2026 MSAA Summer Institute

A separate registration is necessary for this workshop, with an additional conference fee.  Click here to register.

Hamish Brewer is an award-winning leader and school turnaround expert who has turned around multiple schools, both at the elementary and secondary levels, working with some of the most at-risk students in America. Hamish will share his secrets to his success in this session by taking a deep dive into his practices, programs and strategies for leadership success. Let’s laser focus in on key areas for growth in your leadership journey, practices and processes that align to successful school and student outcomes. You will walk away with practical solutions and ideas to key education challenges around organizational improvement, closing the achievement gap, stakeholder engagement and culture and that will help you like Hamish has done to create an award-winning organization. Own your leadership and own your legacy!

Using the historic “Kilroy Was Here” symbol as a metaphor for influence and legacy, this session invites principals to examine the quiet but powerful marks they leave on staff, students, and communities. In a time of political tension, staffing challenges, and shifting expectations, principals must decide what kind of presence they will embody.  This session blends storytelling, leadership reflection, and practical insight to help participants: Clarify their leadership approach, Recommit to values-driven decision making, Strengthen school culture through intentional influence. Participants will leave energized, reflective, and reminded that even unseen work shapes lasting impact.

Identifying areas for change and growth in your school, developing a comprehensive plan, getting stakeholder buy-in, and, ultimately, implementing this plan for change is undeniably daunting.  There is no perfect way to bring about meaningful change in schools, but - from my 12 years of administrative experience - I have a number of examples to share with my fellow administrators on how best (and how not) to approach change.  This presentation is meant for any building or district leader that is considering trying something different, updating existing practices, rolling out a new curriculum, or simply asking staff to use a different parking lot in the morning.  Change is not easy, but it doesn't have to be scary.  This presentation will address how to involve stakeholders in the change-making process, use data to illustrate the need for change, create a pathway that maps out the "how" and "why" for change, and everything else needed up to the time of implementation.

The Power of Listening is an interactive workshop designed to help educators strengthen relationships, improve communication, and create more supportive learning environments. Drawing from psychology, social-emotional learning, and real-world practice, Duncan Kirkwood equips educators with practical listening strategies that deepen connection, reduce conflict, and help students feel seen and heard—so educators can respond with clarity, empathy, and impact in every interaction.

Urban Middle School principals will share what current research says, and what resources are available, for anti-racist leadership in Massachusetts, as well as identify roadblocks that get in the way of leaders fully engaging with this work. This talk will also touch on what qualities Leader and Teacher Preparation Programs could focus on to ensure the next generation of educators enter with a lens of equity and anti-racism.

Data is important, data with stories is powerful. We spent three months listening to students, parents, alumni, staff,  and community members to better understand what our community needs and wants. We will explore how this listening campaign has informed a redesign process to better meet the needs of our students.