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WCPSS 2026 Summer Leadership Conference
2026 WCPSS Summer Leadership Conference Onward Together - Leading with Compassion and Courage
Wednesday, July 22
 

7:30am EDT

Arrival / Sign-In
Wednesday July 22, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am EDT
TBA
Wednesday July 22, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am EDT
TBA

8:30am EDT

Navigating New Waters: Empowering International Ambassador Teachers to Find Their Flow
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Sanford Conference Room
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...
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Speakers
CW
avatar for Mayra Szeto

Mayra Szeto

Director, Teacher Development
JP
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Sanford Conference Room
  Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

8:30am EDT

Best Practices and Tools for Giving Effective Feedback (New APs)
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Room 19
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

*No Devices are Required
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Maria Rosa Rangel

Dr. Maria Rosa Rangel

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 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Room 19
  Leadership Development, Both

8:30am EDT

Using Change Models to Decrease Barriers and Improve Collaboration
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Room 15
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Shejuanna Jacobs

Shejuanna Jacobs

Principal, Leesville Road High School
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Room 15
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders

8:30am EDT

Coaching Without Taking Over: Unlocking PLCs Through Strategic Questioning
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Room 14
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.
Speakers
avatar for Renee Puckett

Renee Puckett

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
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

8:30am EDT

Support to Impact: Cultivating Mentor Coordinators as Leaders
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Fuquay-Varina
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Mayra Szeto

Mayra Szeto

Director, Teacher Development
BC
JM
JO
PS
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Fuquay-Varina
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

8:30am EDT

The Power of 2: Less Process, More Impact in PLCs
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Room 17
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.
Speakers
avatar for Erin Thaler

Erin Thaler

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
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders |   High-Impact Instructional Strategies, School-Based Leaders

8:30am EDT

Restorative Mindset
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Apex
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...
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Speakers
MW
LA

Lisa Allred

Teacher, Rolesville High School
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Apex
  Leadership Development, Both |   High-Impact Instructional Strategies, Both |   Social-Emotional Learning, Both

8:30am EDT

From Awareness to Action: Leading for Change
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Room 13
School leaders will explore ways to plan, communicate, and address inequities in students’ experiences in the school environment.
Speakers
JD
DT
MO
MG
avatar for Niko Schutte

Niko Schutte

Principal, Alston Ridge Elementary School
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
  Social-Emotional Learning, School-Based Leaders

8:30am EDT

Tapping into Resiliency
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Fireside
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Andre Collard

Andre Collard

Senior Administrator, Office of Professional Learning
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Fireside
  Staff Wellness, Both

8:30am EDT

New Oracle Reporting Hub
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Room 16
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...
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Speakers
JE
HN
avatar for Laura Barnes

Laura Barnes

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 →
JA
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Room 16
  Technology Tools, School-Based Leaders

9:30am EDT

Break
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:30am - 9:45am EDT
TBA
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:30am - 9:45am EDT
TBA

9:45am EDT

Opening / General Session
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:45am - 11:05am EDT
Main Auditorium

Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:45am - 11:05am EDT
Main Auditorium

11:05am EDT

Break
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:05am - 11:15am EDT
TBA
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:05am - 11:15am EDT
TBA

11:15am EDT

1 Minute Meeting
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Student Auditorium

Speakers
MH
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Student Auditorium

11:15am EDT

LETRS in Context: Where the Science of Reading Meets the Classroom
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Fuquay-Varina
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Lara Randby

Lara Randby

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
  Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders |   High-Impact Instructional Strategies, School-Based Leaders

11:15am EDT

What Actually Works: Increasing Book Circulation Among Elementary Student Subgroups and Other Positive Outcomes
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Sanford Conference Room
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Kendra Allen

Kendra Allen

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 →
avatar for Elc Estrera

Elc Estrera

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 →
avatar for Susan Bock

Susan Bock

Senior Administrator, Library Media Services, Wake County Public School System
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Sanford Conference Room
  High-Impact Instructional Strategies, School-Based Leaders

11:15am EDT

A Bloom(s), a Hat(tie), and a Gem(ini) Walk Into a Classroom. What happens next?
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Apex
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Tanya Churchill

Tanya Churchill

Digital Learning Coordinator, WCPSS
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 →
avatar for Dawn Vinson

Dawn Vinson

Digital Learning Coordinator, WCPSS
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 →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Apex
  High-Impact Instructional Strategies, School-Based Leaders |   Technology Tools, School-Based Leaders

11:15am EDT

Phones, Screens, and Face-to-Face: Mastering Customer Care Everywhere
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Room 19
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.
Speakers
avatar for Susan Pullium

Susan Pullium

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 →
avatar for Dr. Eric Chancy

Dr. Eric Chancy

Director of Student Transfers, Wake County Public Schools
Technology in education and counseling, reaching every learner, reaching every parent
LA

Louis Ambrico

senior admininstrator, Wake County Public Schools
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Room 19
  Leadership Development, Both |   Staff Wellness, Both

11:15am EDT

Leveraging Lists to Improve your Workflow
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Room 16
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.
Speakers
avatar for Andre Collard

Andre Collard

Senior Administrator, Office of Professional Learning
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Room 16
  Operational Services, Both

11:15am EDT

Every Student Counts: Restructuring the ALC to Reduce Suspensions, Increase Academic Engagement, and Support SEL Growth
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Room 14
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Anne Marie Adkins

Anne Marie Adkins

Principal, Herbert Akins Rd Middle School
JD
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Room 14
  Social-Emotional Learning, Both

11:15am EDT

High-Capacity Calm: A Wellness Reset for Leaders Who Carry a Lot
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Room 15
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Kendra King

Dr. Kendra King

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
  Staff Wellness, Both

11:15am EDT

Weaving Support to Retain Beginning Teachers
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Room 13
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.
Speakers
avatar for Rozanne Todd

