Mississippi association of supervisors conference 2023

APPRECIATING MISSISSIPPI’S EDUCATION LEADERS

Just about every job has duties that aren’t listed in the job description. As a superintendent, can you imagine what your job description would look like if it listed all of your activities and interactions on any given workday?

It would sound interesting and entertaining, as well as stressful, challenging, fun, exhilarating, disappointing, surprising, and even heartbreaking at times. And the next day could be a different story altogether.

There’s no way to adequately summarize the jobs that superintendents do every day, but one fact is certain: Mississippi couldn’t get far without you.

We’ve talked about teacher shortages that have affected many districts in our state, but we also need to make sure we hire and retain effective district leaders. A recent RAND survey revealed that an estimated 26% of superintendents plan to leave their jobs because of multiple stressors, many of which have been exacerbated by the pandemic and its lingering effects.

“Yet stable leadership is crucial to deliver on a school district’s foundational vision and mission,” reports the Harvard Graduate School of Education. “It takes time to build trust between teachers, families, and principals to help achieve educational goals for students.”

Education is a vocation that doesn’t fit neatly between the hours on a clock or the days on a calendar. Tasks such as fostering trust, developing tomorrow’s leaders, giving families hope and helping build stronger communities are not on a superintendent’s job description, but they are among the many incredible things you do on any given day.

MASS serves as a key resource and support network for district leaders to help prepare them for the many challenges involved in moving Mississippi’s public education system forward. Theirs is a monumental job with serious responsibilities and far-reaching consequences, and from what I’ve seen throughout my career, you wouldn’t have it any other way.

Phillip G Burchfield

Executive Director

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MS School Superintendents

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The Voice of Education in Mississippi

As a leading advocate for quality public education, the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents provides a comprehensive set of professional learning opportunities that equip educational administrators to inspire students to reach their fullest potential every day.

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As a newcomer to MASS, I am encouraged by the organization’s steps to equip its members. Resources such as the webinar series add great value and offer insights that help us do our job even better.

Andrea Williams

Communications Director, Lauderdale County School District

MASS has been a great service provider for many years. I have known them for a longtime and they have always been a valued partner when it comes to building greater accountability in public education.

Dr. Tony McGee

Superintendent, Starkville Oktibbeha School District

Since 2008, I have had the opportunity to attend all Summer and Winter Mississippi Association of School Superintendents' conferences. In addition, I have attended many professional opportunities sponsored by MASS over this same period. Regardless of whether I attended as a principal, assistant superintendent, or superintendent, I always experienced tremendous professional growth from each session or meeting. I am grateful to MASS for each of these opportunities and proudly serve as a member of the board of directors for the premier educational organization in the state.

Jay R. Smith, Ph.D.

Superintendent, North Pike School District

As a member of MASS, I am not alone. The network of MASS members is a professional resource in itself that provides me with best practices and support in leading my district. As we enter these unprecedented times of educating children, MASS is providing me with timely information in weekly webinars with experts and professionals that assist me in building a plan for our schools. While leading in challenging times, we are not leading alone. MASS is with us through it all.

Alan Lumpkin

Superintendent, Scott County School District

The MASS organization exemplifies what an educational organization should be: committing itself to growing school leaders professionally, creating a network among its members and leadership for support, and investing in the continual success of children in each district of the state. MASS has offered me multiple avenues of professional growth through its relevant conferences, but more importantly, it provides a network of colleagues to help me navigate the superintendency and to improve the education for children in my district.

Christie Holly

Superintendent, Tishomingo County Special Municipal Separate School District

MASS started the mentorship program and new superintendent’s network during my first year as a superintendent. I must say this program jumpstarted my career in the positive direction and guided me through my entire first year.

Lawrence Hudson

Superintendent, Western Line School District

As a new superintendent a few years ago, I found the leadership of MASS to be invaluable as I learned to navigate on the road of the superintendency. Participating in the monthly sessions with my fellow colleagues provided me with a team that I can call anytime to face the challenges of leading a school district. Being a part of MASS also affords me life-long friendships beyond the superintendency. As we collectively work to meet the needs of students in Mississippi, I am honored to be a member of an organization that not only focuses on the professional growth of superintendents. It also focuses on the development of school and district personnel through webinars and its annual conferences.

Dr. Amy J. Carter

Superintendent, Meridian Public Schools