Day One

Owning the Numbers: How School Leaders Turn Data into Meaningful Change Through Collective Commitment - Dr. Scott Ebbrecht - Room 240

What if your school’s greatest opportunity for improvement is already in the data you collect every day? This session explores how school leaders can turn assessment data into meaningful action that drives student success. Participants will clarify the differences between assessment, achievement, ability, and aptitude, and learn how to use data to make timely instructional decisions. The session highlights strategies for building staff confidence in data analysis, aligning curriculum with student needs, and creating a culture of shared accountability for results. Attendees will also examine how emerging AI tools can help organize, analyze, and interpret student and organizational data to identify trends and inform decision-making. Grounded in real-world examples from a veteran administrator, this session equips leaders to drive purposeful, data-informed improvement.

See Different, Lead Different: Unlocking the Power of Student Positioning in the Classroom - Dr. Elsheika Pennerman - Room 245

School leaders are expected to be instructional leaders—yet many lack the tools to deeply analyze teaching and provide meaningful feedback. This session addresses that gap by examining classroom practice through the lens of student positioning—how students are perceived, engaged, and challenged—and its impact on learning and behavior.

Through collaborative analysis of real instructional cases, leaders will uncover subtle patterns that shape student thinking and participation. Participants will leave with practical strategies to help teachers position all students as capable, critical thinkers.

This session challenges leaders to align their instructional leadership with their beliefs about student potential, especially for underserved communities. By embracing intentional language, actions, and The Believe Game mindset, leaders will transform how they support instruction and cultivate student agency, collaboration, and inclusive excellence.

Future Ready Schools: Innovative Leadership Practices that Work - Dr. Jordan Grossman - Room 235

Today’s educational leaders must move beyond traditional supervision and design systems that foster high-quality teaching and meaningful student learning. This interactive session explores instructional leadership practices that drive measurable results, focusing on strategies leaders can implement immediately. 

Participants will examine effective instructional walkthroughs, coaching and feedback cycles, collaborative PLCs, data-informed decision-making, MTSS alignment, student-centered learning, and emerging AI tools that enhance leadership effectiveness. Drawing on real-world district leadership experiences, the session highlights ways to strengthen instructional quality, build teacher capacity, increase student engagement, and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. 

Through reflection, collaboration, and practical problem-solving activities, participants will identify growth opportunities within their own schools and develop actionable next steps. Attendees will leave with practical tools, proven strategies, and resources to expand their impact as instructional leaders in today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape.

Leading Schools in the Age of AI: What Every Principal Needs to Know About Artificial Intelligence - Debra Fricke- Room 230

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping education...from classroom instruction and assessment to school operations and workforce readiness. This session will provide school leaders with a practical overview of the evolving AI landscape, including state and district guidance, ethical considerations, and what effective AI implementation can look like in Cincinnati Public Schools. Participants will explore how AI can enhance leadership practices, what to look for in classrooms, and how to support staff and students in using AI responsibly, transparently, and effectively.

Practical Data Tools: From Beginner to Leader - Mike McGowan - Room 240

This session is designed for administrators and educators looking to build confidence with data systems in a supportive, beginner-friendly environment. Participants will explore practical tools, including Google Sheets, Looker (Data) Studio, Google Forms, and AI to create smarter, more efficient systems for analyzing student achievement and schoolwide trends. The session will highlight easy-to-use Google formulas, dashboard integration strategies, and time-saving tools that simplify everyday tasks and support data-driven decision making. Attendees will also have opportunities to practice with real tools, ask questions in a safe learning space, and collaborate with others at all experience levels. Whether you are just getting started or looking to strengthen your current systems, this session will provide practical strategies you can immediately implement in your school.

