Leadership EDIT 2025

Exploring and achieving equity in education is a vital and current topic. It requires more than just awareness; it demands intentional action from leaders. In this interactive session, we delve into the practical aspects of fostering equity within your educational environment. We'll utilize the innovative Equity Framework, pioneered by educators from Chicago Public Schools, as a tool to confront and address specific equity challenges unique to your institution. This workshop is not just about theory; it's about action. You'll leave with a tailor-made action plan, imbued with a sense of purpose, ready to be shared and implemented within your school community. Plus, you'll gain access to an array of practical resources to kickstart this critical journey towards lasting change in the realm of educational equity.

As school leaders, creating an environment where all students can thrive means recognizing the impact of trauma and implementing strategies that foster resilience. This session will explore how trauma-informed leadership can improve student outcomes by shaping school culture, guiding instructional practices, and supporting staff well-being. Participants will learn how to lead with a trauma-responsive lens, implement policies that prioritize emotional safety, and equip educators with the tools to support students effectively. Through case studies, practical frameworks, and collaborative discussions, school leaders will leave with a roadmap for embedding trauma-informed strategies into their schools—ensuring that every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

In this engaging presentation, attendees will explore how school administrators and counselors can collaborate to foster a fun, positive, and inclusive school culture. Learning objectives include identifying strategies for building strong partnerships between admin and counselors, understanding the impact of a vibrant school environment on student well-being, and discovering creative ways to enhance school morale. Through interactive discussions, real-life examples, and group brainstorming sessions, participants will actively contribute their ideas and experiences. The presentation will encourage open dialogue and inspire attendees to share successful practices. To extend learning beyond the summit, we will provide actionable tools and resources for continued collaboration and ongoing support, ensuring that the fun and positive culture thrives long after the event. Participants will leave energized, equipped with practical strategies to implement in their own school communities.

In today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, K-12 school leaders must embrace a collaborative mindset to drive meaningful and lasting change. Working through an equity lens, building collaborative relationships with the colleagues, staff, students, and families you serve is an imperative skill to develop on your journey to truly becoming a transformational school leader.

During this interactive session, attendees will identify collaboration strategies and mindset shifts needed to promote norms of collaboration through an equity lens. Participants will assess their current collaboration skills and develop an action plan to implement at least one new strategy with their current school team right away. Let’s break down those silos, leverage partnerships and discover how to foster a culture of collaboration together!

Advocating for your appropriate role is a significant part of any position or program. Many times we're reluctant to speak because of all of the "what if's". Advocacy doesn't need to be terrifying. Learn how to lean into the fear, finding an advocacy approach that benefits you, your program and students, while leaving you feeling empowered as an advocate. Let's find a way to break the mold with leadership, advocacy and collaboration.

This session explores how leadership shapes school culture through the lens of Applied Educational Neuroscience (AEN). Participants will learn how the four AEN pillars—Co-Regulation, Touchpoints, The Language of the Nervous System, and Educator Brain & Body State—support trauma-responsive, sustainable change. Through real-world examples and interactive discussions, we’ll examine how school leaders can foster staff wellness, shift disciplinary practices, and embed regulation strategies into daily systems. Attendees will engage in reflective exercises, practical leadership applications, and small-group conversations to deepen understanding. This session extends beyond the summit with actionable takeaways, resources for ongoing implementation, and a leadership framework that cultivates resilience and belonging in schools.

In an ever-evolving educational landscape, ensuring that schools are both equity-driven and trauma-informed is essential for fostering safe, supportive, and transformative learning environments. This interactive session will explore practical strategies generated from participants to assist with integrating trauma-informed principles into school counseling, leadership, and student support systems. Plan to walk away with with what you need to create sustainable, systems-level change in your class, schools and districts.
✔️ Identify barriers to access, engagement, and success for marginalized student populations
✔️ Develop practical strategies for trauma-informed practices
✔️ Create a personalized Take What You Need action plan to implement in their work

“The Wonder Twins: Humanizing Leadership”, is about those good ol’ days of cartoons on Saturday mornings and making connections to leadership. Wonder Twin powers activate! It all starts with realizing we’re human beings ready to form the shape of our best lives! Can I tell you a secret? Leadership is really about you rediscovering yourself and then discovering others around you. It’s about seeking the elusive "missing ingredients" that can transform your relationships and your life.

Definitely come ready to catch all of #TheWrightProTips from this session including, what the Wonder Twins are and how one question can instantly usher you into thinking about vision and mission. I’m telling you, you need to be in this session. Tell a friend to tell a friend!

Led by Vernon Wright (@TheWrightLeader), this session promises to deliver insights you can immediately try after the session. I’ll see you there!

School etiquette is not just about following rules—it's about cultivating a culture of respect, responsibility, and ethical behavior that shapes the future of students. In this professional development session, Leading Out The Woods: Nurturing School Etiquette for Success will explore how schools can play a pivotal role in nurturing these qualities. From fostering respectful behavior in the hallways to enhancing family engagement, we will discuss how educators, parents, and community members can work together to establish and maintain consistent expectations. Participants will learn actionable strategies to model, assess, and instill etiquette in students, empowering them to contribute to a culture of excellence both inside and outside the classroom.

Effective trauma-informed leadership begins with self-awareness, cultural humility, and the ability to co-regulate with diverse teams and students. In this interactive session, leaders will explore the NeuroResilience Model, a core component of the Rooted Hope Framework, through hands-on activities. Participants will engage in real-time self-regulation exercises, peer coaching, and scenario-based discussions to experience trauma-informed leadership in action. This session will center equity and cultural responsiveness, helping leaders recognize the ways that historical and systemic trauma impact students and staff from diverse backgrounds and how they can lead with cultural humility and inclusivity.
What Makes This Session Hands-On?
✅ Live self-regulation exercises to strengthen leadership resilience
✅ Small-group coaching to apply co-regulation strategies across cultural contexts
✅ Case studies focusing on equity-driven trauma-informed leadership

Join fellow leaders for a dynamic networking session designed to spark meaningful connections, share innovative ideas, and foster collaborative solutions. This interactive space is your opportunity to build a support network of peers committed to advancing student success and systemic growth. Let’s strengthen our impact—together.