relationships through proactive and intentional actions.
    In this energy-filled presentation, Andrew will lead you through a variety of strategies, techniques, tips, and hacks that will help improve your overall communication and interactions with your stakeholders:  staff, students, and parents.  A few examples are:
    -- The difficult one-on-one conversation
    -- Awareness of body language
    -- The ‘Ladder’ of active listening
    -- The large assembly setting: How to own it?
    -- Presence
    -- E + R=O
    -- The energy of your office and school building setting
    -- Successful vs. Significant
    -- And much more
    The goal of this workshop is that you feel more confident, comfortable, and prepared to handle the many complex and challenging social situations that are rapidly coming at school leaders in today’s world.

    Petit Bois                        MSASPA  - Shay Williamson
                                   
    Cat Island                      "Cultivating Critical Thinkers in High School.”

    Presenters:  Janet Swandol, Schools Development and Recognition Manager, Cambridge International Education 
    Cambridge Global Perspectives is a unique, transformational program that helps students at every grade to develop outstanding transferable skills, including critical thinking, research, reflection, communication and collaboration. Students engage in learning through group work seminars, projects and working with other students around the world. Learn what this course is all about and how you can bring it to your school.
    (Cambridge International Education)  

       

      
    Noon - 1:45 p.m.     Awards Luncheon and General Session
                                                                               Grand Ballroom
      

    "Striving and Thriving in Educational Settings"  

    Keynote Speaker:  Andrew Marotta
     
    Recognition of 2024 MASSP and MAESA Principals of the Year
    MAESA Principal of the Year:    
    MAESA Assistant Principal of the Year: 
    MASSP High School Principals of the Year: 
    MASSP Middle School Principal of the Year: 
    MASSP Assistant Principal of the Year: 

     
    1:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.               Break with Education Partners
                                                  

    2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.               Breakout Sessions #3

    Ship Island A                 “Phonics for Reading”

    Presenters: Kiana N. Pendleton, Ph.D.
    I    n this session, participants will learn how to reach struggling readers in grades 3rd and above with Phonics for Reading. (Curriculum Associates)

    Ship Island B                AI in K-12 Education: Friend or Foe?

    Presenters: Shelly Hollis, Director, Mississippi State University Center for Cyber Education and 
                         Ross Randall, IT Director at Lamar County School District 
    This session will explore the uses of AI in K-12 education and examine the benefits and concerns related to integration of this new tool. Participants will lean about the concept of human-directed AI and useful strategies for evaluating the risks and benefits of various AI-driven products. A variety of resources and tools will be shared with participants during the sessions as well as guidance on acceptable use.

    Ship Island C                 Mentor Teachers

    Presenter:  Dr. Eddie Peasant, Assistant Dean of Academic Planning, Accreditation, & Assessment, William Carey University and
                        Gulfport School District                   
    The WCU School of Education presented its 3rd Annual Teacher Recruitment and Retention Conference this past February. The 2024 conference was designed get input from Mississippi teachers on recruiting, retaining, and supporting great educators in today’s schools. In collaboration with the Gulfport School District and the MDE, the WCU SoE has designed a guide to help school leaders as they hire and support new teachers in Mississippi school districts. The guide is based entirely on the input from the teachers who attended.  (William Carey University)

    Deer Island                     Vaping 101     

    Presenter:  Dr. Melissa Windham, Faculty, Mississippi State University, Meridian Campus
                        Dr. Chase McCullum, Faculty, Mississippi State University, Meridian Campus
    Vaping continues to impact students and the school environment. Come join a conversation regarding the comprehensive effects of vaping from a systemic perspective. This session will provide a discussion on the habitual nature of vaping, statistics about its users and suggestions for navigating the complex vaping scenarios in schools. 
          

    Petit Bois                        MSASPA  - Shay Williamson
          

    Cat Island                       ASVAB Career Exploration Program

    Presenter:  Tajuan Johnson, Education Services Specialist / ASVAB Program Manager
    The ASVAB Career Exploration program (CEP) is a comprehensive, no cost    , no commitment career planning resource designed to help young people align their strengths and interests with a post-secondary plan that works. Students in grades 10-12 and first/second year post-secondary are encouraged to participate.
     

             
    3:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.      Break with our Education Partners
                                             .
                                           
    3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.      Breakout Sessions #4  

    Ship Island A                 “The Accountability Puzzle: Solving your puzzle requires a unique solution.” 

