2024 Middle & High School Principals Convention 

 The 2024 Middle and High School Principals Convention will take place February 7-9, 2024 at Madison Concourse Hotel. 

February 7, 2024

12:00 - 4:15 PM  |  Secondary Principals Legal Seminar ($99)

12:00 - 1:15 | Secondary Principals Legal General Session

School Law Update
Kirk Strang, Attorney, Strang Law

This session covers the latest developments in school law.  Principals have found themselves on the front lines of several legal developments, including issues related to transgender students’ names and pronouns, student dress codes and depictions of firearms, staff and student speech and expression, as well as employment accommodations related to religion.  Principals are also finding themselves at the heart of public protests about school rules and reading materials, and are pressed into difficult service to address claims levied against the school district by angry citizens. 

Attorney Kirk Strang of Strang Law, LLC will review the law underlying these situations and will offer practical guidance on how to handle situations covered by developing areas of the law.

1:30-2:45 & 3:00-4:15 Breakout Sessions (repeated)

1. Student Behavior (including vaping) and Student Search and Seizure
Malina Piontek, AWSA Retained Attorney 

Administrators today must be able to navigate a number of competing issues when analyzing all of the potential required and discretionary procedures and/ or consequences based on the student’s behavior, including school district rules and policies, and legal considerations.  In this presentation, Attorneys Bob Butler and Malina Piontek will cover constitutional issues that arise in a student search, state statutes covering student searches and practical tips to balance the rights of the individual student and the school district’s desire for a safe learning environment.  This session will deal specifically with current issues involving vaping, academic honesty in the age of AI, and much more.

2. Understanding the Different Legal Standards Applicable to Social Media Use by Employees, Students, and Citizens
Brian Goodman, Attorney, Boardman Clark

Social media utilization has become a part of our way of life, including its prevalence impacting schools.  Interestingly, the legal standards that are applicable to the regulation of social media in a school district context differ demonstrably depending upon multiple factors, including the person engaging in the social media use and the content.  Attorney Brian Goodman will dissect all of this so that building administrators have the foundational principles necessary for approaching and responding to social media issues that impact their buildings, including a focused analysis of First Amendment “freedom of speech/expression.”  The presentation will include policy considerations, as well as assessing social media content that allegedly “crosses the lines” of harassment and defamation, particularly impacting building administrators and staff.  Attendee questions will be welcome.

3. You Received a Report of Misconduct, Now What?  A Primer for Administrators on how to Address Bullying, Unlawful Harassment, and Sexual Harassment Under Title IX
Bob Butler, Associate Executive Director, WASB and Tess O’Brien-Heinzen, Attorney, Renning, Lewis & Lacy

One of the most challenging tasks an administrator faces is being able to respond promptly and effectively to messy situations involving student misconduct, while ensuring compliance with state and federal law and district policies and handbooks.  In this presentation, Bob and Tess will provide a legal primer so administrators understand how and when the laws, policies, and handbooks apply at school.  They will then present case studies involving complex fact situations and provide administrators with the tools to address them step by step, ensuring compliance with all, including mandatory reporting, bullying, unlawful harassment, and sexual harassment under Title IX.   The presentation will be interactive and participants will be encouraged to engage, ask questions, and share experiences.

2:00 - 4:00 PM  |  Pre-Con Sessions ($49)

1. True Identity
John A. Jenson, Author                                                                     

Administrators are being challenged like never before. Talent is hard to attract and sometimes difficult to keep. Schools are looking to re-establish themselves in the eyes of their communities after a tough few years. Finding that “True Identity” of your school allows you to articulate precisely who you are and helps you relay those success stories while establishing a consistent message that everyone can tell in the most compelling fashion. 

2.  Planning for Your Retirement
 Joel Craven, Owner, Astraios Financial

This session will provide information on the three legs of a solid retirement: the WI Retirement System, Social Security and personal savings (e.g., Roth, 403(b) plans, etc.). The session will also cover what educators should know about putting savings to good use and public service loan forgiveness.  Come with your questions and leave better prepared for your future.

5:00 - 6:00 PM  |  Welcome Reception Sponsored by Lifetouch

February 8, 2024

7:30 - 8:15 AM  |  New Principals Breakfast  

8:30 - 9:45 AM  |  Opening Keynote: To Love and to Serve: Student and Community Engagement

Hamish Brewer, Author

People just want to be seen, heard, and valued, creating a culture and environment that advocates and amplifies the stakeholder voice, opportunity and ownership of the journey, productivity, and results. Leaders, practices, and processes within the organization can stimulate or suppress the performance, culture, and outcomes for all. Hamish shows how a culture of love and service deeply engages stakeholders on multiple levels emotionally, physically, and intellectually to raise levels in culture, commitment, and performance across the organization. 

