www.acsa.org
© 2023 Association of California School Administrators
SUMMIT_BANNER_1200x628.png
Six reasons we’re going to Summit
September 4, 2023
Facebook_icon.pngTwitter_icon.pngLinkedIn_Icon.pngPinterest_icon.pngEmail_share_icon.png
ACSA’s premier professional development event of the year is just two months away. Make plans to join your colleagues in California’s capital city to experience the learning, networking and inspiration that can only be found at ACSA’s Leadership Summit.
Still need motivation? Challenge accepted! Here are six reasons you’ll not want to miss this conference. Register now at bit.ly/ACSASummit2023 — discounted registration ends Sept. 30.
The Challenge California school administrators are facing unprecedented challenges. The Leadership Summit planning committee has chosen “Challenge Accepted: Courageous and Effective Leadership for Equitable Student Outcomes” to reflect the fearless dedication today’s school leaders have to tackle tough issues and advocate for better outcomes for their students.
During Leadership Summit, leaders will find the information and resolve from their peers to keep doing the challenging work of leading systemic change within our schools.
The Celebrations A main goal of Leadership Summit is to celebrate the entire profession. From Wednesday night’s kick-off reception to Friday’s awards dinner, there will be multiple opportunities to recognize the achievements of educators and students. On Wednesday, there will be an ACSA Academy Alumni Reception for members who have taken part in this signature ACSA professional development program.
Everyone is invited to celebrate students who have overcome the odds at the Every Student Succeeding Awards Presentation at 11 a.m. Thursday. Hear these students’ stories and congratulate them on their success at this inspiring presentation.
New this year, ACSA will celebrate its partnership with affinity groups during a special Thursday night networking reception. Members from CALSA, CAAASA, CAPPLE and the LGBTQ+ community and allies are invited to join this opportunity to mingle. Capping off the conference is the Association Awards and President’s Gala Dinner on Friday night. Be there to congratulate your peers who are being recognized — make sure to add this ticketed event ($125 per seat) when you register.
The Networking There’s no other ACSA conference that attracts school leaders from the broad swath of leadership specialties quite like Leadership Summit. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to make connections with those in your same job role and those in other roles during this event.
There are several networking meals you will want to consider attending. The First-time Attendees Breakfast will encourage new attendees to meet and mingle over breakfast. This breakfast is free for first-timers, but tickets are required. Thursday’s Women’s Luncheon and Friday’s Equity Luncheon ($89 each) will bring together like-minded educators for thought-provoking speakers. The women’s speaker will be Robin Avelar La Salle, founder and CEO of Orenda Education, and the equity speaker will be Sulma Arzu-Brown, a Garifuna and Afro-Latina author who also serves as Director of Operations for The New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. These meal programs do sell out, so make sure to add tickets when you register. Leadership Summit will take place at the recently renovated SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Downtown Sacramento. With plenty of nearby places to play and explore, such as Downtown Commons (DOCO), historic Old Sacramento, the Capitol and more, you are sure to find a space to connect with your team and meet new and old colleagues.
Leadership Summit will take place at the recently renovated SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Downtown Sacramento.
The Learning Download the Guidebook app to get detailed session information. We’re excited to check out presentations on equity, student engagement, hiring and retention, AI and more. Here are a few of the sessions that are planned (you can peruse them all at guidebook.com/g/23acsasummit by clicking “Schedule” on the left-hand side):
  • Another Black Boy Lost.
  • Gender Identity in Schools.
  • Unleashing the Power of AI.
  • *taps mic* Is This Thing On? Recommendations for Recruiting and Retaining Black Educators.
  • Reaching Across the Aisle: Developing an Effective Teacher Induction and Mentoring Program in Your Schools.
  • The Name Game: Unpacking the Cultural, Personal, and Social Significance of Names.
  • We are All Storytellers – Using Social Media to Market Your District as a Team.
  • Centering Families’ Perspective: Engaging in Dialogue with Parents of Students with IEPs.
  • Disrupting the Model Minority Trope: Addressing the Unique Needs of our AAPI Students and Communities.
  • Lead Like Lasso: Science-based Leadership Skills from America’s Favorite Coach.
  • Avoiding Detours, Road Bumps & Pit Stops: An Urban District’s Equity Journey.
  • Opening Doors for Newcomer Students.
We are also excited to experience the wisdom of our three keynote presenters: Dr. Ruha Benjamin is a professor in the Department of African American studies at Princeton University where she studies the social dimensions of science, technology and medicine. She has published four books, most recently “Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want.” Her body of work addresses debates about how science and technology shape the social world and how people can, should, and do critically engage technoscience, grappling all the while with the fact that what may bring health and longevity to some may threaten the dignity and rights of others.
Principal Baruti Kafele has distinguished himself as a master teacher and a transformational school leader. As a middle and high school principal, Principal Kafele led the turnaround of four New Jersey urban schools, one of which went from a low-performing school in need of improvement to national recognition by U.S. News and World Report as one of America’s best high schools. He has authored 13 books, his most recent being “The Assistant Principal Identity,” and is the creator and host of the popular Virtual Assistant Principal Leadership Academy.
Dr. G.T. Reyes is a community-engaged scholar-artist-organizer-PRAXISioner. His work is grounded in the empowerment of young folks, teachers, school leaders and cultural workers to radically imagine and build capacity to transform their own realities while both excavating and honoring their ancestral ways of being and becoming. As an associate professor in the Educational Leadership for Social Justice Ed.D. program and Preliminary Administrative Credential Services program at California State University, East Bay, he is an active part of cultivating programs that have liberatory potential and power.
The Exhibits Enjoy a robust exhibit hall with more than 75 educational vendors and organizations ready to work with you to achieve your goals. Stop by the Summit Bookstore to load up on ACSA gear and books featuring our speakers. Also in the Exhibit Hall, stop by the Member Services booth for a photobooth, activities and chances to win $50 and $100 gift cards.
Member Services will also be holding a Cold Weather Clothing Item Drive for Sacramento’s unhoused population. When you are packing for Summit, please make sure to add extra coats, hats, gloves and scarves to donate to someone in need.
The Fun There are plenty of fun surprises in store at this year’s conference. Enter one of the many raffles and go home a winner. There will also be passport activities to encourage attendees to explore the conference and a P4P Drop-by Raffle for attendees who meet with our ACSA Partners.
And if you enjoy lacing up your sneakers for a good cause, be sure to sign up for the Every Student Succeeding Fun Run/Walk Saturday morning. For $30 admission, you’ll receive a T-shirt and the opportunity to raise your heartbeat while raising funds to support ACSA’s student recognition program.
FYI
Leadership Summit
What: ACSA’s premier professional development event for school leaders at all levels of administration When: Nov. 2-4, 2023 Where: SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, Sacramento Cost: $699 ACSA members; $849 non-members (price changes to $749 ACSA members and $899 non-members after Sept. 30); $349 Retired Members Register: bit.ly/ACSASummit2023