DCSD Summer Summit 2026: Full Schedule

Are your PLC meetings missing the "why" behind the data? When student support staff are excluded from collaborative teams, we only see half the picture. Join us for a hands-on session designed to help leaders break down silos. We will dive deep into the 4 PLC questions through the lens of support staff, outlining exactly what data they should bring to the table and how their interventions drive Tier 1 and Tier 2 academic outcomes. You’ll leave with a clear implementation plan to ensure every voice at the table is focused on the whole student.

Speakers

Kelli Smith

Director, DCSD, Health, Wellness and Prevention

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Climate & Culture

10:45am MDT

Mentoring & Coaching in Today's Climate Through a Generational Lens

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This session focuses on building self-awareness and a strong leadership mindset to support adaptive, relational coaching in today’s evolving school environments. Participants reflect on their coaching identity, explore key dispositions, and learn how to create trust, safety, and meaningful relationships that drive impact. The session also introduces a generational lens, helping leaders understand how different perspectives influence communication, motivation, and collaboration, and equips them with strategies to mentor and coach across diverse teams effectively.

Speakers

Erica Mason

Director, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Janet Merrill

Curriculum Coordinator, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Climate & Culture

10:45am MDT

Strategic Synergy: Aligning District, Department and School Goals

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will support leaders with unifying District, department and school goals and action plans focused on positive student outcomes.

Speakers

Danelle Hiatt

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Climate & Culture

10:45am MDT

Weston Kieschnick Breakout Session

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Weston Kieschnick Breakout Session

Speakers

Weston Kieschnick

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Keynote Breakout

10:45am MDT

Rigor: Surface, Deep, and Transfer

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This session is an entry level look at rigorous instructional practices from the lens of surface, deep and transfer learning. You will gain an understanding of each level of learning as well as instructional moves that support any learner.

Speakers

Deanne Kirby

Director, DCSD, Educator Effectiveness

Christine Pomme

Student Performance Coordinator, DCSD, Educator Effectiveness

Here to ignite fresh thinking, disrupt the status quo, and empower you and your students to transform the future of learning.

Matt Pomme

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

PLC Question 1

10:45am MDT

Lesson Internalization Using HQIM

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Strengthen the bridge between high-quality instructional materials and daily classroom practice through a focused look at lesson internalization. In this session, principals, coaches, and teacher leaders will build a shared understanding of lesson internalization and its impact on instructional quality and student learning, analyze current planning practices, and apply a structured approach to internalizing an upcoming lesson. We’ll also connect this work to the PLC process, using the four critical questions from Solution Tree to ensure planning and collaboration stay tightly aligned to student learning. Participants will leave with practical strategies to support teams in making lesson internalization a meaningful and sustainable part of their PLC work.

Speakers

Jana Mustard

CIA Math Coordinator, DCSD

Rachel Graham

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

PLC Question 2

10:45am MDT

From Risk to Resilience: A Roadmap to Student Assistance

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

When a student faces chronic absenteeism, risk of dropout, justice-system involvement, or the threat of expulsion, administrators often feel they are standing on the front lines alone. The weight of these complex cases can lead to a sense of helplessness and burnout. You don’t have to do this by yourself. Join the Student Assistance Department for a collaborative session designed to transform that feeling of "overwhelm" into a clear, actionable roadmap for student success. We will demystify the "Safety Net" of services available to your school, including:

Re-engagement & Attendance: Strategic interventions for Chronic Absenteeism and Dropout Prevention, including our Home Visit Program: Care Crew
Alternative Pathways: Navigating the DC Student Support Center, GED Center, Continuum of Care Intervention Program, and Expulsion Services.
System-Involved Support: Specialized advocacy for Justice-engaged youth
High Risk Behavior Support: Protocols for Intervention, especially related to ISMP and charges

Beyond a simple "to-do" list, this session will provide a deep dive into the referral process to the Re-Engagement Team and what a true partnership looks like. We will include case study scenarios to demonstrate possible interventions and supports. We will discuss how to bridge the gap between your school, our department, and our critical community and court partners. Participants will leave with a strength-based framework for engaging families and a direct line to the resources that turn "at-risk" labels into "at-promise" outcomes.

