Sessions & Speakers
Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath, H-E-B President and COO Craig Boyan, and Jon Landis from Apple Education were the TASA Virtual SummerCon Main Stage as keynote speakers, along with a panel that included Texas House Public Education Committee Dan Huberty and SBOE Chair Keven Ellis. Thought Leaders Ruby Payne and Flip Flippen also joined us in concurrent sessions that numbered 70+. See below for more details!
Every session was useful and choices were plentiful. One of the best conferences that i have ever attended. I know TASA staff worked to the max but there were so many takeaways.
Phenomenal conference. So well done and the topics so relevant.
Loved it. Quality sessions with the convenience of being at home.
Registrant Access to Video Showcase
All TASA Virtual SummerCon registrants were sent an email from Vimeo (no-reply@vimeo.com) on Thursday, June 11, that said “Texas Assoc of School Admin shared a Showcase with you on Vimeo.” It included a link to the online showcase of session recordings as well as your personalized password (look for the red text). If you did not receive the email from Vimeo, please first check your spam/trash folders. If it is not there, please ask us to resend it.
On the Main Stage
Following are the keynote speakers who joined us on the TASA Virtual SummerCon main stage for general sessions.
Tuesday, June 9
9 am
Jon Landis
Apple Education
1:30 pm
Sen. Larry Taylor, Rep. Dan Huberty + Keven Ellis
Senate Education Committee Chair, House Public Education Committee Chair, and State Board of Education Chair
1:30 pm Panel Discussion Moderator
Jodi Duron
TASA Legislative Chair
Superintendent, Elgin ISD
Wednesday, June 10
9 am
Thursday, June 11
9 am
Friday, June 12
11 am
Mike Morath
Texas Commissioner of Education
TEA
Craig Boyan
President & COO
H-E-B
Kevin Brown
TASA Executive Director
Brian Woods
TASA President
Superintendent, Northside ISD
Concurrent Sessions by Topic
Following are the confirmed concurrent sessions. You may also view the sessions by day.
Instructional Continuity + Remote Learning
Inquiry Based Learning in a Post-Covid Hybrid World
Tuesday, June 9 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
Learn from school leaders in Texas and Arizona how their inquiry-based learning approach eased the transition to distance learning during the pandemic shutdown. The panel will discuss how having a clear organizational framework guided teachers and students through uncharted territory. Attendees will understand techniques to implement prior to school start in the fall.
Taryn Kinney
Principal, Organizational Psychologist
DLR Group
Marilyn Denison
Teaching & Learning Designer
DLR Group
Dennis Runyan
Superintendent
Agua Fria Union School District
Chantel Kastrounis
Campus Principal
Richard J. Lee Elementary School, Coppell ISD
Remote Learning EdTech Smackdown
Wednesday, June 10 | 10:15-11 am Central
Looking for tools to help you with remote learning? Join us as we share our favorite and most useful tools for remote teaching and learning.
Miguel Guhlin
Director
TCEA
Diana Benner
Director
TCEA
What’s Next? Planning for the Unknown in the Fall
Wednesday, June 10 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
What are the key ingredients of successfully providing at-home learning in the midst of this pandemic? This session will focus on the experience of Bryan and Clint ISDs. These two districts successfully navigated the hurdles of this crisis to ensure their students continued to engage in meaningful instruction. This session will focus on what they learned through the process that will help guide your decisions for the fall.
Jennifer Bergland
Director of Government Relations
TCEA
Barbara Ybarra
Associate Superintendent of Teaching & Learning
Bryan ISD
Julea Johnson
Executive Director of Technology
Bryan ISD
Christie Whitbeck
Superintendent
Bryan ISD
Manuel Verduzco
Chief Technology Officer
Clint ISD
Planning for Success: Learning through Literacy in the Wake of COVID-19
Thursday, June 11 | 10:15-11 am Central
Scholastic’s Chief Education Officer Michael Haggen will share lessons learned from opening schools impacted by Hurricane Katrina and connect those experiences to help inform strategies for responding to the pandemic. He will discuss assessing student needs, fostering resilience, building capacity to adapt instruction over multiple platforms, and renewing relationships with families and the community. The session will focus on four areas: Teaching and learning, Social Emotional Wellness, Professional Learning, and Family and Community Engagement.
Michael Haggen
CAO
Scholastic Education
Getting Back to Social: How COVID-19 Has Changed Learning
Thursday, June 11 | 11:15 am – 12 pm Central
Districts were forced to pivot to virtual learning in response to the global pandemic. As a result, COVID-19 has impacted and changed many of the physical, social, and emotional aspects of learning. Explore best practices for districts to transform their learning model to achieve the desired learner outcomes while enhancing the learner experience. Best practices will include teaching and learning, engagement, and operations, as well as planning and design of learning environments.
John Shiver
Principal
Stantec
Chris Everett
Systems Transformation Strategist
engage2learn
Mike Mattingly
Associate Superintendent
Denton ISD
Texas Home Learning Update
Thursday, June 11 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
TEA staff will provide information on summer learning plans and progress monitoring, content, and choice of materials. We will dive into the 6-12 math product to better understand the design and how use can support planning to address students’ learning gaps in the new school year.
