2025 Presentations
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Tuesday, March 11th
| Time | Room | Breakout Session | Title | Description | Presenter(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon A | Breakout Session I | The New Office of Charter School Compliance | During this informative session, attendees will learn about the important changes accompanying implementation of House Bill 318 in 2024, with an emphasis on the practical. Expect to hear about: Services and supports formerly provided by the Department of Education, but now provided by the OCSC, Services and supports planned by the Department of Education, but now provided for the first time by the OCSC, New services and supports you can expect to see offered by the OCSC in the near future. All OCSC-related questions will be answered; even those you didn’t know you had. |
Allen Mueller, Senior Director of the Office of Charter School Compliance, State Charter Schools Commission |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon B | Breakout Session I | Common Mistakes in Governance, Operations, and Finance: Lessons for Charter Schools | Charter schools operate with unique autonomy, but this freedom also brings distinct challenges. This session will explore the most common mistakes charter schools make in governance, operations, and financial management. Attendees will gain insights into: Governance missteps, such as unclear roles and responsibilities or lack of board training. Operational oversights, including insufficient policies, compliance issues, and ineffective leadership transitions. Financial pitfalls, from budget mismanagement to noncompliance with funding requirements. Governance credit for locally authorized charter schools and tenured SCSC board members may be earned for this session. | Candy Yu CFO, Consultant/Founder, Avolon Accounting & CFO Services; Kenneth Hunt, Board Chair, Georgia Cyber Academy; John Brooks, Board Treasurer, Georgia Cyber Academy; Dr. Dawn Gregory, FoundationEd, Laura Stephens, FoundationEd; Christa Thomas, Vice President, New School Development, Georgia Charter Schools Association |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon C | Breakout Session I | Making History Relevant Through Student-Created Exhibitions | Using artifacts and sources from Atlanta History Center’s collections and archives, this session will show teachers how student-created exhibitions can increase historical understanding and help students apply their learning to enduring questions. By organizing primary sources and artifacts into theme-based exhibitions, students can see the continuing relevance of past events and reflect on how those themes and questions still challenge us today. | Barbara Manwell, Manager of Education Programs, Atlanta History Center |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon D | Breakout Session I | School Discipline: How to Achieve Fair and Efficient Processes | This interactive session will examine how to communicate and implement appropriate and lawful disciplinary processes. This includes setting forth clear processes in a Code of Conduct, providing appropriate notice and communication, and implementing appropriate procedures for hearings and appeals. Bring any questions! | Christopher Adams, Partner, Krevolin Horst |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon E | Breakout Session I | Building the Bench: Strategic Succession, Recruitment, and Onboarding for Effective Charter School Governance | Effective governance is the backbone of a successful charter school, and building a strong, sustainable board requires strategic planning, thoughtful recruitment, and intentional onboarding. In this session, participants will learn how to create a succession plan that ensures leadership continuity, develop recruitment strategies to attract diverse and mission-aligned board members, and design onboarding processes that set new members up for success. | Morgan Felts, Managing Partner, 21Cobalt |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Georgia Ballroom | Breakout Session I | How Does Your Charter School Experience Translate To Running For School Board? | The most important elections for charter schools and their supporters are local school board elections. Too few local school board representatives understand how charter schools contribute to a healthy and high performing public education system. This session is designed for anyone who has ever considered running for school board, and presenters will provide information on how to get started and important issues to consider as you explore next steps. | Anthony Wilson, Executive Director, Equity in Education; Aarti Sharma, Vice President, Strategy and Policy, redefinED atlanta, Tony Mitchell, Board Member Ethos Classical; Leroy “Tre” Hutchins, Board Member, Cobb County Schools; Cerrone Lockett, Deputy Executive Director, State Charter Schools Commission |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Macon-Savannah | Breakout Session I | Spotting the Signs: A Guide to Assessing the Health of Charter Schools | In this interactive training, participants will learn to identify critical distress signs within charter schools by utilizing a comprehensive self-evaluation tool. Through guided discussions and hands-on activities, participants will gain valuable insights into their school’s strengths and areas for improvement, enabling them to proactively address challenges. This course empowers school leaders and staff to assess their institution’s overall health and implement effective strategies to foster a positive and sustainable learning environment. Governance credit for locally authorized charter schools and tenured SCSC board members may be earned for this session. | Lisa McDonald, VP School Success, Georgia Charter Schools Association |
