• 2021 CEL banner

    As NC school leaders continue our journey together on this “Road to Recovery” from COVID-19, NCASA’s 2021 Conference on Educational Leadership will be virtual but bigger and better than ever! Ongoing mass gathering limits prevent our meeting in-person, but we know you need motivation, timely updates and best practice sharing now more than ever. See the following segments already planned, and register now for this can’t-miss event:

    •  A motivational keynote address on school leadership by nationally acclaimed speaker Justin Jones-Fosu.
    •  International speaker and cultural diplomat Ravi Hutheesing’s address on “Pivoting for Cultural Competence and Equity.”
    •  Comments from newly elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt just two months into her new role.
    •  A panel discussion on “COVID-19 Lessons Learned and Looming Challenges” touching on all segments of school administration, including superintendents and district leadership; principals; academics/accountability, human resources, finance, communications, technology, exceptional children’s services, career-technical education, federal programs, school nutrition, facility maintenance and sanitation, and transportation.
    •  A timely legislative update on education hot topics gaining attention in the 2021 session of the General Assembly that kicks off in January.
    •  20 to 25 outstanding peer-led breakout sessions addressing educational best practices and key issues facing school leaders in all sectors of administration.

  • JJones-Fosu KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

    JUSTIN JONES-FOSU

    Founder and CEO of Work. Meaningful.

    PRESENTS:

    WORK to A Different Beat: How to Live, Work and Lead to a New Rhythm

    View Justin's bio HERE...

  • Ravi Hutheesing promo

    KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

    RAVI HUTHEESING

    Education and Culture Speaker

    PRESENTS:

    Pivoting for Cultural Competence and Equity

    Ravi is also an accomplished author who recently released his new book PIVOT: Empowering Students Today to Succeed in an Unpredictable Tomorrow. Pivot is an inspiring journey of self-discovery that reveals an insightful framework for creating self-directed, lifelong learners who can…pivot. How can educators empower students to stay relevant in an ever-changing world? As globalization and artificial intelligence dramatically change the future of work, preparing students for a life defined more by who they are than by what they do is the most important benchmark of a modern education. Click the link to his book for special deals and more details!

    View Ravi's bio HERE...

  • Thursday, March 11, 2021
    TIME TITLE PRESENTER(S) SLIDES VIDEO
    8:30-8:35 a.m. Welcome & Overview Dr. Ethan Lenker, NCASA President 2020-2021 & Superintendent, Pitt County Schools and Katherine Joyce, NCASA Executive Director    
    8:35-9:35 a.m. KEYNOTE: Work to A Different Beat - How to Live & Lead to a New Rhythm

    Justin Jones-Fosu, CEO & Founder Work.Meaningful.

     

    		    
    9:35-9:45 a.m. BREAK      
    9:45-11:15 a.m. PANEL: COVID-19 - Lessons Learned & Looming Challenges Superintendents: Dr. Jennifer Hefner, Alexander County Schools; Dr. Pascal Mubenga, Durham Public Schools; 2021 Superintendent of the Year Dr. Brent Williams, Lenoir County Schools; and 2020 Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Anthony Jackson, Vance County Schools    
       

    Other School Leaders: Mr. Jeff Hollamon, Chief Financial Officer, Onslow County Schools; Dr. Marcie Holland, Senior Director for Talent Management, Wake County Schools; Ms. Kisha Clemons, 2020 Principal of the Year, Newton-Conover City Schools

     

    		    
    11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSION I      
      A. Culture, Curriculum & Caring to Create Change

    Dr. Valerie Bridges, Superintendent; Abbey Futrell, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Edgecombe County Public Schools

     

    		  
      B. Helping Dreams of New Schools Come True

    Nathan Maune, Section Chief for the School Planning Section, NC Department of Public Instruction and NC Education Lottery

     

    		  
      C. Keeping Schools Safe: District to School

    Dr. Morgen Houchard, Executive Director of Auxiliary Services and Page Willis, Assistant Principal, Hunter Huss High School, Gaston County Schools

     

    		    
      D. Telling Your Story: Strategic Marketing for Schools & Districts

    Dr. Andrew J. Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Transformation, Rowan-Salisbury Schools

     

    		  
      E. State Budget & COVID-19 Relief Funding Update

    Andy McCracken, Policy Analyst, NC Pandemic Recovery Office and Alexis Schauss, Chief Business Officer, Division School Business, NC Department of Public Instruction

     
    12:30-1:15 p.m. LUNCH BREAK      
    1:15-2:15 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSION II      
      A. 15 Tips for Principals that will Help You, Save You, & Make You a PR Hero

    Valerie F. Newton, Public Relations & Information Officer, Bladen County Schools; and Kevin Smith, Public Relations & Information Officer, Transylvania County Schools

     

    		    
      B. Successful Virtual Academies - Urban & Rural

    Dr. Travis Reeves, Superintendent; Dr. DeAnne Danley, Director, Curriculum and Instruction, Professional Development, PreK-12; Kristen Blake, Principal, Surry County Schools; Dr. Jeff Booker, Superintendent; Dr. Melissa Balknight, Associate Superintendent for Academic Services; and Dr. Jill Payne, Virtual Academy Principal for Elementary, Gaston County Schools

     
      C. Building Student Resiliency

    Dr. Karen D. Jones, Assistant Professor and Dr. Travis Lewis, Assistant Professor, East Carolina University

     

    		  
      D. Student Loan Solutions: Unique Strategies Available To Reduce The Burden Of Student Loan Debt

    Horace Mann with Lexington City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Anitra Wells

