January 16, 2025

The Technology Leaders Network has had an exciting inaugural year, diving deep into the tech services provided by member ESAs. Each meeting highlights an ESA’s unique approach, successes, and challenges, fostering collaboration and shared learning.

For our next meeting on February 6, we’re seeking a volunteer from an ESA to share their story in a 5-10 minute presentation. It’s a great opportunity to spotlight your work and inspire others!

We’ll also tackle a timely issue: the recent PowerSchool data breach. Has your ESA made any changes in response? Let’s discuss strategies, impacts, and solutions.

This member-driven network offers flexibility—you don’t have to attend all sessions, and individual sessions are available for $95.

Remaining dates:

February 6, 2025

March 20, 2025
May 1, 2025
June 5, 2025

If you would like more information about the network and its agenda items, contact Tim McIlvain. If you would like to register for individual sessions, contact Ann Fiene.

This subscription service is designed to provide your ESA with direct, ongoing support to refine and sustain your business strategy. As a member, you’ll have access to:

• Personalized guidance from AESA consultants Doreen Marvin and Andy Pechacek.
• Exclusive resources, including podcast-style interviews, articles, book excerpts, and more.
• Collaborative opportunities to connect and share ideas with peers in virtual sessions.

The first virtual session kicks off on March 3, 2025, and spaces are limited. Membership is by organization, not individual—so please have one person register on behalf of your ESA.

Don’t miss this opportunity to keep the momentum going!

A well-designed business strategy framework is essential for success. It provides a clear and structured approach to:

• Achieve business development goals with focus and efficiency.
• Optimize resource allocation, including human resources, financial investments, and technology, to ensure maximum impact.
• Evaluate and seize opportunities that drive organizational growth and sustainability.

The Business Strategy Framework 1.0 workshop, hosted by West 40 ISC, is designed to help your agency uncover its unique strengths and competitive advantages. By leveraging these insights, your organization can stand out, build stronger partnerships, and deliver exceptional value to member school districts. 

Next Session Details:

March 27-28, 2025
West 40 ISC #2

Maywood, IL (Chicago)

This transformative class will equip you with thought-provoking questions, structured strategies, and actionable tools to elevate your ESA’s performance.

The upcoming session of Business Strategy Framework (BSF) 2.0 builds on the foundational principles from BSF 1.0, diving deeper into competitive strategy and the transformative role of AI in business.

What You’ll Gain:

• Competitive Strategy & Application to the Business of AI: Learn how to leverage AI for competitive advantage and apply advanced strategic concepts to real-world business scenarios.
• Managing Strategic Uncertainty: Develop skills to navigate and manage the uncertainties inherent in strategic decision-making.
• Partnering on AI: Explore strategies for forming effective AI partnerships that drive innovation and growth.
• Organizing for Strategy: Optimize your organizational structure to support and enhance strategic initiatives.

Who Should Attend:
This advanced session is designed for participants who have already completed the BSF 1.0 Workshop and are ready to deepen their strategic capabilities. (If you haven’t yet taken BSF 1.0, there’s an upcoming opportunity in March.)

Next Session Details:

As the educational landscape evolves, ESAs are increasingly embracing entrepreneurship to stay ahead. The Spring 2025 Experiment, Price, and Innovate with Confidence (EPIC) workshop is your chance to equip your team with the tools needed to enhance entrepreneurial strategies. Hosted by Metro RESA, this dynamic event will empower participants to:

• Engage in active experimentation for smarter, more impactful decisions.
• Master pricing optimization to maximize organizational success.
• Foster a culture of innovation with confidence and creativity.

Session Details:

May 15-16, 2025
*Cobb County Chamber
1100 Circle 75 Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30339

*New location!

Bonus Opportunity: To make this event even more memorable, Metro RESA is working on securing a sponsor to treat EPIC participants to an Atlanta Braves game. However, an accurate headcount is essential to finalize this exciting perk, so don’t delay—register now!

Seize this chance to elevate your organization’s entrepreneurial mindset and enjoy an unforgettable experience in Atlanta.

• BSF 1.0 Project Team Coaching
  Participate in four 1-hour virtual sessions to help your team implement and execute key strategies effectively.

• Business Development Coaching
  Get expert advice to identify and explore growth opportunities, ensuring long-term sustainability for your ESA.

• BSF 1.0 Workshop Review
  Engage in two 90-minute virtual sessions to refine and align your strategic plans, keeping your organization on track.

• EPIC Workshop Review
  Enhance your current initiatives with two 90-minute virtual sessions focused on innovation and maximizing impact.

These services are specifically designed to support ESAs in refining strategies and achieving their goals long after the workshop ends.

Furthermore, AESA can customize the BSF 1.0 and EPIC workshops to address your ESA’s unique needs and priorities, bringing these transformative sessions directly to your team.

Contact Sheila King, Chief Strategy Officer, if your ESA is interested in scheduling one of these options.

The Reading Leaders Book Club is your opportunity to dive into thought-provoking books, engage in rich discussions, and grow alongside fellow education leaders. With a lineup that spans diverse genres and themes, there’s something for everyone.

Monthly Zoom meetings make it easy to connect and share insights, whether you read one title or all six. Contact Ann Fiene at afiene@aesa.us to join!

Here’s the reading list for the first half of 2025:

January Book

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Dive into the incredible true story of Belle da Costa Greene, a woman of courage, intellect, and resilience who broke barriers as the personal librarian to J.P. Morgan—all while hiding a monumental secret about her identity.

TONIGHT, January 16, 2025

7:00 pm Eastern

February Book

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Revisit this timeless classic of ambition, ethics, and humanity. Written in the early 19th century, Shelley’s masterpiece remains as relevant as ever in examining the boundaries of scientific discovery and personal responsibility.

February 20, 2025

7:00 pm Eastern

March Book

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

Journey through a riveting historical mystery set on the frozen Kennebec River in Maine. Lawhon's storytelling combines suspense with an evocative sense of place, making it a must-read.

March 20, 2025

7:00 pm Eastern

April Book

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

Step into a tale of speculative fiction that explores the complexities of time, history, and the choices that shape our lives. Bradley’s narrative challenges us to think deeply about cause and effect.

April 17, 2025

7:00 pm Eastern

May Book

Weyward by Emilia Hart

Celebrate resilience and sisterhood in this enchanting novel that intertwines the lives of three extraordinary women across five centuries, revealing the hidden power passed down through generations.

May 15, 2025

7:00 pm Eastern

June Book

The Chosen by Chaim Potok

Explore themes of friendship, faith, and identity in this powerful story of two boys from vastly different Jewish traditions. Potok’s prose and insights will leave you reflecting on the ties that bind us.

June 19, 2025

7:00 pm Eastern

More titles will be added to this year's list later this spring!