    Presenter: Mongomery Hinton, Preparing for Success
    Take a look into your school’s or district’s accountability data like you may not have seen it before.  Track points that are in the accountability model lingering just beneath the surface of your score.  Attendees will learn to examine existing portals of data that, with minor modifications, can result in monumental shifts in points in the model.  ACT, ACT Workkeys, PSAT, ASVAB, and SAT will be discussed, with multi-fold increases in Rankin County School District's now daily DNA. (Preparing for Success, LLC)


    Ship Island B                 Reducing Classroom Management Calls to the Office

    Presenter:  Dr. Furlinda Travis, Assistant Superintendent, Simpson County School District
    Are you tired of going to the same classrooms to address minor disruptions? Have you collaborated with teachers to help them address minor student behaviors with little success? This presentation will give you tools to help teachers address those low-level disruptions and reduce office referrals for minor classroom infractions.

        
    Ship Island C                 Principal Coaching/Evaluation: Principals’ 1-on-1s, Building Capacity Through Conversations
                                            and Data Analysis.     

    Presenter:  Victor Gilstrap, Assistant Superintendent of School Improvement and Student Services, Lauderdale County Schools.
    Often, principals are pulled in various directions throughout the day. What support exists in your district for your principals in keeping focused on what really matters? With Principal 1-on-1’s, principals receive the help in keeping focused on “school.” The conversations help principals make the best decisions for creating a successful environment for students and staff.     

                         
    Deer Island                     Shane Rogers, MASSP 2023 High School Principal of the Year and
                                            Jacob Drury, MASSP 2023 Middle School Principal of the Year       


    Petit Bois                       MSASPA  - Shay Williamson

    Cat Island     

                                  
    4:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.       Visit with our Educational Partners

    4:30p.m. - 5:00 p.m.        Like Groups   

                         
    Thursday, June 13, 2024
     


    7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.             Breakfast Buffet 
                                                   Grand Ballroom 

    8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.             General Session   “IF You Really Knew Me”

                                                   Keynote Speaker:  Mark Ostach

                                                   

    9:30 am – 9:45 am          Visit with our Educational Partners
                                                   

    9:45 am – 10:45 am        Breakout Sessions #5

    Ship Island A                  Enhancing Student Resilience in Mississippi Schools

    Presenters:  Dr. Fred Hickmon, Kemper County Schools, Assistant Superintendent, Kemper County School District
    Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is foundational to student success, particularly in the context of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). These experiences profoundly impact students’ academic progress and emotional well-being. This proposal aims to equip Mississippi principals with a comprehensive framework for addressing trauma and ACEs, ultimately enhancing student resilience and promoting a positive school environment. 

    Ship Island B                  Structured Literacy in the Secondary Classroom 

    Presenters:  Christyl Erickson, Curriculum and NTSS Director, Madison County Schools
    The Science of Reading: How “Structured Literacy” Impacts Student Learning in the Secondary Classroom.  What do educators do when students in secondary education can’t read, but do not need to go back to letters and sounds? A snapshot of how ALL teachers can be teachers of reading.

    Ship Island C                   Million Dollar Questions in Education  

    Presenter:  Dr. Melissa Windham, Faculty, Mississippi State University, Meridian Campus
                        Dr. Chase McCullum, Faculty, Mississippi State University, Meridian Campus
    Staff and student attendance and motivation continue to land on the Administrator Hot Topics list with the highest ratings. This session will provide a review of the connection between attendance and motivation, discuss strategies for retention and offer attendees an opportunity to discuss current strategies and enhanced methods for promoting connection in schools. 
                  
    Deer Island                        Personnel for Principals” 

    Presenter: David Braswell, Ed.D., CEO, UpSlope Researched based Solutions.
    This session is designed to introduce principals, HR directors, and superintendents to effective ways to maneuver the complex nature of school personnel laws and MS state statute with the goal of modifying employee misconduct in the most fair, reasonable, thoughtful, and consistent manner using validated research-based solutions.  Participants interact in small groups with three real-life video-based scenarios and conditional simulations.  Researched-based session for all district leadership.                   

    Petit Bois                            MSASPA  - Shay Williamson   
        
    Cat Island                           Need Help Looking at your PERS Financial Future?

