2024 Administrative Assistants Conference

1. AI for Administrative Assistants: Elevating Excellence in Support of School Success
Rita Mortenson, Educational Technology Coach, Verona Area School District

Join me for a session designed for administrative assistants looking to leverage the power of Artificial Intelligence to support school leaders effectively. Explore how AI can revolutionize your daily responsibilities, from managing schedules and emails to automating data entry, freeing you up to provide invaluable support. Delve into AI-driven data analytics for more informed decision-making and discover AI tools that streamline communication and document management. By the end of this session, you’ll be equipped to harness AI’s potential, bolster your administrative skills, and offer invaluable support to your principal or superintendent. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your role in education administration through AI!

2. Front Office Conflict, Handling Challenging Interactions (repeated)
Tammy Gibbons, Director of Professional Learning, AWSA

As a front office staff member, you are often the first line of defense for the school, the principal and the staff. Often there are uncomfortable interactions, challenging situations, or someone/something that is demanding your attention and urgency. Not everyone who comes through the office handles their emotions or issues in the most effective ways. In this session, participants will learn some conversational stems that can de-escalate and/or move a person out of their emotional state into a productive state.

3. Communicate with Impact: School Newsletter Tips and Tools (repeated)
Brian Nicol & Amanda Getgen, The Donovan Group

In a world with endless platforms, apps, and methods of communication, an integrated and well-designed newsletter can be a home base for your community to stay up-to-date with school news. In this session, you will learn the key elements of crafting an effective and easy-to-make newsletter that will not only inform but also foster community and engagement in your district or school. Learn proven strategies that you can employ in your own routine to collect content, draft layout, and finalize the newsletter while maintaining organization and timeliness within your administrative team.

4. School Safety Resources and Information
Trish Kilpin, Director, Office of School Safety, WI Department of Justice

This session will highlight resources available to schools as they work to create and maintain safe schools.

1. Canva - A Free Video Editing Tool for Administrative Assistants
Rita Mortenson, Educational Technology Coach, Verona Area School District

Explore the limitless potential of Canva video editing tools, available for free to all administrative assistants. In this fun and engaging session, we’ll delve into the art of creating high-quality social media videos, back-to-school content, and captivating promotional materials for your school’s special events. Learn the craft of video production, seamlessly integrating dynamic visuals, persuasive text, and graphics to captivate your school’s audience. Utilizing Canva’s video editing tools, customized templates and thousands of multimedia elements it is easy to make your school’s message unique and engaging.

2. Front Office Conflict, Handling Challenging Interactions
Tammy Gibbons, Director of Professional Learning, AWSA

As a front office staff member, you are often the first line of defense for the school, the principal and the staff. Often there are uncomfortable interactions, challenging situations, or someone/something that is demanding your attention and urgency. Not everyone who comes through the office handles their emotions or issues in the most effective ways. In this session, participants will learn some conversational stems that can de-escalate and/or move a person out of their emotional state into a productive state.

3. Communicate with Impact: School Newsletter Tips and Tools
Brian Nicol & Amanda Getgen, The Donovan Group

In a world with endless platforms, apps, and methods of communication, an integrated and well-designed newsletter can be a home base for your community to stay up-to-date with school news. In this session, you will learn the key elements of crafting an effective and easy-to-make newsletter that will not only inform but also foster community and engagement in your district or school. Learn proven strategies that you can employ in your own routine to collect content, draft layout, and finalize the newsletter while maintaining organization and timeliness within your administrative team.

4. Organizing Tips for Work and Home
Kasey Fragoso, Bracket and Bin Organizer

Join us for an engaging session on the invaluable role of organizing skills for administrative assistants, presented by a local professional. In this session, you will discover how mastering organizational techniques can significantly enhance efficiency, productivity, and overall job performance for administrative professionals. Learn practical tips and strategies to create effective systems, streamline workflows, and maintain order in the workplace and at home. Whether you’re a seasoned assistant or new to the role, this session promises to equip you with the tools you need to excel in a fast-paced environment. Elevate your organizational prowess and unlock your full potential! 

1:45 - 2:00 PM Dessert Break 

2:00-3:30 PM Closing Keynote:
Clear is Kind: How to Manage the Office with Kind, Direct Feedback that Promotes Success

Tammy Gibbons, Director of Professional Learning, AWSA

The office is the center of school culture. It’s also the place where people vent, seek support, and sometimes expect to “unload” something that may be their responsibility. Giving honest, productive feedback to colleagues can often feel challenging and overwhelming. This session will focus on contributing to a courageous culture, one that thrives on honesty and accountability.

 

Other Information:

Event cancellation or Postponement
AWSA reserves exclusive right to modify, postpone/reschedule or cancel programs for any reason, including but not limited to emergency, inclement weather or other acts of God. If there is an event cancellation, every attempt will be made to reschedule and registration fees will be applied to the reschedule event dates. In the unlikely event of cancellation of an event, including inclement weather, the liability of AWSA is limited to the return of paid registration fees minus actual expenses. Cancellations of travel reservations and hotel reservations made directly with the hotel are the responsibility of the attendee.

Conventions, Conferences, and Workshop Cancellation Policy
A full refund of fees will be made on cancellations received 10 calendar days prior to the start of the event. 9-3 calendar days prior to the start of the event will receive a 50% refund of the fees. After that date there will be no refunds. There is no refund for no-shows. *

Dietary Disclaimer
AWSA makes every effort to accommodate basic dietary needs such as vegetarian, gluten-free and basic food allergies. AWSA does not assume liability for adverse reactions to food consumed or items one may come into contact with while eating at an AWSA event. 

Accessibility
For questions about accessibility or to request special assistance during the event, please contact Kathy Gilbertson at [email protected]. Three weeks advance notice is required to allow us to provide seamless access. If you need to cancel the special request this must be done at least 3 working days prior to the start of the event. See registration cancellation policy on the event’s web page for how to cancel your conference registration.

*Refund fees retained by AWSA pay for your food guarantees, a/v equipment, meeting room rental and any hotel attritions caused by the cancellation.