Launching Academy (formerly New Building Administrators Academy)

The Launching Academy (formerly New Building Administrators Academy, NBAA) provides the guidance, support, and networking necessary for school-level administrators to succeed in year one and beyond.

The academy does this by providing:

  • Just-in-time and ongoing professional learning throughout the course of the first year
  • Examples of best practices and thoughtful approaches that address major responsibilities of school-level leadership
  • An abundance of resources to assist with on-the-job questions, concerns, and experiences
  • A professional network of job-alike peers facilitated by first-rate administrative veterans

Learning Objectives:

  1. Examine the School Leader Paradigm to understand the personal, social and systems intelligences needed to effectively lead a learning organization.

  2. Learn strategies for building relationships with all stakeholders.

  3. Understand how to assess local context and culture.

  4. Explore personal and organizational management systems.

  5. Establish a professional learning network for growth and support. 

Leading Objectives:

  1. Impart your why, both verbally and nonverbally, through multiple communication channels.

  2. Apply questioning techniques and coaching strategies that lead to educator reflection on practice and impact.

  3. Identify your school’s most critical problems of practice within the School Leader Paradigm domains.

  4. Develop clear processes for time and task management.

  5. Identify and connect with your PLN thought leaders and accountability partners. 

Participants in the Academy also have the opportunity to work with a personal coach on a monthly basis. These coaches are current and former principals who have demonstrated leading schools of equity and excellence. 

Dates, Locations, and Schedule:

This academy includes three full-day seminars and four webinars. 

A Strong Start

August 15, 2024

8 AM – 3 PM

Ingleside Hotel, Pewaukee

Full-Day Seminar Topics:

  • Your First 90 Days: Success Strategies for New Leaders

  • Developing Your Entry Plan 

  • Managing a School, Part I: Month to Month Checklists

  • Managing a School, Part II: Organizing Yourself and the Office Team

  • Building a Professional Network

Gaining Stride

Date change: September 11, 2024

September 17, 2024

1 – 2:30 PM

Webinar

Webinar Topic:

  • People, Purpose, and Priorities:  Three Leadership Tools to Increase Your Impact

  • The School Budget

  • Levels of Decision-Making / Decision-Making Process

Building Momentum

October 1, 2024

1 – 2:30 PM

Webinar

Webinar Topics:

  • Leading for Success for Students Receiving Special Education Services

Clearing Hurdles

November 12, 2024

8 AM – 3 PM

Hyatt Regency,
Green Bay

Full-Day Seminar Topics:

  • First Quarter Status Check: Reflecting Upon Your Entry and Living Your Priorities

  • Managing a School, Part III: Efficiency Tools and Hacks

  • Handbook Administration and Employee Discipline

  • Coaching Conversations, Part I: Entry Points and Human Capital

  • Networking and Idea Exchange / Check-in on Educator Effectiveness

A Second Wind

January 8, 2025

1 - 2:30 PM

Webinar

Webinar Topics: 

  • Self-Care:  Managing Yourself in the Deep End of the Pool

  • School Culture Assessment Exercise

Rounding the Bend

February 25, 2025

1 - 2:30 PM

Webinar

Webinar Topic:

  • Systems Assessment of Your School

 

Finishing Strongly

April 29, 2025

8 AM - 3 PM

Hilton Garden Inn,
Sun Prairie

Full-Day Seminar Topics: 

  • Self-Care, Part II:  The Role of Self-Care in Your Leading and Living to Date

  • Balanced Analysis: Deepening Your Impact as a Learning Leader Through Effective Feedback

  • Coaching Conversations, Part II: Coaching for Improvement

  • Identifying Your School’s Most Critical Problem(s) of Practice

  • Networking and Idea Exchange

  • Supporting Your Biggest Priorities in 2025-26

  

Cost:

$475 for AWSA members and $635 for non-members. 

Hotel Information:

August 15, 2024
Ingleside Hotel
2810 Golf Road, Pewaukee
(262) 547-0201
$125
Block expires: 10/21/24
Block name: AWSA

November 12, 2024
Hyatt Regency
333 Main Street, Green Bay
920.432.1234
$124
Book Online

April 29, 2025
Hilton Garden Inn
1220 S Grand Ave, Sun Prairie
(608) 856-4500
Corporate ID number- N3291980
Rate TBD ; Book Online
Tax exempt certificates are to be presented at time of check-in.

Other Information:

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.

Academy Cancellation Policy
A full refund of fees will be made on cancellations received by 8/11/24. Following that date, there will be no refund of registration fee. *

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

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.