Speakers

Jan Laning

Angela Lange

Dropout Reduction Specialist, Douglas County School District

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

PLC Question 3

10:45am MDT

From Observations to Outcomes: Mastering the Art of Actionable Feedback

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Why is it that we provide feedback, yet instructional practices often remain unchanged? According to Many, Maffoni, Sparks, and Thomas in "Amplify Your Impact", the gap isn't a lack of effort—it's a lack of actionability. In this session, we will discuss how to move beyond "polite praise" and evaluative checklists. Administrators will develop Feedback Loops to spark immediate professional growth. We will explore how to ensure that teachers leave every interaction not just knowing what happened, but exactly how to improve it.

Speakers

Nikki Ballow

Executive Director, DCSD, Pathways and Alternative Education

Gordon Mosher

DCSD, Executive Director of Schools

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Special Topic

10:45am MDT

Intro to Gemini and NotebookLM for Educators

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Learn how to increase your efficiency on a daily basis using Google's powerful AI tools: Gemini and NotebookLM. This introductory session will equip educators with practical strategies to quickly synthesize data, generate impactful content, and save valuable time.

Speakers

Rick Kendall

Director of School Technology, DCSD, Information Technology

Mark Blair

Chief Technology Officer, DCSD, Information Technology

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Special Topic

10:45am MDT

The Craft of the Principalship

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This session highlights the essential leadership practices of effective school leaders. The session provides opportunities for reflection and discussion on how strong leadership impacts teaching, learning, school culture, and student success.

Speakers

Michelle Franci

Principal, DCSD, Stone Mountain Elementary

Amy Moyle

Principal, DCSD, Redstone Elementary

John Gutierrez

DCSD, Executive Director of Schools

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:45am - 12:15pm MDT

Special Topic

1:30pm MDT

Not Just a Seat at the Table: Unlocking the Power of Special Educators in PLCs

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This interactive session highlights the vital role of special educators—including mild/moderate teachers, mental health providers, SLPs, and OT/PTs—as active, consistent contributors in the PLC process. Participants will explore how these experts elevate each of the PLC guiding questions by bringing specialized insight into instruction, data, and student support. Walk away with practical, ready-to-use ideas for integrating special educators more intentionally into PLCs to strengthen collaboration and outcomes for all students.

Speakers

Adena Miller

Director, DCSD, Special Education

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

All PLC Questions

1:30pm MDT

Proficiency Scales 101: What They Are, Where to Find Them, and How to Use Them

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Explore how proficiency scales connect to our standards and the PLC process. Access resources to support student goal setting.

Speakers

Charla McClinton

Assistant Director, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

All PLC Questions

1:30pm MDT

Best Practices: Building Capacity of Teacher Leaders to Facilitate PLCs

FULL

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Learn how to equip teacher leaders with the tools they need to facilitate high-impact PLCs and drive school-wide success. If you are a teacher leader, come and discovery strategies for building your leadershp toolbox.

Speakers

Deanne Kirby

Director, DCSD, Educator Effectiveness

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Climate & Culture

1:30pm MDT

Building Culture with Difficult Teams

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Building Culture with Difficult Teams

Speakers

Jolee Jones

Director of Organizational Development & Experiential Learning

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Climate & Culture

1:30pm MDT

Leading Boldly: Strengthening Campus Systems for High-Quality Math Instruction

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

In this session, school leaders will use a tree analogy to explore the six essential elements of an effective mathematics program and how they work together as a cohesive system. Participants will assess the current state of math instruction at their school, identify strengths and gaps, and determine priority areas for growth. Leaders will leave with clear, actionable next steps to align their practices and professional learning with a long-term vision for high-quality math instruction.