Melissa Lautenschlager
Director of Instructional Materials and Implementation
TEA
Dana Moyer
Strategies from Raising Blended Learners
Thursday, June 11 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
This session will help participants develop a clear understanding regarding the difference between technology-rich, fully virtual, and blended learning experiences, and learn how specific blended learning strategies can move classrooms closer toward true data-driven instruction. Participants will experience blended learning throughout the session and begin planning their district’s student experience using elements of blended learning best practices.
Jennifer Jendrzey
Vice President of Strategy and Evaluation
Raise Your Hand Texas
Cat Alexander
Director of Blended Learning
Raise Your Hand Texas
Tracy Clark
Consultant
Raise Your Hand Texas
IM and Continuity Update
Friday, June 12 | 9-9:45 am Central
TEA staff will provide a review of instructional materials to determine fit for continuity plans. This session will explore what makes instructional materials effective for use in both brick and mortar and virtual environments, as well as how to plan for professional development. We will share some planning tools to help evaluate how well instructional materials support learning continuity.
Melissa Lautenschlager
Director, Instructional Materials Quality
TEA
Dana Moyer
In Classroom or Living Room: Growth & Targeted Practice
Friday, June 12 | 9-9:45 am Central
Research has proven that high-quality practice is one of the most effective ways to help students build strong literacy and mathematics skills. Join this session to discover how to provide the just-right level of practice needed to keep students on track to achieve standards mastery for reading and math—whether they’re learning from home or in the classroom.
Stacy Blair
Renaissance
Blended to Distance Learning (MIZ & BLGP)
Friday, June 12 | 10-10:45 am Central
TEA staff will discuss designing an instructional model to easily shift between blended in-person and distance settings.
Eric Kotin
Operations Manager
TEA
Amanda Patterson
Program Manager
TEA
Assessment + Accountability
Return to School, Scenario Planning in an Unknown Zone
Tuesday, June 9 | 11:15 am-12 pm Central
With so many unknowns ahead, planning different scenarios is required. Join a panel discussion on how location-based data analytics are supporting districts creating multiple “what if” scenarios, along with understanding student needs geographically. Additionally, we will cover ways in which districts are examining student performance analytics to close the digital divide, assess student readiness for next grade and / or college / career and can monitor the progress of students in a virtual, blended or traditional classroom environment.
Adam Cibulka
Senior Manager – 5Lab
Forecast5 Analytics
Abigail Tarango
Director of Special Projects and Strategic Initiatives
Ysleta ISD
CyLynn Braswell
Executive Director of College and Career Readiness & Innovation
Northwest ISD
Designing and Leading for Equity and Excellence in the Aftermath of an Accountability Gap Year
Tuesday, June 9 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
Throughout the crisis, educators at every level have reacted with grit and resilience to meet students’ pressing needs. As we shift to a proactive mindset, let’s explore nimble, flexible approaches to leading equitable and excellent schools in 2020-21. The session will reframe our perspective on the crisis, allowing us to take lessons learned and apply them as we consider instructional planning and resource allocation for the next school year.
Terry Faucheux
Associate
Moak, Casey & Associates
Monica Zdrojewski
Associate
Moak, Casey & Associates
Alicia Thomas
Consultant
Moak, Casey & Associates
Assessment Updates
Wednesday, June 10 | 11:15 am – 12 pm Central
TEA staff will provide information related to implementation of HB 3906 and other general updates that may be available on: online transition; through-year pilot; RLA redesign; and 75% MC.
Shelly Ramos
Curriculum Division Director
TEA
Tyson Kane
Associate Commissioner, Strategy and Analytics
TEA
Iris Tian
TEA
Julie Cole
Director of Policy and Publications, Student Assessment
TEA
José Ríos
Director of Test Administration, Student Assessment
TEA
Assessment and Opportunity During COVID-19
Wednesday, June 10 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
At-home learning presents challenges to the traditional methods of high-stakes assessment. This session will review how Advanced Placement adapted in 2019-2020, preview plans for SAT in the 2020-2021 school year, and highlight College Board’s Opportunity Scholarships as a way to support students in continuing to complete key steps along their path to college.
The College Board
Presenter TBA
New Assessment Resources for 2020-21
Thursday, June 11 | 11:15 am – 12 pm Central
TEA staff will discuss optional beginning-of-year assessment and a formative assessment tool.
Iris Tian
TEA
Tyson Kane
Associate Commissioner, Strategy and Analytics
TEA
José Ríos
Director of Test Administration, Student Assessment
TEA
Julie Cole
Director of Policy and Publications, Student Assessment
TEA
Early Childhood Education Updates
Thursday, June 11 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
TEA staff will provide information on K-2 diagnostics – beginning-of-year screening and ongoing progress monitoring, as well as support for early learners in alternate environments.
