Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents

09/09/2026

🌩️ We’re pleased to present “Leading in Turbulent Times,” a five-part professional learning module focused on political leadership, communications, and equity. It is open to M.A.S.S. members who are Assistant Superintendents and other central office administrators.

🍎 The series is led by Kenneth Salim, Ed.D., a coach/facilitator in the New Superintendent Induction Program (NSIP) and former Massachusetts superintendent.

📚 Drawing on contemporary case studies and concepts from Amanda Ripley’s book “High Conflict,” participants will apply political leadership frameworks to their work and practice communication strategies that can be used when a community is divided by complex and polarizing issues.

🗓️ The series will be offered in the winter and spring, with each section limited to 10 participants. Each section will include a three-hour in-person session, followed by four 90-minute virtual sessions.

❄️ Winter Session (November - March): https://bit.ly/4iUh8WY
🌼 Spring Session (February - May): https://bit.ly/4r0MiOD

09/08/2026

Job Posting: Director of Teaching and Learning - Northampton Public Schools

The Director of Teaching and Learning serves as the district’s chief instructional leader under the direction of the Superintendent. The Director provides strategic leadership for teaching, learning, assessment, curriculum, professional learning, instructional coaching, educator effectiveness, fed...

09/01/2026

We’re pleased to offer two opportunities for additional learning and discussion following the 2026 M.A.S.S. Women’s Educational Leadership Network (WELN) Conference, in partnership with the Lucy Leadership Project.

Dr. Kendra Washington-Bass and Kelly Peaks Horner will facilitate these virtual sessions.

1️⃣ “Boundary Setting: Leading with Clarity, Courage, and Sustainability”
🗓️ Tuesday, September 29, 2026
🕘 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
💻 VIRTUAL

Participants will examine the beliefs, habits, and pressures that often make boundary-setting difficult — particularly for women leaders navigating high-demand environments. Through reflection and practical application, women leaders will explore how boundaries support healthier decision-making, stronger relationships, reduced burnout, and more authentic leadership.

2️⃣ “The Well-Being Imperative: Practices That Sustain Women Who Lead”
🗓️ Tuesday, January 26, 2027
🕘 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
💻 VIRTUAL

Grounded in the realities of educational leadership, participants will engage in meaningful dialogue around stress, balance, and sustainability while exploring the five elements of well-being — career/purpose, social, financial, physical, and community well-being. Women leaders will leave equipped with practical tools and intentional strategies to prioritize well-being, strengthen resilience, and lead in ways that positively impact both themselves and their communities.

The sessions are open to women in district leadership positions.

Cost for each session: $125 for M.A.S.S. Members, $150 for Non-Members.

🎤 About the 2026 WELN Conference: https://bit.ly/4dDE9L5

💡 About Kendra and Kelly: https://bit.ly/4gjZUkg

🙋🏽 Register for September 29: https://bit.ly/4gYxXyw

🙋🏽‍♀️ Register for January 26: https://bit.ly/3UESeAz

08/26/2026

📱 The landmark settlement announced today in the lawsuit against Meta and Instagram will lead to significant changes designed to protect children and teens from the harmful effects of social media addiction.

🙏 On behalf of families and educators across the Commonwealth, we extend our thanks to Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell for her leadership on this critical issue.

💬 Statement of M.A.S.S. Executive Director Mary Bourque, Ed.D.:

“This settlement represents a major step forward in addressing the profoundly negative impact of social media on our children and adolescents. Educators here in Massachusetts and across the country see first-hand the harm these platforms can do to our young people. We are very encouraged that the lawsuit will result in new safeguards to protect our students and that the funds from the settlement will be reinvested in education and mental health."

Read more:

Multistate Agreement Requires Meta to Make Significant Changes to its Products and Practices and Provides At Least $366 Million to Massachusetts

08/25/2026

We are delighted that Alicia Williams is working with M.A.S.S. through a 10-month, full-time residency to support our legislative advocacy work.

Alicia is pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.L.D.) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Alicia has an extensive background in public education, with experience spanning classroom teaching, school administration, and state-level governance.

We are grateful that she is bringing her talents and insights to our team, so that we can effectively support our members on some of the most critical issues facing Massachusetts public school districts today.

Read a profile about Alicia, and learn more about her work with us: https://bit.ly/4qB95QN

08/11/2026

From September through May, Dr. Darnisa Amante-Jackson will facilitate monthly sessions (virtual and in-person) of the BIPOC Affinity Leadership Network.

This network of BIPOC district leaders who are *not* Superintendents is designed as a high-trust, strategy-centered community of practice that supports leaders navigating the complexity of equity leadership in today’s educational and political landscape.

The program centers on sustained leadership development, real-time problem solving, and strategic navigation of organizational and political pressures.

Dr. Amante-Jackson is President and Co-Founder of the Disruptive Equity Education Project (DEEP).

Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/4hNBrEY

08/07/2026

Rachel Curtis and Liz City, co-authors of “Leading Strategically: Achieving Ambitious Goals in Education,” will facilitate two professional learning programs for M.A.S.S. in the upcoming school year:

1️⃣ District teams making progress on a district equity priority can participate in an 8-month cohort experience. Teams of three or more, including the Superintendent, will identify a district priority with an explicit connection to equity. Teams will think about their individual and collective leadership as they work to lead themselves, others, and the system to address the priority.

2️⃣ An leadership development program for individuals consists of two parts:
⌨️ Two 15-hour asynchronous courses at your own pace: “Leading Strategically: Act with Intention for Impact” and “Leading Strategically: Engage with People, Context, and Power”
💻 Three 90-minute virtual webinars, facilitated by Rachel and Liz, designed to build community, support application of course content, and connect participants across the state.

Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/4hNBrEY

08/05/2026

Registration is now open for Education Leadership Training, a professional learning opportunity with Dr. Tracey Benson, co-author of “Unconscious Racial Bias in Schools: A Developmental Approach to Exploring Race and Racism.”

This two-part leadership development program for school and district leaders includes:

➡️ A 10-hour racial equity master class (in-person and virtual), and

➡️ 18 weeks of ongoing racial equity executive coaching from Dr. Benson and his team to support implementation.

Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/4hNBrEY

08/04/2026

📖 We’re pleased to present our catalog of Professional Learning Opportunities for the upcoming school year.

🙋🏽 There are sessions for superintendents, assistant superintendents, aspiring district leaders, district teams, affinity groups, roundtables, school leaders, and others.

💡 You’ll discover in-person, virtual, and hybrid sessions, facilitated by leading scholars, practitioners, and colleagues who understand your role and the challenges you’re facing.

Explore the catalog: https://bit.ly/4hNBrEY