Rozanne Todd

Assistant Principal, WCPSS
MK

Meg Kovacs

2nd grade teacher, WCPSS
AC
MT
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Room 13
  Staff Wellness, Both |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, Both |   High-Impact Instructional Strategies, Both

11:15am EDT

Critical Procedural Update: Security Standard Response Protocol
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Fireside
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.
Speakers
CY
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Fireside
  Staff Wellness, School-Based Leaders |   High-Impact Instructional Strategies, School-Based Leaders |   Operational Services, School-Based Leaders

11:15am EDT

Lunch (Staggered)
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 1:25pm EDT
TBA
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 1:25pm EDT
TBA

12:25pm EDT

School Library Data Dashboards: Working with your librarian to visualize the impact of your library program
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 1:25pm EDT
Fuquay-Varina
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Kendra Allen

Kendra Allen

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 →
avatar for Kristel Behrend

Kristel Behrend

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 →
avatar for Susan Bock

Susan Bock

Senior Administrator, Library Media Services, Wake County Public School System
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 1:25pm EDT
Fuquay-Varina
  Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

12:25pm EDT

Ole Pete Key Session
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 1:25pm EDT
Main Auditorium

Speakers
OP

Ole Pete Key

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
  Leadership Development, Both

12:25pm EDT

Connected Leadership: A Case for Microsoft Teams in School Communication
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 1:25pm EDT
Sanford Conference Room
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Charles Patton

Charles Patton

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 →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 1:25pm EDT
Sanford Conference Room
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Operational Services, School-Based Leaders |   Technology Tools, School-Based Leaders

12:25pm EDT

Student Assignment: A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 1:25pm EDT
Room 16
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.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Eric Chancy

Dr. Eric Chancy

Director of Student Transfers, Wake County Public Schools
Technology in education and counseling, reaching every learner, reaching every parent
avatar for Haley Dodson
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 1:25pm EDT
Room 16
  Operational Services, Central Service Leaders

12:25pm EDT

Rowing in Rhythm – A Faculty Voyage to Wellbeing
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 1:25pm EDT
Fireside
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.
Speakers
BM
NH
MC
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 1:25pm EDT
Fireside
  Staff Wellness, Both

1:25pm EDT

Break
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:25pm - 1:35pm EDT
TBA
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:25pm - 1:35pm EDT
TBA

1:35pm EDT

Building Buy-in & Navigating Resistance in PLCs
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT
Room 13
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.
Speakers
avatar for DeJuana Richardson

DeJuana Richardson

PLC Coordinating Teacher, Office of Professional Learning, WPCSS
I serve as a PLC Coordinating Teacher for the Office of Professional Learning. 2024-2025 will be my nineteenth year in education. I am a proud two-time graduate of Fayetteville State University. I earned my initial teaching degree in 2005, and received a masters in reading education... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT
Room 13
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

1:35pm EDT

Leading with Compassion: Mindsets that Empower People and Systems
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT
Room 17
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,...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Phil Echols

Dr. Phil Echols

Org Leadership & Diversity Specialist, Become Better Global, LLC
Phil Echols, former teacher, school counselor, and administrator of Professional Learning, has experience serving as a Diversity Specialist for WakeMed Health and Hospitals and as a Global Consultant for Public, Private, and International Schools. His expertise includes effective... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT
Room 17
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

1:35pm EDT

It's Posted Where, Now?
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT
Room 16
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"...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Julie Crain

Dr. Julie Crain

Senior Director - Policy, WCPSS
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 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT
Room 16
  Leadership Development, Both |   Operational Services, Both

1:35pm EDT

The Whole Principal, The Whole School: Leading with Wellbeing and Belonging
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT
Fireside
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Jennifer Lecorchick

Dr. Jennifer Lecorchick

Assistant Principal, WCPSS
MB

Michelle Bell

Principal, Wake County

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT
Fireside
  Leadership Development, Both |   Staff Wellness, Both

1:35pm EDT

How Can Your School Operate More Sustainably?
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT
Sanford Conference Room
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Laura Wood

Laura Wood

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 1:35pm - 2:35pm EDT
Sanford Conference Room
  Operational Services, School-Based Leaders

1:35pm EDT

Future Proof
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 3:45pm EDT
Student Auditorium

Speakers
MH
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 3:45pm EDT
Student Auditorium
  Leadership Development, Both

1:35pm EDT

Steering School Success in Dynamic Environments: Part 1 (TITLE 1 ONLY)
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 14
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Kim Burton

Dr. Kim Burton

Director of Title I, Wake County Public Schools
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
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders, Title 1

1:35pm EDT

Unlocking Insight: Mastering Your Family Engagement Dashboard (Title 1 ONLY)
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 19
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Kim Burton

Dr. Kim Burton

Director of Title I, Wake County Public Schools
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
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders, Title 1

1:35pm EDT

Pouring into People: Wellness, Connection, and Culture
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:35pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 15
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Dana Penick

Dana Penick

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
  Staff Wellness, Both

2:45pm EDT

Board Policy Bingo!
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 16
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.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Julie Crain

Dr. Julie Crain

Senior Director - Policy, WCPSS
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 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 16
  Leadership Development, Both |   Operational Services, Both

2:45pm EDT

"E" is for.... Expanding Family Engagement SIP Indicators beyond E1.06
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 17
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...
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Speakers
LD
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 17
  Leadership Development, Both |   Social-Emotional Learning, Both
 
Thursday, July 23
 

7:30am EDT

Arrival / Sign-In
Thursday July 23, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am EDT
Lobby

Thursday July 23, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am EDT
Lobby

8:30am EDT

From Triage to Transformation: A Coaching Framework That Reaches Every Teacher
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Room 15
What if supporting every teacher in your building didn’t have to feel unrealistic or overwhelming? This session introduces a Differentiated Coaching Framework that aligns support to teacher readiness, mindset, and student data—ensuring that coaching is not just happening, but actually improving instruction through strategic and aligned support. Participants will explore a four-phase coaching...
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Speakers
SG
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Room 15
  Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, Both

