February 17, 2026

We’re excited to share the 2026 AESA Reading Leaders Book Club lineup—an engaging mix of contemporary fiction, memoir, and timeless classics designed to spark thoughtful dialogue among education leaders nationwide.

The Reading Leaders Book Club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm ET.

Here’s what’s ahead for the rest of the year:

• March: The Names by Florence Knapp
• April: Malas by Marcela Fuentes
• May: When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen
• June: Isola by Allegra Goodman
• July: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
• August: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
• September: Paper Girl: A Memoir of Home and Family in a Fractured America by Beth Macy
• October: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut

You’ll notice that November and December are intentionally left blank—and that’s by design. We’re leaving space for exciting new releases that may emerge later this year… or for recommendations from our Reading Leaders community. Have a title you’d like us to consider? We’d love to hear from you!

The AESA Reading Leaders Book Club continues to be a space where leaders connect across states, explore big ideas, and grow together through literature. Whether you join us for one book or the full year, we look forward to another year of meaningful conversation.

As announced last week, AESA is now accepting applications for the 2026–27 Executives in Residence (EIR) cohort, a year‑long, performance‑based leadership experience designed to prepare the next generation of ESA executives.

Across the AESA network, powerful work is happening every day. If your ESA is implementing innovative systems, strengthening partnerships, improving operations, or driving meaningful outcomes for students and schools, this is your opportunity to share it. We’re looking for practical, real-world breakout sessions that spark conversation, elevate leadership practice, and offer strategies colleagues can put into action immediately.

All proposals must align with one of four conference strands:

• Leading Coherent Systems 

• Designing High-Impact Learning & Support Systems 

• Sustainable Systems & Smart Stewardship

• ESAs as Connectors & Community Catalysts 

The proposal deadline is March 12, 2026.

Submit your idea through the Breakout Session Proposal Form and be part of shaping a conference that is relevant, engaging, and impactful for ESA leaders nationwide.

Congratulations to AESA member, Montgomery County Educational Service Center in Ohio, and several Miami Valley schools for being recognized for their outstanding, career-focused education.

“What we really try to think about is how we can connect career-connected learning experiences, kindergarten through 12th grade, but not just the Wednesday before Thanksgiving break or during the career fair, how we can provide these experiences to students throughout the year,” said MCESC Superintendent Shannon Cox.

We celebrate the hard work of educators, students, and community partners who make this excellence possible. Keep up the amazing work!

Kudos to Marquette-Alger RESA in Michigan for their leadership in implementing multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) that strengthen learning and well-being for students across the region. We’re proud to see their impactful work shared with a wider audience, highlighting how ESAs lead the way in building strong, student-centered systems of support.

EdAdvance, AESA member in Connecticut, is benefiting from $830,000 in state funding to help protect and strengthen school-based mental health services. This important investment ensures students continue to have access to the emotional and behavioral supports they need to succeed. Congratulations to all involved in securing this critical funding and advancing student well-being across the state!

AESA members are encouraged to listen to the KINL Network Podcast, created by the Central Indiana Educational Service Center (CIESC) and powered by Keep Indiana Learning. The network features short, practical conversations on topics such as Literacy, Innovation, Math, AI, and Middle School education, highlighting practitioner voices and real-world strategies that support educators and districts across Indiana and beyond!

The U.S. Department of Education recently released two Dear Colleague letters that have significant implications for educators and education service agencies nationwide. One provides updated guidance on Title I schoolwide program funding flexibility under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), encouraging districts and states to leverage existing flexibilities to better support student achievement. The other offers renewed guidance on constitutionally protected prayer and religious expression in schools, emphasizing individual rights while reaffirming the importance of compliance with federal law. These letters highlight evolving federal priorities and offer important context for ESA leaders engaged in policy and operational decisions.