Loading…
In order to help us with room locations for each session, PLEASE mark which session you would like to attend, it will help us greatly with room capacities.
arrow_back View All Dates
Wednesday, July 22
 

7:00am EDT

7:00am EDT

Registration Table Open
Wednesday July 22, 2026 7:00am - 4:00pm EDT
Wednesday July 22, 2026 7:00am - 4:00pm EDT
Hotel Lobby 180 Water Street, Plymouth, MA

7:15am EDT

Orientation for First-Time Attendees
Wednesday July 22, 2026 7:15am - 7:30am EDT
Join this welcoming session for first-time Summer Institute attendees! Get a quick overview of the schedule and key sessions, connect with others, ask questions, and gain tips to make the most of your experience.
Presenters
Wednesday July 22, 2026 7:15am - 7:30am EDT
Halifax

8:30am EDT

Opening Session
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 8:45am EDT

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 8:45am EDT
Regency Ballroom

8:45am EDT

Keynote Speaker: Hamish Brewer
Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am EDT
People want to be seen, heard, and valued, creating a culture and environment that advocates and amplifies stakeholders’ voice, opportunity, and ownership of the journey, productivity, and results. Stakeholders, practices, and processes within an organization can  either stimulate or suppress the performance, culture, and outcomes for all. Let’s pour into your leadership journey by highlighting and exploring outstanding leadership practices and processes to success. 

Hamish shows how a culture of love, accountability, service, and team mindset first - deeply engages stakeholders on multiple levels emotionally, physically, and intellectually to raise levels of culture, commitment, results, and performance across the organization. 


Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:45am - 9:45am EDT
Regency Ballroom

9:45am EDT

Combatting Hate in Schools
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:45am - 10:25am EDT

Presenters
DB

Daniel Bauer

Superintendent, Danvers Public Schools
Wednesday July 22, 2026 9:45am - 10:25am EDT
Regency Ballroom

10:25am EDT

Visit with Corporate Partners
Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:25am - 10:55am EDT

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:25am - 10:55am EDT
Lobby Level

11:00am EDT

Creating Respectful School Climates: Bullying Prevention, Policy, and Tech Tools that Work
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
How do we move from reactive discipline to proactive culture-building in our schools?
In this powerful and thought-provoking session, internationally recognized speaker Robert Hackenson Jr. explores how schools can prevent bullying, build stronger connections, and create climates where students feel safe, seen, and supported. Using a unique blend of storytelling, research, and real-world solutions, Robert breaks down what’s really driving student conflict – and what we can do about it.
Educators will:
  • Unpack the rising challenge of students lacking key soft skills like effective communication, inclusivity, and conflict resolution.
  • Discover how smartphone use and unclear policies can unintentionally erode school culture
  • Learn practical, immediately usable strategies to foster respect, improve behavior, and promote unity


Robert also introduces an innovative tech solution: a customizable digital wellness hub designed to connect students, staff, and parents with essential school and local resources and supports – all in one accessible platform.
This is more than a presentation – it’s a call to action for schools ready to shift from reacting to incidents to intentionally creating cultures where everyone can thrive.

Presenters
RH

Robert Hackenson

Professional "Edutaining" Speaker, Dynamic Incfluence
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Regency B

11:00am EDT

Relentless Leadership – Disrupting the Educational Norms
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Hamish Brewer is an award-winning leader and school turnaround expert who has turned around multiple schools, both at the elementary and secondary levels, working with some of the most at-risk students in America. Hamish will share his secrets to his success in this session by taking a deep dive into his practices, programs and strategies for leadership success. Let’s laser focus in on key areas for growth in your leadership journey, practices and processes that align to successful school and student outcomes. You will walk away with practical solutions and ideas to key education challenges around organizational improvement, closing the achievement gap, stakeholder engagement and culture and that will help you like Hamish has done to create an award-winning organization. Own your leadership and own your legacy!
Presenters
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Regency A

11:00am EDT

Bring Literature to Life - Middle and High School ELA
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Come prepared to discuss and learn about text-based knowledge building, integrated writing, and strategies to support middle and high school students in developing a love of literature. The session will focus on structured close reading routines and explicit writing instruction that lead to improved student outcomes on Extended Writing Projects (EWPs) and discussion-based learning.
Presenters
avatar for Tim Shaw

