What does it really take to support an international teacher? Supporting ambassador teachers goes beyond the classroom. This session explores the real experiences of educators adjusting to life and work in the United States, the common challenges they face, and the phases of transitioning to a new country. Administrators will dive into best practices for providing meaningful, culturally responsive feedback that builds on the teachers' strengths. Walk away with practical strategies and explore the pathways of support our district provides for ambassador teachers.
Explore how leaders can leverage proven change models to address resistance, reduce barriers, and foster stronger collaboration within teams. Participants will examine practical frameworks for leading change, aligning stakeholders, and building collective ownership. Emphasis is placed on identifying obstacles, applying structured approaches to navigate them, and creating conditions that support trust, communication, and sustained improvement.
Support PLCs by asking the right questions at the right time. Whether teams are analyzing data or reflecting on instruction, we’ll explore the four support functions of leadership, with a focus on coaching. Help teachers unlock deeper conversations that drive impact, without taking over the process.
Teacher Trainer, Office of Professional Learning, WCPSS
Renee joined the Office of Professional Learning and the PLC Team in August of 2023. The WCPSS PLC Team is dedicated to supporting classroom teachers, grade chair facilitators, and school leadership with practical resources that will move learning and instruction forward. Prior to... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT Room 14
The WCPSS Beginning Teacher Support Program (BTSP) equips mentor coordinators (MCs) and mentors to serve as instructional leaders, building coaching capacity through the Instructional Impact Cycle. MCs design and facilitate professional learning, lead Mentor PLCs, and use teacher development data to provide intentional, differentiated support for Beginning Teachers. The TSP team works in partnership with MCs and school leaders to strengthen instruction and promote growth. This session highlights how administrators can leverage the BTSP model to empower mentor coordinators as impactful leaders.
Coordinating Teacher - Talent Development / Teacher Support Program, WCPSS
I have been serving as a Coordinating Teacher with the Teacher Support Program since 2023. I support principals, mentor coordinators, mentors, and beginning teachers.
This session is built around a simple idea: fewer steps, clearer focus. We’ll narrow the PLC process to two essential moves that keep attention on teaching and learning. The result is a more focused PLC that spends less time on process and more time on improving instruction.
Senior Administrator - PLC, Wake County Public Schools
Erin is a proud member of the Office of Professional Learning's PLC Team, dedicated to creating practical and impactful resources for professional learning communities. She joined Central Service in 2023 after 20 years of working in schools across North Carolina and New Hampshire... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT Room 17
Student Support Services and Special Education are partnering together to launch work around Restorative Mindsets in school climates. This presentation will talk about the opportunity to begin work focused on creating a restorative school climate in their school. We will discuss training and coaching that may be available to schools but also how schools might create systems within their school to move to a restorative mindset. Learning Model Connection: See Me
Assistanat Superintendent Student Support Services, WCPSS
With over 30 years of service in education, Michele Woodson brings a wealth of leadership experience to the mission of student success. Her career path—spanning roles from classroom teacher and instructional coach to Principal, Chief Academic Officer, and now Assistant Superintendent—reflects... Read More →
Assistant Superintendent Special Education Services, Wake County Public Schools
Lisa Allred is a career educator with 40 years of experience with Special Education students. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Mercer University, a Master of Education Degree in Learning Disabilities from Georgia Southern University, and an Educational Specialist... Read More →
Board materials, policy manuals, and meeting videos — all in one place. Well, three places. We'll show you all of them and explain how to sort through over a decade of material to find exactly what you need. "Surely it's online" is technically correct, but a Google search may not get you there, and AI will confidently hallucinate something and tell you it found it. "I'll search for it later" only works if you know where to look.
Julie began her career in WCPSS at Fuquay-Varina HS in 1995 where she taught English and served as School Improvement Team chair. She transitioned to Wake Education Partnership in 2007 where she managed and developed programs, provided professional development, and covered local... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT Room 19
This session will help participants review school data to develop plans and set intentions leading to change in students’ school experiences. Highlighting a targeted approach designed to address discrepancies in outcomes of Black students in grades 3–5, presenters will share their journey from inception to current progress, and a transparent look at next steps. School leaders will walk away with practical strategies to plan, communicate, and actively dismantle inequities within their own buildings. Devices required
Jodie is a School Counselor at Alston Ridge Elementary School in Wake County Public Schools with 14 years of experience. A passionate advocate for student success, she led her school to achieve RAMP status in 2023. Jodie is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher and a Licensed Clinical... Read More →
Dr. Trina Clinkscales is a dedicated School Counselor at Alston Ridge Elementary School, bringing 25 years of experience as an elementary educator and counselor to the Wake County Public School system. Throughout her career, she has served students and families in Greenville, Gwinnett... Read More →
Niko is the Principal of Alston Ridge Elementary School in Wake County Schools. He has served as an elementary school principal and assistant principal for 15 years at Alston Ridge Elementary, Fuller Magnet Elementary in Southeast Raleigh, and Forestview Elementary in Durham Public... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT Room 13
Tapping into Resiliency supports leaders in strengthening their ability to recover, adapt, and grow through challenges by focusing on what they can control and how they respond. Participants will engage in guided reflection, use a Circle of Control framework, and learn practical strategies—such as stress management, perspective-taking, and intentional connection—to build resilience in their daily leadership practice.
