2023 Leadership Conference Descriptions by Session
SESSION ONE
#CTA Strong
Over the past four years, Farmington has transformed into a #CTAstrong district! What was once an inactive CTA is now something truly exciting. By working with our district leaders, we have developed a website for our CTA, a Teacher of the Year program, monthly meetings, a scholarship program and have grown our CTA through our recruitment ideas. Learn more about what worked for us and walk away with some ideas to help you with your 2023-24 school year. Make your CTA something everyone wants to be a part of! Get the word out and become #CTAstrong!
Presented by: Missy Tisher, Casey Burch, and Candy Husk, Farmington R-7
Engaging and Enlisting Members (Membership Engagement)
How do you keep members engaged in a virtual world? How do you make sure your CTA doesn't "fizzle" out when in-person meetings are obsolete? In this break-out session, participants will find the answers to these burning questions while discussing new, exciting ways to engage and enlist CTA members. This break out session will allow for discussion amongst different CTAs to discover methods that work all across the state. In this session, I will share what helps my small CTA to enlist more and more members each year and be a successful voice in our district. Participants will walk away with the ideas and materials necessary to make their CTA an exciting organization which is ready to make a change and be a voice for teachers.
Presented by: Mackenzie Thompson Scott County R-IV
Google 101 with Maddy Johnson (Technology)
We live in a time where technology is often viewed as more of a disruption than a tool. However, we have superpowers right at our fingertips which can change the way learning and living occurs! This Google 101 session will give participants the opportunity to identify their understanding of Google Tools, learn more about the importance of incorporating Google Tools into their daily routines, and provide unlimited access to a Google Classroom full of tutorials and resources available to educators. Not only can we use these tools in our own classrooms, but we can also use them to benefit our local CTA by organizing membership data, communicating effectively with members, and much more! This session is for people of all skill levels. Whether you have yet to make the jump to Google or if you feel you are already a Google professional, there is something for everyone!
Presented by Maddy Johnson, Lone Jack School District
Leadership Beyond Local (Leadership)
“I am involved in my local CTA, but I want to do more. What else is out there?”
If you can relate to this statement, your attendance is warranted. In this session, we will discuss leadership beyond your local CTA service. Look at the larger picture with Region and State opportunities... There is a whole new world of MSTA beyond your local school district that is calling your name. Bring your questions, comments, and suggestions as we learn and grow together in leadership.
Presented by: Lana Moore, Mount Vernon R-5 School District
Make It, Take It (Recruitment)
The focus of Make It, Take It is to foster ideas that you can easily implement for membership recruitment AND membership engagement/appreciation. Participants will make small "punny" gifts for peers and the same idea will be presented with two or more taglines so it can be used in multiple ways. An example would be "MSTA is one in a Minion" and "You are one in a Minion! Thanks for all you do!" (Yes, we are making Twinkie Minions this year!) We need ways to uplift and appreciate one another as well as quick, fun, and easy ways to encourage people to join MSTA. Tons of ideas will be shared, which will be ready to take home, print, and use.
Presented by: Amanda Bradshaw, Mount Vernon CTA
Make Your Own Weather (Work/Life Balance)
With a mix of neuroscience and motivation, participants will learn actionable steps to managing stress, burnout, and well-being! We'll practice creating the "weather" we'd like to carry around with us and talk about protecting our "weather" from external circumstances.
Presented by: Candace Kluba, School District of Washington
Membership a New Hope (Technology/Database Management)
Membership is a daunting task to take on for anyone, especially during a busy school year when we also must manage all that comes with being a teacher. There is hope for all the paperwork and deadlines. It is possible to streamline your processes and organize your information in a way to make it more usable for you, your building representatives, and MSTA. I will share what I have done over the last several years to encourage new and current members in my district while keeping up with all MSTA paperwork. Together, we will examine the membership chair's role from start to finish.
Presented by: Jennifer Wagoner, Carthage R-9 CTA
Survey Says: That’s Illegal! (Leadership)
Everybody’s favorite survey-based gameshow is coming to MSTA’s Leadership Conference. Join the MSTA Legal Department as we discuss hot topics in education law in a fun, interactive presentation that will get you out of your seat and into the game. While we can’t promise money to the winners, attendees will walk away with the greatest prize of all: knowledge.
