Leaders Connect is excited to announce our upcoming Fall Conference, designed specifically for campus instructional leaders - principals, assistant principals, and instructional coaches. This event is all about collaboration, community, and learning together. Forget the traditional showcase; this summit is about sharing innovative practices, lessons learned, and successful instructional strategies to help us all grow and thrive.
Event Details
- Date: Tuesday, September 17th - Wednesday, September 18
- Location: Embassy Suites, Cleveland Rockland, Independence, OH
- Agenda: See below
- RSVP: Secure your spot by September 6th.
We are pleased to offer registration for the Leaders Connect Partners in Progress Summit at NO COST to participants. To make your stay more convenient, we have secured a discounted conference rate at the Embassy Suites Cleveland Rockland.
- To book rooms with the discounted rate, please click here
- Use Group Name: Metropolitan School District Decatur Township and Group Code: MS!
- For questions, please contact the hotel’s Central Reservations Number: 1-866-344-7548.
- All reservations must be booked no later than August 26,2024.
Why Attend
Collaborate with Peers: Connect with other instructional leaders from various campuses to share ideas, strategies, and experiences.
Innovate Together: Discover new and effective practices that you can implement in your own school.
Learn from Experts: Attend sessions led by experienced educators and thought leaders in the field of education.
Inspire Change: Return to your campus with fresh ideas and renewed energy to drive instructional excellence.
Agenda at a Glance
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Tue, September 17 |
Wed, September 18 |
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7:30-8:30 Registration |
8:30-9:00 Opening Session |
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8:30-9:30 Welcome and Opening Session |
9:15-10:15 Concurrent Sessions D |
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9:45-10:45 Concurrent Sessions A |
10:30-11:30 Concurrent Sessions E |
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11:00-12:00 Concurrent Sessions B |
11:45-12:45 Closing Session / Collaborative Reflection |
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12:00-1:15 Networking and Lunch (provided) | |
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1:15-2:15 Concurrent Sessions C | |
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2:30-3:30 Closing Session / Resource Fair |
Concurrent Sessions Topics
Session topics will cover a wide range of topics through various threads/themes.
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Session A |
Balancing Leadership: Can you be the Boss and a Coach? Explore the challenging dual role of being both a leader and a coach within your school. This session will equip you with strategies to strike a balance between authoritative leadership and supportive coaching, helping you foster a culture of trust, growth, and accountability. Discover how to deliver constructive feedback while maintaining strong leadership to drive student achievement through an empowered and motivated staff. Regina Urueta. Insight Education Group |
Empowering Educators: Mastering Inclusive and Equitable Teaching Practices Discover evidence-based strategies to address contemporary educational challenges. In this session, participants will learn how to implement inclusive practices and DEI approaches to create equitable classrooms. Additionally, educators will gain tools to nurture their own social-emotional learning (SEL) as they support diverse student needs. Leave with actionable insights and practical resources to enhance your teaching practices and create a dynamic, inclusive learning environment. Sheona Little. Student, Family, Educator Support Coach, The School District of the City of York Ebony Harmon. Talent Management Coach, The School District of the City of York Shenira Floyd. Assistant Principal, The School District of the City of York |
Making Connections: Developing Clarity through Instructional Rounds Discover how the Instructional Rounds process can foster collaboration, clarity, and learning within and across school districts. Participants will learn how this process can be integrated into various Systems of Instructional Supports, including District Leadership Teams, Building Leadership Teams, and Coaching, to enhance the knowledge and implementation of district initiatives. They will also see how this process has been scaled across multiple districts to engage leaders in idea-sharing, deepen their understanding of instructional practices, and reflect on current initiatives. Explore how this collaborative approach not only strengthens teaching and learning but also ensures that district initiatives are aligned with improvement plans and effectively monitored through instructional rounds. Roxann Lozar, Consultant, State Support Team Region 3 Kristi Sacha. Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio |
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Session B |
Cultivating Strong Teams: Strategies or School Leaders Building and sustaining high-performing teams is crucial to advancing student learning. In this session, participants will uncover best practices for fostering collaboration, trust, and a shared vision among school staff. Learn how to harness the diverse strengths of your team members and create an environment where everyone feels valued, leading to greater overall success for your school. Bethany LeMoyne. Leaders Connect |
