Leadership EDIT 2026

This interactive presentation will help shift your thinking concerning school transformation. We will explore mentoring groups that build equity, access, and community. We will learn systems that reduce disciplinary infractions for students of color and restore dignity. We will deepen our understanding of the correlation between school culture and improved academic outcomes. We will see the progression of data resulting from a change in outlook and actions. We will discover a research-based mentoring model for school transformation. We will connect and collaborate with one-another. Together we will realize: “The Moment When Mentoring Changes a School to a Family.”Target Audience: Campus Administrators, Aspiring Leaders, Counselors, and Student Support Staff, and Health and Wellness Staff

Outcome #1: Attendees will learn practical approaches for establishing student mentoring and support groups that lead to an increase in belonging, social-emotional support, and address equity systemically. Transformative results explore the voices of students and staff through interviews and survey data.Outcome #2: Attendees will understand how to leverage systems of restorative practices to decrease discipline recidivism, improve school climate, and engage parents and community support. The goal of restorative practices is to give voice to all parties, guide students to take responsibility and repair harm, and rebuild the community they belong to (Smith et. al, 2022). Our restorative practices and positive school climate led to a 59% decrease in discipline and a 4% attendance increase.Outcome #3: Attendees will gain tools to transform academic outcomes by shifting the school to a family culture. Explore transformative results including a double-digit score improvement on the Fastbridge exam, and the highest graduation rate in school history.Outcome #4: Attendees will identify elements of a mentoring model to address equity gaps in their school.

In this interactive session, two KCKPS high school principals, Dr. Williams and Dr. Franco, alongside district administrators Mr. Collins and Dr. Lucero, will share how they’ve worked together to strengthen community partnerships to create leadership opportunities for students who may not be traditionally engaged. This work serves as strategic violence prevention, anti-bullying, and restorative conflict measures. It expands leadership skillset, builds protective relationships, and equips students with tools to positively influence peers and resolve conflict. When students who might otherwise disengage find belonging and purpose, school safety and community well-being improve.Attendees will learn practical next steps to build existing and new partnerships. Through real examples and guided discussion, participants will explore how to adapt these strategies from Early Childhood through Secondary and leave with clear next steps for their school plans.

During this presentation, participants will gain insights into enhancing the educational experience of our youth through literacy. Participants will understand the value and benefit of literacy, youth voice, inspiring leadership and the role of supportive adults in fostering youth engagement. We’ll delve into the importance of youth voice in decision-making and how supportive adults can facilitate this process.  We will explore key principles and strategies for meaningfully engaging youth in leadership development. Effective strategies will be shared for involving youth in meaningful ways, leading to better outcomes for both youth and school systems. By the end, participants will have a deeper understanding of the value of literacy, youth voice, inspiring leadership, the spectrum of youth engagement, and effective strategies for youth involvement in leadership development.