Lauren Zbyszinski
Inter-Agency Deputy Director of Early Childhood
TEA
Natalie Flores
Education Specialist, Early Childhood Team
TEA
Scott Bodnar
Director, Early Childhood Team
TEA
If You Can Turn It Off, It Isn’t Accountability
Friday, June 12 | 9-9:45 am Central
Accountability is a processes or system through which trust is developed and maintained with an organization’s stakeholders. A crisis is the very thing a true accountability system is designed for, as that moment represents our stakeholder’s greatest need. Real accountability can’t be turned off. Come see what is possible with a true accountability based on student benefit, and why now is the best time in 30 years to build it for your school or district.
John Tanner
Executive Director
Test Sense
Safety + Security
Campus Utilization: Adapting Space to Meet Multiple Needs
Tuesday, June 9 | 10:15-11 am Central
Adapting your campus to “social distancing” while supporting instruction and meeting social / emotional needs will require a coordinated effort. How to utilize available space, indoors and out, is one of the many considerations. The session will explore methods to prioritize district and campus-level strategies related to use of physical space and viable options for implementation of those priorities using real-life scenarios.
Mike Vermeeren, AIA, ALEP
Director of Planning
Huckabee
LaShae Baskin, RID
Principal / Director of Austin
Huckabee
Building Well: Practices to Optimize Learning Environments
Tuesday, June 9 | 11:15 am-12 pm Central
Building Well is an engaging, informative presentation on how educational facilities can be optimized to promote health and wellness. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted deep evaluation of existing standards and creative solutions – in terms of both operations and technology – for the future. Led by a team of K-12 design and maintenance and operations experts, this session will provide innovative strategies for safer, healthier learning environments in preparation for returning to in-person learning this fall.
Mark Madorsky
President
LEAF Engineers
Richard Chi
Co-CEO
PBK
Jeff Johnson
Associate Principal / Senior Designer
PBK
Texas Safe and Supportive Schools Program: From Threat Assessment to Safe and Supportive Schools
Wednesday, June 10 | 11:15 am – 12 pm Central
This session will involve a discussion of the evolution of the Safe and Supportive Schools Program from its origins in behavioral threat assessment team formation and training to what our new vision has become for the program including all its six components. Also included will be updates on the various Senate Bill 11 milestones and discuss the impact COVID-19 has had on those milestones.
Craig Goralski
Safe and Supportive Schools Program Manager
TEA
Cyber Security Texas District Discussion
Wednesday, June 10 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
Co-create through moderated discussion with fellow attendees and share your experiences and questions around cybersecurity and tech.
Robert Bayard
Chief Technology Officer
Clear Creek ISD
Safe Return to School: A Guide to Facility Readiness
Thursday, June 11 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
Gain insight into the ways Joe McKenna and his team are leveraging checklists, assessments, screening options, and more into their facility readiness program. From physical distancing and flow to PPE and health checks, hear how Comal ISD is tackling these challenges and the tools they are using to create safe learning environments. Thom Jones, vice president of Navigate360, will some of the ways technology is supporting efforts to document, share, and report on these initiatives.
Joe McKenna
Director, Safety & Security
Comal ISD
Thom Jones
Vice President
Navigate360
School Finance + Legislative Issues
TASBO’s School Funding Update
Tuesday, June 9 | 10:15-11 am Central
TASBO representatives will discuss coming budget challenges for the 2020-2021 school year and beyond and consider district approaches to meeting those challenges. They will provide participants with the latest information on CARES Act funding as well coming state budget challenges and their potential impact on schools.
Tracy Ginsburg
Executive Director
TASBO
Amanda Brownson
Associate Executive Director
TASBO
Becky Bunte
Deputy Executive Director
TASBO
Protecting Public Education During the COVID-19 Crisis
Wednesday, June 10 | 10:15-11 am Central
Moak Casey staff will examine the current state of the Texas economy, and what is being discussed regarding formula funding.
Josh Haney
Associate
Moak, Casey & Associates
Catherine Knepp
Associate
Moak, Casey & Associates
Joe Wisnoski
Associate
Moak, Casey & Associates
Reading Academies
Wednesday, June 10 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
TEA staff will provide updates on implementation and contingency planning for the Reading Academies.
Cherry Lee
Reading Academy Director
TEA
Lily Laux
Deputy Commissioner of School Programs
TEA
Federal Education Update: COVID Edition
Thursday, June 11 | 10:15-11 am Central
AASA’s Ellerson Ng will detail the latest goings on of Capitol Hill and how the Congressional response will impact public education and what it means for schools.
Noelle Ellerson Ng
Associate Executive Director, Advocacy and Governance
AASA, The School Superintendents Association
School Funding and the Future?
Friday, June 12 | 10-10:45 am Central
Equity Center representatives will discuss the funding issues that appear likely to be faced during the next legislative session, highlighting future funding concerns and areas to be addressed.
Ray Freeman
Executive Director
Equity Center
Josh Sanderson
Deputy Executive Director
Equity Center
Adam Pierce
Director of Research
Equity Center
Health & Wellness of Staff + Students
Stress, Coping, and Resiliency for Educators
Tuesday, June 9 | 10:15-11 am Central
Learn about the concepts of stress, coping, and resilience, as well as an evidence-based approach that has been shown to be effective at supporting educators to learn and apply specific practices that lead to improved well-being, resilience, and interactions with others, including students and colleagues.
