TENTATIVE AGENDA

DAY ONE—TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025

9:00-10:00 Registration

10:00-10:10 Introductions and Welcome
Dr. J Anderson, Executive Director, MAESP
Clark Mershon, Executive Director, MoASSP            

10:10-10:25 Commissioner, Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
Dr. Karla Eslinger

10:25-11:10 Introduction to the Missouri Leadership Development System (MLDS)
Dr. Mike Rutherford, Rutherford Learning Group. (RLG)

11:15-12:30 Today’s Instructional Leadership Development System (MLDS)
Dr. Mike Rutherford, Rutherford Learning Group. (RLG)

 12:30-1:30 Lunch with MLDS, MAESP, MoASSP Board and Regional Leadership
Soup, Salad & Sandwich Buffet:  A variety of breads, roast beef, turkey breast, ham, and sliced cheeses. Served with lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle spear, and assorted condiments. Accompanied by Beef Vegetable Barley soup, and House Garden salad. 

1:30-2:30 Principles of Effective Classroom Observation
Dr. Mike Rutherford, Rutherford Learning Group. (RLG)

NEW PRINCIPAL’S CONFERENCE BREAKOUT SESSIONS

2:45-3:30 Concurrent Sessions (participants will pick 2)

  Session #1 - Difficult Conversations: A Leader’s Toolkit for High-stakes Conversations.
Joe Beydler- Central RPDC, John Schuler, Central RPDC

Are you dreading difficult conversations? Not sure how to tackle tough challenges as a leader? Join us to learn how to navigate difficult conversations in order to address the issue at hand and to maintain a healthy relationship with anyone in your community! Participants will walk away with a toolkit of strategies to help polish their active listening skills, brainstorm solutions, review legal steps, and avoid the emotional drain that can come with difficult conversations.

Session #2 – Leading with Purpose: The Essentials Every New Principal Needs to Know
Lorie Rost- Heart of Missouri Leadership Development Specialist
Kim Presko- Heart of Missouri Leadership Development Specialist

Becoming a principal is a big step—and it can feel like there’s a lot coming at you all at once. This session is designed to help new principals cut through the noise and focus on what really matters. We’ll talk about the day-to-day essentials, from setting up systems that work to building strong relationships with staff, students, and families. You’ll walk away with practical tips, real-life examples, and a clear sense of how to lead with purpose, even when things get messy. Whether you're just starting out or still finding your footing, this session will help you feel more grounded and ready to lead.

Session #3 – Set the Tone for Your Leadership Journey – Start with Effective Meetings
Vince Powell – Southeast Area Leadership Development Specialist
Gena McCluskey – Heart of Missouri Area Leadership Development Specialist
Laura Marquis – Southeast Area Leadership Development Specialist

Your first meetings as a leader set the stage for everything that follows. They're your opportunity to build trust, communicate clearly, and create a collaborative team culture from day one. This interactive workshop will help you design and lead meetings that are focused, inclusive, and results-driven. You'll explore the core elements of effective meetings, discover strategies to engage participants, and learn how to make every minute count.  Leadership is an investment in people and how you run meetings is one of the clearest ways to show your team they’re valued. Join us to build the confidence and skills you need to lead with purpose right from the start.

  Session #4 – How to Effectively Navigate Leadership Transitions in Your New Role
Dr. Renee Trotier – St. Louis Leadership Development Specialist
Randy Luebbert, Ed.S – Southwest Leadership Development Specialist

Transition in leadership can be an exciting time of new possibilities and opportunities. However, changes in leadership can also launch the organization into a state of uncertainty that often impacts the school culture. This session will offer essential principles of transition to help you build trusting relationships with your school community whether you are new to your building or are making a transition to a new role in the same building. 

3:40 – 4:25 All Concurrent Sessions will be repeated.          

 4:30 – 5:20 Craft Conversations: 3-Minute dialogs that develop teachers’ awareness, consciousness, and intentionality.  Dr. Mike Rutherford, Rutherford Learning Group. (RLG)

5:20 YONDR
Alex Simmons, Partnerships Manager and Stephen Blackburn, Field Account Executive

5:25 – 6:00 MAESP/MOASSP/DESE Reception  Sponsored by YONDR

 Evening on your own

 

 DAY TWO- WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025

Breakfast on Your Own

8:15-8:30 Welcome Back
Dr. J Anderson, Executive Director, MAESP
Clark Mershon, Executive Director, MoASSP   

8:30-11:00 What Great New Principals Do Differently
Dr. Todd Whitaker, University of Missouri

11:00-11:45 Lunch
BBQ Brisket Buffet: sliced brisket, served with Hawaiian rolls, pickles and onions, baked beans, coleslaw, cheesy hashbrown casserole, and apple cobbler.

12:00-1:30 Concurrent Session

Session #5- ELEMENTARY AND K-8 PRINCIPALS – FROM THE FIELD- GETTING YOUR YEAR STARTED 
Ramona Dunn, Principal, New Mark Middle School, North Kansas City 74
Steve Waigand, Principal, Rock Port Elementary, Rock Port R-II                  

  Session #6- MIDDLE LEVEL PRICIPALS-FROM THE FIELD-GETTING YOUR YEAR STARTED
Dr. Tori Snitker, Principal, Rolla Junior High, 2025 Missouri Middle-Level Principal of the Year
Scott Lackey, Principal, Ladue Middle School, 2025 Missouri Middle-Level Principal of the Year     

  Session #7- HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPALS-FROM THE FIELD-GETTING YOUR YEAR STARTED
Dr. Randy Oliver, Principal, Joplin High School
Dr. David Arledge, Former Assistant Principal, Eureka High School

1:40-2:20 SCHOOL LAW 101 
Emily Omohundro, Attorney, EdCounsel

2:20-2:30………. CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS, GROUP PHOTO
Dr. J Anderson, Executive Director, MAESP
Clark Mershon, Executive Director, MoASSP