2026 MSAA Summer Institute

Conference Fee: $150 / Non-Member $205
Click here to register

Participants will explore how high-quality Tier 1 instruction, culturally responsive teaching, and effective use of MTSS can address student needs early, preventing academic or behavioral struggles from being misidentified as
disabilities. The session emphasizes that the goal is not to deny IEPs, but to ensure they are reserved for students
whose needs truly require specialized instruction. By the end of the workshop, principals will be able to:

• Understand the connection between inclusive practices and lower special education referral rates
• Identify common school-level practices that unintentionally drive over-referral to special education
• Strengthen Tier 1 instruction to meet diverse learner needs
• Support staff in using data-driven interventions before IEP referral
• Lead a school culture that views inclusion as a shared responsibility, not a special education issue

How do we move from reactive discipline to proactive culture-building in our schools?
In this powerful and thought-provoking session, internationally recognized speaker Robert Hackenson Jr. explores how schools can prevent bullying, build stronger connections, and create climates where students feel safe, seen, and supported. Using a unique blend of storytelling, research, and real-world solutions, Robert breaks down what’s really driving student conflict – and what we can do about it.
Educators will:

• Unpack the rising challenge of students lacking key soft skills like effective communication, inclusivity, and conflict resolution.
• Discover how smartphone use and unclear policies can unintentionally erode school culture
• Learn practical, immediately usable strategies to foster respect, improve behavior, and promote unity

Robert also introduces an innovative tech solution: a customizable digital wellness hub designed to connect students, staff, and parents with essential school and local resources and supports – all in one accessible platform.
This is more than a presentation – it’s a call to action for schools ready to shift from reacting to incidents to intentionally creating cultures where everyone can thrive.

As school leaders, we have all had experiences that lead us to say, "well, that's one for the book!" In this session, we will have an opportunity to reflect on situations and case studies that test our responsiveness, resilience, and patience - while also giving some time to laugh at the things that we all deal with but maybe don't get a chance to talk about. Using a framework of "the genius is the room," participants will analyze some real-life experiences of school leaders and come up with some different ideas to put in the toolbox, even if they are never or infrequently used.

Explore how one school radically increased student choice in their elementary school by adding “Passion Project Fridays”. Learn about both the “head” (scheduling, student selection forms) and the “heart” of building staff buy-in, so you’ll know how you could similarly make a school-wide club program a huge success.


Objective(s): Participants will be able to: Identify key moves that this school team leveraged and how they can be applied in your school context and draft a plan for increasing STEM engagement through expanding choice across their school community

From Steamboat Willie to The Lion King to the emotional brilliance of Pixar films, Disney stories have always taught us what it means to lead with heart, courage, and purpose. This session invites school leaders to explore how the magic of Disney and Pixar can translate into meaningful, everyday leadership practices that build joyful, connected school communities. Principal Marty Geoghegan using clips, powerful images, quotes, and music, will have participants examining leadership lessons drawn from classic and modern Disney films and connect them to practical actions such as celebrating students through Good News calls home, reinforcing positive behavior systems, teaching and connecting with students during RTI/learning blocks, highlighting classroom learning through social media, and creating simple traditions that strengthen school culture.

STEM activities are essential for learning, but they carry risks that demand more than just classroom supervision. School leaders are responsible for adopting safety programs that align with standards, but what happens when best practices meet the unpredictable reality of a chemical reaction? This session features a case study into a real-world science experiment that took an unexpected turn, requiring a response from both the local fire department and the state HazMat team. Participants will explore:
•    The critical role of district leadership in developing robust safety policies.
•    Why partnerships with public safety officials are the backbone of effective crisis management.
•    Lessons learned from the HazMat response to help refine your own district’s emergency procedures.
Join us to learn how proactive collaboration between school administrators and first responders can turn a potential disaster into a well-managed incident, ensuring the continued safety of students and staff alike.

Being a leader can be gnarly! Sit back, take a chill pill, and kick it old school with former DJ and current public school superintendent Sean Buchanan as he shares his Top 10 Big Hit Education Lessons from the DJ table!