Leadership EDIT 2026

Regardless of our positive intentions, research has shown that nearly 70% of educational initiatives/programs fail to be fully implemented and achieve their stated goals (Lyon). In this interactive session, we will cover research and practice on why implementation is so challenging, as well as explore techniques we can use to prevent, bypass, and remediate the most common implementation hurdles. Participants are encouraged to bring details on their trauma-informed, inclusive, or other goals as we explore the topic of how to better implement best practices.


ReferencesLyon, A. Implementation Science and Practice in the Education Sector. Retrieved on August 21, 2022 from https://education.uw.edu/sites/default/files/Implementation%20Science%20Issue%20Brief%20072617.pdf

Trauma-informed schools require trauma-informed leadership. Yet many leaders are navigating high-stakes decisions while operating in chronic stress states that unintentionally undermine equity and sustainability efforts. This interactive session equips school and system leaders with practical nervous-system regulation tools that strengthen executive presence, conflict navigation, and equity-centered culture building.
Participants will examine how leader dysregulation impacts decision-making, team trust, and policy conversations. Through guided reflection, real-time regulation practices, and applied leadership scenarios, attendees will build a Regulation Reset Protocol and a Leadership Alignment tool they can immediately implement within their teams. This session bridges trauma-informed principles with systems-level leadership strategy to support resilient, equitable, and sustainable change beyond the summit.

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.

In this session, participants will learn how empowering staff members and students to make decisions in stressful situations can improve the climate and culture of the school.  Participants will also review the importance of conducting a variety of drills in a trauma informed ways.