MSAA Matters
September 2021 Volume I
"Believe in the possibility that we can strive to be antiracist from this day forward."
From author Ibram X. Kendi in the book: How To Be An Antiracist
September 20th
Dear Colleagues,
Greetings! I hope this edition of MSAA Matters finds each of you well and having as smooth and energizing opening as you possibly could! I know many of you immediately found yourself confronting COVID challenges with some positive cases - please reach out to us for support if it is needed and remember to take care of yourselves.
It is my pleasure and honor to introduce our new Executive Director, Bob Baldwin. Bob and I sat down Friday for an interview for Matters. Below are some of my take aways in getting to know Bob. Also make sure you read through this newsletter as there are many new wonderful professional opportunities for all levels from MSAA, DESE, and the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth Inc.
Interview with Executive Director Bob Baldwin
"If not me, who? If not you, who?" are two questions you will hear Bob Baldwin repeat to himself and model to others. Bob believes in bold leadership and his career journey bears that out. His interest in sports was literally born in football and baseball college locker rooms as he tagged along with his father, a radio sportscaster in Omaha Nebraska. Bob's "big" dream was to play in the Big Leagues but, after an exciting college career at the University of Maryland, he states, "Alas, I knew I was just not good enough."
His strong desire to teach and coach was not a second choice but a calling. For the next several years, Bob followed a deliberate path to teach and to coach. Like so many administrators, he had that one administrator who believed that Bob must become an administrator; a familiar story for all of us. Knowing that leaving the classroom and coaching would be difficult, Bob knew he could influence more students' lives than just those in his classroom and on his team. Certainly influencing thousands of students later as an Assistant Principal, Principal and Superintendent, Bob looks back fondly and with pride.
Bob's immediate goals at MSAA are to go anywhere and everywhere to listen. He states ,"Our field needs a voice and support." He believes the strength of our organization is in the courageous and bold leaders we have and that recruiting more teachers to become administrators is of the utmost importance. As a matter of fact Bob's hope for our future is that 15 years from now, is that we have a robust cadre of teachers and administrators. He believes we need to influence today's students to become teachers and administrators.
My last take away is that Bob Baldwin is committed to a vital, robust MSAA and will work tirelessly to leverage our human capital, to make us a go to organization for mentorship, connections, support and professional learning. On behalf of the MSAA, Welcome Bob.
Upcoming Reminders/Events/Professional Learning Opportunities
MSAA Convocation Tuesday, September 21st 8AM-1PM. If you have not attended this special kickoff for MSAA, I highly recommend it! Our new president will speak as well as our special guest speaker, Kimbrelle Barbosa Lewis! It is a very inspirational way to start MSAA's year.
Jeanne Blake and Paula Rauch will host a virtual fireside chat event Wednesday, September 22nd from 4-5:30 PM Click here to register-it is free. The topic is: Practical steps to Support one One Another, Our Students and our School Communities.
Jeanne Blake: is a leadership communication coach. Before beginning her consulting career, Jeanne was a news anchor and reporter at WBZ-TV, where she created the station’s medical beat. She is an honorary trustee at McLean Hospital, Harvard’s largest psychiatric facility. Jeanne served as a member of the American Psychological Association’s Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls. She has appeared on Oprah, the Today show and NPR. Jeanne is the creator of the online program The Pandemic and Kids’ Mental Health. The focus of her talk will be the pandemic and our mental health.
Dr. Paula K. Rauch: is the Founding Director of the Marjorie E. Korff Parenting At a Challenging Time (PACT) program. Dr. Rauch is a consultation child psychiatrist; she specializes in the impact of medical illness on families and on the emotional health and well-being of children. She has practiced at the MGH since 1982 and is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She is the inaugural incumbent of the Timothy Christopher Davidson Chair of Psychiatry at the MGH.
Three attendees will be selected to receive a license to Blake Works online program compliments of Horace Mann and MAPFRE.
#MSAA Chat
#MSAA Chat second Tuesdays of the month September - June at 8:00 PM. Next chat Tuesday, October 12th.
Facilitators: Marty Geoghegan, Bob Silveira, and Brian McCann
Hispanic Heritage Month
Please see below in the Articles/Video/Podcast section of this newsletter for a PDF link with resources for Hispanic Heritage Months from September 15th - October 15th for grades K-8. Thanks to Bobbie French for making me aware of this resource. Check it out!
