Attendees "go wild" during a photo op at the final night barbecue.
Attendees enjoy the final night barbecue.
Participants find their pair (“syrup” and “pancakes”) during an activity.
Attendees "go wild" during a photo op at the final night barbecue.
Attendees complete an exercise during the institute.
The team lead by Schel Brown, seated fourth from left.
Team Leader Maria Thompson welcomes attendees.
Hanging out at the University of La Verne.
Dr. Renae Bryant and Lynette White presented on leadership through branding.
Team leaders and ACSA staff pose with ACSA President Dr. Daryl Camp.
The team lead by Maria Thompson, bottom center.
Team leaders at the University of La Verne sign.
The team lead by Susan Summers, front left.
The team lead by Daniel Hernandez, sixth from left.
Attendees enjoyed a glow-themed karaoke and Kahoot party.
Team leaders with speaker Merlyna Valentine.
Around 50 principals and aspiring principals attended the institute.
Dr. Tracie Noriega
Principals participate in a group activity during the institute.
Dr. Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales
Attendees snap a selfie with speaker Dr. Cherina Betters, second from right.
Team leaders pose with speaker Christian Jackson, fourth from left.
It’s a jungle out there — leaders hone survival skills at Institute
August 4, 2025
School site leadership can feel like a jungle, but attendees at ACSA’s 2025 Summer Leadership Institute learned skills for not just surviving, but thriving as a principal “in the wild.”
A group of around 50 new, experienced and aspiring principals spent the week of June 23 at the University of La Verne learning strategies for effective site leadership that would serve them in the coming school year. The theme for this year’s conference was “From Surviving to Thriving: Reclaiming Joy in School Leadership.”
Attendees were formed into teams lead by experienced school leaders, who guided them on topics such as defining their leadership style and building a foundation of success in the first 100 days.
Attendees also gained insights from guest speakers, including:
- Christian Jackson, who presented on “Beyond the Hype: Leading as AI Architects.”
- Dr. Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales, who presented on “Community Responsive Education — Leadership Philosophy.”
- Dr. Renae Bryant and Lynette White, who shared tips for building their leadership through branding.
- Dr. Cherina Betters, who shared “What LeaderShip ReqUireS.”
- Merlyna Valentine, who presented on “Prove What’s Possible! Reclaiming Joy in School Leadership.”
Team leaders helped attendees break down the messages and how they can apply to their leadership. Attendees were also visited by ACSA President Daryl Camp, who welcomed the leaders and let them know they were in the right place.
The residential, weeklong conference afforded many opportunities for attendees to focus on their leadership and form strong bonds with fellow site leaders. When they weren’t learning about leadership, attendees enjoyed evening festivities including a glow-themed karaoke and Kahoot party and the final night party, which was themed, “Welcome to the Jungle, Backyard Safari.”
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