John Norlin
Co-Founder
CharacterStrong
Returning Students: Dealing with Emotional Realities
Tuesday, June 9 | 11:15 am-12 pm Central
As a result of COVID-19, returning students and staff will come with more emotional issues. This session will look at some online strategies (kalidoscope video) and some in person strategies to help calm students, name their emotional issues (you cannot change/address what cannot be named), and integrate the current experience into a hopeful future.
Ruby K. Payne
CEO
aha! Process, Inc.
Let’s Win the Day!
Tuesday, June 9 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
The world, as we knew it, made a 90-degree turn in mid-March. Since then, each and every one of us has been impacted both personally and professionally. While the “rules” are still changing, it’s important to recognize how critical it is, as leaders, to prioritize both our physical and our emotional health. Todd Whitthorne will share timely and actionable strategies to not only manage, but actually flourish, during these times of challenge.
Todd Whitthorne
Chief Inspiration Officer
Naturally Slim
“Quarantine 15”? … Not a Chance!
Wednesday, June 10 | 10:15-11 am Central
The past three months have been filled with stress, change, and emotion. Now, more than ever, leaders must recognize the importance of prioritizing their health, both above and below the neck. Todd Whitthorne and Tim Church, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., will share the impressive results from the Naturally Slim program, a digital weight loss and health improvement intervention that will soon be available to school districts across the state.
Todd Whitthorne
Chief Inspiration Officer
Naturally Slim
Dr. Tim Church
Chief Medical Officer
Naturally Slim
Talking About the Pandemic: Building the Skills for School Personnel to Meet the Dual Challenges of COVID Re-entry and SB 11
Wednesday, June 10 | 11:15 am – 12 pm Central
School closings have taken a toll on students, families, and school personnel. As schools prepare to restart, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that “teachers and school personnel should receive training in how to talk to and support children ….” Learn how Fort Bend and Alief ISDs have used Kognito’s simulation platform to give educators the opportunity to practice those conversations in a safe online environment so they can do to it well in real life.
Jennifer Spiegler
SVP Strategic Partnerships
Kognito
Glenn Albright
Co-Founder and Director of Research
Kognito
Back to Better: A Roadmap to Connectedness
Wednesday, June 10 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
SEL thought leader and creator of Capturing Kids’ Hearts®, Flip Flippen, alongside former Texas principal Kristin Booth will discuss: the impact of this pandemic on the social-emotional well-being of students, teachers, and administrators; feedback from over 1,000 educators on how they are reframing their mindset; and ways this pandemic has given us the opportunity to reignite our purpose and passion and refine and improve practices for the future.
Flip Flippen
Founder & Chairman
Capturing Kids’ Hearts | Powered by Flippen Group
Kristin Booth
Leadership Development Strategist
Capturing Kids’ Hearts | Powered by Flippen Group
Put Your Mask on First!
Thursday, June 11 | 11:15 am – 12 pm Central
Educational administration has always been a demanding profession but the heat really got turned up three months ago. We all are experiencing varying levels of fear, uncertainty, and stress … and so are the populations we serve. Join us for a candid, timely conversation with two clinical psychologists who will share practical advice on how to lead through adversity without burning yourself out. This session is exactly what the doctor ordered!
Todd Whitthorne
Chief Inspiration Officer
Naturally Slim
Dr. Dana Labat
Clinical Psychologist
Naturally Slim
Dr. Kevin Gilliland
Clinical Psychologist
Naturally Slim
Heart of Hearts: Character Ed Helped AHISD Navigate COVID-19
Friday, June 12 | 9-9:45 am Central
Character education thrived in Alamo Heights ISD prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiple campuses have earned the National School of Character designation from Character.org. This culture of character has helped anchor our school community during these uncharted times and helped provide a framework to sustain social emotional wellness. Log in to our session to learn how the Heart of Heights helped us to not only survive but to thrive!
Frank Alfaro
Assistant Superintendent
Alamo Heights ISD
Susan Peery
Principal, Howard Early Childhood Center
Alamo Heights ISD
Kristen Ascencao
Counseling Coordinator
Alamo Heights ISD
Lauren Boyer
School Counselor, Cambridge Elementary
Alamo Heights ISD
Practical Hope: Tools for Stress, Coping, and Resilience
Friday, June 12 | 10-10:45 am Central
When anxiety increases, learning and empathy decrease. This session will focus on practical, research-backed strategies to serve students and staff to support their well-being and help them navigate new normals successfully. CharacterStrong has worked with over 2,500 educators globally since the start of COVID-19 to provide low-burden tools that keep a focus on relationships, social-emotional learning, and mental wellness.