This is an introduction to the new Oracle Reporting Hub, designed to assist with reporting needs in schools using Oracle ERP. The Hub will continue to grow and evolve as our district becomes more familiar with the tool.This platform is a robust reporting solution that is directly integrated with Oracle ERP. It provides an easier and more efficient way to access the data you need, presented in a clearer and more user-friendly format than current methods.
Enterprise Project Manager, Wake County Public School System
I lead enterprise-level technology and infastructure initiatives that advance district priorities and strategic goals across one of the larges k-12 systems in the nation. I build cross-functional project teams across leadership levels throughout the system to build collaboration and... Read More →
Are you wondering how LETRS training translates into teaching and learning in your classrooms? This session will provide school leaders with a contextual understanding of how the concepts presented in staff LETRS training - the Science of Reading - show up in WCPSS curriculum and instructional practices. School leaders will leave with a renewed understanding of the essential elements of science-based reading instruction, and the aligned instructional components embedded within Letterland, EL, and more. Leaders will better understand the purpose of WCPSS resources such as sound walls and ALL Block flex resources, and be better able to coach teachers around the intentional use of these resources. Devices are recommended for this session.
Coordinating Teacher and Instructional Coach, Elementary Regional Achievement and Support: Region 2, WCPSS
Lara Randby has been supporting schools as part of the WCPSS Central Services Academics team since 2016. Her focus of support is literacy: district curriculum and priorities, as well as high yield instructional practices. Lara is an advocate for schools that receive Title I funds... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT Fuquay-Varina
This session will explore the results from an investigation conducted by Library Media Services and Data, Research, and Accountability into what and how practices and policies affect student engagement with the elementary school library as measured by outcomes such as if a student ever checks out a book and how many books they check out. Through this collaborative partnership and efforts by participating schools, discernable positive outcomes are identified for students across subgroups. As a result, school administrators will learn what action steps they can take to improve library outcomes as they impact students.
Director of Library Media Services, Digital Learning and Libraries
My WCPSS journey began in December 2008 when I started in the library at Holly Ridge Middle School. I opened the Holly Grove Middle School library in 2010 and have been part of the Library Media Services team since February 2015. I became the director in September 2019--just in time... Read More →
Director of Data Strategy and Analytics, Wake County Public School System
Elc Estrera, PhD, works in the Data, Research & Accountability Office of the 15th largest school district in the nation (and the largest in North Carolina). He works with district leaders to identify opportunities to leverage data--especially longitudinal administrative data--to make... Read More →
This session equips school-based and central services leaders to move from reacting to what’s urgent to curating what’s essential: the culture their teams experience, the capacity they protect, and the competency they build for the road ahead. Whether leaders serve from a school building or a district office, the experience is designed to help them stop bracing for impact and start building the conditions for whatever comes next.
Dr. Mary Hemphill is a human-centered leadership strategist, executive coach, and author with over 20 years of experience. As the CEO & Founder of The Limitless Leader LLC, she equips leaders to drive innovation, impact, and transformation through coaching, consulting, and executive... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT Main Auditorium
This session will provide an overview of school based Family Engagement data sets, and how different data points can lead schools to select a variety of School Improvement Indicators outside of E 1.06. This session will include existing data sets, ways to gather additional data from students, families & staff, and how the approach to specific data trends may live in an "E" indicator outside of E1.06.
Customer service in the field of education means wearing many hats—concierge, troubleshooter, guide, and sometimes referee. This engaging session blends quick tips, real-life examples, and hands-on activities to support leaders in developing lasting approaches that make excellent customer service the norm—in person, by phone, and in virtual spaces.
