🎓 Celebrating Missouri’s Future School Leaders!
Yesterday marked the final session of MASA’s 2025 Aspiring Superintendent Cohort, where emerging leaders from across Missouri gathered to learn, connect, and grow.
Over the course of four sessions, participants heard directly from current superintendents, engaged in meaningful discussions about leadership and vision, built professional networks, and even participated in mock interviews designed to prepare them for the next step in their careers.
Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive as one attendee shared, “This Cohort has been one of the best learning experiences I have had in recent years!”
We also want to give a huge shout out to our business partners, Curriculum Associates, SSC Services, and Virco for supporting this program and helping us invest in Missouri’s next generation of district leaders.
We’re proud of these dedicated educators and can’t wait to see the impact they’ll have in the years ahead! 💙
#MASALeads #LeadershipDevelopment #PublicEducation
🚨 RFP Deadline Approaching!
Proposals for MASA’s Strategic Planning Consultant are due by 4 p.m. this Friday, October 17.
Don’t miss your chance to partner with MASA on this important work!
👉 masaleads.org/o/masa/page/rfp
Today MASA welcomed more than 60 Emeritus members for our annual Fall Reunion! 🍁
We shared updates on what’s happening across MASA, enjoyed time together in fellowship, played a few rounds of trivia, and swapped plenty of stories.
A heartfelt thank-you to our guest speakers for sharing their time and insights with us:
Dearld Snider, PSRS/PEERS
Maria Walden, Executive Director, MRTA
Kelly Jones, Deputy Commissioner of Learning Services, DESE
Duane Martin, EdCounsel
It was a wonderful day celebrating connection, conversation, and the enduring friendships that make MASA such a special community. 💙
View the full photo album here: https://tinyurl.com/MASAevent
#MASALeads #MOPublicEd
Our app makes it easier than ever to stay connected, informed, and engaged with Missouri’s school leadership network.
MASA Issues RFP for Strategic Planning Consultant Services
Missouri Assocation of School Administrators
October 1, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jefferson City, MO — The Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA) today announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify a consultant to facilitate the association’s next strategic planning process.
The selected consultant will guide MASA through a comprehensive process resulting in both a 10-year vision (2026–2036) and a 5-year actionable plan (2026–2031) that includes measurable goals, strategies, and outcomes. Work is scheduled to begin in November 2025, with the final plan set for launch on July 1, 2026.
“This strategic plan will shape how MASA supports school leaders, advances advocacy, and sustains the organization’s mission over the next decade,” said Dr. Mark S. Penny, MASA Executive Director. “We are seeking an experienced partner who can help us balance long-term vision with short-term adaptability, ensuring our work continues to meet the evolving needs of Missouri’s school leaders.”
Proposal Deadline: October 17, 2025
Full RFP details and submission instructions are available online at: MASA Strategic Planning RFP
Submission Process:
All proposals must be submitted via the online RFP Response Form. Any additional supporting materials may be emailed to communications@mcsa.org.
Yesterday we celebrated the 20th Annual Gale Bartow Memorial Tournament at Redfield Golf Course in Eugene! ⛳
More than 19 teams of school leaders, Emeritus members, and business partners joined us for a beautiful day of golf, fellowship, and fun. We were proud to honor MASA Past Presidents Roger Dorson and Stan Johnson for their leadership and legacy.
A huge thank-you to our sponsors for making this event possible — especially Forrest T. Jones & Company, our Premier Sponsor for all 20 years of this tournament. Your commitment is extraordinary. 💙
All proceeds from the tournament support scholarships for Missouri students.
📸 Here are a few highlights — and you can view the full album here: https://tinyurl.com/MASAevents
✨ Today marked the first Women in Leadership Cohort meeting at the MASA office in Jefferson City!
Over 40 women leaders from across Missouri came together to learn, connect, and grow under the guidance of Dr. Deanna Ashby with Studer Education and MASA Director of Women in Leadership, Dr. Jamie Burkhart.
The session, “Creating the Culture for Aligned Impact,” focused on how leaders can:
Align goals, behaviors, and processes for lasting results
Build healthy team cultures through intentional communication
Recognize and celebrate success as a driver of excellence
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive — a strong start to what will be a powerful year of learning and collaboration.
We’re grateful to all who joined us today and look forward to the impact this cohort will have across Missouri schools.
#MASALeads #WomenInLeadership #SchoolLeadership
🚨 Important Notice from MASA 🚨
As of July 1, MASA’s official website is masaleads.org. We no longer use masaonline.org. That domain is now owned by an unaffiliated third party and any content or messages from it are not from MASA. Please be cautious, only trust communications from masaleads.org or official email addresses.
Join school board members and education leaders from across Missouri for three days of learning, networking, and collaboration.
Register now: mosba.org
Today, Dr. Mark Penny had the privilege of presenting at the West Central MASA regional meeting at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg.
Superintendents gathered to hear updates from the state, partners, share regional priorities, and connect around the work ahead. Dr. Penny emphasized MASA’s mission to serve as a strong network of support for Missouri’s school leaders: “We’re here for you. Your success is our goal. We’re in this together.”
A special thank you to West Central Region President Theresa Christian for hosting and organizing such a valuable meeting.
#MASALeads #WeAreMASA
Dr. Hirschi highlighted how Reeds Spring is transforming education through real-world learning and hands-on experience in healthcare, welding, construction, culinary arts, and more. Last year alone, students earned 226 industry-recognized credentials (up from 28) and 88% of participants secured a career placement or post-secondary opportunity.
👏 We’re proud to see Missouri leadership represented on the national stage — thank you, Dr. Hirschi, for showcasing the innovative work happening in our schools!
You can access the full hearing here: https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/opening-doors-to-opportunity-the-promise-of-expanded-school-choice-and-alternatives-to-four-year-college-degrees/
#MASALeads
Today, MASA welcomed over 60 members for our School Finance Workshop for New & Emerging Superintendents, held both in person and online. 💻👥
Led by Dr. Jim Cummins, retired superintendent and CEO of EDX Consulting, participants explored key finance topics: funding sources, the school finance calendar, financial non-negotiables, processes and protocols, and guidance on bond issues and tax levies.
It was a productive day filled with learning, discussion, and practical insights to equip Missouri’s school leaders!
#MASALeads #SchoolFinance
Don't miss your shot! ⛳️
Registration deadline for the Gale Barlow Memorial Golf Tournament is this Thursday, September 18.
We can't wait to see you on the course! 💚
For questions or more information, visit masaleads.org/o/masa/page/bartow-golf
MASA's Women in Leadership Virtual Book Study starts October 16.
Will you be joining us? 📖
Register now → bit.ly/4ngCT2c
