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The middle school years are a pivotal time when students either deepen their connection to school or begin to disengage. This session equips educators with practical strategies to build trust, strengthen relationships, and create classrooms where every student feels seen, valued, and capable of success. Participants will learn a clear framework for engaging disengaged or challenging students and guiding them from dependence toward independent learning while fostering a culture of belonging and relational equity.
When we wholeheartedly believe that what our students teach us can shape how we lead, our school communities grow stronger. Over the last decade, I’ve been fortunate to take the lessons my last crew of fourth graders taught me and put them into action, impacting classrooms, schools, and districts. In this session, we’ll reflect on how students of all ages can shape our leadership journeys. Along the way, I will share several leadership lessons my students taught me, paired with strategies for putting those lessons into action. Together, we will share our stories and leave empowered to try at least one idea inspired by the young individuals who show up at our doors every morning. Filled with joy, music, and humanity, this session will remind us why we keep coming back to school, and why continuing to take a chance on our students matters more than ever in a world that keeps changing.
While uncomfortable conversations are never easy, they are often necessary. Although this is an important part of being a leader, it is often a task that is neglected or overlooked. Great leaders know that the problem doesn’t go away just because it is ignored, yet when asked, almost all leaders admit that they are ill-prepared to lead uncomfortable conversations.
This workshop will explain why these conversations are so uncomfortable and how you can manage them in a caring and compassionate way, while at the same time addressing the issue. Don’t dance around the elephant in the room, let's get it out of the room for good.
Paul Zinni has been an Educator and School Leader for more than 37 years serving as a Special Education Teacher, Title 1 Director, Early Childhood Coordinator, Principal, Director of Pupil Services, Assistant Superintendent and for over ten years, as a Massachusetts Public Schools... Read More →
Thursday July 23, 2026 2:40pm - 3:30pm EDT Standish
