|
Mindset Over Machines: Leading When Everything Is Changing
|
The world is moving faster than any of us can think. And, honestly, this is as slow as it's ever going to be.
Everyone in education and leadership is talking about AI tools. Which ones to adopt, how fast to move, what to do next. But these days, tools change every two weeks. What doesn't change is how we think, how we lead, and how we make decisions when the ground won't stop shifting. That's all about mindset. And right now, it's the conversation almost nobody is having.
Dr. Eric Solomon is a cognitive psychologist, former executive at YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, and Google, and founder of The Human Operating System. He has spent over 20 years studying how people think, decide, and lead through disruption, and he teaches at Fordham's Gabelli School of Business. His work has been featured in Harvard Business Review and Psychology Today, and his 2025 TED Talk explored what it means to stay human when the world around us is accelerating.
AESA is excited to host Dr. Solomon for an AESA Roundtable:
Mindset Over Machines
May 12, 2026 | 3:00 to 4:00 PM ET | Virtual
Registration cost: $79
In this conversation, Dr. Solomon will introduce five principles for building the kind of mindset that compounds long after today's tools are obsolete. Principles that help us move from reactive to intentional, and that give educators a foundation for the one thing AI can't do for us: our own thinking.
This is where it starts.
|
Join Us at Ask Jason! Today at 2:00 pm (ET)
|
Join Ask Jason today at 2:00 pm ET for a live, informal Q&A with Jason Hiruo, AESA Chief Global Officer.
This session is designed for ESA staff who want a clear, honest look at what the program is—and whether it’s the right fit for their agency. Whether you’re considering applying for the 2026–27 cohort or just beginning to explore global engagement, this conversation will help you decide.
Didn’t get a chance to sign up ahead of time?
No worries—just join us today using the link below.
|
Final Call: AESA Foundation Auction Closes TONIGHT at 7:00 pm (ET)!
|
Time is running out! The AESA Foundation Online Auction officially closes tonight at 7:00 pm (ET) and now is your last chance to snag some incredible items.
We know many of you are strategic bidders—waiting until the final hours to make your move—but don’t forget to check your items and update your bids before time runs out. You don’t want to miss out by just a few dollars!
Even better—this auction isn’t just for AESA members. Anyone can participate, so feel free to share the link with colleagues, friends, and family. The more, the merrier!
All proceeds directly support the important work of the AESA Foundation, helping advance initiatives that benefit the ESA community nationwide.
|
We’re excited to welcome back the Regional Office of Education #3 (ROE #3) in Vandalia, Illinois to the AESA membership. Under the leadership of Regional Superintendent Julie Wollerman, ROE #3 plays a vital role in supporting educators, students, and communities across the South Central Illinois region.
We’re grateful to have ROE #3 rejoin our national network and look forward to strengthening connections, sharing expertise, and advancing our collective impact together.
|
Education Technology Round Up
|
Read a summary of the National Coalition for Technology in Education & Training's latest wrap up of all things education technology here.
|
ED Released REAP Eligibility Spreadsheet
|
The FY26 REAP Eligibility Spreadsheet is now available. The SRSA application and other relevant information is sent to your district’s point of contact. Please check the spreadsheet and ensure your district’s information is up to date. Contact the REAP Team at reap@ed.gov with any changes.
|
Moms for Liberty and Teachers Unions are Unlikely Allies Fighting Tech in Schools
|
In a sharp departure from their recent hostile relationship, conservative group Moms for Liberty and teachers unions are joining forces in states to limit student screen time in public schools.
|
More Middle and High Schoolers are Leaning on AI for Homework
|
A new RAND Corporation study finds that AI use among middle and high schoolers rose considerably between May and December 2025, even as more secondary students expressed concern that using the technology for homework can harm their critical thinking skills.
|
|
These Factors Make a School More Likely to Be Labeled Failing
|
A new GAO report finds that schools serving large shares of students of color and low-income students are far more likely to be identified as the lowest-performing in their state, with every 5% increase in student poverty corresponding to a 42% higher risk of being flagged as seriously low performing, underscoring the need for greater resource and funding equity.
|
Should you red-shirt your kindergartner? A new analysis suggests it doesn’t help most students.
|
Chalkbeat summarizes a recent study by NWEA that examined the longer-term effects of students waiting an extra year before starting Kindergarten, a practice sometimes referred to as “redshirting.” NWEA looks at its MAP test data to find little benefit for redshirted students by third grade.
|
New Report Surveying School Board Members Offers Nuanced Snapshot but Falls Short on Guidance
|
A recent Fordham Institute report surveys more than 5,000 school board members across over 3,000 districts, finding they are disproportionately White, college educated, and often current or former teachers, with politics and beliefs that largely mirror both the U.S. public and their local communities.
|
Education for Association of State Executives (EASE)
Dr. Pam Deering solicited ASE feedback on things you would like from the associations. One of the topic areas was related to contracts, job descriptions, and evaluations. In response, there will be an interactive virtual session to provide an opportunity for state association leaders to learn from each other. This session will focus on executive director contracts, job descriptions and evaluations. The webinar will be Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 11:30 am (PT). Click HERE to register.
Screen Time in Schools: A Policy Briefing for State Leaders
Across the country, state leaders are considering legislation to limit or ban screen time in K–12 schools. These proposals raise complex questions about student well-being, academic outcomes, digital access, and workforce readiness-issues that have significant implications for the future of teaching and learning. To support thoughtful policymaking and inform this rapidly evolving public discussion, CoSN, Digital Promise, FullScale, and SETDA are convening a national policy briefing designed specifically for state education agency leaders and policymakers–creating space for informed discussion grounded in research, policy, and the operational realities of state education systems. Join them Monday, April 6 from 2 - 3:30 pm ET. Register here!
Flexibility Unlocked: Demystifying Schoolwide Fund Consolidation
Recent federal guidance has reignited interest in schoolwide consolidation of funds—but if the approach is so flexible, why are only about 6% of districts using it? The reality is that consolidation can feel complex, with initial administrative and compliance hurdles. Yet districts that implement consolidation often find it simplifies programming and expands allowable uses of federal funds. This one-hour session will break down the statutory and regulatory framework for schoolwide fund consolidation, clarify what flexibility districts actually gain, and outline practical steps to determine whether consolidation is right for your district. Join us Tuesday, April 7 from 12:00-1:00 pm (ET) and register here!
Building and Strengthening 501(c)(3)s to Leverage Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Opportunities
As districts explore ways to expand student support and access new funding streams, many are considering the creation of a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit—or the revitalization of an existing or dormant one. This Joint Webinar Series by AASA and the National Association of Education Foundations will provide practical, step-by-step guidance on how to do so effectively, responsibly, and in alignment with district and community priorities. Join us Thursday, April 23 at 3:30 pm ET and register here!
|
Correspondence Address:
PO Box 404, Cheshire, CT 06410
|
Remittance Address:
Department 3990, PO Box 986500
Boston, MA 02298-6500
|
|
