Leadership Impact Conference 2026: Full Schedule

10:40am EDT

Administrators Playbook: Special Education & 504 Compliance

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 234

Limited Capacity filling up

Speakers

Jessica Coleman

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT
Room 234

Session 2

10:40am EDT

Anchoring Change: Moving from Initiatives to Culture

FULL

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 227

Limited Capacity full

Why do well-intended school initiatives fade before they become part of the culture? This session examines the leadership and human factors that cause change efforts to stall — from lack of vision and accountability to change fatigue and staff resistance. Participants will leave with practical strategies to help sustain momentum and anchor initiatives to school culture.

Speakers

Dr. Maria Braswell

Principal, Green Acres Elementary

Dr. Troy Jones

Principal, Osborne High School

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT
Room 227

Session 2

10:40am EDT

Brick by Brick: How Direct Instruction and Deliberate Practice Provide the Foundation for Student Success

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 219

Limited Capacity filling up

Just like building with LEGO® bricks, powerful teaching starts with strong, intentional foundations. In this interactive session, participants will explore how direct instruction and deliberate practice work together to create clear learning pathways so that every student experiences success. Through hands-on activities, conversations, and engaging with District resources, participants will realize why these two high-yield instructional practices have “earned” an unfair reputation. The session will reinforce deliberate practice and high quality direct instruction across classrooms. This session provides the foundation you need to strengthen instruction in your building—brick by brick—so students can achieve success

Speakers

Dr. Ashley Kennedy

Director of Instruction & Innovative Practice

Ashley Kennedy, Ed.D., serves at the Director of Instruction & Innovative Practice. She proudly leads PreK-12th grade teaching and learning structures to ensure all students succeed. Talk to Dr. Kennedy about Literacy, Math, Science, Social Studies, Professional Learning, or World... Read More →

Dr. Kelly Luscre

Nathan Stark

Principal, Kennesaw Mountain High School

I have served as a principal in Cobb County for 7 years and an administrator for 14 years after teaching math for 10 years.

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT
Room 219

Session 2

10:40am EDT

Embracing Messy Leadership

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 222

Limited Capacity filling up

This session highlights key principles from Embracing Messy Leadership by Alyssa Gallagher and Rosie Connor, focusing on leading authentically through uncertainty, building trust, and turning challenges into opportunities for growth. Participants will gain practical strategies for courageous, relationship-centered leadership.

Speakers

Kenyatta Redding- Frederick

Principal, Powder Springs Elementary

Dr. Tiffany Jackson

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT
Room 222

Session 2

10:40am EDT

From Blueprint to Impact: Building Systems that Make Assessments Matter

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 246H

Limited Capacity filling up

Strong assessments are the backbone of student success—but how do you ensure they’re high quality and consistently implemented when your time is scarce? This session equips principals and district leaders with practical strategies to monitor the development of high quality assessments that align to standards, foster student ownership, and support instructional precision. Explore tools, timelines, and CCC structures that create consistency and rigor across classrooms and learn how to use monitoring systems to identify next steps when assessments fall short. Leave with actionable ideas to strengthen your assessment architecture and improve learning outcomes.

Speakers

Dr. Katie Derman

Dr. LaEla Mitchell

Principal, Campbell Middle School

Dr. LaEla Mitchell, an experienced educator with over 25 years in education, is passionate about teacher collaboration, professional learning communities, and innovation in instructional practices. She has served as a middle and high school teacher, department chair, curriculum developer... Read More →

George Morgan

DESIGN Assessment inventory docx

DESIGN Assessment Planning Template docx

DESIGN Common Assessment Plan Year Sample docx

DESIGN Common Vocabulary Activity docx

DESIGN Folded Cards Template docx

REFLECT Data Presentation Questions docx

REFLECT Learning Team Presentation Rubric docx

REVIEW Two Truths and a Lie docx

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT
Room 246H

Session 2

10:40am EDT

Get “Jiggy” with Jigsaw

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 251H

Limited Capacity filling up

Are you ready to get Jiggy with Jigsaw??? In this session, we will bring the jigsaw strategy to life through hands-on experience and practical takeaways you can take back to your building to share with teachers to use right away. Participants will experience jigsaw firsthand, step into expert groups and learning groups, and see how collaboration, accountability, and movement drive deeper understanding from this instructional strategy that has a 1.20-effect size.

