December 6, 2022

Bill Decker (IA)

John Searles (MI)

Two Central Region candidates, John Searles (MI) and Bill Decker (IA), are running for one position on the AESA Executive Council.

All member executive directors will receive an online ballot for voting from December 12 – January 9. 

Both candidates are terrific leaders, and we appreciate their willingness to serve on the AESA Executive Council. Please visit their biographies on AESA's website.

Nearly 750 ESA staff plus approximately 150 vendor representatives filled the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta last week!

Over 856 people downloaded the app and used it nearly 2300 times to communicate network, or view program details. Whew! That was a busy online space, too!

(Attendees: Please complete the conference survey when you receive it via email! Thank you!)

Our perennial crowd favorites never disappoint: Student music, breakout sessions, receptions, and networking were the buzz of the conference. We are so grateful to our attendees, presenters, exhibitors, and sponsors. This event is all you!

US Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten addressed our members on Wednesday, encouraging all of us to be kind, work hard, and dream BIG for our students.

• Here's a quote captured during Ms. Marten's presentation and tweeted by Laura Barrett: " 'We have to move from pockets of excellence to systems of greatness for all students.' Great opening message for #aesa_ac22"

Author, educator, and keynote presenter Mirko Chardin, speaking about equity:

"Access alone is not equity!"

• Here's a tweet by attendee Doreen Bergman: "Five minutes into the keynote by @MirkoMilk and already trying to figure out how to bring him to @ocmboces #aesa_ac22"

This tweet from attendee Paul Brinkman brought a chuckle: "Love this theme for the @AESAnetwork annual conference #aesa_ac22. Even if your dream becomes a nightmare, you’re still falling forward. Well said!"

Dream big! Dream forward. Thank you for attending!

The 2023 Annual Conference Planning Committee is all ears: "Mickey's ears"! We are planning for another great conference next year, November 29-December 1, 2023, in Anaheim, right next door to Disney Land!

Just a note: Next week we will showcase two award winners who were honored at the conference, too!

Make 2023 the Year You Dive into the

Business Strategy Framework

Why get started now? ESAs are Getting Results!

Results of the Business Strategy Framework, reported by ESAs who have used the strategy:

• Program growth from $50K to over $2M annually in only one program area in one agency.

• Revenue growth from $28M to over $40M in entrepreneurial activities over 5 years.

• Increased competence of program staff to make wise investments and other business decisions.

If you want to grow your organization and your team, now is the time to get involved. There are several workshop formats to choose from, and enhanced opportunities as well!

New Workshop!

If your ESA or your partner districts are looking to learn from a proven leader in student-centered learning, then join this virtual 5-part series with Dr. Campbell, CEO of Scholar First. Starts in January, so please register soon!