Be Bold. Be Brave. Be Brilliant.

Bold. Brave. Brilliant. These are words that describe the women in school leadership conference this year! Lots of “buzzing” about the conference with opportunities for women school leaders to meet with their teams, learn from each other and from our guest speakers, and enjoy time together as women leaders— over 400 in attendance! CCOSA hosted its fifth Women In School Leadership (WISL) Conference, April 5 & 6, along with the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators (AAEA) and their Executive Director, Dr. Mike Hernandez. Thanks to CCOSA women leaders who offered their reflections on the conference as follows.

Strengthen Your Wings

By Melissa Barlow, Yukon High School Principal, Yukon Schools

As I sat in a room with hundreds of other women leaders from across Oklahoma and Arkansas, I was in awe at the experience, devotion and passion that surrounded me. To be in the company of colleagues that share the same enthusiasm for and unyielding dedication to education, fueled me in a way that, at this time of year, was vital to finishing out what can be described as a marathon of a school year.

During a breakout session, Dr. Andrea Martin and Dr. Karla Neathery, both from Arkansas, shared a quote that ignited a focus in me. They shared, “A bird sitting on a tree is not afraid of the branch breaking. The bird’s trust is not in the tree, but rather in its wings.” As the end of the school year approaches and the ever changing climate of education is at the forefront of leaders’ minds, it was this statement that propelled me to remember that I must believe in my wings, my ability to lead and to soar. Beyond just belief and trust in my leadership wings, it was this conference and fellowship that allowed me to strengthen those wings in order to better serve my school community.

The strengthening process began with the imperative insight that Jennifer Abrams, author of Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work, shared in her keynote address. She shared information about trust, which became an underlying theme for professional development and growth, and led each of us leaders through a self-assessment that allowed for impactful insight into relational trust factors and the recognition of our “edges”. I knew my limits in my job, but I had never focused on my edges when it came to such leadership aspects as assumptions/values, communication skills, timely approach to tasks, listening with empathy and equitable participation in collaboration. As we shared with other leaders at our table, I learned about their edges while vulnerably sharing the identification of mine. Once our edges had been identified, it was the focus on stretching them that allowed my leadership wings to become stronger. I was able to identify ways in which I could grow in this profession as I lead teachers and students at my school. Jennifer poignantly stated that, “Human development is not an indulgence,” which provided me with a sense of peace during this time of learning.

The ballroom was a “buzz” with the realizations of growth from women leaders that were encouraged through the conference theme of “be bold, brave, brillant” and a matching theme of bumblebees to welcome in the new and fresh changes of spring. Every aspect of this conference was one to remember, with consistent encouragement and acknowledgement from relational leaders.

The celebration of CCOSA’s Difference Make-Her in Education, allowed the hive of the ballroom to give a standing ovation and resounding appreciation for Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Joy Hofmeister. Her message, along with motivational words from Rebecka Peterson and Traci Manuel, both Oklahoma State Teachers of the Year and Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn, strengthened my belief in the power of women in leadership positions. They each shared stories of bold, brave and brilliant aspects of their leadership journey with an unwavering support of public education. Their experiences allowed me to focus on strengthening my dedication to my pursuit of excellence in this profession, as I serve the students and teachers at my school.

Focus and development continued with informational sessions that prioritized boundaries and selfcare, with the reassurance of being aware of the ability of your wings. As I collaborated with those at my table, including women leaders from my school and my district as well as dear friends I have connected with over the years, I found that the trust I had in my wings grew to encompass the many positive aspects of each of my colleagues' journeys and shared insight.

The motivation and excitement I was energized with grew to an exponential level, when Sherri Coale took the stage to give her keynote address on the second day of the conference. Her mesmerizing ability to connect through relational storytelling made my heart swell with pride in the decision that I made many years ago to dedicate my life to serving students, teachers and families. Sherri’s message began by emphasizing that, “Confidence is a gift you give yourself and no one can take it away.” While this profound statement had my mind reeling with vision and personal connection, it was her following statement that solidified my epiphany at this conference. She said, “Confidence is demonstrated ability. It is not knowing everything but rather the belief that you will figure it out.” Soaring on the wings of her words, I realized that, as a female leader, confidence is a trait that can be controversial to self-proclaim, but as Sherri stated, confidence is simply the belief I have in myself to solve the problems, build the relationships and construct the learning culture to lead all students to success.

While the Women in School Leadership Conference came to a close much faster than I would have liked, the time was filled with details that made me feel special, appreciated and important. I was able to, without guilt, focus on myself in order to ensure I am a better leader for my school. For I know now that I do not need to trust the branch, but rather my wings, which have been strengthened by the outstanding women in school leadership who came together for learning, fellowship and personal growth.

Courageous Leadership

by Dr. Michelle Chapple, CFO, Guthrie Public Schools

Engaging! Empowering! Excellence!

These are three words to describe the 2023 Women in School Leadership Conference held in Tulsa, Oklahoma. What an awesome opportunity to learn alongside 400 women from Oklahoma and the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators. Women with multiple roles in the work place representing over 500 school districts in Oklahoma alone. After foregoing the conference for two years amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the fifth annual conference was methodically planned to perfection.