Speakers

Melissa Faklaris

Principal, Cheatham Hill Elementary

Dr. Dana Giles

Kelly McNabb

Get Jiggy With Jig Saw pptx

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT
Room 251H

Session 2

10:40am EDT

Intentional Assessment Unit Planning to Maximize Instruction

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 216

Limited Capacity filling up

Are you ready to help teachers maximize their instruction through effective assessment planning? In our session, learn how to support your grade level and content teams and team leaders in developing assessment unit plans, as well as best practices in evaluating effective plans. Self-assess your school’s performance in enhancing teacher clarity, creating a learning progression, and defining success criteria to determine your next steps to elevate assessment planning at your school!

Speakers

Dr. Georgette Clinton

Dr. Kendall Foster

Principal, Cobb County School District

Dr. Ashley Mize

Intentional Assessment Unit Planning pdf

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT
Room 216

Session 2

10:40am EDT

Leading and Monitoring the CCC Process with Purpose

FULL

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 102

Limited Capacity full

Learn how to lead CCC work with clarity and purpose in this highly interactive session for school leaders. Participants will explore the foundational non‑negotiables of the CCC process, understand what it means to be tight and loose about the right things, and identify key look-fors that ensure all students have access to high‑level learning. This session provides relevant and timely tips that leaders can immediately implement within their own buildings, along with practical strategies for monitoring and supporting effective collaborative team work.

Speakers

Dr. Hannah Polk

Principal, Hightower Trail Middle School

Dr. James Rawls

Principal, Cooper Middle School

Leading the CCC Process with Purpose pptx

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT
Room 102

Session 2

10:40am EDT

Leading Impactful Math Instruction Through Elevated Student Experiences:

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 114

Limited Capacity filling up

The 2026 Math Institute was an opportunity to bring all K-12 math teachers in the district together to engage in a full-day session built around a common message of elevating student experiences to impact math instruction. As leaders, you can continue to support this great work at your schools by Leading Impactful Math Instruction. During this interactive session, participants will make connections to their school's math goal for next year with the practices, strategies, and resources that were the foundation for the Math Institute. We will explore the characteristics of an impactful classroom, engage with manipulatives and strategies for elementary, middle, and high schools, and examine the resources available to support math teachers with making an impact in their classroom. Join us to learn how you can support and lead teachers to impact the math experience for your students!

Speakers

Danielle Lanigan

K-5 Math Professional Learning Coordinator

Danielle is a former elementary teacher turned professional learning coordinator who loves helping others feel confident in math teaching.

Keelan Seabolt

Assistant Director, Instruction & Innovative Practice

I have been in education for 18 years and have taught middle school and high school math and science.

Georgia K 12 Mathematics Standards Learning Progressions pdf

5th Grade Math Leadership Impact Conference pdf

8th Grade Math Leadership Impact Conference pdf

Leadership Task Force Impacting Students Through Elevated Math Experiences pdf

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT
Room 114

Session 2

10:40am EDT

Score! Improving Student Performance with Goal Setting, Self-Reported Grades, and Reflection

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 249H

Limited Capacity filling up

Join Ted Lasso and his soccer crew for a high-energy session that turns the playbook of coaching into a winning strategy for student success! In Score! Improving Student Performance with Goal Setting, Self-Reported Grades, and Reflection, you’ll discover how three powerful practices—clear goal setting, self-reported grades, and meaningful reflection—can transform your school into a championship team. You’ll leave with practical tools, real world examples, and actionable steps to help every learner hit their academic goals and feel like an MVP. Grab your whistle and join us for this game-changing session!

