As a new superintendent a few years ago, I found the leadership of MASS to be invaluable as I learned to navigate on the road of the superintendency. Participating in the monthly sessions with my fellow colleagues provided me with a team that I can call anytime to face the challenges of leading a school district. Being a part of MASS also affords me life-long friendships beyond the superintendency. As we collectively work to meet the needs of students in Mississippi, I am honored to be a member of an organization that not only focuses on the professional growth of superintendents. It also focuses on the development of school and district personnel through webinars and its annual conferences.

Since 2008, I have had the opportunity to attend all Summer and Winter Mississippi Association of School Superintendents' conferences. In addition, I have attended many professional opportunities sponsored by MASS over this same period. Regardless of whether I attended as a principal, assistant superintendent, or superintendent, I always experienced tremendous professional growth from each session or meeting. I am grateful to MASS for each of these opportunities and proudly serve as a member of the board of directors for the premier educational organization in the state.

MASS started the mentorship program and new superintendent’s network during my first year as a superintendent. I must say this program jumpstarted my career in the positive direction and guided me through my entire first year.

MASS has been a great service provider for many years. I have known them for a longtime and they have always been a valued partner when it comes to building greater accountability in public education.

As a member of MASS, I am not alone. The network of MASS members is a professional resource in itself that provides me with best practices and support in leading my district. As we enter these unprecedented times of educating children, MASS is providing me with timely information in weekly webinars with experts and professionals that assist me in building a plan for our schools. While leading in challenging times, we are not leading alone. MASS is with us through it all.

As a newcomer to MASS, I am encouraged by the organization’s steps to equip its members. Resources such as the webinar series add great value and offer insights that help us do our job even better.

The MASS organization exemplifies what an educational organization should be: committing itself to growing school leaders professionally, creating a network among its members and leadership for support, and investing in the continual success of children in each district of the state. MASS has offered me multiple avenues of professional growth through its relevant conferences, but more importantly, it provides a network of colleagues to help me navigate the superintendency and to improve the education for children in my district.