8:30am EDT

Take a Pass on the Programs: An Instructional Culture in Support of Reading
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Room 19
Programs can offer a temporary boost in scores but can be followed by the implementation slump. Join us to learn about how a school culture built around understanding learners and led by teacher leaders has built a foundation for consistent improvement. You'll reflect on your school and identify current strengths that can leverage cultural change for your staff and students.
Speakers
avatar for Kelly Schuler

Kelly Schuler

5th Grade Teacher, WCPSS
DJ
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Room 19
  High-Impact Instructional Strategies, Both

8:30am EDT

From Data to Dialogue: Advanced Strategy & Impact Planning (TITLE 1 ONLY)
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Room 16
You’ve seen the Panorama Family Survey data! Now, let’s make it work for you. This deep-dive session is designed for users ready to move beyond the basics and into high-impact action. We will leverage Panorama’s new enhanced reporting tools to generate sophisticated stakeholder reports and streamline how you share insights with your community. We’ll focus on aligning your findings with SIP...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Kim Burton

Dr. Kim Burton

Director of Title I, Wake County Public Schools
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 →
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Room 16
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders, Title 1

8:30am EDT

StarPower
LIMITED
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Fireside
Limited Capacity seats available
Get ready for a fun, fast-paced, and thought-provoking professional development experience! Through the interactive StarPower® simulation, participants will navigate changing roles, make critical decisions, and explore how power and privilege shape systems and relationships. This engaging session encourages collaboration, reflection, and meaningful discussion while providing valuable insights...
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Speakers
avatar for Mary Bohr

Mary Bohr

Senior Director of Professional Learning, Wake
Mary Bohr is the Senior Director of Professional Learning for Wake County Public School System. With a background in regular and special education, high-impact reading strategies, curriculum leadership, and school administration, she successfully led four elementary schools to high... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Janeen Perry-Campbell

Dr. Janeen Perry-Campbell

Director for Student and Educator Engagement, WCPSS
Dr. Janeen Perry-Campbell is the Director for Student and Educator Engagement in the Office of Equity Affairs, and education truly runs in her blood! With a family legacy of educators, it’s no surprise she’s spent over 15 years shaping young minds. Janeen’s teaching journey... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Fireside
  Leadership Development, Both

8:30am EDT

The Leadership Mirror: Who You Are Is How You Lead
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Student Auditorium
Leadership is not just about what we do—it’s about what drives what we do. In high-stakes school environments, leaders are constantly asked to balance compassion with accountability and courage with care. Yet, the way leaders navigate these tensions is often shaped by internal beliefs they have never fully examined. This interactive 90-minute workshop invites school and district leaders to...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Ruth Steidinger

Dr. Ruth Steidinger

Leadership Coach, Steidinger Consulting
I am a certified leadership coach, speaker, and teacher. I have over 25 years of leadership experience. My passion is helping others tap into their greatest potential and to learn how to live in and lead with purpose. My primary focus is developing and coaching high-potential female... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Student Auditorium
  Leadership Development, Both

8:30am EDT

Stop Trying to Manage Your Time!
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Room 13
If we could just manage our time better, we could get everything done, right? Wrong! There is not enough time, no matter how well organized, to meet everyone’s needs and check all the tasks off your to- do list. The first step towards reclaiming leadership purpose is to stop trying to manage time and start managing priorities! This session will help you make the perspective shift and provide...
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Speakers
avatar for Frederick Buskey

Frederick Buskey

Speaker, Author, Podcaster, Coach, Strategic Leadership Consulting
Frederick Buskey was a K-12 teacher and administrator for 17 years. He is a National Board-Certified Teacher, former middle school and high school teacher and coach, and county office Special Education Coordinator. He has experience working in international schools and rural schools... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Room 13
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Operational Services, School-Based Leaders

8:30am EDT

Breakfast as an Operational Strategy: How Morning Meals Strengthen School Systems, Culture, and Student Outcomes
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Holly Spring Conference Room
The session reframes school breakfast as a powerful operational strategy, not just a school nutrition program. Participants explore how morning meal access directly improves arrival flow, attendance, behavior, instructional readiness, and overall school efficiency. We will do this through hands on morning operations maps, discussing operational pain points, and determine which breakfast models can...
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Speakers
TL
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Holly Spring Conference Room
  Operational Services, School-Based Leaders

8:30am EDT

From Data to Dialogue: Empowering Hispanic Families as Partners in Student Success (on a budget)
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Room 16
When 44% of your students are Hispanic, family engagement isn’t an initiative—it’s a responsibility. Join us to learn how we built meaningful partnerships with almost no funding by collaboratively designing and launching monthly Hispanic Family Nights to empower our Hispanic families. It all started with one question: How do we truly partner with 215 Hispanic students and their families?...
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Speakers
avatar for Rene Alford

Rene Alford

Assistant Principal, Yates Mill Elementary
MC

Mary Campbell

Yates Mill Elementary School (Wake County Public School)
VM
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Room 16
  Operational Services, Both

8:30am EDT

Charting the Road Map of Reporting in Student Information
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Fuquay-Varina
This session will give users a better understanding of reports available across platforms within the district. Presenters will go over various available report and explain how they can be used for data driven decisions.
Speakers
SH

Sandi Hunnicutt

Director, WCPSS
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am EDT
Fuquay-Varina
  Technology Tools, Both

8:30am EDT

Steering School Success in Dynamic Environments: Part 2 (TITLE 1 ONLY)
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 11:40am EDT
Room 14
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Kim Burton

Dr. Kim Burton

Director of Title I, Wake County Public Schools
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 →
Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 11:40am EDT
Room 14
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders, Title 1

10:00am EDT

Break
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 10:10am EDT
TBA
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 10:10am EDT
TBA

