People look forward to spring for a variety of reasons, many of them having to do with the beauty of the season and a return to outdoor activities. For the education community, spring means testing—a chapter of the school year filled with its own unique pressures and expectations.
Of course, we’re always aiming for higher test scores, which is to be expected. But how can superintendents provide support during this critical time to positively influence student achievement? We know the answer is different for every district and depends on past test performance, teacher effectiveness, the strength of parental and community relationships, and many other factors.
It’s also incumbent for leaders to nurture an environment that’s conducive to learning and achievement—where students have the support, preparation and confidence to perform at top levels. And as leaders focus on instruction, it’s also important to be mindful of the security and safety of students.
That’s a lot for any one person to manage, and yet that’s what district leaders are expected to do every day. With so much on their plates, superintendents can benefit from peer support, professional development, shared learnings, and networking opportunities provided by MASS.
The Winter Conference in January got us off to a strong start, and more events are in store for 2023. Please stay tuned and remember that MASS is your partner in building a world-class public education system to benefit all Mississippians.
Phillip G Burchfield
Executive Director
MS School Superintendents
MS Public Schools
School Disctricts
Public School Students
Keep up to data with with the latest in school news with MASS announcements and updates to events by subscribing to our blog!
National School Bus Safety Week is Oct. 17-21
read more→
‘30 Seconds Can Save a Lifetime’ for Mississippi’s children
read more→
Program honors students for leadership and community service
read more→
Veteran educators to help advance public education in Mississippi.
read more→
Veteran educator to focus on professional development, member engagement
read more→
Veteran educator helps advance public education in Mississippi
read more→
Program honors students for leadership and community service
read more→
The Mississippi Department of Health on Friday released COVID-19 guidelines for K-12 schools for next school year.
read more→
Millions available to school districts for computer devices
read more→
As a leading advocate for quality public education, the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents provides a comprehensive set of professional learning opportunities that equip educational administrators to inspire students to reach their fullest potential every day.
Mr. Rickey Clopton
254 W. Gallatin St.
Mr. F. G. Wigyul, III
605 S. Cummings St.
Dr. Matt Dillon
P. O. Drawer 523
Dr. Talia Lock
19148 Commission Rd.
Dr. Lee Childress
1204 Harper Rd.July 8-12, 2023
Beau Rivage
875 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS 39530
Registration is now open. Please click here to register.
More information will be available in April.
Relevance of topic to targeted audience or theme of the convention is the primary consideration.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.