Attending the AWSP/WASA Summer Conference can be a invaluable investment for school leadership. The Summer Conference is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2023-2024 school year and gain insights and ideas for creating a hope-filled year ahead! From collaboration with other school leaders across the state to the rich information shared by industry experts, there are a myriad of reasons why Summer Conference is the must-attend event of the season.
Need a little help convincing leadership to allow you to attend? Here are a few reasons to bolster your case!
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Networking Opportunities: The conference offers a platform for superintendents. principals, vice principals, deans of students, and other school leadership to connect with peers from across the state. These networking opportunities allow for the exchange of ideas, best practices, and strategies for addressing common challenges in school leadership.
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Professional Development: The sessions and workshops at the AWSP/WASA Summer Conference are designed to provide valuable insights, knowledge, and skills relevant to current educational trends and issues. Attending these sessions can enhance leadership capabilities, improve decision-making skills, and foster innovative approaches to school management.
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Access to Expertise: The conference brings together experts in various fields related to education, including administration, curriculum development, student support services, and educational technology. By attending, participants gain access to these experts and can benefit from their guidance, advice, and specialized knowledge, including innovative information from our keynote speakers, Lori Hayes, Dr. Chan Hellman, and Dr. Paul Hernandez.
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Continuing Education Credits: Many sessions at the conference offer continuing education credits, which are essential for maintaining professional certifications and licenses. This provides an added incentive for leadership to support attendance, as it contributes to the ongoing professional development requirements of school administrators.
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Exposure to Emerging Trends: Educational landscapes are constantly evolving, with new policies, technologies, and methodologies emerging regularly. From AI to legislative updates, attending the AWSP/WASA Summer Conference ensures that school leadership remains informed about these changes, enabling them to adapt strategies and policies accordingly to best serve students and staff.
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Enhanced School Performance: The knowledge, skills, and strategies acquired at the conference can directly contribute to improved school performance. Whether through implementing innovative and inclusive teaching methods, enhancing student support services, or fostering a positive school culture, the insights gained from the conference can lead to tangible improvements in educational outcomes.
Many school districts also have TPEP iGrants 664 funds they can use to pay for Summer Conference registration and travel. Check with your district to see if they haven't allocated or spent all their 664 funds for the year. If unused, these funds go back to the state. Using them can remove the financial burden of the conference. Learn more about using 664 funds on OSPI’s TPEP site, or learn more and register for Summer Conference.
Most Importantly: School and district leaders are on the front lines of education. The role of a school leader can become an isolating one, and there are days when it’s easy to lose hope. As Lori Hayes says, this is why it’s so important to gather together with likeminded individuals to “refuel and recharge in order to get back in the trenches and better serve the individuals you have committed your life to serving.” Summer Conference is the exact place to do that.
Whether you are new to principalship or a veteran in your career, everyone can find benefit in attending the AWSP/WASA Summer Conference. End your 2023-2024 school year filled with hope for the next!
Click here for a sample email to send to your leadership team!