10:10am EDT

Placing Text at the Center to Increase Student Literacy Outcomes
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Room 16
This session is designed for K-5 principals seeking to increase student reading outcomes and student growth. In this session, participants will clarify what sound reading instruction looks like within Kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms, then apply these look-fors to determine current state and future School Improvement goals. This session will make connections between current Science of...
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Speakers
LA
GP
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Room 16
  High-Impact Instructional Strategies, Both

10:10am EDT

A District Digital Literacy Progression: From Kindergarten to Graduation in 10 Questions
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Sanford Conference Room
In this session, we introduce a K-12 Digital Literacy Progression framework. Built around ten essential questions and rooted in the NC Digital Learning Standards, this curriculum integrates curated expert materials with high-quality, custom-designed resources. While the curriculum is meant to be delivered by certified school librarians, the framework is engineered to serve as the foundation for...
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Speakers
avatar for Kendra Allen

Kendra Allen

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 →
avatar for Charles Patton

Charles Patton

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 →
avatar for Susan Bock

Susan Bock

Senior Administrator, Library Media Services, Wake County Public School System
avatar for Kristel Behrend

Kristel Behrend

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 →
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Sanford Conference Room
  High-Impact Instructional Strategies, School-Based Leaders |   Social-Emotional Learning, School-Based Leaders |   Technology Tools, School-Based Leaders

10:10am EDT

Principal’s Monthly Report - Understanding the PMR and How the Data Impacts Your School
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Holly Spring Conference Room
This session will give users an overview of the Legislation and State reporting rules behind the Principal’s Monthly Report (PMR). We will also go over the data and calculations within the report and discuss how the State uses the information. This includes ADA, ADM, and Best 1 of 2
Speakers
SH

Sandi Hunnicutt

Director, WCPSS
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Holly Spring Conference Room
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders

10:10am EDT

The Dissertation Roadmap: Tools, Timelines, and Tactics
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Room 19
This 90-minute session is designed to support school-based and central services administrators who are interested in and considering how to successfully navigate and complete the dissertation process. Participants will engage in a focused, practical learning experience centered on actionable strategies that can be immediately applied to their work. The session will highlight effective planning...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Syreeta Smith

Dr. Syreeta Smith

Eastern Area Superintendent, WCPSS
Dr. Syreeta Smith is a dynamic transformational and instructional leader currently serving as the Eastern Area Superintendent for Wake County Public Schools.  Driven by a deep passion for student success, she fiercely believes that education offers students a powerful opportunity... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Shawn D. Johnson

Dr. Shawn D. Johnson

Senior Director of Elementary Regional Achievement and Support Region 2, Wake County Public School System
Dr. Shawn D. Johnson is a seasoned educational leader with extensive experience as a principal and district leader in curriculum and instruction. Knowledgeable of the most impactful instructional practices according to effect size, research, and results, Dr. Johnson’s top priority... Read More →
avatar for Terrance Hinnant

Terrance Hinnant

Senior Administrator, WCPSS
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Room 19
  Leadership Development, Both

10:10am EDT

Leading with Courage: Navigating Complexity Without Being Overwhelmed
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Room 17
Today’s leaders are navigating unprecedented complexity –competing priorities, polarized perspectives, and challenges with no clear solutions. The pressure to “fix” what may not be solvable can lead to overwhelm, reactivity, and burnout. What if the work isn’t to eliminate tensions – but to lead it well? This session equips leaders with the clarity and courage to face complex...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Phil Echols

Dr. Phil Echols

Org Leadership & Diversity Specialist, Become Better Global, LLC
Phil Echols, former teacher, school counselor, and administrator of Professional Learning, has experience serving as a Diversity Specialist for WakeMed Health and Hospitals and as a Global Consultant for Public, Private, and International Schools. His expertise includes effective... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Room 17
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

10:10am EDT

Observation and Feedback: Turning Classroom Observations into Teacher Growth
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Student Auditorium
At the heart of everything we do as educators is one fundamental mission: student achievement. Every strategy, every lesson, every conversation, and every decision must ultimately lead to stronger outcomes for students. To make that happen, we must continually strengthen the instructional repertoire of our teachers so they are equipped to reach every learner at high levels. This is where...
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Speakers
ES
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Student Auditorium
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

10:10am EDT

Proactive Leadership: Preventing Employee Misconduct
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Fuquay-Varina
This professional development workshop equips school administrators with the knowledge, tools, and leadership strategies needed to proactively prevent employee misconduct and foster a culture of accountability, safety, and professionalism. While emphasizing the connection from policy to practice, participants will learn how to turn policies, procedures, and legal requirements into clear,...
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Speakers
avatar for Carla Withrow

Carla Withrow

Senior Director, Employee Relations, Wake County Public School System
JG
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Fuquay-Varina
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

10:10am EDT

If Only You Knew: Courageous Listening for Compassionate Leadership
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Fireside
What becomes possible when leaders truly understand one another’s daily realities? In this session, central services and school leaders will engage in an authentic listening experience that builds empathy, trust, and stronger cross-system relationships. A small volunteer circle (10 ppl max) will model guided dialogue while others observe and reflect. Participants will leave with renewed energy,...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Brooksie B. Sturdivant

Dr. Brooksie B. Sturdivant

Senior Administrator of Community Partnerships, WCPSS
Dr. Sturdivant serves as the Senior Administrator of Community Partnerships in Strategic Operations for Wake County Public School System. Having served in public schools for 26 years as a teacher, literacy coach, curriculum facilitator, and equity and intervention specialist, Dr... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Fireside
  Leadership Development, Both |   Staff Wellness, Both

10:10am EDT

The World Has Changed, Leading with Adaptability
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Apex
Leaders today are navigating conditions that feel increasingly unpredictable and difficult to interpret—across sectors, not just in education. This session introduces a practical approach, drawn from the field of Futurism, to make sense of these shifts and respond with clarity and adaptability. Leaders will leave this session with: -A clearer way to make sense of the conditions shaping their...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Leigh Ann Alford-Keith

