Leadership EDIT 2026

Tony Wagner (1993) said, “The real methodology for systems change begins and ends with ongoing, authentic conversations about the important questions.” For staff, this may be strategic planning, policy decisions, or how to support students. For students, it may be school, state, or national policy; making sense of current events; or maintaining healthy relationships with their peers. With few quality models for talking across differences on the national stage, let’s build skills for communicating and living together and heal along the way.
We’ll examine research on the benefits of discourse, offer structures and strategies for use in classrooms and staff meetings that include a values orientation, and experience conversations to feel the impact of this approach on our bodies and minds.
Leave this session ready to plan for and facilitate a group discussion and build capacity for humanizing discourse with templates and resources for support.

Paraphrasing is more than repeating someone’s words—it is a leadership practice that communicates respect, builds psychological safety, and creates shared understanding. In this interactive session, participants will examine how intentional paraphrasing can disrupt power imbalances, support trauma-informed communication, and strengthen collaboration in challenging conversations. Through brief video examples, facilitated discussion, and authentic leadership scenarios, participants will learn how to paraphrase in ways that invite clarification, deepen empathy, and reduce misunderstanding. Common misconceptions about paraphrasing will be addressed, along with opportunities to practice the skill in real time. Participants will leave with practical strategies they can immediately apply in conversations with staff, students, families, and colleagues.

Through engaging activities and real-world scenarios, participants will discover that leadership isn’t about holding titles but about consistently practicing skills. We’ll explore how self-awareness, effective communication, and confident decision-making form the true foundation of impactful leadership.
Attendees won’t just talk about leadership—they’ll experience it. They’ll walk away with practical strategies they can immediately apply in everyday situations, whether leading a team, collaborating with peers, or navigating personal challenges.
If you’re ready to move beyond titles and into tangible growth, this session will challenge, inspire, and equip you to lead from wherever you are.