On Thursday, August 7, 2025, more than 450 school administrators from Berks County’s 18 public school districts, two career and technology centers, and the BCIU gathered at Muhlenberg High School for the 2025 Berks County Schools and BCIU Administrators’ Conference.
The morning began with job-alike sessions, providing attendees the opportunity to connect with colleagues in similar roles, share insights, and receive important updates. These focused sessions encouraged the exchange of best practices, discussion of common challenges, and exploration of practical solutions, building a professional network for the year ahead.
Following the networking sessions, the main program opened with the Muhlenberg Air Force Junior ROTC, joined by Cadet Josue Tinoco, a 12th grader at Muhlenberg High School, presenting the colors and leading the National Anthem. After a warm welcome, participants learned about new professional learning opportunities designed to strengthen their work throughout the upcoming school year.
The conference concluded with an inspiring keynote address by Dr. Adolph Brown, known as “The World’s Greatest Edu-tainer.” His high-energy presentation challenged leaders to “Lead By Example,” highlighting the importance of trust, integrity, and aligning words with actions.
We thank Dr. Joseph Macharola, Superintendent of the Muhlenberg School District (MSD), and his team for hosting this important event, and we appreciate all attendees for their ongoing commitment to Berks County’s more than 70,000 students and 5,000 staff members.
Participants shared key takeaways from Dr. Brown’s presentation:
• It is always impactful to hear from the student perspective. Dr. Brown’s experience with positive teachers shaped his future, and that is always a great story to start off the school year.
• Doc Brown challenged us to recognize the visible and invisible burdens others carry, check our biases, lead with compassion, and remember that every interaction has the power to inspire or diminish.
• I appreciated his message about the 5 Es in education. Students can enroll, enlist, become employed, or become entrepreneurs EVEN IF … This was a powerful message that I plan to display in my office for students.