Dr. Leigh Ann Alford-Keith

Senior Director for Innovative and Strategic Initiatives, WCPSS
Dr. Alford-Keith serves as Senior Director for Innovative and Strategic Initiatives. She grew up in the triangle and has been with WCPSS for 16 years. She earned her EdD from Western Carolina University and is also an alumna of Meredith College and UNC Chapel Hill. Her educational... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Apex
  Leadership Development, Both |   Staff Wellness, Both |   Operational Services, Both

10:10am EDT

AI Starts with Leadership: Setting Clear Expectations for Schools
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Room 13
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept; it is a current leadership reality. This hands-on planning lab empowers school leaders to take a courageous stand on AI implementation. Using NotebookLM and district context documents, participants will collaborate to draft their own school-level AI "Expectations and Empowerment" guides. We will align our work with the Innovative Designer...
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Speakers
PB

Pam Batchelor

Senior Director of Digital Learning and Libraries, Wake County Public School System
As the Senior Director of Digital Learning and Libraries for the Wake County Public School System, Pam Batchelor is dedicated to preparing students for a rapidly evolving digital world. She leads strategic instructional initiatives across the district, with a current focus on using... Read More →
avatar for Charles Patton

Charles Patton

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 →
avatar for Chris Zirkle

Chris Zirkle

Digital Learning Coordinator, WCPSS
I have been serving in the Wake County Public School System since 2003. I was a Language Arts teacher for ten years, an In-School Suspension Coordinator for two and a half years, and an Instructional Technology Facilitator for two and a half years. I have been on the front lines and... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Room 13
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Technology Tools, School-Based Leaders

10:10am EDT

EXCELLING in Effectiveness and Effieciency: You're Already Working Harder, You May As Well Work Smarter
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Room 15
This session will be geared to learning techniques and tools for using Google Sheets and Excel to maximize operational efficiency in data organization and communication. Examples include Mail Merge, IMPORT, VLOOKUP, and other helpful tips that may help with some of the daily work of school administrators.
Speakers
avatar for Lauren Haynie

Lauren Haynie

7th Grade Science Teacher, Davis Drive MS
Thursday July 23, 2026 10:10am - 11:40am EDT
Room 15
  Operational Services, Both |   Technology Tools, Both

11:40am EDT

Transition
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:40am - 11:45am EDT
TBA
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:40am - 11:45am EDT
TBA

11:45am EDT

100%
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Room 19
Public schools teach 100% of our students. Day in, day out, they work with every student who walks in the door to prepare them to participate as a productive citizen in the US and the world.It is noble work, and it is tiring, trying work. And it is one of the most patriotic works in which a person can participate. There are many people who want to talk down public education, some for their own...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Eric Chancy

Dr. Eric Chancy

Director of Student Transfers, Wake County Public Schools
Technology in education and counseling, reaching every learner, reaching every parent
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Room 19
  Leadership Development, Both

11:45am EDT

From Management to Impact: Leadership Behaviors that Improve School Outcomes
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Room 13
Research consistently demonstrates that school leaders influence student achievement not primarily through management tasks, but through specific leadership behaviors that shape teaching, learning, and school culture. Drawing on the framework from Grissom, Egalite, and Lindsay's How Principals Affect Students and Schools (2021), this session will help principal teams examine how leadership...
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Speakers
avatar for Rob Epler

Rob Epler

Executive Leadership Coach, Wake County Public School System
Rob Epler currently serves as an Executive Leadership Coach in the Wake County Public School System. His previous roles include Southwestern Area Senior Administrator, Elementary Principal, Assistant Principal, Magnet Coordinator, and High School English Teacher. As the Principal... Read More →
avatar for Eric Fitts

Eric Fitts

Sr. Director Chief of Schools, Wake County Public Schools
Senior Director Secondary Executive Leadership Coach
Former Principal East Millbrook Middle
Former Principal Brentwood Elementary
WCPSS Principal of the Year 2015-2016
avatar for Courtney Wall

Courtney Wall

Senior Director, WCPSS
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Room 13
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders

11:45am EDT

Sheltered Instructional Observation Protocol (SIOP®) Training for Administrators
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Holly Spring Conference Room
Using the best-selling research-based book, The SIOP® Model for Administrators, Second Edition, participants are introduced to SIOP® and how it can improve instruction for all students. Participants consider the roles coaches and administrators play in supporting teachers using the SIOP® Model. The foundational SIOP® text is also provided with this offering to help leaders support educators...
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Speakers
avatar for Valeria Murray

Valeria Murray

ESL Director, WCPSS
JH
LD
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Holly Spring Conference Room
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders

11:45am EDT

EVAAS for School Leaders
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Room 17
EVAAS can be an invaluable tool for administrators, but it’s easy to get lost in all the details and data. In this session, we will share and crowdsource strategies for how to leverage EVAAS reports (value-added, diagnostic, student projections) in a way that is accessible and actionable. Please check to ensure you have access to EVAAS before this session.
Speakers
avatar for Spencer Ziegler

Spencer Ziegler

Senior Data Trainer, Wake
Throughout the years, Spencer has worked as a teacher (middle and high school ELA and History), coach (Instructional Facilitator, Technology Facilitator, Intervention Coordinator), and district administrator (Senior Data Trainer in Data, Research, and Accountability). His team seeks... Read More →
avatar for Mellisa Smith

Mellisa Smith

K-12 Assessment Specialist, Wake
I have been in education for over 25 years, and I have been supporting teachers in my district for over 10 years. I love sharing assessment strategies that worked for me in the classroom and also helped to make math seem more attainable for students.
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Room 17
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

11:45am EDT

Navigating Employee Relations: A School's Perspective
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Fuquay-Varina
This professional development workshop provides school administrators with practical strategies for effectively managing employee relations in today’s complex educational environment. Designed specifically for school leaders, the session focuses on building strong, professional relationships while maintaining clear expectations, consistent communication, and accountability across staff. Through...
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Speakers
SP

