Leadership Impact Conference 2026: Full Schedule

1:35pm EDT

Anchoring Change: Moving from Initiatives to Culture

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT

Limited Capacity filling up

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 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 227

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

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

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm 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 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 219

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

Embracing Messy Leadership

FULL

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT

Room 222

Limited Capacity full

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 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 222

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

Ethics and Integrity in School Leadership

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT

Room 231

Limited Capacity filling up

Leadership is not for the faint of heart, and yet, every leader is human. In this engaging session, you’ll explore real-world scenarios that challenge your thinking and reflect the complexities of today’s schools. Using national ethical standards, you’ll apply a practical decision-making framework designed to bring clarity, consistency, and fairness to even the toughest situations. You’ll leave with greater confidence in your decisions, and the trust of those you serve, grounded in integrity, transparency, and a commitment to doing what’s right.

Speakers

Dr. Andrea Jenkins-Mann

Dr. Jeff Milton

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 231

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

From Blueprint to Impact: Building Systems that Make Assessments Matter

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm 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 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 246H

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

Intentional Assessment Unit Planning to Maximize Instruction

LIMITED

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT

Room 216

Limited Capacity seats available

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

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 216

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

Leadership Habits of Effective Assistant Principals: Using the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT

Room 119

Limited Capacity filling up

What separates good assistant principals from truly effective leaders? In this interactive session, participants will explore practical leadership strategies grounded in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and tailored specifically for assistant principals. Through hands-on activities, self-assessments, and real-world scenarios, attendees will learn how to prioritize what matters most, lead proactively, develop a clear vision, and sustain their impact. Walk away with actionable habits you can implement immediately to strengthen your leadership and elevate your school community.

Speakers

Jeff Crawford

Dr. Tracy Guillory

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 119

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

Leading Impactful Math Instruction Through Elevated Student Experiences:

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm 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 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 114

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

Leading Together: Supporting Effective Shared Teaching Practices

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT

Room 224

Limited Capacity filling up

What does high-impact shared teaching look like in action? In this interactive session, leaders will strengthen their ability to recognize effective practices, distinguish true specialized instruction, and leverage practical tools to monitor, coach, and elevate collaborative teaching teams. Through real-world scenarios, reflection, and calibration activities, participants will deepen their understanding of strong collaboration, clearly defined roles, and intentional instructional delivery. The session will also introduce actionable monitoring and coaching tools that can be immediately applied during classroom visits to support teacher teams and improve instructional outcomes.

Speakers

Kristi Dixon

Dr. Melissa Lummis

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 224

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

Leading with Clarity: The 5 Pillars of Credible Communication

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT

Room 102

Limited Capacity filling up

In a world filled with noise, confusion, and competing messages, clarity has become the defining trait of credible leaders. Join this session to explore the five pillars of credible communication. You’ll discover that communication is more than what you say, it’s how clearly people understand who you are, what you stand for, and why they can trust you.

Speakers

Dr. Missy Shackelford

Angela Stewart

Leading with Clarity docx

Leadership Task Force Presentation Updated after Feedback pdf

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 102

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

Lights, Camera, Action! Bringing Summarization and Notetaking to Life in the Classroom

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT

Room 221

Limited Capacity filling up

Ready to take action? Join us for a dynamic session where we turn summarization and notetaking into a blockbuster experience! Learn how these powerful strategies can shift students from passive viewers to active directors of their own learning—making standards stick and engagement soar.

Speakers

Lindsey McGovern

Kendra Brooks

Principal, Bells Ferry Elementary

Dr. David Church

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 221

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

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

FULL

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT

Room 249H

Limited Capacity full

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 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 249H

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

Showcase Showdown: School Budget Edition

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT

Room 232

Limited Capacity filling up

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 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 232

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

The Data Game Plan: Leading CCCs to Win for Students with Data-Driven Protocols

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT

Room 206

Limited Capacity filling up

In the game of improving student outcomes, principals are the head coaches—and data isthe playbook. In this high-energy, football-themed professional learning session, leaders will huddle up to equip participants with the strategies and tools needed to establish and monitor effective data analysis protocols within their Cobb Collaborative Communities (CCCs). Whether your CCCs are rebuilding or already in playoff contention, this session will help you lead your data analysis conversations with purpose and fidelity to keep everyone focused on the goal line: improved teaching and learning.

Speakers

Josh Fowler

Lori Horn

Dwan Jones

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 206

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

Unboxing Leadership: Thinking Beyond the Box to Transform School Culture

FULL

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm 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 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 204

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

Unlocking Assessment Success: The Leadership Escape Room

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm 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 1:35pm - 2:25pm EDT
Room 247H

Session 4

1:35pm EDT

When Leaders Multiply, Schools Thrive: Building Leadership Capacity

FILLING

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:35pm - 2:25pm 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