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Alaska Council of School Administrators
Education Bulletin
Volume 23 Number 1, May 2017
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Alaska Superintendents Association
Alaska Staff Development Network
Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals
Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals
Alaska Association of School Business Officials
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Leadership, Unity & Advocacy for Public Education
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Mary McMahon, ACSA & AASSP President
The Legislative Fly-In this year, from April 8th to 11th, came at just the right time for us to join forces and stand united for public education. The highlight of our time together was the fact that we, Alaska’s educational leaders, were successful in speaking with a united voice and message.
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Sean Dusek, ACSA Past President & ASA President
Great leaders learn from past mistakes and know what is good for all people. This comment came from students at Colony Middle School on what great leaders do to move organizations and society forward. This impressive comment by eighth graders shared by Principal Mary McMahon during the recent ACSA presentation to the Joint Legislative Education Committee meeting really made an impact. It is particularly appropriate in light of the difficult decisions our legislators must make as our State grapples with a challenging fiscal reality.
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Preparing Today’s Students for an Unfathomable Future
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Deanna Beck, ACSA President-Elect & AAESP President
Over the past month, I have had the opportunity to represent AAESP in conversations with our legislators in both Washington, D.C., and in Juneau. During our visits, it was reinforced time and time again that we are in a time of change due to different budget priorities and constraints. At the same time, we are discovering our new path in the new world of ESSA.
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Dr. Lisa Skiles Parady, ACSA/ASA/AASSP Executive Director
Before moving to the usual end of session issues, let me begin with some reflections on the legislative and budget process.
At this point in my career, I have been around 20+ end of session negotiations. They are mostly familiar exercises in behind the scenes deal making coupled with some level of commitment to principles and priorities.
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Alaska Superintendents Association
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Communication is the Key to Modernization
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Karen Gaborik, ASA President-Elect
When it comes to leading transformative, system-wide change across an entire school district, it quickly becomes apparent how critical the role of communication is at every level of the community.
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Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals
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No Room for Negativity on a Championship Team for Change
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Dan Carstens, AASSP President-Elect
My experience in Juneau during the April Legislative Fly-In with ACSA brought me back to my coaching days at West Valley High School in Fairbanks. Sometimes, for kids, the wrestling season feels like an Alaskan winter: long and hard.
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Alaska Association of School Business Officials
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Holly Holman, ALASBO President
We all look forward to springtime in Alaska, but it can be a stressful time in school business, with budgets that aren’t balanced and the fiscal crisis that is leaving all of us wringing our hands with worry about next school year. However, I was encouraged by the positive attitudes and passion for education that I observed among our fellow members of ACSA attending the Legislative Fly-In, April 8th - 11th!
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Afterburner: Unique Training During ASBO’s Executive Leadership Forum
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Amy Lujan, ALASBO Executive Director
During ASBO’s February Executive Leadership Forum (ELF), participants were treated to a unique training with Afterburner, a consultant group of former military leaders who specialize in Flawless Execution tools. I was skeptical at first about how tools used by fighter pilots could translate to school business, but I found their approach and patience with helping us apply these concepts to our issues to be fascinating.
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Why are Internal Controls So Important?
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Alicia Campbell, Mat-Su School District
The practice of observing internal controls is a fundamental part of any successful Business Department. Internal controls in your school district should be designed to:
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Prevent error and fraud
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Detect error that may have already happened, but before the error is posted to the financials
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Create a segregation of duties to ensure that more than one person is required to complete financial processes
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Reduce risks to your organization
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Businesses are Champions for Children!
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Competency Based Learning: Helping Students to Become Fearless
by Joel Ramirez, Odysseyware
As a consultant, I have worked with many schools implementing a Competency Based Learning (CBL) model using sets of questions that may seem more like a therapy session. Probing questions as to why teachers are implementing a personalized learning solution are followed with staff responses, such as “We have low performers,” “Nothing else is working,” and the infamous “Our principal told us we had to!” Rarely is there commonality or a unified voice. With the increase in demand and popularity for a Competency Based Learning model, district administrators are faced with the question of where to begin. Programs such as Odysseyware guide administrators through the process as we emphasize partnership, as well as product, to assist with personalized learning solutions.