Sally Pitofsky

8th Grade ELA, Pine Hollow Middle School
DT
VS
PA
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Fuquay-Varina
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

11:45am EDT

Designing for All: UDL as a Leadership Lever for Equity
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Sanford Conference Room
Realizing the vision of "Onward Together" requires a leadership commitment to removing barriers before they even exist. In this session, leaders will explore Universal Design for Learning (UDL) not just as a classroom strategy, but as a systemic lever for equity. Aligned with Lever 1 (Challenge Me!), we will examine how UDL frameworks empower students to become Empowered Learners (DLS.EL.1) by...
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Speakers
avatar for Katherine Heywood

Katherine Heywood

Digital Learning Coordinator, Wake County Public School System
As a Digital Learning Coordinator, I am here to support teachers in their use of instructional technology to not only motivate and engage students but to also prepare them for the world they will enter upon graduation. By working together, I want to help teachers implement digital... Read More →
WT
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Sanford Conference Room
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Social-Emotional Learning, School-Based Leaders

11:45am EDT

Section 504 Services: Effective Supervision and Support by School Leaders
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Room 16
This workshop explores strategies for fostering collective efficacy and joint accountability among school leaders and the 504 meeting facilitators they supervise. Through collaborative learning and shared decision-making, participants will delve into specific 504 procedures and case law examples to cultivate a deeper understanding of 504 service delivery for their site, which in turn will...
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Speakers
JM

Joseph Man

Senior Administrator 504, WCPSS
Joseph Man currently serves as a Senior Administrator with WCPSS 504 Services. In this role, he supports 504 non-discrimination policy implementation, staff training, administrative consultation around non-discrimination challenges, and complaints resolution at the local and federal... Read More →
PB
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Room 16
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Staff Wellness, School-Based Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

11:45am EDT

Home Court Advantage: Building a Winning Wellness Ecosystem
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Fireside
In the world of sports, the "Home Court Advantage" is the psychological and physical edge that makes winning more likely. In our schools, we often force teachers and staff to play "away games" by expecting wellness to happen in spite of the work environment. This session explores how to reverse that trend by building a Winning Wellness Ecosystem.
Speakers
DS
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Fireside
  Staff Wellness, School-Based Leaders

11:45am EDT

Shared but Secure: Navigating the New WakeID Portal and Google Safety Best Practices
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Room 15
As digital landscapes shift, leaders must balance accessibility with ironclad security. This session introduces the new WakeID Portal and provides a deep dive into critical cybersecurity responsibilities, including KnowBe4 and Lightspeed updates. We will specifically address past challenges with Google "oversharing" by walking participants through best practices for file permissions. Attendees...
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Speakers
avatar for Megan Maurer

Megan Maurer

Director, Digital Tools & Engagement, WCPSS
avatar for Eric Hoth
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT
Room 15
  Technology Tools, Both

11:45am EDT

Lunch (Staggered)
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 1:45pm EDT
TBA
Thursday July 23, 2026 11:45am - 1:45pm EDT
TBA

12:45pm EDT

Timely and Effective Feedback: Using Evaluation Systems to Strengthen Performance
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Room 14
This session is designed to strengthen principals’ and assistant principals’ ability to use evaluation systems as tools for delivering timely, clear, and actionable feedback that improves performance across all roles in a school. Evaluation processes should do more than document performance. They should support meaningful conversations that build clarity, strengthen practice, and drive...
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Speakers
KC
CL
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Room 14
  Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

12:45pm EDT

High-Impact Instructional Strategies (HIIS) in Digital Environments
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Sanford Conference Room
As we move toward a digital-age classroom transformation, our instructional strategies must evolve. This session focuses on Lever 2 (Engage Me!) by demonstrating how to translate traditional high-impact strategies into digital spaces. We will explore how tools can facilitate Global Collaboration (DLS.GC.7) and active participation, ensuring that technology serves as a catalyst for engagement...
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Speakers
avatar for Wanda Hanley

Wanda Hanley

Digital Learning Coordinator, Digital Learning and Libraries
Wanda Hanley is an innovative educational leader with over two decades of experience in Wake County Public Schools, specializing in transforming classrooms through strategic digital integration. As a Digital Learning Coordinator, she partners with school leaders and educators to build... Read More →
avatar for Kurt Hurelbrink

Kurt Hurelbrink

Digital Learning Coordinator, WCPSS
Kurt Hurelbrink is a Digital Learning Coordinator for the Wake County Public School System. He has over 20 years of experience in education. He received his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois University, a Master of Arts degree in Teaching and Leadership... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Sanford Conference Room
  High-Impact Instructional Strategies, School-Based Leaders |   Technology Tools, School-Based Leaders

12:45pm EDT

Strength in Numbers: Navigating the Doctoral Journey Together
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Room 19
Whether you're contemplating enrolling in a doctoral program or already navigating its challenging terrain, this session is designed to provide insights and support through collaboration and reflection. Foster connections with fellow attendees and the presenters-- sharing experiences, challenges, and strategies for navigating the doctoral journey. Gain clarity and insight through reflective...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Julie Crain

Dr. Julie Crain

Senior Director - Policy, WCPSS
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 →
avatar for Dr. Leigh Ann Alford-Keith

Dr. Leigh Ann Alford-Keith

Senior Director for Innovative and Strategic Initiatives, WCPSS
Dr. Alford-Keith serves as Senior Director for Innovative and Strategic Initiatives. She grew up in the triangle and has been with WCPSS for 16 years. She earned her EdD from Western Carolina University and is also an alumna of Meredith College and UNC Chapel Hill. Her educational... Read More →
avatar for Lindsay Lewis

Lindsay Lewis

SparkLab Leader, Wake County Public School System
Dr. Lindsay Lewis is a knowledgeable, driven, and experienced educator with a history of working in the K-12 setting, as well as higher education and private industry. Dr. Lewis started her career teaching high school science, and she left the classroom to pursue her PhD, which she... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Room 19
  Leadership Development, Both