Speakers

Jana Mustard

CIA Math Coordinator, DCSD

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Climate & Culture

1:30pm MDT

Singletons: Practical Solutions to Support All PLCs

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Maximize the impact of Professional Learning Communities by addressing the unique challenges of singletons—those educators who navigate their content or grade-level silos alone. This session shifts the focus from traditional, content-dependent PLCs to innovative configurations that foster collective teacher efficacy. We will explore practical structures for constructing meaningful collaboratives, featuring a deep dive into the Critical Friend Protocol—a structured approach that transforms peer feedback into a high-leverage catalyst for instructional growth. Participants will analyze diverse PLC configurations, engage in protocol simulations, and develop a strategic support plan to ensure every teacher, regardless of their role, belongs to a high-functioning team. By mastering these solutions, school leaders will ensure the PLC process is inclusive, rigorous, and results-oriented for every member of their staff.

Speakers

Laurie LaComb

Coordinator, Specials/Electives, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Laurie LaComb, 500 hour Yoga Teacher Certified. Been in the education business for 25+ years and teaching yoga for 15 years. I live in Highlands Ranch and work as a Coordinator in Douglas County School District. I love guiding yoga practices because I value the mind body connection... Read More →

Tyson Emborg

Coordinator, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Science/Social Studies

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Climate & Culture

1:30pm MDT

Weston Kieschnick Breakout Session

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Weston Kieschnick Breakout Session

Speakers

Weston Kieschnick

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Keynote Breakout

1:30pm MDT

Scaling Writing Success: Using thinkSRSD Goal Setting Menus and Scoring Guidelines as Proficiency Scales

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This session is designed for leaders and coaches guiding Proficiency Scale work within their schools. Participants will strengthen their ability to lead calibration conversations, ensure consistent use of proficiency scales in writing, and support teams in using data to inform instruction. Through collaborative analysis of student writing, leaders will build shared expectations, improve scoring reliability, and identify high-leverage next steps for instruction aligned to writing.

Speakers

Janet Merrill

Curriculum Coordinator, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Traci Thorstenson

Curriculum Coordinator, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

PLC Question 1

1:30pm MDT

Highly Effective Systems of Support: Response to Intervention and PLC

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

True intervention addresses the whole child. Based on the RTI at Work™ inverted pyramid model, this session equips leaders to bridge academic needs and behavioral challenges into a cohesive system of support.

Speakers

Danelle Hiatt

Kelli Smith

Director, DCSD, Health, Wellness and Prevention

Ryan Gudmundson

Digital Content Project Manager, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

Trena Hand

Team Lead, DCSD, Health, Wellness & Prevention

Hope Ebel

Team Lead, DCSD, Health, Wellness & Prevention

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

PLC Question 3

1:30pm MDT

A New Approach to Coaching, Teaching, and Learning

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

A New Approach to Coaching, Teaching, and Learning

Speakers

Danny Winsor

DCSD, Assistant Superintendent

Ian Wells

DCSD, Executive Director of Schools

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Special Topic

1:30pm MDT

Attendance Unlocked: Keys to Engagement and a Resilient School Year

LIMITED

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

When a student is struggling with chronic absenteeism or other complex challenges, no one has to stand on the front lines alone. Join the Student Assistance Department and Health, Wellness and Prevention and our Attendance Specialist for a collaborative session that provides a clear, actionable roadmap for student success. This session will introduce you to your essential school district resource partners, including Re-Engagement Specialist for Chronic Absenteeism, Re-Engagement Specialists for Dropout Intervention, our Court Liaison, and our Attendance Specialist, who will also outline our critical community and court partners. We will outline the protocols and processes for promoting positive student attendance, student re-engagement and dropout prevention at all levels.

Speakers

Vicky Schleining

Student Engagement Lead

Lisa De La Pena

Attendance Specialist, DCSD

Tuesday July 28, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm MDT

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