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Alaska Staff Development Network
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The Alaska Staff Development Network is a professional education program designed for Alaska's teachers and school administrators. Check
asdn.org for a complete list of all of our courses and events.
Alaska School Leadership Institute
For Rural and Small School Leaders
May 22-24, Anchorage Downtown Hilton Hotel
Effective school and district leaders constantly cultivate the skills, capabilities, and practices necessary to collaborate with teachers, analyze achievement data, identify and set goals, influence the delivery of instruction, and manage the change process. How leaders think about their work and the manner in which they respond to others within their sphere of influence shapes the culture of our schools and districts.
Topics for the Alaska School Leadership Institute the year include: cultivating the leadership dispositions that grow a positive school culture, providing effective feedback, building and supporting a highly effective system with Mathematics, and the impacts and opportunities of the new ESSA for rural school systems.Click Here for More Information and to Register Online https://www.regonline.com/ASLI2017
Save the dates! The 2018 RTI/Effective Instruction Conference is scheduled for January 26-28 at the Denaina Center in Anchorage. Discover how to translate research to practice, focus your efforts on using the most influential instructional practices, and learn about the critical impact of collective efficacy on student learning.
New Teacher? These classes meet multicultural education and Alaska history requirements for Alaska teacher certification.
Communicating Across Cultures with Father Michael Oleksa (3 credits, 500-level)
Join the Rev. Dr. Michael Oleksa, a leader in the development of cross-cultural communication in Alaska and student of Native cultures for this blended learning multicultural education course. This course meets at the BP Center in Anchorage on
May 30, 31, and
June 1, 2017. Online follow up work due
July 24, 2017.
For more information or to register:
https://www.regonline.com/cacs0517
Alaska Alive with Father Michael Oleksa (3 credits, 500-level)
Join the Rev. Dr. Michael Oleksa for an exploration of the culture of the Native peoples of Alaska and the connections between environment and emigrations. Course meets at the BP Center in Anchorage on
June 1, 2, and 3, 2017. Online follow up work due
July 24, 2017.
Alaska Alive -
Online, distance, asynchronous class, start anytime! Participants have a minimum of one month and a maximum of one year to complete the class. This is a multimedia course that meets EED certification and recertification requirements in Alaska Studies.
Click here for more information
Creating Culturally Responsive Schools - Online, distance, asynchronous class, start anytime! Participants have a minimum of one month and a maximum of one year to complete the class. This is a multimedia course that meets EED certification and recertification requirements in Multicultural Education. Click here for more information
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John M. Sedor, ACSA Special Projects
Tighter budgets will require tougher decision making. Tougher decision making may result in various school constituencies being frustrated with district and school administrators. If you agree with the above two statements, you may want to be aware of the potential PTPC ripple effect. The Professional Teaching Practices Commission sets out the Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility. It is problematic for several reasons and could be a significant bump in the road where difficult but necessary decision making must occur.
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ASA Incoming Superintendent Induction Program
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Peggy Cowan, ASA New and Incoming Superintendent Coordinator
Two years ago, the ASA Executive Director and Board expanded the support to new superintendents and launched the Alaska Superintendents Association Incoming Superintendent Induction Program. The program was spurred by ASA’s leadership long term support of our colleagues and the continuing high turnover rate of Alaskan superintendents. The program provides an opportunity for expanded collegiality with peers and professional development during the critical first and second year of a superintendent’s new position.
