2026 AAEA Summer Conference

School improvement is most powerful when leadership and student support systems work together. In this session, a middle school principal and school counselor share how their partnership helped transform East End Middle School through a collaborative, data-driven approach to improvement. Participants will learn how aligning the school counseling program with the school improvement plan strengthened outcomes in academics, behavior, and school culture. Presenters will share how targeted SMART goals, a systematic RTI process, and a collaborative Student Intervention Team helped move the school from the only D-rated school in the district to the only A-rated school within two years. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for building strong principal-counselor partnerships, using data to guide decisions, and creating systems that support meaningful and sustainable school improvement.

School leaders often have a strong vision for their campuses, but the real challenge is turning that vision into action that makes a difference for students and teachers. In this session, I will share how intentional leadership moves, like buildiong strong collaborative teams, focusing on clear priorities, and implementing restorative practices, can shift school culture and improve outcomes for students. Participants will leave with practical ideas they can take back to their campus to being turning their own vision into impact.

You’ve got ATLAS data. CFAs. VAM scores. Dashboards full of numbers. But is your system actually driving student growth?

Join us to explore how an educational cooperative partners with principals, curriculum leaders, superintendents, and teachers to move beyond compliance and into coherence. Learn how teams analyze ATLAS results, strengthen CFAs, leverage VAM scores, and align instruction to create measurable, sustainable student growth.

Walk away with practical strategies to evaluate your current systems, tighten alignment, and turn data into action—not just activity.

Because initiatives don’t change outcomes. Systems do.

What if your school could be recognized as one of the nation's and Arkansas's premier middle schools while strengthening the learning experiences of every student you serve?
The Schools to Watch® (STW®) Program recognizes and celebrates outstanding middle schools that are transforming the lives of young adolescents. More than an award, Schools to Watch® is a nationally recognized school improvement framework that helps schools build on their strengths, celebrate their successes, and continue growing in meaningful ways.Schools earning the Schools to Watch® designation demonstrate excellence in four key areas:

• Academically Excellent – Challenging every student with rigorous, engaging learning experiences.
• Developmentally Responsive – Meeting the unique academic, social, emotional, and developmental needs of young adolescents.
• Socially Equitable – Ensuring every student has access to outstanding teaching, meaningful opportunities, and the support needed to succeed.
• Committed to Continuous Improvement – Building a culture where educators collaborate, use data effectively, and continuously strive for excellence.

Why Attend This Session?Whether you're exploring ways to strengthen your middle school or believe your school is already doing exceptional work, this session will introduce you to a process that recognizes excellence while inspiring continuous growth and positively impacts student achievement and school climate.

Difficult conversations are a vital part of working in education, whether with students, parents, colleagues, or staff. From addressing academic concerns and behavior issues to navigating sensitive topics and differing perspectives, educators are often called to lead conversations that require both honesty and care. This presentation focuses on equipping educators with practical tools to approach these moments with confidence, professionalism, and empathy. Participants will explore strategies for active listening, de-escalation, and clear communication, while learning how to maintain positive relationships even in challenging situations. By strengthening these skills, educators can turn difficult conversations into opportunities to build trust, support student success, and foster a collaborative school culture.