| 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM | Grand Ballroom 1-3 | General Session | General Session and Conference Day Kickoff | Dr. Bonnie Holliday, President and CEO, Georgia Charter Schools Association | |
| 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | Grand Ballroom 1-3 | General Session | Keynote Speaker: Rick Hess, Director of Education Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute (AEI) | The Georgia Charter Schools Association is excited to welcome Rick Hess as the keynote speaker for the 2025 Georgia Charter Schools Conference. Based on feedback from schools and stakeholders, we are shifting the focus of this year’s keynote presentation to address the current developments in federal education policy and what they could mean for states and schools. In his keynote speech, he will provide an expert’s analysis of the federal education landscape and its implications for education stakeholders, particularly in light of potential changes under the Trump administration. Hess will cover topics such as: Will the U.S. Department of Education actually be eliminated? If so, what will happen to Title I and Special Education funding and requirements? With the possibility of significant shifts in federal oversight, Hess will outline the key questions charter schools should be asking their authorizers and the Georgia Department of Education to ensure preparedness for any changes in funding and oversight. Hess’s address promises to be a must-attend session for school leaders, policymakers, and educators seeking clarity in a rapidly evolving education environment. To make this keynote address as interactive as possible, please submit your questions in advance here. | Rick Hess, Director of Education Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute (AEI) |
| 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM | Grand Ballroom 1-3 | General Session | Lunch & Keynote: Education Secures Retirement Dreams | Educators are the cornerstone of our community and deserve help reach their retirement goals beyond their days in the classroom. We are committed to helping our teachers reach their objectives through our retirement programs and education. | Paula Smith, CEO, ValuTeachers |
| 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon A | Breakout Session II | Innovating Arts Integration: Building a 21st Century Curriculum for Creative and Career-Ready Students | A collaborative presentation with Principal, Media Arts Teacher, and ELA Teacher sharing the philosophy of, research behind, and practical steps and lessons learned in our experience developing an arts-integrated curriculum at Utopian Academy for the Arts at Trilith, highlighting how the arts are woven into core academic subjects to foster creativity, critical thinking, and career readiness. | Caleb Land, Principal, Utopian Academy for the Arts at Trillith |
| 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon B | Breakout Session II | The Reality of the Fiscal Cliff | We will discuss case studies from many different Georgia Charter schools, and how they have leverage different financing vehicles to execute on technology goals to help students. | Connor O’Neill, Sales Director, Technology Lab |
| 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon C | Breakout Session II | Effectively Leading a Multigenerational Staff: Understanding Generational Values and How to Remove Barriers for Success | In the post-COVID education landscape, school leaders face rising teacher attrition and the challenge of balancing diverse staff needs. With multi-generational teams more common than ever, understanding each generation’s values is key to effective leadership and retention. This session will explore how leaders can navigate generational differences, using the T180 Leadership Framework to foster a positive, supportive work environment and implement strategies to develop and retain staff. | Dr. Don Wilkins, Founder/Lead Consultant, Transformation 180 |
| 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon D | Breakout Session II | Strengthening your Retirement IQ and Strategy Development | This session will provide valuable information about Georgia Teachers Retirement System (GA-TRS), recent legislative decisions concerning the Social Security Fairness Act: Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), and 403(B)/457(B) supplemental retirement savings plans. This information will equip school leaders with the knowledge needed to develop personal retirement planning strategies and provide value-added information to educate their school’s employees. The end-goal and reward for all Charter School employees is to, “Retire with Financial Dignity.” | Rodney Keyes, Director, Charter School Plans, ValuTeachers |
| 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon E | Breakout Session II | Amplifying Charter School Success Through Digital Advocacy | Effective messaging is crucial for advocating the role of charter schools. This session will explore digital strategies for communicating the positive impact of charter schools on students and families, as well as their role in preparing students for Georgia’s future workforce. Participants will learn how to engage key stakeholders, leverage positive charter school videos to showcase school and student success, and amplify support among lawmakers and the public. Learn how to position charter schools as essential contributors to Georgia’s talent pipeline and drive advocacy through compelling storytelling. | Michelle Wirth, Sr. Director of Communications & Shabaaka Smalls, Digital Manager, Georgia Charter Schools Association |
