2023 NSELA Summer Leadership Institute

Science Education Leadership By Design

Tuesday, June 27th - 29th, 2023

The theme of the conference focuses on the importance of intentional and strategic leadership in the field of science education. It seeks to bring together education leaders, policymakers, and educators to discuss and explore innovative approaches to science education leadership and the role it plays in promoting student learning and success. The theme emphasizes the need for leaders to design and implement programs and initiatives that are evidence-based and driven by a clear vision and mission. Through this conference, attendees will have the opportunity to network with peers, share best practices, and gain new insights and ideas to enhance their own leadership practices in science education.

Register for the Summer Leadership Institute Here

President's Message

When it comes to weather, March is considered the month of transition. It feels like spring is almost here, but it hasn’t come yet. The March metaphor is true of NSELA too. This year has been a time of transition and it feels like we are almost there, but not quite yet. March is the month when several major transitions for NSELA are beginning.

First, NSELA is transitioning away from using a management company to oversee and handle our day-to-day operations to a leadership and management structure which will be led by an Executive Director with experience in and a passion for science education leadership. Applications will close March 21, 2023, after which a selection committee will meet to recommend a candidate to the Board. We hope to have an NSELA Executive Director in place by June 1, 2023. This transition away from a management company will benefit NSELA in several ways. In addition to managing day-to-day operations, an Executive Director provides leadership continuity from year-to-year, has a deep knowledge of the science education community, engages in strategic planning, provides Board support, connects with partners, and is a face for our organization. There is still time to apply if you are interested. You can request an application by contacting me at [email protected].

Second, upon the recommendation of the Transition Task Force led by Dr. Pat Shane, NSELA has planned to transition to a new Board structure. Five proposed changes to our by-laws have been approved by the NSELA Board of Directors to enact this new structure. Changes that are proposed include an appointed, rather than an elected, Treasurer. Both the Executive Director and the Treasurer will be Ex-Officio members of the Executive Committee. In addition to the elected members who currently serve on the Board, the voting Board will expand to include the Chair (or a representative) from each of three major standing committees: Professional Development, Membership, and Communications and Marketing. Within these standing committees will be sub-committees, such as Awards, Nominations, Affiliates, Publications, etc. One of the reasons for having representation from the three standing committees is that they are the workhorses of our organization, and their input and decisions are critical for moving forward. Following the procedure set forth in our current NSELA By-Laws for changing the by-laws; our Secretary, Joyce Tugel, will present the proposed amendments approved by our Board, at our annual meeting at 3:45 PM, March 22, following the conclusion of our Leadership Summit in Atlanta. After March 22 there is a 90-day window for all NSELA members to vote. Votes will be counted and certified 120 days after the Annual Membership Meeting, certified by the President, and communicated to members within 10 days. Hopefully this full transformation will take effect in August. 

The third major transition is after three years of being affected by the pandemic, we are finally transitioning back to face-to-face NSELA events. I am pleased to announce that we may even have record attendance at our Leadership Summit in Atlanta! There is still time to register at https://www.nsela.org/2023-leadership-summit. Our flagship networking and professional learning event is the 2.5 day Summer Leadership Institute, to be held in Providence, Rhode Island with the theme of “Leadership by Design”.  Information and registration will be on the NSELA web site in March. In the meantime mark your calendars for June 27-29, and consider spending a few additional days visiting the beautiful beaches of the Ocean State, historic New England villages, and the sailing Mecca of Newport. There are ferries to Block Island and Martha’s Vineyard, and Boston is only an hour away. Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design are just blocks away from where we will be meeting and Providence is a major foodie city. So many more things to do in beautiful Rhode Island combined with a full 2.5 days of networking and learning with science education leaders from throughout the U.S.  Our full lineup of invited national speakers will be announced on our web site. So far this includes Dr. Wil and Stacy VanderVeen, Dr. Ken Miller, and Dr. Kate McNeill. Proposals will go out soon for NSELA members interested in presenting a session.  In the meantime, housing reservations can be made at the Hotel Providence, a boutique historic hotel where the institute will take place.

Whether it is a transition or a transformation, change is in the air for NSELA. Let March be the harbinger of best times to come for NSELA! 

Respectfully,

Page Keeley, NSELA President