2020 Summer Leadership Institute

The Kentucky School Boards Association’s 2020 Summer Leadership Institute was hosted virtually on July 10-11, 2020. While this training was conducted remotely, KSBA still offered a notable lineup of keynote presenters and breakout session opportunities. Check out the full agenda. Attendees were able to participate from the comfort of their homes and offices while earning board training hours. More importantly, those in attendance gained valuable insights and inspiration to be used in the successful governance of school districts. Below you will find information on our keynote presenters and breakout session schedule.

To receive credit, fill out the credit hour form found here and return it to KSBA as directed on the form. 

We were delighted to welcome two very specials guests as Friday and Saturday’s keynote presenters.

Keynote: Jim “The Rookie” Morris
“Finding a Mentor and Becoming a Leader”
Friday, July 10
6 – 7:30 p.m.

In 1999, Jim “The Rookie” Morris was a 35-year-old high school teacher. Three months later, he was a flame-throwing major league pitcher for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The feel-good 2002 movie “The Rookie” starring Dennis Quaid chronicled Morris’ meteoric rise. Morris' story has become a platform to give back, inspire and encourage people of all backgrounds and ages to pursue their dreams and never give up.

About the session: Morris focuses on being the mentor for someone that you would want for yourself. While being that dream maker for another, and by surrounding yourself with the best people to bring out the best in you, you give yourself and others the best chance for success. Morris tells his own story of defeat while believing the wrong kind of people and shares the successes that came when he surrounded himself with the right kind of people who helped him believe in himself and pushed him to be the man he is today.

Keynote: Erin Gruwell
“Becoming A Catalyst for Change”
Saturday, July 11
10 – 11:30 a.m.

Erin Gruwell has spent her career in education fighting for equality. As an English teacher in Long Beach, California, Gruwell used an educational philosophy that valued and promoted diversity, helping to transform the lives of her students. She encouraged them, many of whom were labeled "unteachable," to re-chart their futures. Her students – including popular former KSBA Keynote Speaker Manny Scott – began recording their thoughts and feelings, dubbing themselves the “Freedom Writers.” Their compilation of stories entitled the “The Freedom Writers Diary” later became a bestselling book and inspired the movie “Freedom Writers” starring Hillary Swank.

About the Session: Erin Gruwell helped 150 of her students – many of whom were written off by the education system – use the power of education to write a book, graduate from high school and attend college. In her inspiring presentation, Gruwell tells the story of this extraordinary journey – from poverty and despair to hope and promise – with stops at Anne Frank's House, Auschwitz and then on to Capitol Hill and Congress. By encouraging tolerance, respect and cooperation, Gruwell teaches us all how we can become role models and “catalysts for change.”

Note: Attendees who participate in both keynote sessions may earn Level 4/5 Elective Credit.

Breakout session opportunities followed Saturday’s keynote, led by KSBA’s experienced training cadre members. See full agenda for session descriptions. Topics include:

12 – 1:15 p.m. Breakouts Sessions:

Breakout A1: “Financial Conflicts of Interest”
(Counts toward mandated finance training requirements. A/S Level III required topic: Finance)
Click here for A1 handouts

Breakout A2: Essentials of Effective Superintendent Evaluation
(Meets mandated superintendent evaluation training requirement. A/S Level II required topic: Superintendent Evaluation)
Click here for A2 handouts

1:45 – 3 p.m.  Breakout Sessions:

Breakout B1: “Monitor the Budget by Asking the Right Questions”
(Counts toward mandated finance training requirements. A/S Level III required topic: Finance)
Click here for B1 handouts

Breakout B2: “Successful Online Board Meetings”
(Meets mandated ethics training requirement. A/S Level I required topic: School Board Meetings)
Click here for B2 handouts