MASA President and Superintendent
Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools
We all are familiar with the saying, “My, how quickly time passes when you’re having fun!” As the 2016-17 school year draws to a close, I hope you take the time to reflect on this year’s successes and challenges as well as opportunities to set new directions for how we support our staff and educate our students. One of my highlights this year has been the honor and privilege to serve as President of MASA.
The strength of our members and your active participation on committees and other initiatives enables MASA to be the leading educational organization in Minnesota. Our initiatives and advocacy for students wouldn’t happen without the extraordinary time spent at the Capitol by our executive director, Gary Amoroso. Gary is highly regarded by our legislators and that is evident when walking the halls at the Capitol.
Our organization would not be effective without a truly outstanding staff working on our behalf. We are very fortunate to have talented, dedicated and enthusiastic staff who support us on a daily basis. Thank you Mia Urick, Stephanie Kastanos, Jeanna Vohnoutka, Deb Larson, and David Christians for making our organization run effortlessly and grow to better serve our members.
MASA’s fall and spring conferences as well as the Great Start Cohort program would not be possible without our business partners. The support of our business partners is invaluable to our members and our organization. Their support provides MASA resources and the opportunity to deliver exceptional professional development for our members. We are truly appreciative of the expertise they provide our members to help us be more efficient and effective in the day-to-day operations of our schools.
As I reflect upon the year, I have seen our organization increase access to committee meetings through video conferencing capabilities and expand personalized learning opportunities through regional professional development funds and Unconference experiences. It has been MASA’s intention this year to support you by organizing and providing dedicated time and space for you to accrue skills and make choices in pursuit of meeting your personal and professional growth and development goals and interests. I want to strongly encourage our members to continue to share their stories of programmatic and institutional success with all of us. Your experiences help multiply the intelligence of our organization and school leaders which ultimately benefits all of our students. Thank you! It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as President of MASA this year. •