     

    		  
      E. Utilizing Networked Improvement Communities

    Dr. Lawrence Hodgkins, Professor, East Carolina University; Dr. Matthew Militello, Wells Fargo Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership, East Carolina University; Dr. Monica Headen, Principal, Longview Elementary School, Franklin County Schools; Mr. Hugh Scott, Principal, Southern Nash High School, Nash County Schools

     

    		  
    2:15-2:30 p.m. BREAK      
    2:30-3:30 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSION III      
      A. Cultivating Instructional Leadership in Principals

    Dr. Nakia Hardy, Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services; Dr. Darlene Ryan, Assistant Superintendent, Elementary; and Dr. Dan Davis, Assistant Superintendent, Secondary, Durham Public Schools

     

    		    
      B. Implicit Bias: When & How to Notice Red Flags ** CANCELED **    
      C. Emergency Response Planning

    Builder Services with Hyde County Schools Superintendent, Mr. Steve Basnight

     

    		    
      D. Overcoming Poverty & Trauma in Schools

    Chris Bottoms, Principal, Walnut Cove Elementary School, Stokes County Schools

     

    		  
      E. Enhancing Both the Physical & Psychological Safety of Our Children: Addressing the "Whole Child" through a Comprehensive SISP Teaming Model to Support All Students Amy Lowder, Director, Student Safety & Well-Being; Amy Jewell, Coordinator, School Social Work & Mental Health; John Basilice, Director Student Services; Kim Ragan, Cabarrus Health Alliance School Health Administrative Team; Sgt. Barrett Elwood, Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office Youth Development Division; and Sgt. Kelly Seagraves, Concord Police Department Community Outreach & Education Unit  

     

  • Friday, March 12, 2021
    TIME TITLE PRESENTER(S) SLIDES VIDEO
    8:30-8:35 a.m. Welcome & Overview Katherine Joyce, NCASA Executive Director    
    8:35-9:35 a.m. KEYNOTE: Pivoting for Cultural Competence and Equity

    Ravi Hutheesing, International Speaker, Cultural Diplomat and Author

     

    		    
    9:35-9:50 a.m. BREAK      
    9:50-10:20 a.m. Remarks: State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Catherine Truitt

    Ms. Catherine Truitt, NC State Superintendent of Public Instruction

     
    10:20-10:45a.m. NCASA Awards Presentations      
    10:45-11:00 a.m. BREAK      
    11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Legislative Update

    Katherine Joyce, NCASA Executive Director and Elizabeth Yelverton, NCASA Legal Affairs & Policy Manager

     
    12:00-1:00 p.m. LUNCH BREAK      
    1:00-2:00 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSION IV      
      A. Getting to YES: Creating Successful Pathways, Student Success through High School and Community College Partnerships

    Daryle Adams, Central Office Administrative Director of CTE, STEM, ESL; and Mallory Harris, Curriculum & Instructional Management Coordinator, Kannapolis City Schools; and Dr. Angelo Markantonakis, Associate Vice President for Academic Programs; and Kelli Antonides, Director of Career and College Promise Programs, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

     

    		  
      B. Total Retirement Planning “How to Make the Most of Your Benefits

    Doug Mayer, Educational Outreach Manager, NC Retirement Systems

     
      C. Leveling Up: Learning for All

    Frances Herring, Associate Superintendent; Amy Jones, Secondary & CTE Director; Melissa Lynch, AIG & Digital Teaching and Learning; and Amelia McLeod, Middle Grades Director, Lenoir County Schools

    		 
      D. 2020-2021 Testing and Accountability Requirements & Next Steps

    David Stegall, Ed.D, Deputy Superintendent of Innovation, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction; and Dr. Patrick Miller, Superintendent, Greene County Schools & President, NCSSA

     
      E. Inclusive Hiring

    Julie Varnam, Assistant Superintendent; Deb Trafton, Talent Management Supervisor, New Hanover County Schools

     

    		  
    2:00-2:15 p.m. BREAK      
    2:15-3:15 p.m. BREAKOUT SESSION V      
      A. 7 Ways to Ramp up your Intervention & Special Education Efforts Now!

    Erika Fortenberry, Executive Director of Federal Programs & School Improvement, Hoke County Schools; and Joann Waltman, Curriculum & Instruction Specialist; and Deborah Greene, Education Specialist, Classworks

     

    		  
      B. Raising the Bar through Performance Interviews

    Sandy Kinzel, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources; and Dr. Keith Parker, Director of Communications and Middle Schools, Dare County Schools

     

    		  
      C. Social Studies Education in the 21st Century: Empowering NC Educators to Transform Their Teaching Practice & Implement New Standards

    Jonathan Permar, Director of Social Studies, Guilford County Schools; Rebecca McKnight, Director of Social Studies, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools; and Samantha Kohl, Newsela

     

    		    
      D. CCRG Within an MTSS Framework

    Dr. Rodney Shotwell, Superintendent Dr. Holly Williamson, Director of Student Support Services; and Dr. Gregg Slate, Director of Secondary Schools, Rockingham County Schools

     

    		  
      E. School Based Mental Health

    Dr. Jamie Synan, Executive Director of Student Support Services, Scotland County Schools

     

    		  
      F. Imagine the Possibilities: Designing Equitable Systems

    Jovan Denaut, District Equity Team, Integrated Academic and Behavior Facilitator, Cumberland County Schools; Anthony Kim and Jill Thompson, Education Elements

     

    		  

     

Conference Program

  • 2021 CEL Program_web

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