Vision To Action: Implementation of Portrait of a Graduate Join Nixa Public Schools as they share their inspiring journey in developing and implementing their Portrait of an Eagle, a collaborative vision created by students, teachers, district leaders, and the community. This session will offer creative and innovative strategies that can be adapted for use in your own school, district, and community. Whether you’re just starting or already on your Portrait of a Graduate journey, this session will equip you with actionable ideas to turn your vision into reality, ensuring that every student’s hopes, dreams, and aspirations are realized. Ashley Copley. Director of Student Services, Nixa Public Schools Brooke Gantt. Professional Learning Specialist, Nixa Public Schools |
Intentional Recognition: Celebrating Success to Build Culture Strategically celebrating successes within your school is a powerful way to demonstrate that you, as a leader, deeply value your school family and their achievements. This session will explore how intentional recognition can strengthen your school’s culture, boost morale, and foster a sense of belonging. Participants will learn practical ways to incorporate celebration into their leadership practices, ensuring that both staff and students feel appreciated and motivated to continue striving for excellence. Jack Birmingham. Principal, MSD of Decatur Township |
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Session C |
Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning: Practices and Experiences that Foster Inclusion Explore the essential practices of culturally responsive teaching, aimed at fostering an inclusive and empowering learning environment. Participants will dive into strategies to establish a sense of belonging, develop positive attitudes, enhance the relevance of learning experiences, and build student competence. Through practical examples and interactive discussions, school leaders will gain the tools needed to implement these practices effectively and ensure that all students thrive. Latia Taylor. Assistant Principal, Garfield Heights City Schools |
One Nixa, One Community: Learning Together Discover how Nixa Public Schools fosters community involvement through a robust commitment to lifelong learning and shared experiences. This session will showcase how the district creates a one-stop destination for engaging, enjoyable classes and events that bring people of all ages together. Embrace the spirit of community and fun as we explore how to create opportunities for learning, growth, and connection, ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and valued in ONE NIXA. Ashley Copley. Director of Student Services, Nixa Public Schools Brooke Gantt. Professional Learning Specialist, Nixa Public Schools |
Crafting Impactful Experiences: Designing High-Quality and Sustained Professional Learning Are you responsible for planning professional learning in your school or district? This session is designed to support you in the development of a clear professional learning plan for your initiatives including a framework of instructional coaching to ensure learning is sustained. Join us to explore innovative and equitable ways to meet the diverse needs of your educators. Amanda Sizler, Read Ohio Literacy Coach, ESC of Northeast Ohio Sacha with ESCNEO Team. Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio |
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Session D |
Maximizing Meeting Impact: Techniques for School Leaders Leading meetings that are both efficient, engaging, and impactful is an essential skill for school leaders. This session offers practical techniques for setting clear agendas, fostering active participation, and ensuring focused discussions. Learn how to establish a meeting culture that optimizes time, promotes effective decision-making, and strengthens collaboration among your team. Kim Day. Insight Education Group |
Building an Instructional Playbook: Creating Clarity and Accelerating Impact Learn how to develop a comprehensive instructional playbook that drives clarity and accelerates impact across your district or school. This session will guide participants through the process of prioritizing high-yield instructional practices and creating practical tools like one-pagers and checklists to streamline implementation. Discover how to collaborate with and support teachers in embedding these high-impact strategies into their daily practices, with a focus on data-driven learning and boosting student achievement. Debra Hrin. Instructional Coach, Garfield Heights City Schools Damon Loretz. Middle School Principal, Garfield Heights City Schools |
Dynamic, Transformational Leadership: How to Humanize School Culture This workshop will explore three key strategies to build a school culture deeply rooted in meaningful relationships, where teachers and staff feel valued, confident, and empowered to grow. Participants will gain practical, authentic strategies from a fellow school leader that have proven effective in fostering an environment where staff can thrive. Leave this session invigorated and energized, with a renewed sense of purpose to intentionally connect with your team and drive student success. Ashley White. Assistant Principal, The School District of the City of York |
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Session E |
Cultivating Trust: Strategies for Building Strong and Resilient Relationships
Explore the concept of the Trust Quotient and uncover the key attributes that contribute to building strong, resilient relationships within your school community. In this session, participants will collaborate with fellow leaders and coaches to share practical strategies for fostering trust, even with the most challenging teachers. Walk away with a clear plan to enhance trust in your school, strengthening connections and promoting a positive, supportive culture.