| 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Grand Ballroom 1-3 | Breakout Session II | Facilities Lessons You Shouldn’t Have to Pay to Learn | Facilities are one of the largest non-educational challenges the education space faces. The lessons learned are expensive and can even cost the school their charter. In this session facilities expert panelists will share the costly challenges they have helped school leaders overcome, while providing key takeaways for those looking to take on the next big facility challenge. | Cameron Quick, Founder, Facilities Resource Center Rebecca Salvo, Senior Vice President, 22 Beacon Jeffrey Houser, Facilities Resource Center |
| 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Georgia Ballroom | Breakout Session II | Building a “Foundation” for School Success | This panel will discuss the costs and benefits of establishing a separate charitable organization to support your charter school through fundraising and facilities development. | Rob Fortson, Attorney, Gilbert, Harrell, Sumerford & Martin; Barry Lollis, Superintendent, Savannah Classical Academy |
| 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Macon-Savannah | Breakout Session II | From Signs to Solutions: Collaborative Problem-Solving for Charter School Challenges | Building on the insights gained in the first session, this follow-up course focuses on collaborative problem-solving for addressing the most pressing issues identified in your charter school’s self-evaluation. Participants will engage in dynamic discussions with fellow board members to dive deeper into specific problems of practice, such as student engagement, financial sustainability, staff retention, or governance challenges. Participants will receive one hour credit for accountability and overall board governance. | Lisa McDonald, VP School Success, Georgia Charter Schools Association |
| 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon A | Breakout Session III | Level Up Your Classroom with Google’s Gemini: An Educator’s and Coaches Guide to AI | Target Audience: Curriculum Specialists + Coach/Educator Focus Join us for an exploration of Gemini, Google’s cutting-edge AI technology, and its potential to transform K-12 teaching and learning. This session is tailored for curriculum professionals and educators that are passionate about leveraging AI to enhance student learning, engage all students, and improve learning outcomes. | Cari Warnock, Education Ambassador, Charters, CDW Education |
| 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon B | Breakout Session III | Charter School Funding Formulas | In this session participants will learn how state and federal funding formulas are calculated to distribute educational resources. You will learn how the state budget cycle, data elements and collection all affect QBE and the Charter Supplement as well as Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDES) funding formulas. This will include mid-year adjustments. Participants will also be given simulator tools to help them see these factors in action which they can use as they plan and implement school budgets. | Carmen Freemire, Senior Director of Finance, State Charter Schools Commission |
| 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon C | Breakout Session III | Ensuring Charter Schools Benefit from ESPLOST Funding: Advocating for Equitable Access to Educational Resources | Charter schools play a vital role in public education, yet they often face challenges in accessing funding for essential capital improvements. This session will explore the current landscape of ESPLOST allocations, legal and policy considerations, and strategies for advocating for equitable inclusion of charter schools. Attendees will gain insights into successful advocacy efforts, best practices, and actionable steps to engage policymakers and community stakeholders. Join us to learn how we can work to ensure all public school students, regardless of the type of school they attend, have access to the resources they need to succeed. | Peter L. Ulrich, Principal Administrator, Tybee Island Maritime Academy; Barry Lollis, Chief Executive Officer, Savannah Classical Academy |
| 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon D | Breakout Session III | Leading for High Quality Student Work | Guiding Question: How can our vision of high-quality work for all students drive leadership moves and learning conditions in support of equitable three-dimensional student impact? EL Education empowers students to achieve multiple dimensions of success: mastery of knowledge and skills, character building, and high quality work. | Julanda Wilson, Senior Coach, EL Education |
| 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon E | Breakout Session III | Encouraging Youth Civic Engagement: Place-Based Passion Projects | This session explores innovative ways to empower youth as active community participants. Led by experts from The Anchor School and Local Civics, it highlights how place-based education fosters civic responsibility in students. The session emphasizes passion-driven projects that promote critical thinking, collaboration, and agency. Attendees will learn practical strategies to link classroom learning with real-world civic challenges for personal growth and community impact. | Josh Pinto-Taylor, Executive Director, The Anchor School; Caitlin Gallagher, Head of Growth, Local Civics |