Houston Kraft
Co-Founder
CharacterStrong
Communicating with Families + the Public
Engaging in a Crisis: Using Social Media and Apps to Foster Engagement
Tuesday, June 9 | 11:15 am-12 pm Central
Attendees will explore social media tips, tactics, and apps that can help to build engagement virtually. During the pandemic, several lessons have emerged about how to engage students, staff, and families in new ways. Authentic relationships and collective engagement are critical in every school system and can be difficult to cultivate virtually, but there are strategic tools that can help.
Angela Brown
Executive Director, Communications & Community Engagement
Coppell ISD
Amanda Simpson
Director of Communications
Coppell ISD
Thought Exchange: Leading Your Community and Building Trust
Tuesday, June 9 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
Research has shown that decisions made by broader, more inclusive and diverse groups have a higher likelihood of better organizational and community outcomes. But how can education leaders do this kind of work both efficiently and equitably, and at a time of uncertainty and isolation? In this session, participants will hear from leaders who have leveraged crowdsourcing to enable their entire community (not just the loudest voices) to take ownership of district culture and direction.
Laura Milne
Account Executive
Thoughtexchange
Crisis Communications: How Your District Can Prepare Before the Crisis Strikes
Wednesday, June 10 | 10:15-11 am Central
In light of the global pandemic and subsequent statewide school closings, districts are focused more than ever on crisis communications. The key to successful communications with employees, families, and the community during a crisis is ensuring that you aren’t in a crisis with communication. Learn how Klein ISD has created both low-tech and high-tech solutions to engage ALL stakeholders with good communications, rapid response, and customer service at the heart of their plan.
Jenny McGown
Superintendent
Klein ISD
Rachel Trotter
Director of Communications
Klein ISD
Justin Elbert
Assistant Director of Communications
Klein ISD
Effectively Communicating Back to School
Wednesday, June 10 | 11:15 am – 12 pm Central
Effective back-to-school messaging will be the cornerstone of attendance for the entire school year. Join Dr. Todd Rogers to learn research-based strategies for communicating back to school in a way that will support day-one and sustained attendance throughout the year. Learn about: communicating in a way that enhances family-school partnerships; leveraging families as a support system for attendance; and strategies to sustain communication all year long, even in the instance of a building closure.
Todd Rogers
Director of the Harvard Student Social Support R&D Lab
EveryDay Labs
Hedy Chang
Executive Director
Attendance Works
Family Engagement Matters!
Wednesday, June 10 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
How is your district’s partnership and communication with families and the community in your town? Did your people trust the district’s message and communication during the COVID-19 pandemic? This session will share vital information on how one district focuses on meaningful engagement with families and the community to help survive the unknown.
Julie Gauthier
Assistant Superintendent, Port Neches-Groves ISD
State President, TEPSA
Creating Equitable Strategy for Distance Learning and Re-Entry to Schools
Thursday, June 11 | 10:15-11 am Central
During the unprecedented transition to distance learning, there is the potential that inequities will deepen. To confront these challenges, district leaders and educators are finding innovative ways to support their students, families, and staff. Ector County ISD is checking on well-being and assessing community needs using Panorama Education’s Distance Learning surveys. In addition, the district is spearheading a regional effort to improve internet connectivity in Ector County, ensuring distance learning works for all students.
Scott R. Muri
Superintendent
Ector County ISD
Sarah Gertner
Texas Outreach Director
Panorama Education
How Do We Survive the Storm? Where is the Harbor?
Friday, June 12 | 9-9:45 am Central
Our ships may be different, but we are in the same storm headed toward land left deserted by COVID-19. How do we chart a safe path to our harbor? Who is on the crew? Hear from students, advisors, and community members who represent the crew in your district and schools. They can create the kind of school that solves issues, builds trust, and raises school spirit. Join these leaders for this powerful presentation.
Terry Hamm
Director
Texas Association of Student Councils
Laurie Zuehlke
Advisor
Montgomery High School
Scott Backovich
Founder
Envolve
Susan Waldrep
Student Activities Director
Texas High School
Special Student Populations
ARD Guidance and Special Education
Tuesday, June 9 | 10:15-11 am Central
This session will highlight resources and guidance that have been provided to LEAs relative to effective ARD processes for students with disabilities. Specific topics to be discussed will include potential additional LEA supports for 2020-21, compensatory services related to at home learning during COVID-19 school closures, emergency contingency planning, evaluation, and IEP development.
Justin Porter
State Director, Special Education
TEA
Kim Brannan
Director of Special Education Technical Assistance
TEA
Using Special Education Data to Identify Impactful PD and Narrow Achievement Gaps
Wednesday, June 10 | 11:15 am – 12 pm Central
Schools have gaps in achievement between all students and students with disabilities. Data Driven Instruction can be used to narrow these gaps. In this training, we will discuss how to use formative and summative assessment data to identify areas of focus for students who struggle. Administrators will walk away with an action plan on how to start the new school year with a data driven focus to help students with disabilities.
Edward O'Neill
Director, Special Education Special Projects and Strategy
TEA
Mandy Young
Manager
TEA
Carolee May
Project Specialist,
TEA
Project Restore: Supporting Mental Health Needs of Students, Staff, and Families During Uncertainty
Thursday, June 11 | 10:15-11 am Central
Due to this unprecedented time, the concern and energy around students’ mental health and emotional well-being is at its highest level, and school systems are looking for support and guidance. Through the CARES Act, the agency will launch Project Restore, which will provide mental and behavioral health supports for students across the state in response to COVID-19.
