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.

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.

The waters of young adolescence have grown increasingly turbulent. Between the "Great Rewiring" of childhood and the shifting social dynamics of the digital age, educators and leaders are often left wondering how to steady the ship. This session dives deep into the heart of the modern youth experience, using two of the most influential works of our time as our navigational stars. We will begin by exploring the "why" behind the current mental health crisis using Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation. Haidt's research illuminates how the shift from play-based childhood to phone-based childhood has created a "Great Rewiring," leaving many young adolescents adrift in an epidemic of anxiety and isolation. Understanding this landscape is the first step in helping our students find their way back to solid ground. However, diagnosing the problem is only half the battle. To provide a way forward, we turn to David Yeager's 10 to 25. Yeager offers a groundbreaking, science-backed approach to leadership that moves away from the "nagging" or "compliance" models of the past. Instead, we will learn how to tap into the natural neurobiological drives of the adolescent brain, specifically the need for status and respect, to foster resilience, motivation, and genuine connection.

The waters of young adolescence have grown increasingly turbulent. Between the "Great Rewiring" of childhood and the shifting social dynamics of the digital age, educators and leaders are often left wondering how to steady the ship. This session dives deep into the heart of the modern youth experience, using two of the most influential works of our time as our navigational stars. We will begin by exploring the "why" behind the current mental health crisis using Jonathan Haidt's The Anxious Generation. Haidt's research illuminates how the shift from play-based childhood to phone-based childhood has created a "Great Rewiring," leaving many young adolescents adrift in an epidemic of anxiety and isolation. Understanding this landscape is the first step in helping our students find their way back to solid ground. However, diagnosing the problem is only half the battle. To provide a way forward, we turn to David Yeager's 10 to 25. Yeager offers a groundbreaking, science-backed approach to leadership that moves away from the "nagging" or "compliance" models of the past. Instead, we will learn how to tap into the natural neurobiological drives of the adolescent brain, specifically the need for status and respect, to foster resilience, motivation, and genuine connection.