Loading…
2026 AAEA Summer Conference
Venue: Arkansas Ballroom (M) clear filter
Tuesday, July 28
 

10:15am CDT

Crisis Communications when Minutes Matter
LIMITED
Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Limited Capacity seats available
In this session, Springdale School District's district leadership and communications director will present effective strategies to communicate with all stakeholders when significant events occur in a school or district. Participants will receive tools they can use when crisis events occur so leaders do not have to start from scratch while under significant pressure to act.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Jared Cleveland

Dr. Jared Cleveland

Superintendent, Springdale Public Schools
Looking forward to the conference!

avatar for Trent Jones

Trent Jones

Director of Communications and Community Engagement, Springdale School District

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Arkansas Ballroom (M)

11:30am CDT

Generations at Work: Strategies for Recruiting, Retaining, and Uniting Your School Team
LIMITED
Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm CDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Recruiting and retaining a multigenerational staff starts with recognizing that each age group defines a “great place to work” differently. School and district teams today include brand‑new teachers, seasoned veterans, and everyone in between—a mix that becomes a real strength when leaders know how to harness it.

In this session, we will examine what attracts and keeps educators from different generations—an essential piece of today’s staffing puzzle. We will help you make sense of generational differences in a way that’s practical and relatable. You’ll explore what motivates each group, why certain communication styles clash, and how to turn those differences into opportunities for stronger teamwork. Finally, we’ll dig into everyday strategies for fostering collaboration so staff can work together more smoothly across PLCs, grade levels, and leadership teams.
Speakers
Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm CDT
Arkansas Ballroom (M)

12:20pm CDT

Every Problem is a Leadership Problem: Own the Solution or Own the Failure
LIMITED
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:20pm - 1:05pm CDT
Limited Capacity seats available
The leadership ability of the principal or the superintendent determines the level of effectiveness of the school district or the building. You can improve your leadership and in so doing you can improve the effectiveness of the organization that you serve. We can blame funding, state laws, or demographics. But, the truth is that every problem is a leadership problem. We can improve our leadership and that is a choice. Do we own the failure? Or do we fix it? I will discuss The Leadership Challenge as the operating system and the Leadership Practices Inventory as the treatment. All of our students deserve the best. Let's choose to improve our leadership skills such that all of those whom we serve receive our very best.
Speakers
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:20pm - 1:05pm CDT
Arkansas Ballroom (M)

1:20pm CDT

Merit Pay in Mena: Development of an In-District System
LIMITED
Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Learn about the development of an in-house merit pay system with connections to instruction, professional growth, and VAM. Mena School District is thinking and working outside the box with educator growth, recruitment, and retention, all while maintaining a focus on student growth and outcomes.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Lee Smith

Dr. Lee Smith

Superintendent, Mena Public Schools
Dr. Lee Smith is the Superintendent of Mena Public Schools in Arkansas, where he leads with a mission to deinstitutionalize public education and create human-centered systems that empower students and educators alike. With nearly three decades of experience spanning classroom instruction... Read More →
BB

Bridget Buckley

Assistant Superintendent, Mena School District
Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:20pm - 2:20pm CDT
Arkansas Ballroom (M)

2:50pm CDT

Merit Pay in Mena: Development of an In-District System (Repeat)
LIMITED
Tuesday July 28, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm CDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Learn about the development of an in-house merit pay system with connections to instruction, professional growth, and VAM. Mena School District is thinking and working outside the box with educator growth, recruitment, and retention, all while maintaining a focus on student growth and outcomes.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Lee Smith

Dr. Lee Smith

Superintendent, Mena Public Schools
Dr. Lee Smith is the Superintendent of Mena Public Schools in Arkansas, where he leads with a mission to deinstitutionalize public education and create human-centered systems that empower students and educators alike. With nearly three decades of experience spanning classroom instruction... Read More →
BB

Bridget Buckley

Assistant Superintendent, Mena School District
Tuesday July 28, 2026 2:50pm - 3:50pm CDT
Arkansas Ballroom (M)
 
Wednesday, July 29
 

8:15am CDT

Transition Grade Configuration
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am CDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Speakers
avatar for Shane Patrick

Shane Patrick

Superintendent, Siloam Springs School District
Wednesday July 29, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am CDT
Arkansas Ballroom (M)

9:30am CDT

Regional Career Center
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Debbie Jones

Dr. Debbie Jones

Superintendent, Bentonville Schools
avatar for Kelly Boortz

Kelly Boortz

Executive Director of Middle Level Education, Bentonville Schools
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Arkansas Ballroom (M)
 
Share Modal

Share this link via

Or copy link

Filter sessions
Apply filters to sessions.