Tim Shaw

Senior Account Executive, Imagine Learning

Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Wampanoag

11:00am EDT

Job-Alike Session: Assistant Principals - All Levels
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT

Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Carver

11:00am EDT

Job-Alike Session: Elementary
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT

Presenters
avatar for Stephen Wiltshire

Stephen Wiltshire

Principal, Millbury Street Elementary School
Great leaders aren't born-they are built through experience, mentorship, and intentional growth. In this engaging professional development session, I'll share the key advice, strategies, and lessons I received from mentors that helped shape my journey to becoming a Nationally Distinguished... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Plympton

11:00am EDT

Job-Alike Session: Middle School
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT

Presenters
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Halifax

11:00am EDT

Job-Alike Session: Secondary
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT

Presenters
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Standish

11:00am EDT

Job-Alike Session: Special Ed
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT

Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Manomet

11:00am EDT

Building Powerful Home-School Partnerships Through Hands-On Learning
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
What if family engagement wasn’t another event on the calendar, but a lever for transforming instruction, student motivation, and school culture? In partnership with Acera Education Innovation, our school moved from isolated STEM activities to a cohesive, hands-on learning model that connects curriculum, family engagement, and student excitement about school. What began as an effort to increase attendance and enthusiasm has evolved into a schoolwide approach that integrates experiential learning into both classroom instruction and home-school partnerships. In this interactive session, participants will actively experience one of the hands-on learning structures we use with families, analyze the leadership moves that made it sustainable, and leave with ready-to-implement tools. Whether you're looking to increase family participation, strengthen STEM access, or shift your school culture.
Presenters
avatar for David Anderson

David Anderson

Principal, McAuliffe Elementary School
SZ

Sarah Zuckerman

Executive Director, Acera Education Innovation (this is a non-profit organization, not a school)
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Regency C

11:15am EDT

Lunch - Corporate Partners
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 11:45am EDT
Wednesday July 22, 2026 11:15am - 11:45am EDT
Mayflower/Bistro/Atlantic

12:00pm EDT

Lunch - Registrants
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Mayflower/Bistro/Atlantic

1:05pm EDT

Visit with Corporate Partners
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:05pm - 1:35pm EDT
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:05pm - 1:35pm EDT
Lobby Level

1:40pm EDT

Kilroy Was Here: The Moral Work of School Leadership
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
Using the historic “Kilroy Was Here” symbol as a metaphor for influence and legacy, this session invites principals to examine the quiet but powerful marks they leave on staff, students, and communities. In a time of political tension, staffing challenges, and shifting expectations, principals must decide what kind of presence they will embody.  This session blends storytelling, leadership reflection, and practical insight to help participants: Clarify their leadership approach, Recommit to values-driven decision making, Strengthen school culture through intentional influence. Participants will leave energized, reflective, and reminded that even unseen work shapes lasting impact.
Presenters
avatar for Stephen Wiltshire

Stephen Wiltshire

Principal, Millbury Street Elementary School
Great leaders aren't born-they are built through experience, mentorship, and intentional growth. In this engaging professional development session, I'll share the key advice, strategies, and lessons I received from mentors that helped shape my journey to becoming a Nationally Distinguished... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
Regency A

1:40pm EDT

School Mental Health: Leveraging your counseling staff for better student outcomes
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
Student mental health should be a priority for every school leader. School counselors are uniquely positioned to make a difference in the lives of all students, but are they given the tools and time to do so? Find out how school counselors use data and evidence-based best practices to close achievement and opportunity gaps and deliver comprehensive programs that ensure success for all students. Learn ways school counselors help to improve student mental health, school climate and reduce or eliminate bullying and discipline incidents. How do school counselors deal with crises and what is their role in preventing and responding to incidents such as school shootings, deaths in the community or natural disasters?  This session will explore these various roles and how school counselors can ensure our best response and preparation for such events.  Participants will leave the session with specific ideas and activities as well as a concrete action plan to support and advantage all students.
Presenters
BB

