Every day shapes a trajectory.
Every future starts in a public school. 💙
This Public Schools Week, we celebrate the Missouri educators, administrators, and school communities who show up with purpose, lead with integrity, and invest in what matters most.
Strong public schools do not just prepare students for tests.
They prepare them for life.
#PublicSchoolsWeek #MASA #EveryStudentEveryDayEveryFuture #MissouriPublicSchools
This week, we celebrate the educators, administrators, staff, and school boards who show up every single day to serve Missouri students with excellence, heart, and unwavering commitment.
From early mornings to late-night events, from lesson plans to life lessons, our public schools shape the future of our communities.
Happy Public Schools Week, February 23–27, 2026. 💙
#PublicSchoolsWeek #MASA #MissouriPublicSchools #EducationMatters
Today, MASA welcomed more than 21 leaders from across the state for the first session of our Advanced Leadership Program powered by FranklinCovey!
Under the guidance of veteran FranklinCovey trainer Gary McGuey, participants spent the day digging into the 4 Essential Roles of Leadership and exploring what it truly means to lead with clarity, trust, and purpose.
This new cohort brings incredible energy and experience, and we cannot wait to see how they apply today’s learning in their districts and communities. Here’s to growing, stretching, and rising to the challenge together! 💼✨
#MASALeads #ProfessionalDevelopment #FranklinCovey
Our office is closed today, February 16, in observance of President’s Day. We will return to regular business hours tomorrow, February 17.
We had a fantastic day at MASA today as we welcomed the South Central and Northeast Regions to our building for their regional meetings! 🎉
More than 70 school leaders gathered for meaningful conversations, updates, and collaboration that continues to move Missouri’s public schools forward. We are always grateful when our members fill the building with energy and purpose. 💙
A special thank you to our Region Presidents, Hilary Bales (South Central) and Zach Bruner (Northeast), for organizing today’s meetings and bringing their members together. Your leadership helps make these gatherings meaningful and productive. We also want to thank our presenters from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Kelli Jones and Kyle Kruse, for sharing valuable updates and insights with both regions.
And a very big thank you to MOCATT for generously sponsoring today’s lunch. 🍽️ We appreciate your continued support of MASA and Missouri’s school leaders.
Thank you to everyone who joined us today — your commitment to your students, districts, and communities is inspiring.
#MASALeads
With no-cost membership, pre-competed contracts, and direct access to quality vendors, TIPS helps districts save time, increase efficiency, and confidently meet procurement requirements.
What Missouri members gain with TIPS:
✔️ Pre-bid contracts
✔️ Streamlined purchasing
✔️ Competitive pricing
✔️ Quality vendor partnerships
👉 Learn more: https://tips-usa.com
The Central Bank MASA Multicard is three cards in one—a corporate card, a purchasing card and a fleet card. Consolidate purchasing and processes, monitor spending, and experience legendary service with your Central Bank representative.
Dream Bigger. Bank Better.
Learn more: https://www.centralbank.net/corporate/government-and-nonprofit/
#MASALeads
A huge thank you to the MASA members who joined us in Jefferson City today for the first meeting of our Strategic Planning Taskforce. Your willingness to invest time in this work is deeply appreciated.
Throughout the day, the group dug into both a PESTLE analysis and a SWOT analysis to begin shaping a strong, forward‑looking strategic plan that will guide MASA over the next five years. Your insight, collaboration, and honest conversation are exactly what will make this plan meaningful and impactful for school leaders across Missouri.
We are especially grateful to our facilitator, Lori Van Leer with The Breakthrough Coach, for leading the group with clarity, expertise, and energy.
Thank you all for your leadership and your commitment to MASA’s future. This work matters and so does your voice.
The MASA office will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026.
The Missouri Council of School Administrators (MCSA)—in partnership with MASA and MAESP—is seeking a Part-Time Office Operations Manager to support the day-to-day administrative and financial operations that keep our associations running smoothly.
This in-person role is ideal for someone who enjoys behind-the-scenes work, values organization and accuracy, and wants to have a meaningful impact supporting Missouri’s education leaders.
📍 Location: Jefferson City, MO
🕒 Schedule: Part-time, 20–25 hours per week
💼 Compensation: $20–$34/hour, based on experience
👉 Learn more and apply:
https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=36ea74309e4c68bc
Application deadline: January 20, 2026 (open until filled)
MASA’s 2026 Personnel Workshops are happening soon, with five in-person locations across Missouri. These half-day sessions focus on the personnel issues superintendents face every day.
Upcoming Dates & Locations:
📍 Jan. 13 – Meramec Valley (Pacific)
📍 Jan. 15 – Chillicothe
📍 Jan. 16 – Springfield
📍 Feb. 3 – Johnson County (Centerview)
📍 Feb. 6 – Jefferson City (MASA Office)
In-person | Practical and timely | Designed for school leaders
👉 Register now to secure your spot: https://masa.finalforms-amp.com/events
MASA had the pleasure of touring the Dunklin R-5 School District yesterday, which serves the communities of Herculaneum, Pevely, and Horine just south of St. Louis. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that Dunklin R-5 knows exactly who they are.
This district lives out its promise of a “Small School Feel with Big School Opportunities.” What stood out most was not a list of programs, but the mindset behind them.
“It’s all about the experience.” From Day 1 to Day 184, leaders stay visible, build relationships, focus on people, and constantly ask: “What do students and families need?”
✨ A Standout Investment in Staff
Dunklin’s onsite staff daycare, opened in 2022, currently serves 26 staff members, with more on the way. This level of support is rare and reflects a deep commitment to the well-being of educators and their families. It strengthens retention and communicates a powerful message: You matter here.
✨ A Culture You Can Feel
Connection is intentional across the district. Pevely Elementary’s Leader in Me Lighthouse status, High Five Fridays, Buddy Classrooms, and even a districtwide Guinness World Record project all contribute to a welcoming culture rooted in joy and belonging.
✨ Big Opportunities in a Small District
Despite its size, the district offers opportunities often found in larger systems, including free dual credit courses, Project Lead the Way pathways, and a growing esports program. Students benefit from expanded options while still experiencing the close-knit environment families value.
✨ A Facility That Elevates the Student Experience
One of the highlights of our visit was the district’s impressive new gym. It features a mezzanine level with an indoor track overlooking the basketball court, a modern wrestling room, and the Black Cat Café for concessions. It is a space designed not only for athletics, but for community, connection, and pride.
Dunklin R-5 shows what is possible when a district leads with purpose, people, and heart. Thank you to Superintendent Dr. Clint Freeman and the Dunklin leadership team for welcoming us and for the work you do each day to put students and families first.
From compliance and safety protocols to driver training, routing, and funding strategies, attendees gained practical insights to keep operations safe, efficient, and student-focused.
A big thank you to our presenter, Keith Henry, Executive Director of the Missouri Association for Pupil Transportation, for sharing his expertise!
#MASALeads #SchoolTransportation #LeadershipDevelopment
Dr. Deanna Ashby with Studer Education and Dr. Jamie Burkhart, MASA’s Director of Women in Leadership, facilitated an engaging discussion focused on aligning systems for real impact.
Participants explored strategies to:
✔ Develop leader capability to align efforts for impact
✔ Grow system capacity to sustain improvement
✔ Use short cycles of improvement (Plan–Do–Study–Act)
✔ Reflect on leadership impact and build a cadence to pause
This cohort is all about empowering women leaders, fostering collaboration, and driving meaningful change in Missouri schools.
💡 What resonated most with you today? Share your thoughts below!
#MASALeads #WomenInLeadership #SchoolLeadership #ContinuousImprovement