DESE MSAA Early Learning Team
2021-2022 Elementary School Principals Networking & Professional Development Series
The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Early Learning Team, the MA School Administrators’ Association (MSAA) and the MA Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (MAECTE) will be hosting a series of networking and professional development opportunities for elementary school principals (Preschool to 3rd grade) and early childhood administrators and educators during the 2021-2022 school year. The theme for this year’s series will be Anti-Racist Leadership in the Early Grades. The 2021-2022 series will be virtual (unless otherwise noted) and will commence with a statewide kick-off event and be followed by webinars, networking sessions, book discussion groups, EdCamp Play, and a culminating statewide convening in the spring. Further details are posted on the Early Learning Team’s webpage. The first convening will take place on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 from 3:00-5:00pm with Matthew Rodriguez from Equity Imperative speaking on Anti-Racist Leadership in Elementary Schools. Registration for the October 19th convening is open.
Statewide Meetings: Anti-Racist Leadership in Elementary Schools
Matthew Rodriguez from Equity Imperative and his team will deliver 3 professional development sessions (each 2 hours in length) on anti-racist leadership in the early grades. These sessions will be interactive and include whole group and small group discussions. The sessions will take place from 3:00-5:00pm on:
· Tuesday, October 19, 2021 (Registration is open.);
· Tuesday, December 7, 2021;
· Tuesday, February 8, 2021.
Networking Meetings
With participation from DESE Early Learning Team staff, MSAA will host regular Ring Central Gatherings for elementary principals on the first Tuesday of each month (2021 - 10/5, 11/2, and 12/7; 2022 - 1/4, 2/8, 3/8, 4/5, 5/3). MSAA will send the link out the day before the ring central gathering. If you don’t receive the link, email Beth Wittcoff at bwittcoff@msaa.net. In-person, school-based network meetings will be considered for the Spring 2022, if and when schools/COVID-19 guidance permits.
MSAA/DESE’s Early Learning Team PK-8 Spring Conference - Anti-Racist Social and Emotional Learning: The Importance of Family and Student Voice (In-person)
On March 10-11, 2022, MSAA and DESE’s Early Learning Team will host a convening focused on anti-racist social-emotional learning. A keynote presentation will be provided by Dr. Nicole Christian-Brathwaite along with a mother and her daughter to talk about the impact of race on family and student engagement and social-emotional well-being. Workshops will follow the keynote presentation. (Hours/schedule to be determined)
EdCamp Play 2.0
In honor of Week of the Young Child (April 2-8, 2022), we plan to host EdCamp Play 2.0.
· Monday, April 4, 2022 from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
· Wednesday, April 6, 2022 from 7:00-9:00 a.m.
Book Group Discussions (all 3:30-5:00 p.m.)
All book group discussions will take place across two dates, and attendance at both is encouraged but not required. Discussions will be facilitated by MSAA, MAECTE and Department staff.
· November 9 and 17, 2021 – Can We Talk About Race? by Beverly Daniel Tatum
· January 19 and 26, 2022 – Purposeful Play: A Teacher’s Guide to Igniting Deep and Joyful Learning Across the Day by K. Mraz, A. Porcelli, and C. Tyler
May Statewide Meeting – LGBTQ: The Importance of Family and Student Voice (Date TBD)
The Early Learning team will provide 10 Professional Development Points (PDPs) for elementary school principals who, as part of this year-long professional development series, are able to take on a project or product related to early learning, anti-racist leadership and/or play as an instructional strategy and to engage in at least of 10 hours of professional development over this year long series. More information on PDPs is forthcoming.
For questions about any of the convenings in this professional development calendar, please contact a member of the Early Learning Team (781-338-3010 or achievement@doe.mass.edu).
Horace Mann Employee Benefits
See the link below for benefits.
Massachusetts Partnership for Youth INC.
Registration is now open for MPY’s webinars
Please visit www.mpyinc.org to view all webinars and conferences for the upcoming school year. We are proud to present over 100 trainings focused on the following topics to promote students’ holistic health, safety and well-being, including:
· Anti-Racism, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
· Social & Emotional Learning
· Mental & Behavioral Health
· Trauma-Sensitive Schools and Classrooms
Contact Margie Daniels at margie@mpyinc.org with any questions.