Bob Bardwell

Executive Director, Massachusetts School Counselors Association, Inc
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
Standish

1:40pm EDT

"Don't Ban It. Teach It. Building AI Literacy Into Your Curriculum Before Your Students Outpace You"
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
Your students are already using AI. Some are using it well. Most are not. And most schools have not yet decided what to do about that. This session gives curriculum leaders and administrators a practical roadmap for building AI literacy into their schools, from classroom instruction that teaches students how AI actually works to responsible use frameworks that are enforceable and age-appropriate. You will also walk away with a handful of AI use cases built specifically for teachers and instructional leaders, tools you can bring back Monday and use immediately. This is not a theoretical conversation about the future of education. It is a working session about what you can do right now to make sure your students, your teachers, and your school are ready.
Presenters
LD

Linda Dwight

Superintendent, Harvard Public Schools
AA

Aziz Aghayev

flowlyst Founder
JA

Jamal Amanova

Educator/Artist, flowlyst partner
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
Plympton

1:40pm EDT

Leading Instructional Improvement Through Lesson Study
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
This session presents two examples of Japanese Lesson Study used to build teacher capacity in literacy instruction through a structured cycle of collaboration. Participants will examine how school leaders in elementary and middle school contexts guided teachers through collaborative lesson planning, observation, and reflection to strengthen instruction aligned with high-quality literacy materials. Attendees will leave with concrete strategies for leading lesson study as a job-embedded approach to instructional improvement and teacher learning.
Presenters
avatar for Emily Moore

Emily Moore

Director of Teaching and Learning, Peabody Public Schools
avatar for Michelle Zottoli

Michelle Zottoli

Principal, McCarthy School
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
Wampanoag

1:40pm EDT

Case Studies for School Leaders
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
As school leaders, we have all had experiences that lead us to say, "well, that's one for the book!" In this session, we will have an opportunity to reflect on situations and case studies that test our responsiveness, resilience, and patience - while also giving some time to laugh at the things that we all deal with but maybe don't get a chance to talk about. Using a framework of "the genius is the room," participants will analyze some real-life experiences of school leaders and come up with some different ideas to put in the toolbox, even if they are never or infrequently used.

Presenters
avatar for Michael Rubin

Michael Rubin

Principal, Uxbridge High
As school leaders, we have all had experiences that lead us to say, "well, that's one for the book!" In this session, we will have an opportunity to reflect on situations and case studies that test our responsiveness, resilience, and patience - while also giving some time to laugh... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
Regency B

1:40pm EDT

"Release the Power: Reimagining Early Release Days Through Design Thinking, UDL, and Innovation” - Turning Shortened Days into High-Impact Learning Experiences for Elementary Students
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
“Release the Power: Reimagining Early Release Days Through Design Thinking, UDL, and Innovation” explores how elementary school leaders can transform shortened school days into meaningful learning opportunities for students. Early Release Days often present a leadership challenge: balancing staff professional development time while ensuring students remain engaged in purposeful learning. Too often, these days default to passive activities or unstructured programming. This session encourages leaders to rethink Early Release Days as opportunities for creativity, problem-solving, and student voice.

Participants will explore how the Engineering Design Process (EDP) and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can support innovative and inclusive student experiences. Through a hands-on design activity, collaborative discussion, and practical planning tools, leaders will gain strategies to design engaging Early Release programming that is both impactful for students and feasible for schools.
Presenters
MD

Michael Domina

Principal, McAvinnue Elementary School - Lowell Public Schools
LD

Lauren Dale

School Coach - AceraEI, Acea Education Innovation
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
Halifax

1:40pm EDT

Phone-Free, AI-Ready, and Student-Support Aligned: Using MTSS to Build a Coherent Digital Wellbeing Strategy
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
As Massachusetts schools adopt stronger phone policies and respond to AI-driven changes in learning, leaders are seeking approaches that balance clarity, consistency, and student wellbeing. This session presents an MTSS-based framework for implementing phone policies and digital wellbeing practices that extend beyond enforcement. Drawing on guidance from MA DESE and case examples from partner schools, we will examine how to align Tier 1 policy and instruction with Tier 2/3 supports for students affected by distraction, anxiety, cyberbullying, or academic integrity concerns. Participants will leave with a draft implementation roadmap for fall 2026.
Presenters
avatar for Shai Fuxman

