Inspiring joy and thriving: Highlights from the 26th Annual SURN Leadership Academy
After celebrating graduation in May, the William & Mary School of Education turned its focus to the challenge and excitement of educator leadership development, hosting the 26th Annual School-University Resource Network (SURN) Leadership Academy on June 10-11. With the theme “Learning Leaders ASPIRE,” this year’s conference was designed to rejuvenate, inspire and equip educational leaders with the tools they need to thrive in their roles.
Executive Director Amy Colley, M.A.Ed. '90, M.Ed. '01, Ed.D. '14, opened the event with a heartfelt welcome to the nearly 200 attendees.
“Organized around themes of learning, leading, coaching, evaluating and thriving, this year’s conference offers opportunities for you to think deeply about your aspirations and how to breathe life into them and make them a reality,” she said. Based on feedback from superintendents, the event focused on evidence-based practices, workforce development and wellness activities designed to counteract educator burnout.
The conference featured an impressive lineup of keynote speakers and presenters, both local and international. John Hattie, an educational researcher, author, and Emeritus Laureate Professor at the University of Melbourne, Australia, kicked off the event with his keynote, “The Joy of Learning.” Hattie presented insights from his latest work, Visible Learning: The Sequel, a comprehensive synthesis of over 2,100 meta-analyses derived from more than 130,000 studies, emphasizing evidence-based practices in education.
The second day began with an equally inspirational keynote by John Almarode, a professor of education at James Madison University. In his session, “Unveiling Insight: Mastering the Science of Leading with Clarity,” was a highlight, Almarode shared his expertise on teacher clarity, the creation of professional learning communities and the science of learning. Attendees left with practical strategies to implement in their schools.
In addition to these renowned experts, the conference showcased presentations from William & Mary School of Education faculty, William & Mary administrators, educational professionals from other institutions, and leaders from the regional professional community. Sessions covered a wide range of topics, including durable skills, evaluation tools and strategies, generative AI, professional learning, and design thinking.
Due to popular demand from previous years, one of the panel sessions featured local business owners and workforce members who provided insights into the realities of hiring students. This panel included Mel Price, CEO and Principal at Work Program Architects; Jade Ranger, Co-Owner and Pharmacist at The Prescription Shoppe; Latisha McCain, Director of the Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding; Lisa Surles Law, Science Educator Administrator at Jefferson Lab; and LaToya Lawson, Associate Dean of Admission at William & Mary. They discussed the importance of communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and citizenship—skills that align with the “Profile of a Virginia Graduate” and are also known as durable skills.
One of the most engaging aspects of the conference was adding student voices to these panel sessions. Demonstrating a range of choices and challenges, students shared their post-high school paths. Panelists included Will Johnston, a college graduate and owner of Johnston Woodworking LLC; Imari Randall, a rising junior in Civil Engineering at Clemson University and a Division I rower; Tim Allison J.D. '22, an Assistant Attorney General for Virginia; and Cameron Hundley, a recent high school graduate who chose to pursue trade school after community college.
Each shared insights on the durable skills they found most valuable and discussed surprises they encountered in the workforce. Randall, for example, discovered in college that she needed to improve her communication and collaboration skills to succeed as an engineer. Hundley was accepted to four universities but chose community college because of the cost. Then he began a welding program at the Center for Apprenticeship & Adult Training at New Horizons Regional Education Center after one year of community college. Allison elaborated on how important critical thinking, problem solving, and debate while learning how to argue a point while being civil.
“We often observe that SURN bridges the university-to-schools' research-to-reality divide, and our schools and community partner organizations do the same for us,” said Amy Colley in a post-conference article written by Lisa Surles Law for Jefferson Lab News. “A panel like today provides just-in-time actionable feedback to our school leaders, and it opens the doors to new opportunities and collaborations. These open doors are critical to the success of our schools and our workforce partners as we tackle the challenges before us.”
The conference also included sessions designed to address the challenges of burnout and stress among educators. W&M Associate Vice President for Health & Wellness Kelly Crace led a session on thriving amidst the relentlessness of education. This resonated deeply with participants, who found the focus on well-being both timely and essential.
The final plenary session featured a message from Lisa Coons, State Superintendent of Public Education. In her closing remarks, Coons shared her vision for the upcoming year and expressed gratitude for the dedication and leadership of the attendees. Her words served as a fitting conclusion to a conference that had left participants feeling optimistic, energized, and ready to aspire toward greater achievements in their educational communities.
Reflecting on the conference, Amy Colley noted the impact of the event on its participants.
“The goal of the conference is to take a pause but also leave feeling prepped for planning a new year. We aim to support thriving and inspire our leaders to continue their vital work with renewed passion, evidence-based strategies and a model for excellence,” she said. “People said they felt optimistic, joyful, energized and renewed. To me, that meant we hit our goal.”
