Grounded in the Wallace Foundation’s research, this session transforms change management from a source of friction into a catalyst for growth by scaffolding the structural, procedural, and cultural pillars of effective leadership. Leaders will move beyond "firefighting" to adopting a mindset of intentional stewardship, learning to protect teacher well-being while driving high-impact school improvements. Participants will leave with the foundation for developing the clarity and capacity to navigate complex transitions without the typical leadership burnout.
When I heard the quote on the Strategic Action Agenda — “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems” — my first thought was “that would make a great tattoo.” My second was that it would be a great session. My goal is to give you just enough systems thinking to be dangerous. We'll explore feedback loops, leverage points, and the structures quietly running our schools — without disappearing into the theoretical weeds. We'll also dig into practical tools. Because understanding your system is only half the battle. The other half is knowing where to push.
The ADA Title II Web and Mobile Application Accessibility Rule will impact far more than division websites. School and teacher leaders play a critical role in ensuring that newsletters, presentations, classroom materials, videos, family communications, and shared documents are accessible to all users, including individuals with disabilities. This session will provide practical guidance on school-level implications of the new requirements, common accessibility barriers to avoid, and simple strategies staff can implement immediately. Participants will also learn about the division’s implementation plan, training opportunities, and support resources. This work supports the 2026–2027 Strategic Action Agenda by strengthening equitable access to communication, learning, and family engagement.
A provisionally licensed teacher, a traditionally prepared first-year teacher, and a veteran new to VBCPS each walk into your building, and each one needs something different. In this session, leaders will use scenario-based case studies and a tiered support framework to map what responsive, proactive support looks like at Tier 1, 2, and 3. Through collaborative table work and cross-level peer learning, participants will leave knowing what to do next when a teacher needs more than what's currently in place, because every new educator deserves to feel known and supported from day one.
Do you know what childcare, enrichment, and career programs are available to your students, staff, and families right now? This session brings together VBCPS, Parks & Recreation, and the YMCA to show you the full picture. From before- and after-school care at your elementary schools to teen employment programs, entrepreneurship initiatives, and financial assistance options, you will learn what is already operating in your buildings and community and how to connect families to it. Leave with a resource guide, partner contacts, and the confidence to be the bridge between your school community and the support they need.
Ready to move beyond the AI hype and into high-impact practice? This interactive breakout session explores how leaders can empower staff to use AI as a collaborative partner for professional growth. We’ll share practical strategies for using AI to streamline administrative tasks, enhance PLC collaboration, and provide personalized teacher support. Participants will engage with hands-on tools and leave with a "Quick-Start" framework to lead AI implementation at their own locations. Join us to discover how prioritizing staff capacity with AI creates a stronger, more connected school community where everyone thrives.
What if your most impactful mentor has nothing to do with your job title? This session introduces HR Horizons, a mentoring model that intentionally pairs employees across roles and departments rather than by job alignment. Through a walkthrough of the program's monthly themes, hands-on activities, and real examples, attendees will learn how to build a mentoring initiative that strengthens peer-to-peer learning, cross-role collaboration, and fosters a sense of belonging among staff across schools and departments. Participants will leave with practical ideas for creating mentoring structures that help employees feel known, supported, connected to the mission, and engaged in meaningful professional dialogue beyond their immediate role or setting.
This presentation will empower school administrators to modernize volunteerism, aligning with Goal 4 of Compass to 2030. Leaders will learn to replace inefficient generic tools, which often cause "sign-up fatigue" and fragmented data, with centralized system, SignUpGenius Enterprise. The focus will be on leveraging automated reminders and reporting dashboards to track participation and ensure operational accountability. Administrators will master a three-phase roadmap—set-up, launch, and growth—to transform school-wide engagement into a professional, data-driven operation that supports student achievement.
Ever wonder what happens between submitting a media request and seeing a post on social media? This session pulls back the curtain on the process and shows school leaders and staff how they can become stronger partners in sharing their school stories. Participants will learn practical strategies to improve event coverage requests, increase visibility through tagging and branded hashtags, and support timely, engaging content creation. The session will also provide guidance for schools interested in launching or strengthening their own social media presence while aligning with division expectations and best practices. Attendees will leave with actionable tips to help elevate and celebrate their school communities.
School leaders are increasingly navigating emotionally charged, high-stakes situations where there is no perfect script, no clean answer, and no easy resolution. This session explores how leaders can remain grounded, responsive, and accountable while navigating conflict, pressure, competing perspectives, and complex human behavior.
This session equips coaches and leaders with a framework to help teachers overcome the barriers to inquiry-based learning. While experiencing the explore before explain model via a hands-on lab, participants will analyze a coaching model that integrates tech and gifted pedagogy to streamline logistics and reduce teacher workload. We will share how our approaches over the past several years are resulting in improved outcomes for our students. You will leave with a "coaching toolkit" designed to build teacher confidence, create a sustainable science lab structure, and empower staff to lead future-ready, hands-on science for every learner.
What does it take to move a PLC from compliance to true commitment? In this interactive session, explore a structured PLC model that drives collaboration, where teachers co-plan, refine instruction with coaching support, and lead meaningful PLC conversations. Participants will examine a practical planning document and PLC agenda aligned to data analysis, AVID strategies, Specially Designed Instruction (SDI), and gradual release. Through authentic examples and discussion, you’ll see how this approach builds teacher efficacy, streamlines workload, and improves student outcomes. Walk away with ready-to-use tools and a replicable system that drives instructional consistency, builds capacity, and fosters a strong sense of belonging among teachers.
We know that data can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate it alone! And neither do your teachers. This session shares a collaborative framework for administrators, specialists, and teachers to work as a team so that PLC meetings can be functional and effective. We’ll explore how to aggregate data into simple, actionable fact sheets, as well as how to use data dashboards to drive PLC conversations. By streamlining the "how" of data analysis, we empower leadership teams to support their PLCs more effectively, ensuring that data-driven instruction feels like a shared win rather than a solo burden.
When I heard the quote on the Strategic Action Agenda — “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems” — my first thought was “that would make a great tattoo.” My second was that it would be a great session. My goal is to give you just enough systems thinking to be dangerous. We'll explore feedback loops, leverage points, and the structures quietly running our schools — without disappearing into the theoretical weeds. We'll also dig into practical tools. Because understanding your system is only half the battle. The other half is knowing where to push.
Navigating employee issues requires both compliance knowledge and strong leadership practices. Led by HR Employee Relations and School Division Attorneys, this interactive session will help administrators build confidence in addressing employee concerns with clarity, consistency, and professionalism. Through real-world scenarios, guided policy walkthroughs, and documentation exercises, participants will strengthen their ability to navigate complex situations while fostering a professional culture where staff feel supported, respected, and connected to the division’s mission. Attendees will leave with practical tools to lead timely conversations, locate and apply policies effectively, and support positive working relationships within their schools and departments.
