Lacking an abundance of financial resources means we must work together to think outside the box and explore non-traditional avenues, keeping an open mind to new ideas that can help train, retain and encourage both new and veteran teachers and staff.

The Palm Springs Unified School District became the first in the Coachella Valley to pay its student board members. They're earning nearly $300 a month to participate in district-level discussions, an initiative Superintendent Tony Signoret says is encouraging civic engagement and leadership.

Here's why administrators should seize the opportunity to speak at national conferences, and the significant benefits they stand to gain.