OASSP/OMLEA Association Updates

Will Parker, OASSP/OMLEA Executive Director

Association Business

OASSP Executive Committee members met in a hybrid in-person/ virtual meeting on Friday, September 17, where we discussed new legislative goals, planned outreach to members, and discussed steps for this year’s combined conference with OMLEA which will be held February 23-24, 2022. OASSP President David Beiler led the meeting as we welcomed 13 new regional representatives to the OASSP Executive Committee which represents a total of 22 regions across the state.

OMLEA Executive Committee members met in a hybrid inperson/virtual meeting on Friday, September 17, where we heard updates from schools across each region of the state as well as discussed legislative goals and planned for this year’s combined conference with OASSP which will be held February 23-24, 2022. OMLEA President Robb Mills led the meeting as we welcomed regional directors from each quadrant of the state.

OASSP/OMLEA Leadership & Learning Conference

The OASSP/OMLEA Leadership & Learning Conference will be held February 23-24, 2022 at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center in Edmond. ‘Mission Possible’ is the theme of this year’s conference and will feature keynote speakers/ authors Timothy Alexander and Joe Sanfelippo. Timothy Alexander is a bestselling writer, award-winning speaker, and life coach who thrives at the intersection of character development, counseling, and mentorship. After a life changing car accident in 2006, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down, Timothy has embodied a “never giving up” spirit that inspires educators to do the impossible in their schools and lives. Keynote speaker Joe Sanfelippo, Superintendent of the Fall Creek School District in Fall Creek, WI, will share on the topic “Leading with Hope and Confidence,” which includes strategies for educators who are committed to improving student outcomes by building positive school culture. The Fall Creek School District was named an Innovative District in 2016 and 2017 by the International Center for Leadership in Education. He has served as a principal in suburban and rural Wisconsin. Come join us!

Principals of the Year Recognized

October was National Principals Month. Thank you for taking time to highlight the great work of principals in your districts. We received proclamations recognizing October as “Principals Month” from the offices of Governor Kevin Stitt and from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister. On October 5, 2021, NASSP hosted a virtual awards ceremony to recognize state and national principal of the year winners, including Melissa Barlow, Principal of Yukon High School, Oklahoma’s 2020-2021 High School Principal of the Year.

Professional Development Opportunities

TeleLEAD

TeleLEAD is a partnership with OSU Tele ECHO to provide this professional development twice a month. TeleLEAD is held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 9:30am virtually. Julie Bloss, Grove Public Schools and Kas Nelson, Vici Public Schools provide an elementary perspective. Eric Fox, Jenks Public Schools and Kristy VanDorn, Deer Creek Public Schools provide a secondary perspective. Participants are invited to share their thoughts. Each session will provide a case study in the life of a principal. Join us on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month for an insightful discussion on school topics.

New Principals Academy

The CCOSA's New Principals Academy is designed to promote an interactive discussion on topics essential for participants to develop understanding and knowledge of the leadership role at the school level. There are 59 new principals or fairly new principals that are participating this year.

Principal Mentoring Training

The new Principal Mentoring and Coaching program has kicked off with a 23 participants. The purpose of this training is to provide training in the area of mentorship for those that either supervise principals or those that may be assigned as a mentor. This 3-day training is focused on improving the skills of leaders and to provide thoughtful feedback in how to mentor or coach a school leader. ■

OASSP / OMLEA Will Parker, OASSP/OMLEA Executive Director