Shai Fuxman

Director, DESE’s Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Academy, Education Development Center
Shai Fuxman, a behavioral health expert and senior research scientist, leads initiatives promoting the well-being, academic success, and career readiness of youth. He has extensive experience in adolescent health and development, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), and substance... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
Regency C

1:40pm EDT

Support and Celebrate: Building a Culture Where Staff Thrive
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
How do you truly support and celebrate your staff in ways that inspire them to be more like the best version of themselves? In this high-energy, engaging session, school leaders will explore how intentional daily actions create a culture where teachers feel valued, motivated, and proud of their work. Leaders will be guided through our values, behaviors, and community concepts, while providing practical, ready-to-use strategies to elevate staff culture through both support and celebration.

Participants will learn when to lean in with support, when to amplify celebration, and how to balance both to maximize impact. Find out how we have created a culture that annually produces— 400+voluntary peer observations, 1,500+ walkthroughs, and 75+ staff-led professional development sessions. This session highlights how consistent, purposeful leadership moves can lead to a powerful Culture of Pride.

Walk away with actionable ideas you can implement immediately to strengthen your staff, energize your school, and lead with intention.
Presenters
TC

Tony Cattani

Principal, Lenape High School of the Lenape Regional High School District
I am the proud principal of Lenape High School in New Jersey.

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm EDT
Carver

2:40pm EDT

Leading a Culture of Literacy
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
It is a truth universally acknowledged that "kids don't read anymore."  Phones, social media, and video games have a monopoly on freetime. We see the impact of this in students' gaps in background knowledge, poor understanding of sentence structure and syntax, lacking stamina when given academic reading, and a shortage of empathy for experiences beyond the students own.  

Fostering a love of reading cannot fall solely on the ELA teacher.  It's going to take more than a 20 year old Caldecott winning novel to tear our cherubs away from Tik Tok.

So, what is a school leader to do?  

The Crazy Reading Ladies have a few ideas.  We'll explore the pros and cons of graphic novels, the importance of accessibility, and representation in classroom libraries.  We'll share whole school ideas that will get kids excited about books.  We'll share community level partnerships that get adults involved.  These plug and play ideas will have an immediate impact on the literacy culture of your school.  
Presenters
MG

Mary Giuffre

Principal, Howard Elementary
EO

Erin O'Leary

Reading Specialist, Franklin Middle School
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
Plympton

2:40pm EDT

Regulate to Educate: What School Leaders Need to Know About Student Dysregulation
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
Student dysregulation has become one of the most significant barriers to teaching and learning in schools today. Across grade levels, educators report increased classroom disruption, student anxiety, and behavioral escalation that impacts both instructional time and school climate. Yet many schools focus primarily on student behavior strategies without addressing a critical factor: the role of adult regulation and leadership practices in creating predictable and supportive learning environments.This session helps school leaders understand the neuroscience and system dynamics behind dysregulation and provides practical leadership strategies that support staff responding to challenging behavior.Participants will explore how adult stress responses influence school climate, why behavior systems break down under pressure, and what leaders can do to create alignment across classrooms. Administrators will leave with concrete strategies they can implement immediately to support their staff.

Presenters
avatar for Kerri Russo

Kerri Russo

Educational Consultant, Regulate to Educate (formerly TACC Consulting)
Kerri Russo is an educational consultant, former school psychologist, and founder of Regulate to Educate. With more than 20 years of experience supporting students, educators, and school communities, she specializes in helping schools create emotionally safe, connected learning environments... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
Standish

2:40pm EDT

Rethinking Privacy, Safety, and Student Autonomy
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
A lot has changed FERPA was written in 1974. Directory information is no longer confined to paper. Text and photos are can be scraped, consolidated, and searched from the web. Students' social lives are intertwined with their online presence. Yet many of our school privacy practices are grounded in assumptions from a half-century ago that no longer hold true. In this session, we will engage in collaborative activities and discussions to interrogate the assumptions behind our current practices, identify unmet needs, and brainstorm guiding principles that center students' well-being and autonomy in privacy practices grounded in the modern landscape.
Presenters
avatar for Zak Kolar

