Day Three

A Legal Update from the Oce of General Counsel: Helping Principals Avoid Solving Problems for the First Time, Every Time - Dan Hoying and Stephanie Scott - Room 230

This session will provide administrators with an overview of the ever-changing landscape of school law matters and share practical guidance on current legal issues and their application to real-world scenarios.

Educator Support, Mentorship & Talent Development: Strategic Induction, Culture, and Feedback-Driven Pipelines - Dr. Kevin Jamison - Room 235

Urban school districts face distinct challenges in educator retention, making systemic support and proactive talent pipelines essential. This presentation provides school principals with a roadmap to help build a resilient, highly skilled workforce. Participants will examine interconnected pillars of modern school leadership: establishing high-impact new educator induction programs, implementing structured "grow-your-own" talent strategies, and embedding trauma-informed practices into daily educator culture. Centering on staff wellbeing and a positive school culture, the session demonstrates how to leverage continuous survey data to capture staff input and drive decision-making. Leaders will acquire concrete, scalable frameworks to cultivate a supportive ecosystem that empowers urban educators, deepens community talent pools, and helps to foster sustainable school success.

Flourishing School Communities: Leadership Practices for Equity-Oriented Care - Dr. Kate Kennedy - Room 240

Let’s dream about flourishing. Collectively, let’s imagine building schools (and school systems) where flourishing—the care of students, staff, and families in their full humanity—is our goal, purpose, and priority. Dr. Kate Kennedy, leading expert on care, will share evidence-based ideas and strategies for implementing equity-oriented care practices that are effective for all, but with special attention to Black, Latinx, newcomer, LGBTQ+, and transient youth. This session will bring in ideas about reducing absenteeism, creating academic rigor with care, and the importance of support staff in flourishing schools. Participants will leave with a sense of care, wonder, and purpose. Attendees will be armed with practical and creative strategies for serving as caring, equity-oriented leaders charged with the awesome responsibility of building the flourishing communities our students so rightly deserve.