2:30 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Leading from Year One: Insights and Lessons from a First-Year K-12 Head of School
Led by Dr. Renee Murley--Boyd-Buchanan Chattanooga, Tennessee
Session Description:
The first year as a Head of School is a whirlwind of leadership challenges, institutional learning, and unexpected moments of growth. This session offers a candid look at the key insights gained and lessons learned from navigating the complexities of school leadership in year one. Dr. Murley comes to her current role having served as the schools Vice-Board Chair and Dean of University College of Education.
From managing faculty and staff dynamics to engaging with parents, students, and the broader school community, this discussion will highlight real-world experiences, successes, and setbacks that shaped the journey. Attendees will walk away with practical leadership strategies, reflections on what worked (and what didn’t), and a roadmap for thriving in their own leadership roles. Whether you're a new school leader, aspiring administrator, or an experienced educator looking for fresh perspectives, this session will provide valuable takeaways for leading with confidence and resilience.
Key Takeaways:
Leadership strategies for building trust and driving school culture
Effective communication with faculty, parents, and students
Casting vision with day-to-day operational realities
Mistakes, pivots, and unexpected wins from the first year
Preparing for long-term success beyond year one
Who Should Attend:
New and aspiring school leaders, administrators, faculty members considering leadership roles, and anyone interested in school leadership best practices.
Empowering the Board: Leveraging Leadership for School Health, Growth and Fundraising
Jay Burcham
Session Description:
An engaged, informed school board is essential for driving both fundraising efforts and sustainable growth. In this session, we’ll explore how to equip your school board with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to take an active role in fundraising, navigating challenges, and supporting long-term growth initiatives.
Participants will gain insights into developing a culture of philanthropy, creating clear and actionable fundraising strategies, and leveraging board members’ unique skills and networks for maximum impact. Whether your board is new to fundraising or you’re looking to enhance its involvement, this session will provide practical steps for empowering your board to lead effectively and propel your school forward.
Key Takeaways:
How to build a strong, motivated board that supports fundraising and growth
Creating a shared vision for school development and financial sustainability
Strategies for board members to actively participate in fundraising efforts
Understanding the board’s role in navigating growth, from capital campaigns to strategic planning
Best practices for maintaining ongoing engagement and ensuring board success
Who Should Attend:
School leaders, board members, development officers, and anyone involved in school governance and fundraising strategy.
Building on the Foundations of an Elite Culture: A Deep-Dive Collaborative Workshop
David Arencibia–School Principal and Author of Elite Culture
Session Description:
Ready to translate the foundational principles of an Elite Culture into tangible results? In this interactive session, participants will dive deeper into building and sustaining Elite Cultures rooted in High Standards, Positive Environments, and the E.L.I.T.E. framework. We will explore research-based strategies to boost staff morale, enhance leadership capacity, and leverage social media for marketing and strengthening the school community.
Through open dialogue, hands-on collaboration, and real-world case studies, attendees will refine actionable steps that drive meaningful change. Attendees will leave with a wealth of ideas and renewed confidence to cultivate thriving environments where everyone is engaged and excels.
Key Takeaways:
The principles behind building a high-performance culture in schools
How to inspire leadership and accountability at all levels
Practical strategies for fostering discipline, collaboration, and excellence
Real-world examples of schools that have successfully implemented the Elite Culture framework
Actionable steps for creating a thriving school community that prioritizes growth
Who Should Attend:
School leaders, educators, administrators, and anyone interested in creating a culture of excellence in education.
The Future of Education: Navigating Change and Embracing the Unknown
Brad Schultz and Kristi Reynolds
Session Description:
Education is evolving faster than ever, driven by technological advancements, shifting societal needs, and new learning models. In this forward-thinking session, we’ll explore the trends shaping the future of education—from personalized learning to career education and reimagined school structures.
Through dynamic discussions and expert insights, participants will examine how these changes impact teaching, learning, and school leadership. Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or policymaker, this session will equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to stay ahead in an ever-changing educational landscape.
Key Takeaways:
Emerging trends and innovations transforming education
The role of technology
Rethinking traditional models of schooling and assessment
Preparing students with future-ready skills for an evolving world
How educators can lead and adapt to change effectively
Who Should Attend:
Educators, administrators, school leaders, policymakers, and anyone passionate about shaping the future of education.
Health and PE Matter! Building a Faith-Based System for Lasting Impact
Ashton Tate--Founder of Glory to Glory Fitness
Session Description:
Creating a strong, faith-based Health and PE program can feel overwhelming—especially with teacher turnover, outdated content, and the challenge of maintaining consistency. But what if you had a system that worked seamlessly, no matter who was teaching it?
In this session, we’ll explore three common challenges in health education and provide practical, faith-centered solutions to overcome them. You'll walk away with a simple checklist to evaluate your program, actionable steps to improve it, and ready-to-use resources that make implementation easy.
Attendees will receive tools they can take back to their schools immediately, including a 32-lesson health devotional guide, nutrition challenges, and PE/sports units designed to lighten the load for teachers while creating a meaningful impact on students.
Key Takeaways:
Identify and address the top challenges in Health and PE programs
Learn how to build a system that works, no matter who is teaching it
Gain practical strategies to align Health and PE with faith-based principles
Walk away with ready-to-use resources for immediate implementation
Who Should Attend:
School leaders, PE and health teachers, curriculum coordinators, and anyone looking to strengthen their faith-based Health and PE program.
Integrating School Counseling, Student Services, and Academic Planning for Student Success
Nicole Hurt
Session Description:
Effective school counseling and student services are key drivers in ensuring students’ academic, emotional, and social success. This session will explore how to integrate counseling services with academic planning to create a holistic support system for students, helping them navigate both personal challenges and academic pathways.
Participants will learn strategies for fostering strong collaboration between counselors, academic advisors, and other student support services. We’ll also discuss how to create personalized academic plans that account for each student's unique needs, interests, and challenges, while also ensuring they have the resources to thrive. Through practical examples and best practices, this session will provide actionable steps to build a cohesive, student-centered approach to education that leads to improved outcomes.
Key Takeaways:
Best practices for collaboration between counseling, student services, and academic planning
How to design personalized academic plans that support students' academic and emotional growth
Tools for addressing common barriers to academic success and well-being
Developing systems for ongoing communication and coordination across support services
Real-life case studies showcasing successful integration of counseling with academic planning
Who Should Attend:
School counselors, academic advisors, student services coordinators, and school administrators interested in creating a more integrated and supportive system for student success.