Niloy Gangopadhyay
Director of Special Populations
TEA
From Either / Or to Both / And
Thursday, June 11 | 11:15 am – 12 pm Central
Far too often, educational systems are set up with an intervention mindset that leaves advanced and gifted learners fewer opportunities to grow. However, our school systems do not have to be an either intervention OR extension model. In this session, we will examine the factors that contribute to either / or thinking and then we will explore ways to move toward both / and thinking in a strengths-based approach to instructional design.
Monica Simonds
Director of Advanced Learning Programs and Services
Richardson ISD
After COVID: Special Ed, 504 and the Law
Thursday, June 11 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
The pandemic has created some unique problems for public schools in serving students with special needs. The laws pertaining to these services remain in effect, but the reality is that services could not be provided as we had planned. So what now?
Jim Walsh
Attorney
Walsh Gallegos Trevino Russo & Kyle, P.C.
COVID Response and Monitoring
Friday, June 12 | 10-10:45 am Central
This session will highlight COVID-19 impacts to the general supervision requirements related to IDEA monitoring and what LEAs can expect for monitoring activities in 2020-2021. Specific topics to be discussed will include the self-assessment, targeted monitoring, cyclical monitoring, and on-site monitoring visits.
Jennifer Alexander
Associate Commissioner, Office of Special Populations and Monitoring
TEA
District Operations
Leading with Technology in the Time of Corona
Tuesday, June 9 | 10:15-11 am Central
Hear from several large and small districts on their preparedness before the pandemic shutdown, what they did to ramp up for remote working and learning during the shutdown, and how they see technology leading the way after the shutdown. Topics to be discussed include: security and infrastructure preparation; addressing at-home internet access; device distribution and collection practices; remote working and learning practices; and staff training.
Alice Owen
Executive Director
Texas K-12 CTO Council
Leslie Garakani
Chief Technology Officer
Midlothian ISD
Bryon Kolbeck
Chief Technology Officer
Lewisville ISD
Karen Fuller
Director of Network, Infrastructure and Communications
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Jennifer Miller
Director, Cybersecurity, Acquisitions, and Performance Excellence
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Next for Education: Innovating to Adapt During COVID-19
Tuesday, June 9 | 11:15 am-12 pm Central
The need to adapt continues. With many districts facing potential budget cuts and an ambiguous view into what the new school year could look like, let’s talk about what’s next. We’ll discuss tips to get ahead of the planning cycle and get the most from your resources including: ways to maximize savings across purchasing categories; tools to manage your purchasing processes; and options to distribute education and protective essential supplies.
Brett Tuson
Head of Education Sales
Amazon Business
Flexibility in Planning to Open Schools for Fall 2020
Tuesday, June 9 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
So how can you prepare for school reopening in August when there is so much uncertainty? The Sunnyvale ISD Administrative Team will outline their plans for creating flexibility in design to deliver quality instruction to students while addressing student and employee health considerations. The presentation will feature how SISD formulated various teams to seek input from stakeholders. Items and issues for thought will also be shared.
Doug Williams
Superintendent
Sunnyvale ISD
Christi Morgan
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Sunnyvale ISD
Kyle Penn
Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations
Sunnyvale ISD
HR Challenges in Preparing for a New Normal
Tuesday, June 9 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
Join the director of Human Resources Services and a senior HR consultant as they discuss HR challenges arising from the pandemic and how districts can best prepare for the HR challenges associated with our new normal. Topics will include staffing, contracts, leaves, return-to-work planning, and more.
Amy Campbell
Director, HR Services
TASB
Karen Dooley
Senior HR Consultant
TASB
School Calendars and ADSY
Wednesday, June 10 | 10:15-11 am Central
TEA staff will discuss redesigning school calendars, adding (optional) days, and getting extra funding to do it.
Brian Doran
Special Projects
TEA
UIL Related COVID-19 Update
Wednesday, June 10 | 10:15-11 am Central
Dr. Charles Breithaupt and Dr. Jamey Harrison will provide updates on the impact of COVID-19 on UIL activities and plans for moving forward into the 2020-2021 school year.
Jamey Harrison
Deputy Executive Director
UIL
Charles Breithaupt
Executive Director
UIL
After the Pandemic: Small and Mid-sized Schools on New Paths
Wednesday, June 10 | 11:15 am – 12 pm Central
COVID-19 has caused schools to redesign instruction from in-class to in-home learning with school leaders being incredibly adept and creative in the process! School districts have coordinated meals, virtual instruction and related services, technology upgrades, and maintenance needs. Small and mid-sized schools managed all of these tasks, often with fewer staff and fewer resources. Join us as we move forward to build the right calendars with the right method of instruction to help students succeed.
