First General Session
Monday, October 18, 2010 - 9:00 - 10:20 a.m.

"Crucial Conversations About Public Schools"

John Draper, CEO, Educational Research Service, Alexandria, VA

For decades elected officials, business leaders, the general public, parents, and even school employees have been fed a steady diet of warnings about “declining schools”.  In this presentation ERS Chief Executive Officer, Dr. John Draper, steps back from the rhetoric and looks at the reality of what is really happening across America’s schools.  He identifies some of the Talk, the Truth, and the Crucial Conversations that school leaders need to lead.  How do we positively impact the perceptions surrounding public schools?  What works with the public?

Teachers, support personnel, and communities look to superintendents and principals to provide information and direction for the conversations to improve public schools.  Now more than ever, it is critical that school leaders stimulate discussion that resonates with the public, builds morale among their staffs, and generates support from political and business leaders. This presentation will provide tools for reframing the conversation to be more effective with every audience.      

ERS will provide all attendees with a summary of the research shared in this presentation.  The power point presentation will also be available to all attendees for their personal use and adaptation with their own communities and stakeholders.

John Draper

Second General Session
Monday, October 18, 2010 - 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Awards Program
President's Address
State of the Association Address
State of Education remarks by Dr. Christopher Koch, State Superintendent

At this session, outstanding individuals in the field of education will be recognized with the IPA's prestigious "Awards For Excellence." Travis Wyatt will present the President's Address and Executive Director Jason Leahy will present the annual State of the Association. Additionally, our State Superintendent, Dr. Christopher Koch will share his thoughts on the state of education in Illinois.

Christopher Koch

Third General Session
Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 10:10 - 11:30 a.m.

"Relational Leadership and the Power of Perception: Keys to Effective Leadership"

Karen Dyer, Group Director, Education and Nonprofit Sector, Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, NC

Effective, sustained leadership that results in improved teaching and learning involves the ability to set direction, create alignment, and engender commitment. Key to successful implementation of each of these components is relational leadership - those inter and intra personal relationships that impact any organization - as well as the ability to identify and manage perceptions. The focus of this presentation is to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for both relational leadership and the power of perception.

Karen Dyer

Fourth General Session
Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 12:30 - 2:00 p.m.

Success under pressure is the measure of a true champion. There are numerous winners in the world of sports but the celebrated athletes are the few who meet the challenge of pressure time after time. Bonnie Blair is undoubtedly celebrated as the speek skater who produced the best performance when it counts the most.

Blair never set out to become famous or skated with visions of becoming rich from her sport. She simply loved speed skating and loved to compete...any reward followed from that simple passion.

She won a total of 5 gold's and 1 bronze all in individual events, which is a record for US female Olympians summer or winter. She will share with us what she faced as an athlete and how to take those very same ideals and transfer them into the real world with her recipe for success of "Achieving your Personal Best" through Dedication, Balance and the ability to be willing to take a Risk.

Bonnie Blair