Leadership Conference Workshop Proposal

Every July, nearly 400 MSTA leaders gather for two days of connection, learning, and inspiration at the MSTA Leadership Conference. These leaders represent the full spectrum of Missouri’s public schools-- from small districts with fewer than 200 students to large systems serving more than 25,000 students, along with Student MSTA leaders from over 40 higher education campuses across the state.

What brings all these leaders together is a shared commitment to strengthening their local CTAs and supporting educators in every corner of Missouri. And while their districts vary widely in size, resources, and challenges, they all rely on practical ideas and real-world expertise from fellow members who understand what leadership looks like in Missouri schools.

That’s why we need you: Your experiences, strategies, tools, and lessons learned could help leaders from districts big and small build stronger CTAs, improve communication, grow their membership, and elevate the voice of educators.

Leadership Conference will be held July 13–14, 2026, at

the Wyndham Executive Center in Columbia, Missouri.

What We’re Looking For

We want presenters who can help leaders grow in ways that genuinely matter to them and their CTAs. Specifically, we’re seeking sessions that support leaders in:

• Recruiting and growing membership
  • Strategies for reaching alternative-certified educators, associate/support staff, student teachers, and new hires

• Navigating competitive environments
  • Communicating MSTA’s value alongside other associations
  • Responding professionally to misinformation
  • Strengthening member loyalty through service and transparency

• Using technology to simplify communication and leadership work
  • Tools for managing member lists, engagement, and CTA tasks
  • Using social media or communication apps effectively
  • Digital tools that streamline communication and reduce paperwork
• Helping members understand and maximize the value of their MSTA membership
  • Connecting members to benefits, discounts, legal support, and PD
  • Creative ways to highlight MSTA services throughout the year

But more important than the category is your unique perspective. What have you learned? What systems have you built? What pitfalls have you overcome? What tools could save someone else hours... or spare them a headache?

What Makes a Great Session?

We’re especially looking for proposals that:

• Offer fresh ideas for both new and veteran leaders
• Engage the room and draw on participants’ experiences
• Include hands-on activities or discussion
• Provide real-world examples... wins and lessons learned
• Leave attendees with something they can use immediately

We welcome creative topics, new session formats, and outside-the-box ideas. Since many attendees return each year, we’re prioritizing content that goes beyond the basics and hasn’t been done before.

Based on past feedback, sessions related to the following topics are always strong fits:

• Membership recruitment & engagement
• Leadership
• Time management
• Work/life balance
• Communication
• Technology & database management

Why Present?

MSTA presenters are more than speakers—they are leaders shaping leaders.

Presenters consistently share that they:

• Gain new professional connections
• Strengthen their own leadership voice
• Enjoy the creative challenge of teaching fellow educators
• Walk away energized by the collaborative atmosphere

If your proposal is selected, you will receive:

• $100 for individual presenters or $150 per team
• One hotel room at the conference rate
• All conference meals
• Mileage reimbursement (0.35/mile roundtrip)

How to Apply

The proposal form is open now, and we’d love to learn from you.

Submit your proposal by Monday, January 19, 2026.You’ll receive confirmation immediately after submitting, and selections will be announced by February 16, 2026.

Proposals will be reviewed based on:

• Relevance to the audience
• Engaging, innovative presentation approach
• Clarity of how the session supports leaders’ needs
• Participant engagement
• Ease of practical application

We Hope You’ll Consider Sharing Your Expertise

Your experiences could be exactly what another leader needs to hear.
Your ideas could inspire the next wave of CTA leadership.
Your story could help someone stay the course in a challenging role.

If you have even a spark of interest, we encourage you to apply.

Our leaders learn best from one another... and we would be thrilled to learn from you!