Crystal Dockery
Deputy Executive Director
Texas Association of Community Schools
Joe Burns
Superintendent
Copperas Cove ISD
Jill Siler
Superintendent
Gunter ISD
Barry Haenisch
Executive Director
Texas Association of Community Schools
Graduation and End-of-Year Texas District Discussion
Wednesday, June 10 | 11:15 am – 12 pm Central
Co-create through moderated discussion with fellow attendees and share your experiences and questions around graduation and EOY processes.
Michelle Carroll Smith
Superintendent
Lytle ISD
Opportunities for Returning to “School”
Wednesday, June 10 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
In an effort to make sense out of unprecedented times, DLR Group gathered firsthand data from school leaders, teachers, students, and parents in Texas and across the country. This information was synthesized to understand school district commonalities and outliers. Findings were then shared with district participants to help inform their return to school plans for fall. Join the discussion around the challenges and incredible opportunity that this new-normal could provide for all learners.
Emily Froese
Teaching & Learning Designer
DLR Group
Kedrick Wright
Executive Director of Facilities
San Antonio ISD
Martha Salazar-Zamora
Superintendent
Tomball ISD
Raechel French
Educational Researcher & Planner
DLR Group
The Impact of COVID-19 on Your Teacher Pipeline
Thursday, June 11 | 10:15-11 am Central
As COVID-19 disrupted both K-12 and university settings, teacher preparation functions such as student teaching, certification requirements, and new teacher support were impacted. What do these changes mean for school districts, specifically related to hiring first-year teachers, hosting student teachers, and maximizing retention opportunities for teachers whose preparation was disrupted? We address these and other questions related to how universities and districts work together to ensure a strong teacher pipeline in an era of uncertainty.
Stacey Edmonson
Dean, College of Education
Sam Houston State University
Lisa Huffman
Dean, College of Professional Education
Texas Woman’s University
Glenda Ballard
Dean, School of Human Development and Education
St. Edward’s University
Eradicating Stress During the Pandemic and Beyond
Thursday, June 11 | 10:15-11 am Central
As the pandemic set in, VLK Architects effectively started 10 new projects. Our in-house experts, adept at modern technologies, swiftly moved traditional face-to-face meetings to platforms, allowing no time to be lost, and actually increasing client and community participation. Experience approaches to meaningful design through the lens of new technologies, and hear from school leaders who refused to postpone needed projects during the pandemic. Important lessons learned will be shared that will impact our future.
Ken Hutchens
Chief Creative Officer
VLK Architects, Inc.
Rick Westfall
Superintendent
Keller ISD
Sloan Harris
Chief Executive Officer
VLK Architects, Inc.
The New Normal in Purchasing, Supply Chain, and Business
Thursday, June 11 | 11:15 am – 12 pm Central
In the current COVID-19 environment, what are the steps districts need to be taking in the short term to prepare to open schools from the purchasing and business office perspective. Challenges in the supply chain can impact timely delivery of products. What can schools do to possibly mitigate the issue? What are the products and services that may need immediate attention for timely delivery?
Steve Fisher
Director of Cooperative Services
TASB BuyBoard
Jamie Spiegel
Senior Director of Business Process Improvement
Leander ISD
Mark Vechione
Executive Director, Purchasing & Contract Management
Northwest ISD
Quality Music Education in Any Environment
Thursday, June 11 | 11:15 am – 12 pm Central
In the past three months, Texas music teachers have proven that providing a quality music education experience isn’t environment-dependent. While we believe that music is best experienced through ensemble performance, offering that method of instruction remains uncertain. The required music TEKS will continue to be delivered, and the social and emotional needs of our students will be inherently supported through their participation in music. The what will not change, only the how.
Robert Floyd
Executive Director
Texas Music Educators Association
Joe Coburn
Superintendent
Decatur ISD
Amanda Drinkwater
Director of Fine Arts
Lewisville ISD
Bruce Gearing
Superintendent
Leander ISD
Supporting Teachers as Public Education Returns to a New Normal
Thursday, June 11 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
Join TASB HR Consultants as they discuss the importance of creating new supports for teachers for when they return to campus after extended school closures. Topics will include teacher retention strategies, professional development/training, resources for teacher self-care, and planning guidance for school administrators to help teachers adjust to a new normal in education.
Jennifer Barton
HR and Compensation Consultant
TASB HR Services
Cheryl Hoover
HR Consultant
TASB HR Services
School Calendar and Scheduling Texas District Discussion
Thursday, June 11 | 12:30-1:15 pm Central
Co-create through moderated discussion with fellow attendees and share your experiences and questions around 2020-21 schedules and calendars.
Tanya Larkin
Superintendent
Pampa ISD
Certification Rules During Covid-19: Hiring the Teachers You Need
Friday, June 12 | 10-10:45 am Central
The session will review ways to qualify teachers for hard to fill positions as well as special rules in place during COVID-19.
Lolly Guerra
Executive Director
TASPA
Preparing Incoming Teachers for Fall TX District Discussion
Friday, June 12 | 10-10:45 am Central
Co-create through moderated discussion with fellow attendees and share experiences and questions around first-year teachers starting in the fall.