Current Articles/Videos/Podcasts
The first New York Times (NYT) article is and excellent source on how to deal with hate speech and threats on gaming sites. This is a must read and highly recommend that you share it with your parent community. The second article also from the NYT on how to raise a resilient kid. The third article also form the NYT is on how teens need mental health days too, and some of the strategies districts are using to be proactive in addressing mental health. The fourth article is also regarding teen mental health issues and how Illinois is approaching mental health days.
Closing Message from Bob Baldwin
Thank you for making a difference in the lives of ALL children. You are making a difference!
Warm Regards,
Beth
Beth Wittcoff
MSAA Assistant Executive Director
MSAA Matters Newsletter
Middle Level and Elementary Committee Liaison
Ring Central Gatherings
Latest Articles, Videos, Websites, Podcasts for this Edition
DESE LATEST RESOURCES
MSAA Position Papers
RING CENTRAL GATHERINGS
See member email for links to these gatherings!
There will not be a meeting on the Monday holidays.
1st Monday of the Month High School Administrator Gatherings 3 PM
October 4 (Labor Day Monday, September 6th - no Gathering)
2nd Monday of the Month Assistant Principal Gatherings 3 PM
November 8th (Indigenous People's Day - no Gathering in October)
3rd Monday of the Month Middle Level Administrators 3 PM
September 20th
4th Monday of the Month All Level Administrators 4 PM
September 27th
1st Tuesday of the Month PK-8 Administrators 4 PM
October 5th (Rosh Hashanah no - Gathering in September)
MSAA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FALL 2021
Professional Development Opportunities
Live/In-Person
October 6, 2021, Classroom Management, Curriculum and Instruction, presented by Carol Gregory, Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register
October 13, 2021, How to Supervise and Evaluate the Low Proficient, Unsatisfactory, and Needs Improvement Teacher, Leadership and Administration, presented by Carol Gregory, Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register
October 14, 2021, Legal Aspects of Student Discipline, Leadership and Administration, presented by Colleen Shea, Stoneman, Chandler & Miller, Register
October 19, 2021, Practical Trauma-Informed Strategies to Reduce Anxiety in Students, Special Education, presented by Jessica Minahan, MEd, BCBA, Register
October 20, 2021, Special Education IEP/Evaluation Team Leader, Special Education, presented by Patric Barbieri, Seaside Educational Consultants, Register
October 21, 2021, DEI 101: Taking Your First Steps Towards Creating a More Equitable School Culture, Leadership and Administration, presented by Ted McCarthy, and, Coleen Motyl-Szary, Sutton High School,
October 25, 2021, Bridging the Gap: Connecting Academics and Social Emotional Learning to Maximize Student Learning, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, presented by Maureen Gilman, Seaside Educational Consultants, Register
October 25, 2021, Restorative Justice, Leadership and Administration, presented by Dr. Curtis Bates, Seaside Educational Consultants, Register
October 28, 2021, Influencer-in-Chief, Leadership and Administration, presented by Teresa Sullivan, Ph.D., Register
November 2, 2021, Understanding and Addressing Implicit Unconscious Bias, in Our Schools, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, presented by Karen Dodd Antonelli, M.Ed., Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc, Register
November 3, 2021, Teacher Leadership and Instructional Coaching: Improving Practice Every Day, Leadership and Administration, presented by Shoshy Starr, Athena Educational Consulting, Register
November 8, 2021, Examining Student Engagement: Moving from Compliance, to Cognition and Intellectual Risk-Taking, Curriculum and Instruction, presented by Teresa Sullivan, Ph.D., Register
November 9, 2021, Pre-Assessing, Formatively Assessing, and In-the-Moment Assessing of Student Mastery in the Classroom, Special Education, presented by Dr. Deborah Brady, Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register
November 15, 2021, Re-JOY-ning the Math Class! - Math Openers, Routines, and Experiences to Build MATH Positivity and Better Discourse in Your Classroom: Grades 5-9, Mathematics, presented by Marcie Abramson, Athena Educational Consulting, Register
November 17, 2021, Components of a Multi-Tiered System of Support and the Role, of the SST (Student Support Team) How do Both Structures Impact Teaching and Learning?, Curriculum and Instruction, presented by Dr. Curtis Bates, Seaside Educational Consultants, Register
December 1, 2021, Strategies for Motivating the Low-Motivation Learner that Every Teacher Should Use Curriculum and Instruction, presented by Dr. Roseli Weiss, Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc, Register
December 6, 2021, How to Reinvent Schools and Learning for Your School/District, Leadership and Administration, presented by Maureen Gilman, Seaside Educational Consultants, Register
December 8, 2021, Specially Designed Instruction (SDI): What it Is and What it Is Not, Special Education, presented by Abby Hanscom, Athena Educational Consulting, Register