Presented by: Kyle Farmer, Scott Smith, and Jane O’Toole, MSTA Staff Attorneys
SESSION TWO
Engaging and Enlisting Members (Membership Engagement)
How do you keep members engaged in a virtual world? How do you make sure your CTA doesn't "fizzle" out when in-person meetings are obsolete? In this break-out session, participants will find the answers to these burning questions while discussing new, exciting ways to engage and enlist CTA members. This break out session will allow for discussion amongst different CTAs to discover methods that work all across the state. In this session, I will share what helps my small CTA to enlist more and more members each year and be a successful voice in our district. Participants will walk away with the ideas and materials necessary to make their CTA an exciting organization which is ready to make a change and be a voice for teachers.
Presented by: Mackenzie Thompson Scott County R-IV
Google 101 with Maddy Johnson (Technology)
We live in a time where technology is often viewed as more of a disruption than a tool. However, we have superpowers right at our fingertips which can change the way learning and living occurs! This Google 101 session will give participants the opportunity to identify their understanding of Google Tools, learn more about the importance of incorporating Google Tools into their daily routines, and provide unlimited access to a Google Classroom full of tutorials and resources available to educators. Not only can we use these tools in our own classrooms, but we can also use them to benefit our local CTA by organizing membership data, communicating effectively with members, and much more! This session is for people of all skill levels. Whether you have yet to make the jump to Google or if you feel you are already a Google professional, there is something for everyone!
Presented by Maddy Johnson, Lone Jack School District
I Wish My Admin Knew... (Leadership)
In this session, members will learn how to address universal issues which affect educational leaders, teachers, staff, students, and community members. CTA leaders will acquire ways to work together, as well as develop strategies to help solve educational building level issues and professional approaches to work with administrators to help solve these problems. Role-playing will be utilized to develop new skills which help bring light to and solve issues in the educational field. One of the main goals of this session is to learn how to improve our educational environment for the benefit of all.
Presented by: Alison Wilson, Chadwick School District
Kick Starting Your CTA (Communication)
Are you new to CTA? Need some fresh ideas to promote it? Do you need help organizing your CTA? This session will give you some ideas to build a successful CTA, show appreciation to your members, and connect with your community.
Presented by: Becky Fisher, Carrollton R-7 CTA
Leadership Beyond Local (Leadership)
“I am involved in my local CTA, but I want to do more. What else is out there?”
If you can relate to this statement, your attendance is warranted. In this session, we will discuss leadership beyond your local CTA service. Look at the larger picture with Region and State opportunities... There is a whole new world of MSTA beyond your local school district that is calling your name. Bring your questions, comments, and suggestions as we learn and grow together in leadership.
Presented by: Lana Moore, Mount Vernon R-5 School District
Let’s Glow Crazy in CTA (Membership Engagement)
Let's GLOW Crazy as we light the way through the journey of creating our bright CTA. We will provide ideas that will make your CTA shine. Beam on in to learn how to open the lines of communication with your administrators, create a welcoming culture throughout your district and light up your CTA. In our session we will share the gleaming ideas we have used to boost our membership and make our CTA a "GLOWING" organization who promotes all staff and makes their voices heard. Be sure to join us as we radiate the vivid colors of knowledge.
Presented by: Tonja Boggs, Jacki Clements, and Michelle Krog, Slater CTA
Make It, Take It (Recruitment)
The focus of Make It, Take It is to foster ideas that you can easily implement for membership recruitment AND membership engagement/appreciation. Participants will make small "punny" gifts for peers and the same idea will be presented with two or more taglines so it can be used in multiple ways. An example would be "MSTA is one in a Minion" and "You are one in a Minion! Thanks for all you do!" (Yes, we are making Twinkie Minions this year!) We need ways to uplift and appreciate one another as well as quick, fun, and easy ways to encourage people to join MSTA. Tons of ideas will be shared, which will be ready to take home, print, and use.
