WE’VE GOT OUR DUCKS IN A ROW. DO YOU?
Are you registered yet? With just six weeks to go before the MSA’s Annual Conference in Baltimore April 10-13, we’ve got the details locked down: An all-star line-up of expert speakers. An awards ceremony for the nation’s leading innovators in magnet education. Hands-on and interactive sessions for magnet educators to learn the latest in STEM, career and technical education, equity, diversity and inclusion, and more. Plus, plenty of opportunities to network with the folks who get what you do the best: your fellow magnet school teachers and administrators. Don’t miss the MSA’s marquis event of the year, where more than 1,000 educators like you come together. This year’s event in Baltimore promises to be our best yet, so be sure to book your flights today!
"In my experience, attending the MSA National Conference is one of the best ways to build your capacity as a magnet school program leader. This is the only event of its kind in the country—a conference devoted to magnet education—so it gives me a unique opportunity to network with other educators and school leaders from across the US and to see innovative practices in action. Every year I leave with fresh inspiration and new ideas I can bring home.”

- Lisa Thompson
Director, Magnet Themes and Curriculum
Wake County Public School System, Cary, NC
CHECK OUT PHOTOS AND STORIES FROM OUR POLICY CONFERENCE IN DC!
The MSA’s annual policy conference is in the books, and it was a rousing success. More than 100 MSA members joined us in the nation’s capital for thought-provoking conversations with national leaders and policy experts in education equity, diversity and inclusion. We kicked off with powerful remarks from NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson, who urged attendees to educate policymakers about the realities of teaching and learning today. Our superintendents’ panel gave us a chance to reflect on the urgent need to prioritize equity, diversity and inclusion in today’s educational climate. (Check out video from the panel here!) Finally, MSA members converged on Capitol Hill to meet with their Congressional delegations and share with them the power and potential of magnet schools.
SPEAKING OF POLICYMAKERS…
If there’s one message that came through loud and clear in our policy conference, it’s that elected leaders need to hear from you! As NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson reminded us, “Many politicians have no concept of what it is like to be a school administrator or teacher, but they make all the decisions about what takes place inside a school.”

MSA is encouraging members to invite policymakers to see magnet education in action by touring their schools. (We’ve heard one of our Louisiana members has a visit scheduled with a United States Senator!) These hands-on opportunities are some of the best ways for legislators to understand what sets magnet schools apart in the universe of public school options, so reach out to or delegation and invite them to visit today!
CALLING ALL ART LOVERS!
Don’t miss the chance to vote for this year’s winners of the MSA’s Annual Student Poster Contest. The submissions are in, and they are fantastic! As you know, we host this contest every year as a chance to highlight magnet school students’ creativity. Students submit posters using one or all of MSA’s five pillars as inspiration: diversity; academic excellence; innovative curriculum and professional development; high quality instruction; and family and community partnerships. Top entries from the elementary, middle and high school categories will be posted on MSA's website. Be sure to check out the submissions and vote for your favorite between February 25 and March 1.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
MSA will be soliciting nominations for Directors in Regions 1, 3 and 5. Nominations open in March. This is a great way to be a part of shaping your national membership organization, and we welcome your suggestions for prospective board members. Look for the announcement in early March to nominate.

See what's happening on our social sites:
e-Choice | February 2019