 

 

Hamish Brewer is a powerful and positive disruptor who transcends the status quo and typical norms in leadership and education.  Mr. Brewer has become globally recognized while inspiring, advocating and amplifying the voices of communities everywhere.  He built his reputation on results and performance, becoming affectionally known as the Relentless, Tattooed Skateboarding Principal with his galvanizing message to "Be Relentless" and his high-octane delivery style.

Mr. Brewer currently consults with businesses and organizations all around the world on leaderships, culture and organizational performance change and improvement. As a Beachheads advisor to the New Zealand Trade Enterprise, he also helps grow New Zealand businesses and advises on strategic development in the North American market place.

Mr. Brewer has served as an award-winning principal at both the secondary and elementary school levels. He was recognized as the NAESP Nationally Distinguished Principal and Virginia Principal of the Year. He has also been honored with the VAESP School Bell Award and ASCD Virginia Impact Award. Hamish was named a Northern Virginian of the year by Northern Virginia Magazine and Principal of the Year for the online national publication – Education Dive. Prince William County Public Schools named Hamish the school division's Principal of the Year and Hamish was recently recognized by Omega U as the Principal of the Year.

9:45 - 10:00 AM  |  Break and Opening of the Expo Hall

10:00 - 11:15 AM  |  Concurrent Sessions Round One 

What would a highly engaged classroom look like? What is a highly engaged student doing?  As school leaders, it’s our responsibility to observe and provide feedback on student levels of engagement. We know it’s a predictor of student retention, student success, and also student satisfaction. Far too often, compliance is acknowledged as engagement. This session will focus on ensuring school leaders have the look fors and strategies for providing feedback on authentic student engagement so as to grow academic outcomes for the students we serve.

2. INsight & OUTreach: Achieving the Highest Levels of Access, Opportunity, and Success for Each Student
Brian Cox, Principal, Verona Area High School

Identifying and supporting students furthest from access is some of the most important work we do in public education. In this session, participants will hear how Verona Area High School is reducing the predictive power of demographics. The VAHS team has closed opportunity gaps by working with deeper insight (qualitative) data about students, gathering actionable data about the school’s climate, culture, beliefs, and practices, and utilizing proven outreach strategies to engage and encourage students. VAHS has a partnership with Equal Opportunity Schools and together, they are achieving the highest levels of access, opportunity, and success for each student.

3.  Force Multipliers for Your Leadership:  Leveraging and Aligning Your People, Purposes, and Aims
Joe Schroeder, Associate Executive Director, AWSA

12:00 - 12:25 PM  |  Dessert with Exhibitors 

12:30 - 1:45 PM  |  Concurrent Sessions Round Two

It is important that teachers know the goals of the school, and when students, parents, and the entire community can join in, the culture can begin to move with more speed and force. In every public move, there can be a reference to building goals. The more people hear it, the more they can contribute, and the more they can believe. It is important to reflect on current practices and how each constituency group (students, teachers, families, community) can become more aware of and engaged in supporting the building goals. (How are Faculty Meetings designed? How is the school presented in social media? What does 8th-9th grade transition look like? How is the goal reinforced throughout the year? How are Areas of Focus reflected in EE)? 

Karyn Richmond, Wellness Coordinator, Sun Prairie Area School District

School systems face a 3-part crisis: attracting and retaining top talent, rising teacher burnout and skyrocketing healthcare costs. Karyn Richmond, Wellness Coordinator of Sun Prairie Area School District will show school systems how to meet these challenges by fostering a thriving workforce. This presentation will demonstrate why leadership commitment is a crucial component of creating a sustainable wellbeing program that yields returns on investment. Top leadership support fosters a caring culture, which cascades into the classroom and is key to meeting school district human capital challenges. 