Senior Director - Student Assignment, Wake County Public Schools
Susan W. Pullium currently serves as the Senior Director of Student Assignment for the Wake County Public School System. In this role, she leads the annual enrollment planning process, including district-wide community engagement efforts, and oversees district level enrollment and... Read More →
During this session we will develop and implement a personalized system to manage tasks, requests, and interruptions, resulting in more intentional use of work time and energy. Participants will strengthen their current organizational methods by leveraging lists and time management strategies to improve overall effectiveness and productivity.
This session highlights the collaborative work of ALC Teacher Jesse DiMartino and Principal Anne Marie Adkins in restructuring a middle school Alternative Learning Center to better align with the Wake County Public School System Strategic Plan. The presentation focuses on designing a responsive support model that prioritizes student engagement, increased attendance, and the development of CASEL social-emotional competencies. Central to this approach is the belief that the Alternative Learning Center is a support structure for all students, not solely a space for those receiving disciplinary consequences. Instead, it serves as a proactive environment where students can access targeted interventions, build self-regulation skills, and strengthen their connection to the school community.Participants will learn how restorative practices, structured reflection, and individualized supports were implemented for students. The goal is to decrease student recidivism who repeatedly demonstrate Level I and Level II behaviors as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. The restructuring emphasizes skill-building, accountability, and instructional continuity with the goals of increasing students’ instructional seat time in core classrooms and decreasing suspension rates for minor offenses. Attendees will gain practical strategies for creating structured, supportive environments that help students develop the behavioral and social-emotional skills necessary to successfully re-engage in the general education setting.
Educational leadership often requires leaders to move continuously from challenge to challenge while supporting others. This interactive wellness reset session provides leaders with practical strategies to pause, recalibrate, and sustain themselves amid the demands of leadership. Through guided reflection, mindset shifts, and intentional wellness practices, participants will explore ways to manage stress, create moments of calm, and lead with both strength and sustainability.
Senior Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Wake County Public School System
Dr. Kendra Core King is a seasoned educational leader, author, and advocate for sustainable leadership practices. With more than 25 years of experience in public education, Dr. King has served in teaching, school leadership, district administration, and executive leadership roles... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT Room 15
Just like the weave of a piece of cloth determines its strength and beauty, intertwined supports for our Beginning Teachers are essential to grow their efficacy and job satisfaction for retention. Hearing from four varied perspectives in the BT support process (Principal, BT Mentor Coordinator, Alternative Licensure BT, and SPED BT) will provide actionable ideas to apply to schools of all levels.
The Office of Security is implementing an updated mandatory district wide Emergency Standard Response Protocol. This change in procedure will be initiated at the over the summer.
Want to be more sustainable? Our WCPSS sustainability coordinator will share ideas and strategies that are currently being implemented in various schools across our district. There will be time to collaborate with other building leaders around these ideas and strategies. In addition, there will be time for questions on best practices and next steps. Looking forward to making positive environmental changes, one school at a time!
Environmental Connections Integration Specialist, Lincoln Heights Environmental Connections Magnet Elementary
My name is Laura Wood and I am the Environmental Connections Integration Specialist at Lincoln Heights Environmental Connections Magnet Elementary school. My school is in Fuquay-Varina in southern Wake County and it is a public magnet school in the Wake County Public School System... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 12:25pm EDT Room 14
This session will introduce school-based leaders to a data dashboard tool being rolled out to school librarians for the 2026-2027 school year. The tool is designed to allow school librarians to collect data about the many facets of their work and automatically produce a custom data visualization in Looker Studio that illustrates the impact of the school library program. School-based leaders will have the opportunity to: Preview examples of the data collection tool and data dashboards; Discuss how data can be used to guide MTAC and PLC discussions; Discuss how data can be used to make decisions about library practices, procedures, and schedules; Discuss how data can be used to influence expectations around collaboration and use of library resources.
Director of Library Media Services, Digital Learning and Libraries
My WCPSS journey began in December 2008 when I started in the library at Holly Ridge Middle School. I opened the Holly Grove Middle School library in 2010 and have been part of the Library Media Services team since February 2015. I became the director in September 2019--just in time... Read More →
Senior Administrator Library Media Services, WCPSS
As an educator for almost 25 years, Kristel has experience with the wee ones to adult learners. She started her career as an elementary music teacher and an opera singer. Life and learning led her to two other passions, literacy and technology, the perfect mix for a teacher- librarian... Read More →
This hands-on session bridges the gap between AI technology and proven pedagogy. Using John Hattie’s Visible Learning and Bloom’s Taxonomy as our guide, you will learn how to offload lower-level tasks to AI so students can focus on high-rigor, critical thinking.Together, we will explore how to rethink instruction adapt assessments to move beyond rote memorization and traditional essay writing effectively solve the common "writer’s block" hurdle. You will walk away with ready-to-implement ideas that include high impact teaching strategies targeting an effect size of over 0.4 on Hattie’s HITS scale and guide students to work in the top tiers of Bloom’s pyramid. To ensure responsible AI integration, this session will incorporate awareness of how and when to teach students to verify, edit, and ethically cite AI-generated content. We will also emphasize safety and ethics, including raising awareness of protecting student data (PII) and identifying bias in AI-generated outcomes.If you are curious about how to include AI in starting to empower "critical thinkers," this session provides the research-backed roadmap you need.