12:45pm EDT

What Leaders Need to Know About Supporting Strong SISP Teams
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Holly Spring Conference Room
Strong school-based SISP teams are a key lever for improving student wellness, engagement, attendance, behavior, and academic success. However, their impact depends heavily on leadership understanding and support. This session helps school and district leaders identify the structures, leadership moves, and schoolwide conditions that allow SISP teams to function effectively. Participants will learn...
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Speakers
avatar for Sharhonda Cooper _ Staff - CounselStudentSrv
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Holly Spring Conference Room
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders

12:45pm EDT

EVAAS for Central Service Leaders
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Room 17
We often focus on EVAAS at the school level, but there are reports that also benefit those that work at the district level. In this session, we will provide resources and strategies for leveraging EVAAS at central office. Please check to ensure you have access to EVAAS before this session.
Speakers
avatar for Spencer Ziegler

Spencer Ziegler

Senior Data Trainer, Wake
Throughout the years, Spencer has worked as a teacher (middle and high school ELA and History), coach (Instructional Facilitator, Technology Facilitator, Intervention Coordinator), and district administrator (Senior Data Trainer in Data, Research, and Accountability). His team seeks... Read More →
avatar for Mellisa Smith

Mellisa Smith

K-12 Assessment Specialist, Wake
I have been in education for over 25 years, and I have been supporting teachers in my district for over 10 years. I love sharing assessment strategies that worked for me in the classroom and also helped to make math seem more attainable for students.
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Room 17
  Leadership Development, Central Service Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, Central Service Leaders

12:45pm EDT

Instructional Leadership: Real Coaching in Five Minutes (or less)
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Room 13
We became leaders because we wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, but when we spend the majority of our time putting out fires, even productive days can feel purposeless. In this interactive session, we will learn and practice a simple 3-question coaching strategy that will help others grow through reflection and will help you fulfill your leadership purpose. The technique takes less...
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Speakers
avatar for Frederick Buskey

Frederick Buskey

Speaker, Author, Podcaster, Coach, Strategic Leadership Consulting
Frederick Buskey was a K-12 teacher and administrator for 17 years. He is a National Board-Certified Teacher, former middle school and high school teacher and coach, and county office Special Education Coordinator. He has experience working in international schools and rural schools... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Room 13
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

12:45pm EDT

Leading for Growth: Managing Teacher Performance with Clarity and Confidence
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Fuquay-Varina
This session equips school-based administrators with the knowledge and tools to confidently and effectively address teacher performance concerns. Participants will gain a clear understanding of established processes, including how to collect and document evidence, deliver specific and actionable feedback, and navigate performance issues with consistency and clarity. The session highlights critical...
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Speakers
MH
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Fuquay-Varina
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

12:45pm EDT

Policy: Guardrails or Gates?
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Room 16
Policy can be viewed as guardrails or gates. What is our core business, and how do we understand policy within that context?
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Julie Crain

Dr. Julie Crain

Senior Director - Policy, WCPSS
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 →
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Room 16
  Operational Services, Both

12:45pm EDT

High-Capacity Calm: A Wellness Reset for Leaders Who Carry a Lot
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Room 15
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...
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Speakers
avatar for Dr. Kendra King

Dr. Kendra King

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 →
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Room 15
  Staff Wellness, Both

12:45pm EDT

Everything Happens Somewhere: Using Location to Support Students and Schools
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Fireside
In the Wake County Public School System, nearly all data has a location component, but traditional spreadsheets often obscure the relationships between things like student outcomes or the ongoing operations of the District and their environments. The Office of Geospatial Analytics (OOGA) unlocks these insights by applying a geographic lens to support decision-making and improve educational...
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Speakers
avatar for Rob Siwiec

Rob Siwiec

Senior Director, Office of Geospatial Analytics
The Office of Geospatial Analytics, part of the Facilities division, collects, maintains and provides geographic data for the district's administrators, educators, and families. Our mission is to enhance the educational experience and support decision-making processes by leveraging... Read More →
avatar for Sadie Barker

Sadie Barker

GIS and Technology Applications Analyst, WCPSS
avatar for Ryan Cooper

Ryan Cooper

GIS Enterprise Administrator, Office of Geospatial Analytics
Thursday July 23, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Fireside
  Technology Tools, Both

1:45pm EDT

Transition
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:45pm - 1:50pm EDT
TBA
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:45pm - 1:50pm EDT
TBA

1:50pm EDT

From Compliance to Growth: Building a High-Impact Feedback Culture
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Apex
How do you move feedback from a routine task to a powerful driver of teacher growth? In this session, our administrative team shares our journey toward building a more aligned, intentional, and reflective feedback process. We will highlight how we calibrated our practices around evidence collection, elevated teacher voice through structured reflection, and created opportunities for staff to...
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Speakers
avatar for Jesse Gore

Jesse Gore

Principal, WCPSS
Proud Principal at Centennial Campus Center for Innovation Magnet Middle School who believes in Leading Unapologetically, Channeling Influence, and Cultivating Excellence
SO
KW
DP
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Apex
  Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

1:50pm EDT

The New ELA Standards: What Lies Ahead
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Room 13
This professional development session is designed to equip principals and assistant principals with the knowledge and leadership strategies necessary to support effective implementation of the new North Carolina ELA standards for 2027-2028. During the 60-minute session, school leaders will explore the major instructional shifts within the standards and examine how rigorous literacy instruction...
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Speakers
avatar for Ashley Clark

Ashley Clark

Senior Administrator, Secondary ELA, WCPSS
I have been a public educator for almost 20 years. I started my teaching career in Pennsylvania as a 7th grade ELA teacher. After teaching middle school for 7 years, I began teaching high school English. When I moved to WCPSS, I served as an Intervention Coordinator and an Assisant... Read More →
avatar for Meghan Clark