    Presenter:  Ronald Kyzar, Securities and Advisory Services 
    Ronald, a financial professional, will discuss topics specifically related to PERS like: Partial Lump Sum Option (PLSO), Lifetime income/survivor benefits and COLA (13th check).  Other topics include: Social Security Benefit planning, comparing Deferred Comp to Roth IRAs, Life insurance as a tool to provide tax-free income and ways to invest an inheritance.        

     

    10:45 am – 11:00 am        Break with Educational Partners 
                                            

    11:00 am – 12:00 pm       Breakout Sessions #6

     
    Ship Island A                  Curriculum and Instructional Review: Leading The Way To Improvement

    Presenters:  Dr. Marcus Stewart, Principal, Richland High School and Richard Morrison, Southern Regional Education Board
    This session will focus on a process that examines all components of a school. This process empowers all shareholders to identify promising practices and opportunities for improvement. Learn how this school leader used this review to start making changes that support student achievement. He will share ideas and the changes being implemented in his school 

    Ship Island B                  Academic Pathways: Pre-AP and AP Courses

    Presenters:  Heather Morrison, Mississippi Institutes of Higher Learning and
                          Penny Damianeas, Director of College Board, K12 Instruction and Assessment for Mississippi and Georgia
    In this session we'll discuss academic pathways, including Pre-AP, and AP courses. We'll explore how these advanced opportunities empower students to depend on their knowledge, develop critical thinking skills and prepare for higher education and career challenges. Additional updates will be provided for the Fall 2024 Mississippi Dual Enrollment and Accelerated Programs Manual

    Ship Island C                   I Survived ... The First Year as the School Principal with a New Assistant Principal

    Presenters:  Nicole Cockrell, Principal, Mannsdale Upper Elementary, NAESA Asst. Principal of the Year 2023
                          Holly Jones, Assistant Principal, Mannsdale Upper Elementary School
    Did you survive your first year as the lead principal, or are you going into your first year? Well, I survived my first year by staying three steps ahead of what I needed to get done. This was achieved by having weekly staff meetings, PLCs, Leadership, and Grade-Chair Committee meetings. I know it sounds like a lot of meetings! But these meetings kept me in the know and kept my staff in the know. I also maintained formal and informal observations so that we could continue to be instructional leaders. This session will assist you in wrapping your mind around how to stay on top of all the things that go on in a building as a first-year principal.

    Deer Island                      Vaping

    Presenter:  Michael DeLeon, Steered Straight, Inc.


    Petit Bois                         MSASPA  - Shay Williamson

    Cat Island                        Need Help Looking at your PERS Financial Future?

    Presenter:  Ronald Kyzar, Securities and Advisory Services 
    Ronald, a financial professional, will discuss topics specifically related to PERS like: Partial Lump Sum Option (PLSO), Lifetime income/survivor benefits and COLA (13th check).  Other topics include: Social Security Benefit planning, comparing Deferred Comp to Roth IRAs, Life insurance as a tool to provide tax-free income and ways to invest an inheritance.   
     

    Lunch and Dinner on your own 

     

    Afternoon  Activities:

    Golf – Sponsored by MASSP  (Pre-registration required.  Limited to 30)

    Fishing – Sponsored by MASSP  (Pre-registration required.  Limited to 30)  LIMIT REACHED!  Can still sign up for activity to be placed the waitlist.

    Ocean Springs Experience -- Sponsored by Kids First Education (Pre-registration required.  Limited to 25)  LIMIT REACHED! Can still sign up for activity to be placed on the waitlist.

    Pools, Beach, Paradise Pier at Margaritaville, MS Aquarium in Gulfport, and Ocean Springs' quaint downtown district
    …. On your own. Enjoy!!
      

     


    Friday, June 14, 2024


     
    7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.              Breakfast Buffet
                                                     Grand Ballroom

    8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.            General Session
                                                     MDE Updates for 2024-2025

    CTE Updates
    Presenter:  Brett Robinson,

    MS Accountability
    Presenter:  Paula Vanderford, PhD, MDE

    MDEMSIS: 2.0….The Future is Here
    Presenter: John Kramen, MDE

    10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m     Break

    10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.     Like Groups:  Please sit with your Like Groups

    11:30 a.m. -- 12:00 p.m.    Drawings for final door prizes