March 11, 2011

Educational Leadership Conference is March 23

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The 14th Southern Illinois Educational Leadership Conference will bring area educators to Southern Illinois University Carbondale on March 23.

“Race to the Top with No Shoes: Surviving the Financial Storm” is the theme of the event at the Student Center. Deb Vespa, division administrator for the Illinois State Board of Education, will present “ISBE’s Support of Schools During the Funding Crisis” as the morning keynote speech. “Public Education: Leadership Matters” will be the luncheon keynote address by Brent Clark, executive director of the Illinois Association of School Administrators.

The conference, which kicks off with registration at 8:15 a.m., runs to 2:30 p.m. Breakout sessions include: “The New Principal Design: How It May Impact your District,” “Nightmares of the Business Manager: Strategies for Walking a Financial Tightrope,” “Alternative Sources for Funding Your Districts” and “Legal Update.” The conference will also include resume critiques and interview tips as well as forums and roundtables focusing on mentoring women in leadership and how the SIUC Department of Educational Administration and Higher Education can help improve schools in Southern Illinois.

Conference sponsors include the SIUC Department of Educational Administration and Higher Education, the Illinois Association of School Administrators, the Illinois Principals Association and Illinois Women in Educational Leadership.

For more information, contact the Division of Continuing Education at 618/453-5680.