Recently, I attended the ACSA Leadership Summit in Monterey, California, and had the pleasure of reconnecting with colleagues and friends. I valued the time spent meeting and sharing our individual stories, describing the challenges and opportunities surrounding our work. The sessions I attended were a treasure trove of information. Belonging to educational leadership organizations is a powerful way to stay up-to-date with the latest research, practices, and educational policies and network with other professionals in educational leadership. Being a part of educational organizations throughout my career has been critical to my growth and development.
Organizations such as the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS), the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE), the Council of Great City Schools (CGCS), and the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) offer numerous benefits to their members, ranging from access to professional development offerings to opportunities to influence educational policy at the local, state, and national levels.
One of the main benefits of belonging to educational leadership organizations is access to a wide range of professional development opportunities. Members of these organizations can attend conferences, seminars, and workshops on various topics related to education, such as leadership, school finance, curriculum development, leadership strategies, and teacher evaluations. These events provide valuable opportunities to network with other professionals, share best practices, and learn about the latest research and innovations in education.
In addition to professional development opportunities, being a member of educational leadership organizations can also provide access to resources and tools to support effective school leadership. For example, the AASA provides members access to research on the latest trends and issues in education and tools for effective district and school management, such as sample policies, job descriptions, and evaluation forms. Similarly, CGCS offers members access to various resources, such as conferences and workshops, research reports and articles, webinars, consulting services, and other tools designed to support effective district and school leadership.
Belonging to these organizations can also provide opportunities to influence educational policy at the local, state, and national levels. For example, ACSA is a major player in shaping education policy in California and provides members with opportunities to advocate for policies that support effective leadership in schools. Similarly, AASA and ASCD work at the national level to influence educational policy and ensure that the voices of educational leaders are heard in the policy-making process.
Ultimately, belonging to educational leadership organizations can also provide a sense of belonging and community. The challenges of leading districts and schools can be daunting, but being part of a community of like-minded professionals can provide the support and encouragement needed to tackle these challenges. ALAS and NABSE, for example, provide a supportive network for administrators and superintendents of color who may face unique challenges and obstacles.
Wherever you are in your leadership journey, there are many challenges and complexities involved in education and leadership today. Being part of a community can support you as you navigate the difficulties and achieve success.
Reflection Questions:
Which educational leadership organizations have you considered joining and why?
How have professional development opportunities from these organizations impacted your career?
What resources or tools provided by these organizations have you found most useful in your role as an educational leader?
Can you share an instance where you influenced educational policy through your membership in these organizations?
How has being part of these organizations helped you in dealing with the challenges of educational leadership?
Tasks:
Research and compare different educational leadership organizations to find what best fits your values and goals.
Join an educational leadership organization to gain access to professional development opportunities, resources and tools, policy advocacy opportunities, and a sense of community.
Take advantage of the organization's professional development opportunities and resources to stay up-to-date with the latest research, practices, and policies.
Participate in policy advocacy opportunities offered to have a voice in shaping education policy at the local, state, and national levels.
Seek opportunities to network with other professionals in the field to gain support, share best practices, and learn about the latest innovations in education.