Meghan Clark

Senior Administrator Elementary ELA, Wake County Public School System
Meghan Clark serves as Senior Administrator for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment with the Wake County Public School System, where she leads district initiatives focused on literacy, curriculum development, instructional excellence, and educator professional learning. With 24... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Room 13
  High-Impact Instructional Strategies, School-Based Leaders

1:50pm EDT

Creating a Culture of Data Use
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Room 17
Having a staff that is data literate is not enough to ensure the success of one’s school improvement goals; an administrator should strive to foster a school culture of data use. In this session we will provide strategies and resources for implementing five research-based elements of a culture of data use, as well as offer an opportunity for participants to explore available data.
Speakers
avatar for Spencer Ziegler

Spencer Ziegler

Senior Data Trainer, Wake
Throughout the years, Spencer has worked as a teacher (middle and high school ELA and History), coach (Instructional Facilitator, Technology Facilitator, Intervention Coordinator), and district administrator (Senior Data Trainer in Data, Research, and Accountability). His team seeks... Read More →
avatar for Mellisa Smith

Mellisa Smith

K-12 Assessment Specialist, Wake
I have been in education for over 25 years, and I have been supporting teachers in my district for over 10 years. I love sharing assessment strategies that worked for me in the classroom and also helped to make math seem more attainable for students.
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Room 17
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

1:50pm EDT

The Performance Playbook: Evidence, Feedback, and Accountability in Action for Classified Employees
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Fuquay-Varina
This session equips school-based administrators with the knowledge and tools to confidently and effectively address classified employee performance concerns. Participants will gain a clear understanding of established processes, including how to collect and document evidence, deliver specific and actionable feedback, and navigate performance issues with consistency and clarity. The session...
See More →
Speakers
KH
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Fuquay-Varina
  Leadership Development, School-Based Leaders |   Best Practices & Tools for Giving Feedback, School-Based Leaders

1:50pm EDT

So You're on the Board Agenda...
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Room 16
You have an item that has been placed on a Board of Education agenda. What does that mean? Which kind of meeting? Are you presenting or not? What is a precis? The deadlines to submit everything are when?!?! This session goes behind the scenes to explain the various kinds of Board meetings and Board materials and the timeline for getting everything published.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Julie Crain

Dr. Julie Crain

Senior Director - Policy, WCPSS
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 →
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Room 16
  Leadership Development, Both |   Operational Services, Both

1:50pm EDT

More Than Compliance: Building a Culture of Accessibility
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Sanford Conference Room
Compassionate leadership means ensuring that every digital resource—from classroom materials to district-wide communications—is an open door rather than a barrier. Moving beyond "check-the-box" compliance, this session dives into the heart of Lever 3 (See Me!) by prioritizing the dignity and inclusion of every individual we serve. Using WCAG-aligned resources, we will demonstrate practical...
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Speakers
avatar for Jessalyn Saunders

Jessalyn Saunders

Digital Learning Coordinator, Wake County Public Schools
Hi there! My name is Jessalyn Saunders and I have been an educator since 2009. After receiving my bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, I spent 8 years as a middle school math/science teacher. In 2017, I earned my Master's of Arts in Educational Media-Instructional... Read More →
avatar for Kurt Hurelbrink

Kurt Hurelbrink

Digital Learning Coordinator, WCPSS
Kurt Hurelbrink is a Digital Learning Coordinator for the Wake County Public School System. He has over 20 years of experience in education. He received his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois University, a Master of Arts degree in Teaching and Leadership... Read More →
EW
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Sanford Conference Room
  Leadership Development, Both |   Operational Services, Both |   Technology Tools, Both

1:50pm EDT

Your Body Called - It Wants Better Ergonomics
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Fireside
In this interactive session, participants will discover how small ergonomic changes can make a big impact on their daily comfort, energy, and overall well‑being. Attendees will explore eye‑opening statistics that show how poor ergonomics affects health and productivity, along with easy, practical tips for setting up a workstation that truly fits you. We’ll highlight the power of quick...
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Speakers
avatar for Justine Henderson

Justine Henderson

Safety Administrator, Wake County Public Schools
As a Safety Administrator, my focus is on keeping employees and students safe and strengthening a proactive, risk-aware culture. I partner with schools and central service departments to ensure fire and safety compliance and support a safe working environment.  
avatar for Annika Vecchi

Annika Vecchi

Senior Administrator Risk Management & Safety, Wake County Public School System
With over 12 years of experience in WCPSS, I have developed a comprehensive perspective across both school-based and central services environments. I leverage this background to foster a strong, district-wide culture of safety. My work focuses on cross-departmental collaboration... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Fireside
  Staff Wellness, Both

1:50pm EDT

The Leadership Link: Tools, Roles, & Realities for Tech Success
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Holly Spring Conference Room
A principal's guide to efficiently assigning, managing, and supporting your school-based Tech and Inventory Contacts to reduce staff stress and streamline building operations.

**Devices required
Speakers
avatar for Kelli Holden

Kelli Holden

Digital Learning Coordinator, WCPSS
Kelli Holden is Digital Learning Coordinator for Wake County Public School System. She has been in education since 2017. She earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching and her MAEd in Instructional Technology from ECU. She has experience in elementary school as a third grade teacher as... Read More →
avatar for Amber Pearce

Amber Pearce

Information Designer, WCPSS
Amber Pearce is an Information Designer with the Wake County Public School System who turns complex technology processes into clear, practical resources for staff and students. She collaborates with Technology Services and school teams to improve communication, streamline support... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm EDT
Holly Spring Conference Room
  Technology Tools, Both

2:50pm EDT

Break
Thursday July 23, 2026 2:50pm - 3:00pm EDT
TBA
Thursday July 23, 2026 2:50pm - 3:00pm EDT
TBA

3:00pm EDT

Closing / General Session
Thursday July 23, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Main Auditorium

Thursday July 23, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Main Auditorium
 

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