The Montessori Philosophy & Method at Work in the Public Sector - Melissa Ridley - Room 245

Montessori education has been a cornerstone of Cincinnati Public Schools for more than five decades, demonstrating that authentic, child-centered Montessori practices can thrive within a public school system. This presentation will provide attendees with an overview of the Montessori philosophy and method while exploring its alignment with the mission and goals of public education. Participants will examine key components of effective Montessori implementation, including prepared environments, multi-age learning communities, student independence, and individualized instruction, all within the framework of Ohio’s academic standards. The session will also address the opportunities and challenges of maintaining high-fidelity Montessori programs in a large urban district. Attendees will gain insight into how Montessori education promotes academic excellence, social-emotional growth, educational equity, and the development of engaged, responsible citizens who contribute meaningfully to their communities

Locker Room Talk: Coaching Teachers Like Champions - Gary A. Tate Jr. - Room 235

The most successful coaches don't simply manage athletes, they develop them. They build trust, provide clear feedback, create accountability, celebrate growth, and inspire individuals to perform at their highest level. School leaders have the same responsibility with teachers. In this session, participants will explore how effective principals can adopt a coaching mindset to develop strong instructional teams and improve student outcomes. Through practical examples, leadership strategies, and real-world experiences, attendees will learn how to move beyond evaluation and become instructional coaches who motivate, support, and challenge staff members to grow. Drawing parallels between athletics and education, this session will examine how great leaders establish expectations, conduct meaningful feedback conversations, develop talent, build team culture, and create systems that lead to continuous improvement. Participants will leave with actionable strategies they can implement immediately to strengthen teacher performance and cultivate a culture of excellence in their schools.

Building Stronger Classrooms Through True Co-Teaching: The Signs of Effective Co-Teaching - LaVaugn Neal - Room 230

Building Stronger Classrooms Through True Co-Teaching: The Signs of Effective Co-Teaching is a professional learning session designed for school administrators focused on developing a clear understanding of authentic co-teaching practices. Participants will examine what effective co-teaching looks like in action, while also identifying common misconceptions and practices that do not reflect true collaborative instruction. Through reflection and discussion, administrators will build a shared language around co-teaching, identify the key elements of successful co-teaching partnerships, and evaluate current practices within their own buildings to guide future growth and instructional improvement. 

From Proficiency to Excellence: Instructional Leadership for Accelerating Student Outcomes - Dr. Yvette Pennington - Room 240

This interactive, hands-on workshop is designed for school-level administrators seeking to strengthen instructional leadership practices that accelerate student outcomes. Participants will engage in the collaborative construction of a go-kart while exploring how leadership components—vision, instruction, data, and support—must function in alignment to move students from proficiency to excellence. Grounded in the Pennsylvania Gifted Individualized Education Program (GIEP) framework, the session moves beyond compliance toward purposeful implementation that extends learning for advanced students. Through collaborative design tasks and a real-world case study following the academic and social-emotional growth of a high-performing student, attendees will examine how data-driven decision-making, differentiated instruction, enrichment opportunities, and instructional coaching can increase student outcomes. Participants will leave with practical, transferable strategies for identifying untapped potential, monitoring growth, removing barriers to excellence, and creating systems that empower advanced learners to thrive at the highest levels.

Supporting Principals' Implementation of Science of Reading - Dr. Allison Breit, Dr. Stephanie Reid and Dr. Storey Mecoli - Room 245

This session supports CPS educational leaders in understanding recent Ohio literacy legislation and translating science of reading research into practice. This session opens with an overview of the foundations of science of reading research and a discussion of the impact of science of reading legislation on literacy curriculum, instruction, and assessment in CPS schools. Dr. Breit, Dr. Reid, and Dr. Mecoli will then share practical strategies for principals to continue nurturing their own literacy expertise while also building and sustaining a shared vision for literacy within their school community. There will also be time throughout the session for questions and conversation. Important resources from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will be shared, as well as information and evidence-based research from other sources and professional organizations.

Pathways with Purpose: Preparing Secondary Students for College, Career, and Life After Graduation - Michael Turner and Emily Moroney. - Room 235

This session will support 7-12 principals in strengthening the connection between graduation, college readiness, career readiness, and postsecondary attainment. Participants will receive a focused overview of the district supports, programs, and pathways that help students move toward life after high school, including college access, career-technical education, work-based learning, industry-recognized credentials, and postsecondary planning. The session will also engage principals in examining how these opportunities show up differently across secondary schools and what leadership moves can help close gaps in access, participation, and follow-through. By the end of the session, leaders will identify practical next steps to strengthen postsecondary readiness systems in their schools.