Tanya has been an educator with Wake County Public Schools since 2000 as a 4th grade teacher, science specialist, Instructional Technology Facilitator and now a Digital Learning Coordinator. She is a Google for Education Certified Trainer as well as an ISTE Certified Educator and... Read More →
With over two decades of experience in public education, I am passionate about navigating the intersection of pedagogy and technology. I spent 18 years in the elementary classroom and three years as a School Library Media Coordinator before stepping into my current role as a Digital... Read More →
Objectives* Understand the impact of feedback on teacher growth and student outcomes* Identify research-based best practices for giving feedback* Apply structured feedback tools like SBI (Situation–Behavior–Impact)* Practice giving timely, specific, actionable, and growth-oriented feedback* Develop a personal plan for improving feedback conversations
Director of Family and Community Engagement, WCPSS Family & Community Engagement
Dr. MariaRosa Rangel is a distinguished educational leader with more than 30 years of experience dedicated to advancing student success through family engagement, bilingual education, and community partnerships. Her career reflects a lifelong commitment to empowering families, supporting... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 1:25pm EDT Room 15
Mansfield Pete Key III, leading growth development strategist and international motivational speaker. He is a life coach, mentor, consultant, speechwriter, and certified HIV/AIDS Instructor. He holds multiple certifications in grief counseling, and 21st Century Leadership. He is certified... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 1:25pm EDT Main Auditorium
This session equips school leaders with practical strategies to build momentum, strengthen buy-in, and navigate resistance leading PLCs to move beyond compliance to a culture of shared ownership and results. Walk away with clear next steps to onboard teams, sustain engagement, and keep the work focused on what matters most: student learning.
PLC Coordinating Teacher, Office of Professional Learning, WPCSS
With 20 years of professional experience in education, DeJuana Richardson serves as a PLC Coordinating Teacher in the Office of Professional Learning at Wake County Public Schools. She is a two-time graduate of Fayetteville State University, where she earned degrees in Elementary... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 1:25pm EDT Room 13
There are many Board policies that are frequent fliers for staff at schools and at central services. Which policies give you flexibility in how you handle things (guardrails) versus those that are specific in their requirements (gates)? What happens if one is mistaken for the other? We'll explore real examples where mistakes happen.
Julie began her career in WCPSS at Fuquay-Varina HS in 1995 where she taught English and served as School Improvement Team chair. She transitioned to Wake Education Partnership in 2007 where she managed and developed programs, provided professional development, and covered local... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 1:25pm EDT Room 19
Leading with courage requires clear, transparent, and efficient communication. In this session, we explore how Microsoft Teams can serve as the central nervous system for school-based leadership and central services. By streamlining internal workflows and professional learning communities, leaders can model the Creative Communicator (DLS.CC.6) standard. We will discuss how to move away from "email fatigue" and toward a more "Onward Together" communication model that fosters real-time collaboration, document security, and operational effectiveness.
Director of Digital Content and Instruction, WCPSS
I serve on the Digital Learning and Libraries team for WCPSS and work with the Digital Learning Coordinators to support all staff on the selection and integration of digital resources to meet instructional needs. I am actively involved in our AI policy development and training, implementing... Read More →
Creating thriving educational environments requires more than effective systems or strong leadership; it begins with people. This session explores two essential, research-based dimensions of whole-school wellness often overlooked in school improvement efforts: the well-being of school principals and the sense of belonging experienced by students. Drawing on two qualitative studies in North Carolina schools, the researchers examine how principals’ personal, psychological, and professional wellness, combined with students’ sense of belonging, shape school climate, engagement, and achievement. Principals and school leaders are uniquely positioned to champion this work through daily practice, school culture, and strategic vision. This session provides practical tools, reflective practices, and real-world insights to help leaders cultivate schools where wellbeing is foundational for themselves, their staff, and their students alike.