| 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM | Georgia Ballroom | Breakout Session III | Financing Strategies To Match Your School’s Growth | Tired of leasing your facilities? Wondering what your short and long term options are to finance your new or expanded facilities? Whether you are a start up or a well established charter school network, join experienced public finance attorneys from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP for a discussion of financing strategies for your facilities at each stage of growth. | Tom Sage, Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP |
| 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM | Macon-Savannah | Breakout Session III | Enhancing Compensation Strategies for Charter Schools | Clarity Consulting Group, in collaboration with industry experts, presents a comprehensive evaluation of compensation programs tailored to the needs of Charter Schools. By leveraging sector-specific data, K-12 educational trends, and Bureau of Labor Statistics insights, we empower schools to attract and retain top talent while maintaining equity, compliance, and alignment with strategic goals.Governance credit for locally authorized charter schools and tenured SCSC board members may be earned for this session. | John Brooks, CEO, Clarity Consulting Group; Dr. Jim Aller, Clarity Consulting Group; Lisa McDonald, VP School Success, Georgia Charter Schools Association |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon A | Breakout Session IV | Coaching with Purpose: Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement | Effective coaching goes beyond observation—it builds a culture where teachers feel supported and empowered to grow. This session will provide practical strategies for setting clear coaching goals, delivering impactful feedback, and fostering teacher reflection. Walk away with tools to create a coaching culture that drives continuous improvement and meaningful change in classrooms. | Erinn Cottman, Lead Consultant, Erinn Cottman Teacher Development, LLC |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon B | Breakout Session IV | A.I. Meets Literacy: Learn the Power of 24! | Read 21 provides services in the Science of Reading and Critical Thinking. We train teachers through our “Teach Along Kits” and offer our autonomous online web application that allows students to read fluently in 21 days or less. After our 21-day Fluency, students become submersed in our Critical Thinking that enhances vocabulary, etymology, and comprehension, growing students to Proficiency. Students move from Tier 3 to Tier 1 with our programs! | Patricia Lee, President, Read 21 |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon C | Breakout Session IV | The Blueprint for Sustainable Charter School Success | Why do 40% of charter schools fail after their first decade of operations? What sets high-performing schools apart? After years of research and evaluation, I’ve identified 10 key Indicators of success. In this session, discover how to transform your school from good to great using proven strategies. Participants will receive a free High-Performance Assessment tool to identify their school’s current reality and create a plan for sustainable success. | Tom Miller, Charter School Strategist & Author, Leaders Building Leaders |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon D | Breakout Session IV | Supercharging School Operations: A Guide to Tech Tools and Strategic Solutions | Join our charter school finance and operations experts to learn how to harness cutting-edge technology while avoiding common pitfalls and discover practical frameworks for organizing your team’s workflows. We will help you to master your tech stack, streamline financial operations, make document and project management more efficient, and enhance team productivity. This session will combine strategic insights with actionable recommendations to prepare you to implement improvements at your school! | Terence Washington, Business Development Manager, EdTec |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon E | Breakout Session IV | Like Drinking From a Fire Hydrant, First Year Teacher Experiences in Charter Schools | Drawing on my experience as a charter school teacher, leader, and researcher, this session explores the challenges first-year teachers face in charter schools and strategies to address teacher attrition. Based on a qualitative study of ten teachers, findings reveal that personal and professional fulfillment supports teacher retention. This collaborative session provides charter leaders with tools to build support systems for new teachers, reduce turnover, and improve faculty climate. | Matthew Stone, Director of New Schools, Liberty Classical Schools |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Georgia Ballroom | Breakout Session IV | Unlock the Power of Data: Smarter Decisions, Stronger Schools | ‘Is your data helping you grow, or just sitting in spreadsheets?’ Too often, schools collect numbers without turning them into action. In this session, discover how to cut waste, predict trends, and drive student success with data-driven strategies. Whether you’re in your Year 0, expanding/replicating, or simply striving for better, this session will equip you with the tools to transform information into impact. Don’t just track data—use it to fuel growth. | Monique Carruthers, Founder & Executive Director, Zest Preparatory Academy; Renee Davis, Founding & Senior Director of Operations, Zest Preparatory Academy; Erica Minor, Founder, Premier School Operations |
