NASSP News: February 2025
NASSP’s session proposal, “Leadership Synergy: Connecting School Leaders for Innovative School Success,” for the 2025 SXSW EDU has been accepted. One of the largest and most influential education conferences in the country, SXSW EDU will take place next month, March 3–6 in Austin, TX.
Andy Farley, the principal of Brookfield East High School in Brookfield, WI, and the 2024 National Principal of the Year, and Courtney Walker, the assistant principal of teaching and learning at Carrollton High School in Carrollton, GA, and the 2024 National Assistant Principal of the Year, will lead this session focused on connecting principals to share best practices, foster a positive school culture, and discuss innovative approaches for recruiting and retaining top-tier teachers and future administrators. Attendees will benefit from expert insights and peer collaboration.
At last year’s conference, NASSP presented, “Innovation in Culture: Lead with Vision, Voice, and Heart.” One of the presenters was James Allrich, the principal of Argyle Middle School in Silver Spring, MD, an NASSP board member, and the 2023 Maryland Principal of the Year. He discusses his experience below and what educators can learn from watching the sessions.
What was the best part about presenting at SXSW EDU?
One great thing is that we had three school administrators there—as well as then NASSP President Aaron Huff as the facilitator—from different levels and types of schools, so we were able to provide a real variety of perspectives. I love doing these types of panel discussions because I get a chance to engage with other leaders, as well as with people who aren’t working in schools. During our sessions, we had a good turnout, and we had a chance to share our perspectives on issues like school culture, staff morale, professional development, wellness, and mental health. It was a challenge to squeeze that information into a 60-minute session. This didn’t allow enough time for interactive questions and answers, but I was able to engage with several participants afterward.
How is SXSW EDU different from other conferences?
One big difference is that a number of attendees at SXSW aren’t based in schools. You have researchers, policy experts, academics, marketers, nonprofit representatives, and others. That’s why it’s so important that the conference includes sessions from those of us who lead schools and are in schools. We can talk about our day-to-day work and how we roll up our sleeves and just get things done. That’s better than relying only on what participants have read or what they think is happening in schools.
What can school leaders get out of the conference, either by attending in person or following along online?
Several sessions feature some amazing educators who have a lot to say about what’s happening in our schools, which might be useful back in your own districts. At the same time, the sessions from non-educators give a sense of what’s happening with the latest school research and trends that could affect the future of education.