December 10, 2021, Re-JOY-ning the Math Class! - Math Openers, Routines, and Experiences to Build MATH Positivity and Better Discourse, in Your Classroom: Elementary, Mathematics, presented by Marcie Abramson, Athena Educational Consulting, Register
December 14, 2021, RTI interventions and the SEI Classroom, Special Education, presented by Laurie Sullivan, Athena Educational Consulting, Register
Synchronous
Start Date October 6, Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Course for All Classroom Teachers and School Clinical Staff, Curriculum and Instruction, Karen Dodd Antonelli, M.Ed., Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register,
Subsequent Dates on Flyer
Start Date October 7, Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Course for Vocational High School Teachers and School Clinical Staff, Curriculum and Instruction, Karen Dodd Antonelli, M.Ed., Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register,
Subsequent Dates on Flyer
Start Date October 12, Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Course for Administrators, Leadership and Administration, Kaitlyn Torossion, Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register, Subsequent Dates on Flyer
Asynchronous - Learning Portals open Oct 1, 2021 through January 15, 2022
The Inclusive Classroom: Reaching Students of ALL Abilities, through Co-teaching and Creating Tiered Interventions, Curriculum and Instruction, presented by Dr. Judy Ann DeLucia, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register
Classroom Management: Keys to Maximizing Opportunities, for Student Learning, Curriculum and Instruction, presented by Dr. Curtis Bates, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register
Differentiated Instruction to Promote Maximum Learning Recovery, Curriculum and Instruction, presented by Carol Gregory, Ribas Associates and Publications, Register
Learning Recovery, Curriculum and Instruction, presented by Cynthia Marchand, Ribas Associates and Publications Inc., Register 4 Graduate Credits Available
Succeeding with English Language Learners, English Language Arts, Dr. Cindy Crimmin, Ribas Associates and Publications Inc., Register Approved by DESE for the 15-PDP ELL License Renewal Requirement
Restorative Justice, Leadership/Administration, presented by Dr. Curtis Bates, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register
How to Deliver Effective Feedback: Addressing What Matters Most to Improve Professional Practice, How to have a Difficult Conversation!, Leadership/Administration, presented by, Dr. Judy Ann DeLucia, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register
Effective and Stress-Free Parent Communication, Leadership/Administration, presented by Jared Procopio, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register
Expanding Math Mindsets: Digital Tools & Resources, to Engage Middle & High School Students, Mathematics, presented by Brian Skeffington, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register
Understanding the Differentiated Instruction Classroom: A Certificate Program for Paraprofessionals and Assistant Teachers, presented by Carol Gregory, Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register
Succeeding with Students with Special Needs: A Certificate Program for Paraprofessionals and Assistant Teachers, presented by Bill Simmons, M.Ed., Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register
Succeeding with English Language Learners: A Certificate Program for Paraprofessionals and Assistant Teachers, presented by Dr. Cindy Crimmin, Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register
SEL in the Classroom: A Certificate Program for Paraprofessionals and Assistant Teachers, presented by Dr. Deborah Brady, Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register
Positive Anxiety - Making the Shift, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, presented by Patric Barbieri, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC Register
Bridging the Gap: Connecting Academics and Social Emotional Learning to Maximize Student Learning, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, presented by Maureen Gilman, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register
Getting Back on Track: Using PBIS Strategies to Create Safe and Supportive Classrooms, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, presented by Maureen Gilman, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register
Sustaining Educator Wellness for the Long Haul, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, presented by Christopher Dodge, Seaside Educational Consultants, LLC, Register
Social-Emotional Learning in the Classroom: The Gateway to Learning Recovery, Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, presented by Dr. Deborah Brady, Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register
1 Graduate Credit Available
Succeeding with Students with Special Needs, Special Education, presented by Bill Simmons, M.Ed., Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register Approved by DESE for the 15-PDP Special Education License Renewal Requirement
Recovering Learning Loss for Students from Low Income Homes, Special Education, presented by Dr. Roseli Weiss, Ribas Associates and Publications, Inc., Register