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WCPSS 2026 Summer Leadership Conference
2026 WCPSS Summer Leadership Conference Onward Together - Leading with Compassion and Courage
Type: Staff Wellness clear filter
Wednesday, July 22
 

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 daily leadership practice.
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

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

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 stress, create moments of calm, and lead with both strength and sustainability.
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

12:25pm EDT

The Whole Principal, The Whole School: Leading with Wellbeing and Belonging
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 1:25pm EDT
Room 17
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.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Jennifer Lecorchick

Dr. Jennifer Lecorchick

Assistant Principal, WCPSS
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 →
MB

Michelle Bell

Principal, Wake County

Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:25pm - 1:25pm EDT
Room 17
  Leadership Development, Both |   Staff Wellness, Both

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

1:35pm 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 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.
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
 
Thursday, July 23
 

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, a deeper perspective, and practical inspiration to strengthen collaboration, community, and collective impact in support of student achievement, well-being, and operational excellence.
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 work. -Ways to apply new ideas to a current leadership challenge. -Practical strategies for leading in uncertain environments. In these unprecedented times, mission and purpose continue to anchor the work, while strategies become more flexible and human-centered.
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

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 stress, create moments of calm, and lead with both strength and sustainability.
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

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 stand‑and‑stretch breaks each hour, share simple ways to reduce computer eye strain, and demonstrate safe material‑handling techniques to help prevent injuries. Attendees will walk away with actionable strategies they can use immediately to feel better at work and protect their body long‑term.
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
 

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