| 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Macon-Savannah | Breakout Session IV | Strengthening Governance: Tools, Templates, and Best Practices for Charter School Boards | In this facilitated self-study course, charter school board members will explore and engage with a variety of governance-related artifacts, tools, templates, and resources. Through guided reflection and hands-on application, participants will examine governance practices and tools of other charters and non-profits, share insights, and identify best practices that can be tailored to their own board’s needs. GCSA’s Board Governance trainer will also be available to answer any questions you may have. Participants will receive one hour credit for governance best practices. Governance credit for locally authorized charter schools and tenured SCSC board members may be earned for this session. | Lisa McDonald, VP School Success, Georgia Charter Schools Association |
Wednesday, March 12th
| Time | Room | Breakout Session | Title | Description | Presenter(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon A | Breakout Session V | Communications Best Practices for School Communities Part I | Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful school communities. This session will explore best practices for fostering clear, inclusive, and impactful communication within and outside the school environment. Attendees will learn how to tailor communication strategies to various stakeholders, build trust through transparency, and leverage tools to improve engagement. By improving communication practices, schools can strengthen relationships with parents, educators, board members, and the broader community, ensuring alignment with the school’s mission and goals. | Erica Acha-Morfaw, Communications Specialist and Michele Neely, Senior Director of School Support and Outreach, State Charter Schools Commission |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon B | Breakout Session V | Cybersecurity for Charter Schools | Cybersecurity is something that should be taken very seriously by schools of all sizes. This workshop, led by local IT professionals with decades of experience, will cover some tangible and budget-friendly approaches that charter schools can implement immediately to minimize their risks and become as secure as possible. | Rand Eley, Co-Owner/President of Southeastern Computer Associates |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon C | Breakout Session V | Don’t Leave Money on the School Lunch Table! | Charter schools can leverage the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) to boost their budget while enhancing student well-being. This session will feature real-world examples and practical strategies to optimize program funding, reduce waste, streamline meal service, and select the best vendors for your school. Our NSLP expert will also share targeted approaches to identify funding that directly supports resource-constrained schools as well as best practices for inclusive meal program design. You’ll leave this session with actionable steps to unlock the full potential of NSLP funding and ensure your students benefits from nutritious meals! | Kristy Phillips – NSLP Manager, Vertex Education |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon D | Breakout Session V | Chartering the Course: Strategic Planning & Leading Change for Lasting Impact | Participants will explore the essential components of effective strategic planning and the art of leading organizational change. | Morgan Felts, Managing Partner, 21Cobalt |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon E | Breakout Session V | Developing a Culture of Instructional Excellence and Continuous Improvement | Every principal and instructional coach has lived the experience of beginning the school year with an ambitious vision for classroom observations and teacher coaching only for TKES to become little more than a compliance requirement. This presentation will explore strategies for developing a culture of instructional excellence and continuous improvement where teachers begin to seek out feedback and experience measurable growth instead of scheduling a test for every observation day. | Josh Andrew, Head of School, Atlanta Classical Academy |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Georgia Ballroom | Breakout Session V | Georgia’s Moment of Literacy Lift – Exploring Georgia’s Literacy Legislation | Buckle up and prepare for takeoff! Georgia is soaring toward a brighter future for literacy with three powerful engines: the Georgia Early Literacy Act, meaningful dyslexia legislation, and the implementation of the Georgia’s K-12 ELA standards. Join us as we navigate the flight path toward higher literacy achievement, fueled by innovative policies, strategic planning, and effective instruction. Together, we’ll ensure every student has the runway to reach their full potential. | Amy Denty, Director of Literacy, Georgia Department of Education |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Macon-Savannah | Breakout Session V | Winning Enrollment: What Families Want & How Schools Succeed | Enrollment doesn’t have to be stressful for families or for schools. In this session, we’ll share key insights from recent research on what families want in the school selection and enrollment process, along with real-world lessons from schools that are getting it right. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies to improve application completion rates, lottery transparency, and enrollment yield. Whether you’re looking to streamline your process or boost family engagement, this session will provide data-driven takeaways to help your school succeed. | Mike Murphy, Avela |
