MASSP 2023: Reflections on a Great Mississippi Conference

As I entered the huge conference area at the 2023 MASSP conference, I could feel the energy in the room.

My wife Alissa and I sat down next to some new friends and waited for the night’s activities to begin. Alissa just received her specialist’s degree in Educational Leadership, and I had several years of leadership experience under my belt. We had decided that it would be a good idea to level up our leadership by joining professional organizations and participating in summer conferences.

In an earlier post, I wrote about some of the best professional organizations for Mississippi educators. Click here to visit the MASSP website.

At the MASSP conference, we had four exciting days lined up of learning more about education in Mississippi, seeing new educational technology demonstrated, meeting with fellow administrators, and making new connections.

Each year, hundreds of Mississippi educators gather for MASSP, MASS, and other conferences to improve their professional practice and stay up to date on the latest trends in education. Most professional organizations plan events to bring their members together, but this year’s MASSP conference was special to me. It was the first summer conference I attended, and I’m thankful for the great experience it provided.

I would encourage any current or aspiring educational leader to get plugged in with professional organizations. Here are some of the biggest takeaways I gained from the 2023 MASSP conference.

Growing my Network

Throughout the conference, I had numerous opportunities to connect with administrators from different schools and districts, expanding my network and forging meaningful relationships that will support me in my professional journey.

One of the highlights of the conference was witnessing the recognition of my colleague, Jacob Drury, as the Middle School Principal of the Year. Jacob works at Neshoba Central, and I know it was a proud moment for him to celebrate his accomplishments.

Connecting with Educators in Similar Schools

During the conference, Jodie McGehee, one of the conference’s organizers, emphasized the importance of schools with similar demographics facing similar challenges and discovering similar solutions.

Breakout sessions were divided into groups based on school enrollments, allowing administrators to connect with others who shared common experiences. These sessions gave us a platform for open discussions and idea exchanges. In my group, we talked about solving master scheduling problems and what to do as an administrator starting at a new school.

Embracing Mississippi's Path to the Future

In a thought-provoking session, a reference was made to a New York Times article highlighting Mississippi's remarkable progress in education. Mississippi has moved from near 50th place in reading to 27th place, marking significant improvement.

Additionally, I attended a breakout session from Apple Education that explored innovative approaches, such as integrating AI, like ChatGPT, into lessons to enhance student engagement and promoting more authentic assessment methods. It was inspiring to witness Mississippi educators finding ways to push boundaries and lead their students towards a better future.

Engaging with Vendors and Other Organizations

The MASSP conference offered opportunities to speak with vendors and other organizations dedicated to supporting educational excellence. I had the opportunity to eat dinner with Julia Cole and Susan Rucker, representatives from NCEE (National Center on Education and the Economy), who provided valuable insights and resources for school improvement.

I also attended presentations by ACT Jumpstart and Kids First LLC. The ACT Jumpstart team, including Gina Morgigno and John Johnson, shared effective strategies to prepare students for college readiness, while Kids First LLC awarded my school with a $200 classroom grant!

The 2023 MASSP conference was a great experience. It was worth the time I spent that week connecting with fellow administrators, learning about innovative practices, and engaging with organizations dedicated to advancing education in Mississippi. The conference provided a platform for personal and professional growth, allowing me to expand my network and gain valuable insights.

What about you? Do you have any experiences you’d like to share about your own professional development?

Let me know in the comments below!