Presented by: Amanda Bradshaw, Mount Vernon CTA
Survey Says: That’s Illegal! (Leadership)
Everybody’s favorite survey-based gameshow is coming to MSTA’s Leadership Conference. Join the MSTA Legal Department as we discuss hot topics in education law in a fun, interactive presentation that will get you out of your seat and into the game. While we can’t promise money to the winners, attendees will walk away with the greatest prize of all: knowledge.
Presented by: Kyle Farmer, Scott Smith, and Jane O’Toole, MSTA Staff Attorneys
SESSION THREE
#CTA Strong
Over the past four years, Farmington has transformed into a #CTAstrong district! What was once an inactive CTA is now something truly exciting. By working with our district leaders, we have developed a website for our CTA, a Teacher of the Year program, monthly meetings, a scholarship program and have grown our CTA through our recruitment ideas. Learn more about what worked for us and walk away with some ideas to help you with your 2023-24 school year. Make your CTA something everyone wants to be a part of! Get the word out and become #CTAstrong!
Presented by: Missy Tisher, Casey Burch, and Candy Husk, Farmington R-7
Easy Ways to Improve Member Recruitment (Member Recruitment)
Want to grow your MSTA membership? In this session, I will highlight my personal experience growing and maintaining MSTA membership. Members can expect to take away ideas to be used as “member getters” and tips to retain members they already have.
Presented by: Lynda Offutt, Jill Ambrose, and Lindsay Darnell, Lebanon R-3 School District
I Wish My Admin Knew... (Leadership)
In this session, members will learn how to address universal issues which affect educational leaders, teachers, staff, students, and community members. CTA leaders will acquire ways to work together, as well as develop strategies to help solve educational building level issues and professional approaches to work with administrators to help solve these problems. Role-playing will be utilized to develop new skills which help bring light to and solve issues in the educational field. One of the main goals of this session is to learn how to improve our educational environment for the benefit of all.
Presented by: Alison Wilson, Chadwick School District
Kick Starting Your CTA (Communication)
Are you new to CTA? Need some fresh ideas to promote it? Do you need help organizing your CTA? This session will give you some ideas to build a successful CTA, show appreciation to your members, and connect with your community.
Presented by: Becky Fisher, Carrollton R-7 CTA
Let’s Glow Crazy in CTA (Membership Engagement)
Let's GLOW Crazy as we light the way through the journey of creating our bright CTA. We will provide ideas that will make your CTA shine. Beam on in to learn how to open the lines of communication with your administrators, create a welcoming culture throughout your district and light up your CTA. In our session we will share the gleaming ideas we have used to boost our membership and make our CTA a "GLOWING" organization who promotes all staff and makes their voices heard. Be sure to join us as we radiate the vivid colors of knowledge.
Presented by: Tonja Boggs, Jacki Clements, and Michelle Krog, Slater CTA
Make It, Take It (Recruitment)
The focus of Make It, Take It is to foster ideas that you can easily implement for membership recruitment AND membership engagement/appreciation. Participants will make small "punny" gifts for peers and the same idea will be presented with two or more taglines so it can be used in multiple ways. An example would be "MSTA is one in a Minion" and "You are one in a Minion! Thanks for all you do!" (Yes, we are making Twinkie Minions this year!) We need ways to uplift and appreciate one another as well as quick, fun, and easy ways to encourage people to join MSTA. Tons of ideas will be shared, which will be ready to take home, print, and use.
Presented by: Amanda Bradshaw, Mount Vernon CTA
Membership a New Hope (Technology/Database Management)
Membership is a daunting task to take on for anyone, especially during a busy school year when we also must manage all that comes with being a teacher. There is hope for all the paperwork and deadlines. It is possible to streamline your processes and organize your information in a way to make it more usable for you, your building representatives, and MSTA. I will share what I have done over the last several years to encourage new and current members in my district while keeping up with all MSTA paperwork. Together, we will examine the membership chair's role from start to finish.
Presented by: Jennifer Wagoner, Carthage R-9 CTA
Professional Rights and Responsibilities of Educators (Leadership)
Public school employees need to be aware of the federal and state laws that dictate how they perform their job and how they interact with their employer. Presented in layman’s terms, this legal presentation is your crash course to the most important aspects of education law. Attendees will learn the most important “dos and don’ts” of public-school employment from real-world examples.
Presented by Kyle Farmer, MSTA Staff Attorney