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Dr. Michael Johnson, Commissioner of Education Guest Columnist
Comments presented by Commissioner at the Alaska’s Education Challenge meeting on April 20, 2017, at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in Anchorage
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Dr. Mark Miller, Superintendent, Juneau School District
I was recently asked to explain, in 1,000 words or less, my philosophy of education. Either formally or informally, education philosophy has always existed. The Native Elders and Greek Philosophers thousands of years ago and more modern thinkers like Horace Mann and Allan Bloom all had their ideas on how best to educate children. While I can’t put myself in that level of company, here is what I believe.
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2017 Educational Association Events
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July
National Principals Conference, July 9-11, 2017 Philadelphia
ALASBO Summer Leadership – July 21-23, 2017 – Sitka, AK
ASA/DEED Summer Meeting, July 29-31, 2017 Juneau
September
ASA Fall Meeting, September 20-23, 2017 Kenai
ASBO Annual Meeting and Expo – September 22-25, 2017, Denver, CO
October
Alaska Principals' Conference, October 21-24, 2017 Anchorage
December
ALASBO Annual Conference – December 3-6, 2017, Anchorage, AK
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BP Alaska Principals Foundation
2017 Scholarship
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BP has partnered with the Alaska Principals Foundation to award 25 graduating seniors across Alaska each with a one-time $4,000 scholarship. Since the BP Principals Scholarship began 30 years ago, BP has contributed over $3.5 million to support the continuing education of deserving students. Congratulations to the 2017 recipients!
Jayne Hanna, Nuniwarmiut School, Commissioner's Scholarship Winner
Carly Dennis, Chugiak High School
Kira Hamilton, Robert Service High School
Sierra Imoe Wasilla High School
Luke Meiwes, South Anchorage High School
Gretta Pickett, West Anchorage High School
Ezekiel Eakin, Kotzebue High School
Jayden Wilson, Frank A. Degnan High School
John Jones, Interior Distance Education of Alaska
Chance Shank, Dot Lake
Brian Dusek, Soldotna High School
Emily Koziczkowski, Kenai Central High School
Matthew Minium, Nikiski Middle/High School
Ruth Cvancara, Family Partnership Charter School
Emily Garlock, Steller Secondary
Joshua Luff, Eagle River High School
Cameron Edwards, Ketchikan High School
James Henderson, Metlakatla High School
Justin Sleppy, Thunder Mountain High School
Mercy Alsworth, Tanalian School
Katie Beans, Andreafski High School
Taylor Holman, Unalaska High School
Colton Mack, Sand Point School
Payton Martin, Palmer High School
Isaac Smoldon, Houston High School
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ACSA Board of Directors and Staff
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Directors
Mary McMahon, President – AASSP, ACSA
Colony Middle School
Sean Dusek, President – ASA, ACSA Past President
Kenai Peninsula Bor. School District
Deanna Beck, President – AAESP, ACSA President-Elect
Northwood ABC Elementary School
Dr. Karen Gaborik, President-Elect - ASA
Fairbanks School District
Kerry Boyd, Secretary - ASA
Yukon-Koyukuk School District
Dan Carstens, President-Elect – AASSP
Nikiski Middle High School
Mario Gatto, Alaska State Coordinator- AASSP
Lathrop High School
Rod Morrison - AASSP Past President
Gilson Middle School
Kim Bautista Vice President - AAESP
Susitna Elementary
Jennifer Schmidt - Past President
Scenic Park Elementary
Holly Holman, President – ALASBO
Unalaska City School District
Cassee Olin, President-Elect - ALASBO
Sitka School District
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Staff
Dr. Lisa Skiles Parady
Executive Director,
ACSA/ASA/AASSP
Vacant
Office & Membership Services Manager
ACSA/ASA/AASSP
Kathy Blanc
ASDN Administrator
Kelly Tonsmeire
Grant Director
Ceann Murphy
Program Coordinator, ASDN
John Sedor
Special Projects Director
Peggy Cowan
ASA New and Incoming Superintendent Coordinator
John Pile
Executive Director, AAESP
Amy Lujan
Executive Director, ALASBO
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ACSA Affiliate Member Boards
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