The Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE), the Mississippi Association of School Administrators (MASA), and the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) sponsored The Art of Leadership Conference which was held on October 15-17, 2006 at the Jackson Hilton Hotel in Jackson, MS

Conference sessions included a keynote address by Dr. Grant Wiggins, founder of BIG IDEAS/Understanding by Design, a panel discussion, breakout sessions, school tours and more. A Pre-Conference, “How Correct is Your Leadership?” was offered on Sunday, October 15th. Hospitality receptions were held on Sunday and Monday evenings.

The Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education believes that every K-12 student in Mississippi should have access to a high quality education that includes the arts. During the conference, participants who pre-registered for school tours had an opportunity to visit nearby high performing schools that teach in and through the arts on a daily basis. Personnel from the selected schools greeted conference participants, led tours and entertained questions from the visitors. Afternoon concurrent sessions highlighted a Comprehensive School Reform Model, a community-based program for at-risk students, the Mississippi Curriculum Guide Project, and also included a hands-on art experience. Partial funding for this conference was provided by the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network.

Conference Agenda
 

Sunday, October 15, 2006

2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Registration

4:00 Pre-Conference Convenes
Pre-Conference Theme: How Correct is your Leadership?

Session I

Esquire Jim Keith, from the law firm of Adams and Reese, will discuss the ethics of leadership, the use of the Internet, review who’s hired in the schools and the politics of the office.

5:00 Session II

Dr. Tom Burnham, Dean of Education at the University of Mississippi, will discuss the roles of leadership within the district. He will share successful practices of teamwork, working with the school board, the community and beyond.

6:00 Session III

Mr. J. Martez Hill, Deputy State Superintendent from the Office of Business and Support Services, will share his expertise in providing leadership and direction over the departments for drop-out prevention, compulsory education, alternative education, vocational education and workforce development and the Healthy Schools Initiative.

7:00 Reception

Monday, October 16, 2006

7:30 Continental breakfast and student visual art exhibit

8:00 Exhibits open

8:30 General Session I

• MASA/MAAE welcome and conference overview
• Showcase performance: Louisville High School students, M.J. Etua, teacher
• Keynote address: Grant Wiggins

 9:45 Break

10:00 General Session II

• Everyone’s An Artist—an interactive introduction to arts education, arts integration, and multiple intelligences

10:40 Leadership Panel: Grant Wiggins, Judi Holifield, Carolyn Jolivette, David  Daigneault

11:30 Lunch with entertainment: Picayune High School students, Donna Porter and Tony Seal, teachers

• Luncheon Address: The Honorable Mayor John Robert Smith of Meridian

12:45 Break/board buses for school visits

     TOURS of arts-focused schools: buses leave at 1:00 p.m.; return at 4:00 p.m.

• Madison Station Elementary School
• Madison Middle School
• Casey Elementary School
• Pearl High School

1:00 – 2:15 Concurrent Breakout Session I

1. Partnerships as Cornerstones for Student Success: Linda Whittington and Grady Hillman
2. Understanding by Design: Denise Wilbur & Penny Wallin
3. Comprehensive School Reform Model, the WSI: Judi Holifield & Debbie Davis
4. Experience the Arts, a hands-on workshop demonstrating curriculum connections:
   Dr. Randy Miley

2:30 – 3:45 Breakout Session II
Repeat of Session I breakout topics

5:00 – 6:30 Hospitality Reception with entertainment

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

7:30 Continental Breakfast

8:00 Exhibits open

8:30 General Session III 

• Dr. Hank Bounds

9:45 Concurrent Sessions for Affiliate Groups

11:15 Annual Meeting

12:00 Awards Luncheon

1:30 Conference Adjourns