Speakers

Dr. Benji Morrell

Dr. Alvin Thomas

Dr. Elizabeth Webb

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT
Room 249H

Session 2

10:40am EDT

Showcase Showdown: School Budge Edition

FULL

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 232

Limited Capacity full

Showcase Showdown: School Budget Edition invites school leaders to build confidence in school finance through an engaging, game-style experience. Participants will unpack the four major funding sources and learn practical leadership moves to maximize resources, ensure compliance, and align spending with school priorities. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of school budgets and one actionable step to strengthen their financial leadership.

Speakers

Paul Gillihan

Amber Little

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT
Room 232

Session 2

10:40am EDT

Stress Management for School Leaders: How to Keep From Running on Empty

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 245H

Limited Capacity filling up

In this session, K–12 school leaders will explore the real impact that stress can have. Participants will examine common stress triggers in their daily work and learn practical, research‑aligned strategies to manage stress across their school organizations. Through interactive scenarios and actionable tools, leaders will leave equipped to maintain their well‑being, strengthen their resilience, and support healthier school cultures. This session is designed to help administrators stay effective—and energized—through the demands of school leadership.

Speakers

Sandra Alford

Principal, Brumby Elementary

Dr. Jenny Douglas

Principal, Cobb County School District

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT
Room 245H

Session 2

10:40am EDT

Strong Foundations: Scaffolding Strategies That Support Student Success

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 225

Limited Capacity filling up

Grab your hard hats, zip up your safety vests, and join us on the job site as we dig into one of the most essential structures in teaching and learning: scaffolding. Just like on a real construction site, the right supports can elevate students higher than they could climb alone—and our mission is to equip you with the tools and frameworks you need to build strong, accessible, and engaging instruction at every grade level.

Speakers

Dr. Matthew Bradford

Craig Dills

Cory Stanley

Scaffolding Resources pdf

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT
Room 225

Session 2

10:40am EDT

Unboxing Leadership: Thinking Beyond the Box to Transform School Culture

FULL

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 204

Limited Capacity full

Unboxing Leadership: Thinking Beyond the Box to Transform School Culture invites assistant principals to challenge traditional practices and rethink how leadership can drive innovation. Participants will examine why innovation matters, why it can be difficult in the AP role, and how to move beyond the mindset of "we've always done it this way."Through practical examples from real school settings, presenters will share innovative strategies that streghten school culture and improve outcomes. Attendees will leave with a small, actionable innovation they can immediately test in their own leadership practice. Join this session to unbox your leadership and reimagine what's possible.

Speakers

Debbie Broadnax

Dr. Timeka Cline

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT
Room 204

Session 2

10:40am EDT

Unlocking Assessment Success: The Leadership Escape Room

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 247H

Limited Capacity filling up

Step inside The Leadership Escape Room–through a series of themed “escape” breakout rooms, school leaders will solve riddles and use clues to think critically about how they monitor, support, and strengthen assessment practices in their schools.

Speakers

William Dryden

Tiffany Honore

Amy Stump

SSC Principal Self Check Handout docx

Unlocking Assessment Success pdf

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT
Room 247H

Session 2

10:40am EDT

When Leaders Multiply, Schools Thrive: Building Leadership Capacity

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:30am EDT

Room 118

Limited Capacity filling up

Join us for “When Leaders Multiply, Schools Thrive: Building Leadership Capacity” and discover how to move from doing it all to developing others to do more. In this practical, energizing session, you’ll identify specific areas within your current role where you can intentionally strengthen leadership capacity, learn to recognize the difference between multiplier and diminisher behaviors (and how they show up in schools), and leave with a clear plan—including a multiplier accountability partner—to sustain your growth. If you’re ready to shift from managing tasks to multiplying talent and building a thriving leadership culture on your campus, this session is for you.

Speakers