Call for Presenters

Call for presenters

Open April 14 – May 28, 2021

WSSDA’s Annual Conference in November connects you with education leaders from around the state to share, learn and be inspired. It also gives you the opportunity to be both a learner and a teacher. The past year has presented unique challenges and innovative solutions, so the opportunities to share your learnings and gain insight from others is limitless.

You are invited to submit a breakout session proposal for the 2021 WSSDA Annual Conference to share your experiences and expertise with fellow school directors. You don’t need to be an expert or have all the solutions. Chances are your board is tackling some of the same challenges others are. Consider sharing your learnings with them.

We anticipate holding the conference at least partially in-person this year. Presenters will be asked to let us know if they’re willing to present their session in a pre-recorded digital format or be recorded live onsite to provide virtual attendance if that modality is used.

Strands

These six strands encompass the most important work of school boards, plus there is a category for sponsored sessions that include a vendor. Use them as a framework to think about topics in which other boards would benefit from your experiences.

Visionary Leadership – Strategic planning and implementation, innovative practices, trends in education and technology, district culture, professional development, collaborative process, board-superintendent roles and responsibilities, superintendent search and evaluation, facilities planning, leadership in times of crisis, post-pandemic transformation.

Effective Governance – Policy and legal issues, district oversight, accountability, board governance tools, finance, budgeting, collective bargaining, governing during a crisis, lessons from virtual meetings and events.

Strategic Advocacy – Community engagement, legislative advocacy and outreach, partnerships, passing bonds and levies, new ways to connect virtually, advocating for student and district needs.

Educational Equity – Eliminating opportunity gaps; equity policies; cultural competency and culturally-relevant practices; addressing disproportionalities regarding race, poverty, gender, special education status, second language learners and migrant status; implicit bias; DEI (diversity, equity and representation); ensuring equity during times of crisis.

Student Success – Understanding and using student data; multiple measurements of success, including academic achievement; students prepared for life, college and career; student engagement; student voice; virtual tools and instruction.

Student Well-Being – Supporting students during and after the pandemic; social-emotional learning; counseling and mental health; physical health and safety; social emotional learning (SEL); inclusionary and/or trauma-informed practices, addressing issues of homelessness and foster care; re-engaging dropouts.

Sponsored — topics presented by vendors relevant to school boards and districts

Proposals

Submit a Presentation

Tips

Breakout session proposals are most likely to be selected if they:

Offer action steps and replicable ideas for the success of our students and schools
Include school directors and/or students in the presentation team
Incorporate student voice
Include data or other evidence of success
Provide insight into how a district has successfully tackled an issue and made improvements, even if not fully resolved yet
Describe the school board’s role in the process

Questions

Email wssda.presentations@kfevents.com or call 206-227-0669