Dr. Jennifer Lecorchick is an educational leader and speaker who redefines the metrics of student success by centering wellness and academic excellence within school cultures. Serving as an Assistant Principal within the Wake County Public School System, Dr. Lecorchick leverages more... Read More →
Student Assignment - You have questions, we have answers! Why do we reassign students? Doesn't this family get transportation? I don't understand why a family in Buncombe can't enroll a student here with the aunt. We will walk through all of the legalese and policy components to help you better engage with families.
Teaching at a high needs school can often feel like rowing against a heavy current. To reach our destination without burnout, Neuse River leadership works to ensure every member of the "crew" is synchronized, supported, and physically capable of the journey. This session will share how we created a comprehensive wellness initiative to keep our staff afloat and moving forward with purpose.
Educators are reaching breaking points in massive numbers and need meaning, clarity, and psychological safety. Leaders are buffers of energy and morale for groups they support. Safety and empowerment come from facilitating, not influencing the outcome when leading groups. This session invites leaders to examine how their mindsets either constrain or unlock the collective intelligence, resilience, and well-being of their teams. Grounded in the Teachers As Facilitators (Garmston & McKanders), this interactive session moves beyond strategies to focus on how leaders show up – especially in moments that matter most. Participants will experience practical shifts that increase psychological safety, deepen trust, and build more empowered, self-directed teams. Leaders will leave with tools and processes they can immediately apply to create environments where people feel seen, valued, and capable of doing their best work.
Devices are welcome. Both hard copy and digital handouts will be available.
Org Development & Inclusion Specialist, Become Better Global, LLC
Dr. Echols is an organizational development and human connection consultant, speaker, and facilitator with more than 20 years of experience supporting individuals, teams, and organizations. A former teacher, school counselor, and professional learning leader, he works across education... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT Room 17
As artificial intelligence, automation, and workforce shifts continue to reshape education and industry, leaders must rethink how schools prepare students to thrive in a rapidly changing world. This interactive session explores how human-centered leadership, durable skills, innovation, and authentic engagement can drive instructional transformation, empower staff and students, and help future-proof schools while keeping relationships and purpose at the center of the work.
Dr. Mary Hemphill is a human-centered leadership strategist, executive coach, and author with over 20 years of experience. As the CEO & Founder of The Limitless Leader LLC, she equips leaders to drive innovation, impact, and transformation through coaching, consulting, and executive... Read More →
In an era of rapid social and technological change, the traditional blueprints for school leadership are being rewritten. This session is designed for principals who recognize that navigating today’s "dynamic environments" requires more than just steady management—it demands a fundamental shift in approach. We will explore the leadership moves necessary to move beyond the status quo, grounded in the reality that to get different results, we must do school differently. Stability is not the absence of change, but the ability to maintain direction while in motion. This session explores the technical tools and leadership mindset to ensure your school doesn't just react to the environment but shapes it.
Kimberly Hall Burton, a veteran educator with 30 years of experience in public education, is currently employed by the Wake County Public School System in Cary, North Carolina. Kimberly joined the Wake County Public School System in 2000. She began her career, in 1994, in the state... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 3:45pm EDT Room 14
Title I Funded Schools Only: Ready to turn Panorama Family Survey survey numbers into a narrative for your school? In this session, we’ll walk you through the essentials of the Panorama platform, from initial login to navigating your results with ease. You will get a first look at the newly enhanced survey reporting features, which make visualizing trends and pinpointing family needs faster and more intuitive than ever. We will wrap up by discussing how this data serves as a cornerstone for effective school planning. Best fit for: Educators and staff who need foundational support accessing the platform and interpreting initial data sets.
Kimberly Hall Burton, a veteran educator with 30 years of experience in public education, is currently employed by the Wake County Public School System in Cary, North Carolina. Kimberly joined the Wake County Public School System in 2000. She began her career, in 1994, in the state... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 3:45pm EDT Room 19
In this interactive two-hour session, participants will discover intentional ways to build a culture of wellness that supports and strengthens school teams. Through engaging team-building activities, reflection strategies, and practical takeaways, leaders will explore how to “love on” staff members by fostering connection, positivity, and a growth-focused mindset. Participants will experience wellness-centered practices they can implement immediately to boost morale, strengthen relationships, and create spaces where people feel valued. This session highlights the impact of leading with wellness—not as an event, but as an ongoing commitment that sustains teams, promotes resilience, and builds a thriving school culture.
Coach Consultant, Research and Development, Camp Explore for Educators
Dana Penick, M.Ed., is an experienced educational leader andinstructional coach with over 30 years in education, serving as ateacher, administrative assistant, assistant principal, and principal. Shecurrently leads professional learning and coaching initiatives withCamp Explore for... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 3:45pm EDT Room 15