Zak Kolar

Digital Learning Teacher, Waltham Public Schools
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
Halifax

2:40pm EDT

Change Does Not Have to be Scary: Do's and Don'ts of Meaningful Changes in Our School
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
Identifying areas for change and growth in your school, developing a comprehensive plan, getting stakeholder buy-in, and, ultimately, implementing this plan for change is undeniably daunting.  There is no perfect way to bring about meaningful change in schools, but - from my 12 years of administrative experience - I have a number of examples to share with my fellow administrators on how best (and how not) to approach change.  This presentation is meant for any building or district leader that is considering trying something different, updating existing practices, rolling out a new curriculum, or simply asking staff to use a different parking lot in the morning.  Change is not easy, but it doesn't have to be scary.  This presentation will address how to involve stakeholders in the change-making process, use data to illustrate the need for change, create a pathway that maps out the "how" and "why" for change, and everything else needed up to the time of implementation.
Presenters
TM

Timothy McMahon

Principal, Marshall Simonds Middle School/Burlington Public Schools
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
Regency A

2:40pm EDT

Choice in the Curriculum - Redesigning The School Schedule to Increase Creativity through Choice Clubs.
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
Explore how one school radically increased student choice in their elementary school by adding “Passion Project Fridays”. Learn about both the “head” (scheduling, student selection forms) and the “heart” of building staff buy-in, so you’ll know how you could similarly make a school-wide club program a huge success.


Objective(s): Participants will be able to: Identify key moves that this school team leveraged and how they can be applied in your school context and draft a plan for increasing STEM engagement through expanding choice across their school community
Presenters
avatar for Jason McCrevan

Jason McCrevan

Principal, Shaughnessy School
I've been a passionate elementary school principal for the past 21 years. This is my first time at this conference. Outside of school, I enjoy birding and pickleball.  I have a seven-year-old Goldendoodle named Frankie.
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
Regency B

2:40pm EDT

From Statewide Vision to Local Identity: Designing and Operationalizing Your Portrait of a Graduate
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
Massachusetts’ statewide Portrait of a Graduate provides a shared vision, but schools and districts bring it to life when they design a version that reflects their own community. This session guides participants through creating and operationalizing a local Portrait aligned to the statewide competencies. We’ll explore stakeholder engagement, translating competencies into instruction, and embedding the Portrait into curriculum, culture, and improvement planning. Participants will leave with clear steps for making the Portrait meaningful and actionable.
Corporate Partners
avatar for Alyson Geary

Alyson Geary

Director of Accreditation and School Improvement, Public Schools, New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
Regency C

2:40pm EDT

Responding to Hate: A Leader's Guide to Responding to Negative Hate-Based Language and Behavior in Schools
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
This course is an essential professional development experience designed for school administrators, department heads, and teacher leaders committed to cultivating inclusive and safe learning environments. In today’s diverse educational landscape, leaders must possess the necessary skills to effectively recognize, interrupt, and mediate instances of prejudice, bias, and hate-based behavior, whether they occur in person, through graffiti, or online. This training moves beyond awareness, focusing squarely on actionable strategies and the development of a proactive, preventative leadership stance. Upon completion of Responding to Hate, leaders won’t just possess a framework for crisis response; they will have a comprehensive plan for long-term culture change and building sustained partnerships with community organizations to reinforce a message of respect and belonging.
Presenters
PM

Philip McManus

Principal/Instructor, Masconomet Middle School/John Guilfoil Public Relations
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
Wampanoag

2:40pm EDT

Free STEM,CTE, and CS resources for 5-12th Grade
Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
Learning Blade is a free, standards-aligned STEM, CTE, and Computer Science resource for grades 5–12, offering short lessons and hands-on activities that support career awareness and real-world learning while supporting core subjects.
Presenters
MG

Michelle Gallagher

State Manager MA, Learning Blade

Wednesday July 22, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT
Carver

4:00pm EDT

6:00pm EDT

 
Share Modal

Share this link via

Or copy link

Filter sessions
Apply filters to sessions.
Filtered by Date -