Several benefits evolved during the breakout sessions for central office women leaders that guided us on the power of positive thinking, having hard conversations, balancing leadership and leading professional learning communities without consternation. The conference presenters challenged the attendees to invest in their personal development first as leaders in an effort to enhance influence of others while empowering them to achieve their desired goals. Additionally, they suggested that having hard conversations embodies best strategies for optimal outcomes that account for the environment in which to speak, the questions to ask yourself before you speak, and action plans to enact if necessary. Many people consider balanced leadership as getting all tasks completed and managing your staff on equal footing. However, women are overlooking the best part of being a leader. The end goal is to be servant leaders and balance being in sync with professional networks, focusing on family and friends and even having a little fun in an effort to not be held hostage by daily routine duties.

My greatest take-a-way is that women leaders must, “Stretch your learning edges as we grow (up) at work” as presented by author Jennifer Abrams. Ms. Abrams along with keynote speakers Sherri Coale (Retired University of Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Coach), Leslie Osborn (Oklahoma Labor Commissioner) and special guest Joy Hofmeister (Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction) each communicated that fear is not an option when advancing in leadership. Being the first women in positions of leadership in many of their perspective arenas has allowed them to use their platforms to encourage women leaders to be bold, be brave, and be brilliant! If you fall and fall again, get up. Never stop believing that you are capable and able to achieve tasks before you. Even the ones you didn’t seek!

The great thing about this conference for future women central office attendees is that they will walk away with creative ideas to advance innovation in their districts, have a greater sense of belonging in the field of choice, make connections statewide with others in their roles and be able to fully embrace the charge before them to lead with conviction for their districts. I will use the resource guides given to us as an aid for teachable moments with staff to close the gap on the recognition of emerging challenges and ever be reminded that there are five facets women in leadership must garner to effect change personally and professionally. They are knowing your identity, suspending certainty, building resiliency, taking responsibility, and most importantly engaging in reciprocity (Abrams, 2021)*.

Be Bold. Brave. Brilliant.

By Shelley Free, Superintendent, Kiamichi Tech

Attending the Women in School Leadership conference can be a transformative experience for women leaders in all areas of education, including CareerTech. This conference offers a unique opportunity to learn from the experiences of others and gain insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by women in leadership roles, all of which I have been able to translate well to my experience as the Superintendent of a technology center district.

One important benefit of attending this conference is the opportunity to learn from the stories of others. Listening to the experiences of other women in leadership roles can be a powerful way to gain insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. These stories can provide inspiration, guidance, and motivation as you work to overcome your own obstacles and achieve your goals. Women bring a unique perspective to school leadership, maybe even more so in the tech center space. We all have different experiences, backgrounds, and approaches to leadership, and these differences can be a strength in school leadership roles. Surrounding yourself with leaders from all types of education in Oklahoma can help you understand and appreciate the value of their perspectives.

Understanding and embracing these differences can help you become a more effective leader and create a more inclusive and supportive school culture.

While the women that attend this conference bring unique perspectives to school leadership roles, it is also important to recognize that we are more alike than we are different. Attending the Women in School Leadership conference has given me the opportunity to connect with other women who share similar goals, aspirations, and challenges.

We are stronger together. We may represent different segments of education in Oklahoma, but we all have a seat at the table at this conference. We all know that we face unique challenges, and it can be difficult to navigate these challenges alone. By connecting with other women in school leadership roles, you can build a supportive network of peers who can provide guidance, encouragement, and support when you need it most. Together, we are stronger, more effective, and courageous leaders, which improves our schools, systems, and most importantly, outcomes for our students.

In summary...

With over 400 women leaders in attendance, the room was filled with energy and excitement to be back together. Thanks to our sponsors for their support to make this an extra special event. Thanks to Coryell Roofing for sponsoring a great social event and the “Being Your Best Self” journal with a quote from Theresa Coryell as follows: “My advice to fellow women in leadership: Lead with empathy, listen with intent, act with integrity, and empower others to shine.”

We appreciate the support of our school leaders who value this conference. While we know that many women leaders could not attend, we know that they were there in spirit. Looking forward, we want you to register (bit.ly/3npeU7X) for the CCOSA Summer Conference to be held, June 14, 15 and 16, 2023, so that you can come to the Women In School Leadership Breakfast at 7:00 AM (yes, it is early once again), to hear Lisa Hinkleman, ROX, talk about how we build confident girls in our schools. She will discuss the research about girls in schools and how important it is that we intentionally plan to help them grow and learn with confidence. She will also offer a breakout session at the conference. You don’t want to miss it!

Thanks to the tremendous CCOSA team who made this event possible. Thanks to all school leaders who lead our schools with care and compassion for their students and staff. CCOSA is proud to work for you as you serve students— it’s what we are all about! ■

*Abrams, J. (2021). Stretching your learning edges: Growing (up) at work. MiraVia.