SHIFT—Systems, High Expectations, Instruction, Family, and Teamwork—tells a powerful story of transformation. When a school stops surviving and starts thriving, everything changes. Learn how clear systems replaced chaos, expectations unlocked potential, instruction drove growth, families became partners, and teamwork fueled success—moving Murrell Taylor Elementary from a F to a B.
Being the change in education to ensure each child is set up for success by getting the education they need and deserve. In the El Dorado School District and with the El Dorado PROMISE, we believe every child deserves a quality education. We will take a look at what we are doing that is working or expected to work in education now and in the future. Will it be enough to sustain growth and achievement for all students?
How can schools transform linguistic diversity into a competitive advantage? This session provides a comprehensive walkthrough of supporting students through the state and global Seal of Biliteracy application processes.
Using Heritage High School as a case study, presenters will detail how to build sustainable systems that empower significant populations of multilingual and first-generation students to earn the Seal of Biliteracy. We will cover the "Who, How, and Why" of the program, moving from initial identification to the final award application. Attendees will walk away with a strategic roadmap, including ready-to-use templates and implementation examples to scale these programs effectively at their own sites.
When time is short and materials are limited, “rigor” often turns into more worksheets instead of better thinking. This session shows how to convert any standard or objective into a high-engagement micro-challenge using only paper, pencil, and a timer—while keeping topics community-safe and student anxiety low. Participants will experience three fast structures (argument, design, and reasoning), then leave with a simple planning template and a ready-to-use menu of micro-challenges they can run tomorrow.
Have you ever walked into a meeting and sensed the room’s mood before anyone spoke? Effective leadership requires more than strong plans and data; it requires understanding how communication is received in real time.
Many administrators focus on what they say, but the way messages are delivered often shapes trust, engagement, and buy-in. Grounded in Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication by Vanessa Van Edwards, this session explores how body language, vocal delivery, and verbal patterns function as a “hidden language” that influences leadership presence in schools.
Participants will learn practical, research-based strategies to recognize communication cues, project confidence, build trust, and strengthen influence during meetings, presentations, and daily interactions. Administrators will leave with immediately usable tools to communicate with intention and support positive organizational impact.