Stacey Edmonson
Dean, College of Education
Sam Houston State University
Alex Leavell
University of North Texas
Leadership, Planning + More
Will COVID-19 be the Impetus to Realize TASA’s ‘A New Vision’?
Tuesday, June 9 | 10:15-11 am Central
Has COVID-19 impacted the way we interpret “A New Vision for Public Education”? Expanding on recent research, David J. DeMarkis (Baylor University) joins forces with John Bullion (Region 12) and Christopher Bailey (Abilene ISD) to interview a panel about how they are re-envisioning K-12 education in wake of the COVID-19 crisis. The panel will feature superintendents and thought leaders from across the state. Participants will include Karen Rue and Eric Sheninger.
David J. DeMarkis
Independently Contracted Educational Consultant, Researcher, and Instructional Designer
Karen Rue
TASA Superintendent-in-Residence
Christopher Bailey
Principal
Abilene ISD
Eddie Coulson
Partner
N2 Learning
Eric Sheninger
Speaker & Author
John Bullion
Special Education Liaison
Region 12 ESC
Lane Ledbetter
Superintendent
Midlothian ISD
Leveraging the Talents of Aspiring Teachers to Support All Students
Tuesday, June 9 | 10:15-11 am Central
Explore innovative ways to support and utilize teacher candidates to provide educational opportunities for PK-12 students during this time of COVID-19. Join Raise Your Hand Texas and Kathy Bieser (executive principal in San Antonio ISD) to discuss partnerships between teacher preparation and local schools, and explore ways to engage aspiring teachers in virtual mentorships/tutoring, small group facilitation, and support of the development of curriculum for the classroom and online learning.
Cody Huie
Vice President of Programs
Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation
Tim Miller
Superintendent in Residence
Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation
Kathy Bieser
Executive Principal
San Antonio ISD
Before We Rush Back to Normal
Tuesday, June 9 | 11:15 am-12 pm Central
Participants will have an opportunity to reflect and collaborate around eight areas of leading schools through times of crisis. The reality, now more than ever before, is that school leaders have an obligation to create, innovate, and transform teaching and learning as they face the future. Participants will walk away with ideas and questions that should be used before they try to rush back to normal.
Eddie Coulson
Partner
N2 Learning
Roz Keck
Partner
N2 Learning
Planning for 4 Possible Futures
Wednesday, June 10 | 10:15-11 am Central
To be prepared for anything, you have to consider everything! At engage2learn, we are using scenario planning to provide the most highly relevant strategies and support to our partners. The time of COVID-19 has created tremendous challenge and simultaneously tremendous opportunity. This session will provide participants an overview of our examination of Four Possible Futures and our thoughts on how you and your teams can be prepared for whatever comes next.
Shannon Buerk
Chief Executive Officer
engage2learn
Walking a Tightrope While Remaining Flexible!
Wednesday, June 10 | 11:15 am – 12 pm Central
Do you feel like you are walking a tightrope? Executive leaders will reflect and discuss how their individual roles have changed yet remain the same during the pandemic crisis. Flexibility is key in the response to meeting the needs of principals, teachers, students, and the community. Discussion will focus on being better prepared to lead productive conversations with members of your team.
Susan Borg
Senior Associate
N2 Learning
Sheri Sides
Senior Associate
N2 Learning
Lisa Garcia
Senior Associate
N2 Learning
Before the Crisis Hits: Leadership Lessons from Round Rock’s Response to COVID-19
Thursday, June 11 | 10:15-11 am Central
Faced with the challenge of turning a 51,000-student organization on a dime, Round Rock ISD teaching and learning leaders Mandy Estes and Ryan Smith laid down some guiding principles for the work ahead. Many of the values that drove their thinking and decision-making – and the personal leadership practices that bolstered them when the struggle got real – were set in motion long before the crisis hit during learning sessions with The Holdsworth Center.
Lindsay Whorton
President
The Holdsworth Center
Mandy Estes
Chief of Teaching & Learning
Round Rock ISD
Ryan Smith
Executive Director of Teaching & Learning
Round Rock ISD
Returning to School Through Trauma-Informed Leadership
Thursday, June 11 | 11:15 am – 12 pm Central
Times of crisis often serve as a unifying force in school communities. Sometimes, however, the stress and trauma of a crisis creates competing perspectives and divisions that take years to repair. We’ll explore the trauma-informed leadership practices that help leaders keep their communities unified and how to apply these practices to create a shared vision for returning to school.
Shelby McIntosh
Managing Parter
Education Elements
TASA 20-21 Officer Leadership Panel
Friday, June 12 | 9-9:45 am Central
Join TASA President Brian Woods, President-Elect Doug Williams, Vice President Charles Dupre, and Past President Greg Smith for a leadership conversation with TASA Executive Director Kevin Brown.
Kevin Brown
Executive Director
TASA
Charles Dupre
Superintendent
Fort Bend ISD
Brian Woods
Superintendent
Northside ISD
Greg Smith
Superintendent
Clear Creek ISD
Doug Williams
Superintendent
Sunnyvale ISD