The Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA) officially kicked off the 2025 Early Career Superintendents Coaching Program on Monday, July 14, with a full-day training session held at the MASA Office in Jefferson City. Designed to support and equip new superintendents across the state, the program brings together experienced mentors, practical tools, and research-based strategies to ensure Missouri's education leaders start strong.
The day began with a warm welcome and program overview from Dr. John Jungmann, who also facilitated key onboarding logistics during the midday session. MASA’s new Executive Director, Dr. Mark Penny, offered a visionary message about the future of MASA, setting the tone for a year focused on growth, support, and transformational leadership.
Attendees then dove into an in-depth leadership development session led by veteran educator and coach Lori VanLeer. The session featured core topics such as “Coaching Corners,” “The Four Pillars of Leadership,” and an engaging activity focused on building trust—an essential foundation for effective school leadership.
Following lunch, participants explored the anatomy of a successful coaching session, gaining insight into core coaching skills, alignment to leadership standards, and how to make the most of their time with their assigned mentor.
The afternoon featured dynamic table scrambles—rotating discussions designed to help early career superintendents build confidence in areas such as:
Communication and cadence between coaching sessions
High-gain questioning and clarity
Addressing immediate district needs
Reflection, recap, and follow-up practices
Creative opportunities to log and explore coaching activities
Dr. Carol Embree presented valuable resources and strategies for managing financial and organizational demands—a session that proved especially timely for leaders navigating increasing fiscal responsibilities.
The day concluded with the MASA Coaching Team introducing the "Stop, Start, Continue" coaching habit—a simple but powerful reflection tool that superintendents can use to evaluate and refine their leadership practices between sessions.
With personalized coaching, clear structure, and a commitment to ongoing development, MASA’s Early Career Superintendents Coaching Program continues to be a cornerstone of leadership excellence in Missouri education.
To learn more about the Early Career Coaching Program, visit: https://www.masaleads.org/page/early-career-coaching
About MASA
The Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA) is the statewide professional organization for school superintendents and central office administrators in Missouri. MASA is committed to advancing public education through leadership development, advocacy, and member support. MASA provides professional learning opportunities, legislative representation, and strategic resources to help school administrators lead with excellence.
Learn more at masaleads.org.