| 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM | Grand Ballroom 1-3 | Breakout Session V | Updates from the Georgia General Assembly — 2025 Legislative Session | We’re nearing the end of another legislative session, and it’s time to review the proposals (good, bad and ugly!) that may become law in a matter of weeks. Bonnie Holliday, GCSA President and CEO and Rahn Mayo, GCSA VP of Policy and Advocacy, will summarize relevant education bills moving through the General Assembly–especially those impacting charter schools, and they will review GCSA’s role in advocating for policies that support charter schools and their students. | Dr. Bonnie Holliday, President and CEO, Georgia Charter Schools Association; Rahn Mayo, VP Advocacy & Policy, Georgia Charter Schools Association |
| 11:05 AM – 12:05 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon A | Breakout Session VI | Communications Best Practices for School Communities Part II | Your website is the heart of your school’s communication strategy. This interactive session will guide attendees through a self-audit of their school’s website, focusing on accessibility, transparency, and stakeholder engagement. Participants will evaluate sample websites, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and develop actionable plans to optimize their own web presence. The hands-on format ensures that attendees can immediately apply lessons learned to their own school websites. | Erica Acha-Morfaw, Communications Specialist and Michele Neely, Senior Director of School Support and Outreach, State Charter Schools Commission |
| 11:05 AM – 12:05 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon B | Breakout Session VI | Ethics in Charter School Governance | Strong governance and leadership is the foundation of a high-performing charter school, and ethical leadership is at its core. This interactive session will explore ethical decision-making frameworks and their practical application to charter school boards. Attendees will examine real-world ethical dilemmas, such as conflicts of interest, blurred lines between governance and management, and the challenges of implementing fiduciary responsibilities. | Kelly Cadman, Principal Consultant, Hive180 Educational Consulting |
| 11:05 AM – 12:05 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon C | Breakout Session VI | Cultivating Connections: Collaborative Strategies to Strengthen Student Recruitment and Fostering a Positive School Community | In today’s competitive education landscape, student recruitment isn’t just about boosting enrollment numbers — it’s about cultivating a vibrant and inclusive school community. This dynamic and interactive session delves into innovative, community-focused strategies for attracting new families while nurturing a strong sense of belonging. | Yolanda Baptiste Holland, Associate Director of Social Emotional Learning, Atlanta Unbound Academy; Erica Minor, Founder, Premier School Operations |
| 11:05 AM – 12:05 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon D | Breakout Session VI | Overview of TKES/LKES for Charter School Leaders | This session is designed to equip Charter School leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to effectively implement the Teacher Keys Effectiveness System (TKES) and Leader Keys Effectiveness System (LKES) and understand the components of the Teacher Effectiveness Measure (TEM) and Leader Effectiveness Measure (LEM) score. Participants will gain insights into the evaluation process, performance standards, and the impact of these measures on school leadership and student outcomes. | Dustin Allen, Program Manager, Educator System Services, GaDOE |
| 11:05 AM – 12:05 PM | Cumberland Ballroom – Salon E | Breakout Session VI | Enhancing Education with Esports, Active Learning, and STEM/STEAM Solutions | Join PowerUpEDU for a comprehensive session that delves into the exciting worlds of esports, active learning, and STEM/STEAM solutions. This session will provide a holistic approach to modern education, exploring the fundamentals of competitive gaming, innovative active learning strategies, and cutting-edge STEM/STEAM technologies. Discover how to start and develop an esports program, engage students through movement, and incorporate advanced tools like virtual reality and coding robots into your curriculum. Whether you’re looking to enhance your current programs or start new ones, this session offers valuable insights and practical steps to create a dynamic and future-ready learning environment. | Janelle DeVelvis, Education Consultant, PowerUpEDU |
| 11:05 AM – 12:05 PM | Georgia Ballroom | Breakout Session VI | PLCs Work—Let’s Put Them to Work! | Implementing and maintaining a strong instructional program requires an “all hands on deck” approach—but simply showing up isn’t enough. Effective leadership means creating regular, structured opportunities for teachers to collaborate, learn, and grow together. In this session, discover how to harness the power of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to build collective teacher efficacy, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and drive meaningful student outcomes. Walk away with practical strategies to maximize the impact of PLCs in your school! | Dr. Lenora Patterson, Head Coach, Kids First Education; Cassandra Williams, Major Accounts Manager, Kids First Education |