Kristi Sacha with ESCNEO Team. Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio |
Room to Grow: Challenge & Success in School Turnaround
Explore the challenges and successes of merging underperforming schools into a thriving learning community. This session will delve into strategies for gaining community stakeholder buy-in, managing leadership transitions, and fostering a collaborative culture among staff and students. Participants will learn how to build teacher capacity and engagement, implement effective PLC processes, and identify key factors that drive student achievement. Leave with a plan to engage stakeholders, develop strong leadership, and transform your school environment. Stacy Wilbanks. Director of Human Resources, Marion County School District Rachel Caulder. Learning Specialist, Marion County School District |
Creating a Strong Start: Onboarding Strategies and Support Systems for New Administrators Effective onboarding is crucial for the success of new administrators. This session will provide district teams with a comprehensive guide to the onboarding process, offering essential tools and resources to ensure a smooth transition for new leaders. Participants will also collaborate on developing support systems through mentoring and professional development opportunities, creating a strong foundation for new administrators to thrive. Christin Dickens. Insight Education Group Jana Anderson. Leaders Connect |
Out & About
Thanks so much to our friends and colleagues from the Cleveland area for curating this list of restaurants and attractions in the area to enjoy while visiting for the Summit.
Check them out while you’re in town!
Resource Fair
As part of our commitment to fostering collaboration and sharing best practices, we are excited to host a Resource Fair at the end of Day 1 of the Partners in Progress Summit. This event will provide a unique opportunity for all participants to share and discover promising resources, tools, and ideas have had a marked impact on your work as educational leaders.
Event Details:
What: A “fair”-like session where participants will rotate through a gallery of resources brought by their colleagues.
When: Tue, Sep 17 - Closing Session (2:30-3:30 pm)
Where: Salon (Embassy Suites by Hilton - Cleveland Rockside)
How It Works:
Each participant is asked to bring one resource, tool, or idea that has significantly impacted their role and the success of their school or district. During the fair, you will have the chance to:
Share your resource with fellow participants, explaining its purpose and effectiveness.
Explore other participants’ resources, engage in discussions, and ask questions to gain new insights and ideas.
Network with colleagues from different districts, fostering a rich exchange of knowledge and experiences.
Directions for Participants:
- Select Your Resource:
Choose one resource, tool, or idea that has been integral to your role and would be valuable for others to learn about.
- Prepare Your Submission:
- Please submit your resource electronically, along with a brief description (2-4 sentences) of the following three descriptors:
Audience / Purpose: Who is the intended audience for this resource, and what is its main purpose?
Evolution: How has this resource or tool evolved over time to better serve its purpose or adapt to new challenges?
Evidence of Effectiveness: What evidence do you have that demonstrates the effectiveness of this resource? Please share any data, feedback, or results that highlight its impact.
- Please submit your resource electronically, along with a brief description (2-4 sentences) of the following three descriptors:
- Submit Your Resource by Friday, September 13:
- Participate in the Fair:
Be prepared to discuss your resource with others and answer any questions they may have. This is a great opportunity to showcase the impactful work being done in your district and to learn from the experiences of your peers.
All Summit participants will have access to all resources and their descriptions electronically - both during the fair and after the Summit. If you'd like to bring a handful of hard copies, feel free, but it is in not necessary. You may consider having a laptop handy if it's easiest to talk through your resource that way,
There will be multiple rounds to explore the fair with so that all participants have a chance to both visit colleagues and to host a station with their resources. The Leaders Connect team will print and have on hand a one-page flier with your tool description to display at your station.
We are looking forward to seeing the diverse range of resources that everyone will bring and the valuable conversations that will result from this collaborative exchange. If you have any questions about the Resource Fair or the submission process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Bethany LeMoyne ([email protected]).
Thank you for your participation and partnership!
Time is Running Out
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