Bite the Dog that Bit You! How to Survive and Thrive as an Educational Leader

MSAA Professional Development Workshop for School Administrators 

Bite the Dog that Bit You! How to Survive and Thrive as an Educational Leader

"The nature of relationships among the adults within a school has a greater influence on the character and quality of that school and on student accomplishment than anything else." — Roland Barth.

When teachers are given leadership opportunities, they are empowered to make decisions that impact positive change, confident that their voices will be valued, and motivated by the recognition of their efforts, leading to great things. However, this ability to lead and create starts with a fundamental step: prioritizing your own well-being.

Join this workshop by a former Massachusetts High School Principal of the Year who now walks the walk as a high performing Superintendent, He will help you create your own personal goals to build confidence and THEN share proven strategies that will allow you to create a culture of excellence at your school.

Leave this workshop with a concrete personal and professional plan, equipped with immediately applicable tools to transform your school's culture from day one.

Participants will:

·         Learn practical strategies to survive and thrive in the job

·         Develop a personal vision that puts you first and builds confidence

·         Learn tips, tricks, and strategies that can be transferred into your practice in building a strong school culture 

·         Leave excited, enthused, and confident to implement practical "real life" practices that will move you from a good to great leader!

When: Wednesday, November 5, 2025, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am

Delivery Method: In-Person Workshop

Location: The MSAA Office, 33 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA

Presenter: William Burkhead, Scituate Public Schools

PD Hours: 3 in Content Area Safe and Supportive Learning Environments

Fees: Member $150 / Non-Member $205

MSAA Contact: Victoria Ellison, vellison@msaa.net 

William Burkhead |Scituate Public Schools

William Burkhead started as Superintendent of the Scituate Public School District on July 1, 2020. A dedicated leader, Burkhead, brings 25 years of proven effectiveness in all aspects of leadership and educational administration. Prior to arriving in Scituate, Burkhead spent seven years as the Principal of Monomoy Regional High School serving the towns of Chatham and Harwich, Principal of Normandin Middle School in New Bedford, Director of Athletics, also Assistant Principal at Plymouth North High School in Plymouth. He started his career as a wellness educator and head football coach.  After graduating from Springfield College with a Master’s in Education, Mr. Burkhead received a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) from Bridgewater State University in 2009. Today, Mr. Burkhead remains committed to Bridgewater, teaching graduate level courses in the department of secondary education and professional programs to aspiring administrators.

Under Mr. Burkhead’s leadership, and in less than four years, Monomoy Regional High School established a community internship program, a challenging Global Studies degree program, a visionary flex block schedule, and an academic center for struggling learners. The impact on learning has been significant, as evidenced by graduation rates increasing by 11.5 %, the number of students enrolled in AP classes has doubled; and finally, as a member of the Cape’s “all school choice” program, Monomoy’s school choice numbers increased significantly as a destination high school. 

The Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association (MSAA) selected Mr. Burkhead as the Massachusetts “High School Principal of the Year'' in 2018. Later in that same year Mr. Burkhead received the prestigious Bridgewater State University “Nicholas P. Tilinghast Award.” Mr. Burkhead also received the “Cape & Islands Workforce Development Community Award'' and the “South Shore Community Action Council Award.”  

Mr. Burkhead was the football team MVP, Division 2 Gold Helmet Recipient, and held the all-time career rushing record for almost a decade. As a high school football coach, he was the 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006 “High School Coach of the Year” for the Brockton Enterprise, Old Colony Memorial, and WATD radio.