Time is running out to get your tickets to ACSA’s conference exclusively for district and county office of education superintendents. Superintendents’ Symposium will be Jan. 29-31, 2020 in Indian Wells. This annual event is the perfect opportunity to review the governor’s preliminary budget, which will be released Jan. 15, and share information among a group of peers who understand the role of the superintendent and its challenges. “This is the can’t-miss event for California superintendents. It’s the one conference solely designed for us,” said Michael McCormick, superintendent of Val Verde Unified School District and chair of this year’s event. “I invite you to join me in Indian Wells to catch up with old friends, meet new friends and network while learning about new laws and trends in education.”  This year’s conference will be held at a new location: Hyatt Regency Indian Wells. Only 20 minutes from Palm Springs Airport, the lush landscaping and mountain views will serve as a backdrop for this event guided by the theme, “Courageous Leadership.” Superintendents’ Symposium will welcome Christopher Emdin, Ph.D., as one of four keynote presenters. He will join fellow keynote presenters Kimberly Bryant, Luvelle Brown and Lisa Williams. An Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology at Teachers College, Columbia University, Emdin served as STEAM Ambassador for the U.S. Department of State and Minorities in Energy Ambassador for the U.S. Department of Energy. A social critic, public intellectual and science advocate, Emdin’s commentary on issues of race, culture, inequality and education have appeared in dozens of influential periodicals including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post. He is the creator of the #HipHopEd social media movement and in a 2014 TED Talk, advocated that teachers take a cue from rap shows, barbershops and black churches on how to engage students in the classroom. He is the author of the award-winning book, “Urban Science Education for the Hip-hop Generation” and the New York Times bestseller “For White Folks Who Teach In the Hood and the Rest of Ya’ll too.” Superintendents in their first or second year on the job will not want to miss the New Superintendents’ Workshop, taking place during the symposium. For an additional registration fee ($99 for ACSA members/$199 for non-members), attendees can access an exclusive preconference featuring successful superintendents and partners sharing an overview of topics relevant to new superintendents, including collective bargaining, evaluation, and district culture. New Superintendents’ Workshop will be Tuesday through Wednesday morning before the Superintendents’ Symposium begins, providing a tremendous opportunity for networking, sharing challenges and successes, and building lasting supportive professional relationships. The New Superintendents’ Workshop attendees will join the participants of the New Superintendents’ Seminar Series, a separate offering that takes place over five weekends throughout the school year and provides a more in-depth look at topics. Many attendees of the workshop at Superintendents’ Symposium go on to attend the New Superintendents’ Seminar Series in their second year in their position.