6. Khanmigo:  The Next Level in Educational Technology
Jason Feig, Khan Academy

Imagine a world where technology delivered on its promise to save you time.  When GPT-4 is carefully adapted to a learning environment like Khan Academy, it has enormous potential. AI can assist teachers with lesson planning, reviewing content, preparing different components of instruction, and creating engaging learning experiences for all students. Khan Academy has created Khanmigo, an AI tool designed to save valuable time so teachers can focus on what’s most important—their students. Join us to gain practical insights into how Khan Academy is leveraging AI to enhance instruction and create engaging learning experiences. Khan Academy is an IRS-recognized 501(c)3 not-for-profit (nonprofit) organization. Khan Academy materials are available for free at www.khanacademy.org.

1:45 - 2:05 PM  |  Break In Expo Hall 

2:05 - 3:20 PM  |  Concurrent Round Three

4:30 - 5:30 PM  |  Reception Sponsored by Jostens 

February 9, 2024

7:15 - 8:15 AM  |  Optional Fellowship Breakfast 

8:00 - 9:00 AM  |  Breakfast Program: Legislative Update

9:15 - 10:30 AM | Concurrent Sessions Round Four

10:30 - 10:45 AM  |  Break 

10:45 - 11:45 AM  |  Closing Keynote: Expect the Best: Creating a High Performance Culture        

Jessica Cabeen, Principal, Alternative Educational Programs, Austin Public Schools

What does it take to learn and lead in schools today? Through research and her own practical examples of leading at every level of the K-12 educational system Jessica will share key ways to thrive in today’s classrooms and schools. Come ready to be motivated and inspired to connect to the calling to this work.

Jessica is the Principal of Alternative Education Programs and Austin Online Academy in Austin, Minnesota. Previously, she was the principal of Ellis Middle School in Austin, Minnesota, and the principal of the “Happiest Place in Southeastern Minnesota,” the Woodson Kindergarten Center. She has also been an assistant middle school principal, a special education assistant director, and special education teacher.

Jessica was named the 2021 ED Dive National Principal of the year, 2017 Minnesota National Distinguished Principal of the Year, and was awarded the NAESP/VINCI Digital Leader of Early Learning Award in 2016. She is a NAESP Middle Level Fellow and a Future Ready Principal. Jessica is the author of Hacking Early Learning and co-author of Balance Like a Pirate, Unconventional Leadership, Lead with Grace: Leaning into the Soft Skills of Leadership and Principal in Balance: Leading at Work and Living a Life(2023).

She is a sought-after speaker and trainer and enjoys getting to learn and lead with other educators across the nation. Jessica enjoys connecting and growing her Professional Learning Network (PLN) on social media. She can be found on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @JessicaCabeen. But by far her favorite space is the one that involves being with her husband Rob, sons Kenny and Isaiah, and, of course, the family dog, Herman.

11:45 | Adjourn

Vendor Information 

Booths for this year's 2024 Middle and High School Principals Convention are sold out! Please email [email protected] to be put on a waitlist.

Each year AWSA's Middle and High School Principals Convention brings in hundreds of administrators from across the state of Wisconsin. Vendors will have the opportunity to engage in unique face-to-face interactions throughout the convention. Table Top registration is $400. Advertising opportunities are also available.

Event Cancellation or Postponement
AWSA reserves exclusive right to modify, postpone/reschedule or cancel programs for any reason, including but not limited to emergency, inclement weather or other acts of God. If there is an event cancellation, every attempt will be made to reschedule and registration fees will be applied to the reschedule event dates. In the unlikely event of cancellation of an event, including inclement weather, the liability of AWSA is limited to the return of paid registration fees minus actual expenses. Cancellations of travel reservations and hotel reservations made directly with the hotel are the responsibility of the attendee.

Conventions, Conferences, and Workshop Cancellation Policy
A full refund of fees will be made on cancellations received 10 calendar days prior to the start of the event. 9-3 calendar days prior to the start of the event will receive a 50% refund of the fees. After that date there will be no refunds. There is no refund for no-shows. *

Dietary Disclaimer
AWSA makes every effort to accommodate basic dietary needs such as vegetarian, gluten-free and basic food allergies. AWSA does not assume liability for adverse reactions to food consumed or items one may come into contact with while eating at an AWSA event. 

Accessibility
For questions about accessibility or to request special assistance during the event, please contact Kathy Gilbertson at [email protected]. Three weeks advance notice is required to allow us to provide seamless access. If you need to cancel the special request this must be done at least 3 working days prior to the start of the event. See registration cancellation policy on the event’s web page for how to cancel your conference registration.

*Refund fees retained by AWSA pay for your food guarantees, a/v equipment, meeting room rental and any hotel attritions caused by the cancellation.