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DCSD Summer Summit 2026
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Wednesday, July 29
 

7:30am MDT

Principal Mentor/Mentee Meeting
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 7:30am - 8:15am MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Principal Mentor/Mentee Meeting
Speakers
JG

John Gutierrez

DCSD, Executive Director of Schools
Wednesday July 29, 2026 7:30am - 8:15am MDT
  Special Topic

7:45am MDT

Breakfast and Networking
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 7:45am - 8:15am MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Breakfast and Networking
Wednesday July 29, 2026 7:45am - 8:15am MDT
  Breakfast

8:15am MDT

PLC Time Expectations
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 8:15am - 8:45am MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
PLC Time Expectations
Speakers
DH
avatar for Danny Winsor

Danny Winsor

DCSD, Assistant Superintendent
Wednesday July 29, 2026 8:15am - 8:45am MDT
  Keynote

8:45am MDT

Elementary Unconference Time (Castle Rock and Parker)
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 8:45am - 9:30am MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Castle Rock and Parker Elementary Unconference Time
Wednesday July 29, 2026 8:45am - 9:30am MDT
  Unconference

8:45am MDT

Elementary Unconference Time (Highlands Ranch)
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 8:45am - 9:30am MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Highlands Ranch Elementary Unconference Time
Wednesday July 29, 2026 8:45am - 9:30am MDT
  Unconference

8:45am MDT

High School Unconference Time
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 8:45am - 9:30am MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
High School Unconference Time
Wednesday July 29, 2026 8:45am - 9:30am MDT
  Unconference

8:45am MDT

Middle School Unconference Time
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 8:45am - 9:30am MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Middle School Unconference Time
Wednesday July 29, 2026 8:45am - 9:30am MDT
  Unconference

9:45am MDT

Using the Proficiency Scales in All PLC Questions
FULL
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.
This session will serve as an introduction to proficiency scales. Participants will explore proficiency scale documents and understand the learning progression and success critieria . Participants will engage in multiple activites that provide a look at multiple entry points for using proficiency scales. Participants will assess their own level of readiness and create an action plan for incorporating into PLC work.
Speakers
avatar for Erica Mason

Erica Mason

Director, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
  All PLC Questions

9:45am MDT

From Policy to Practice: How to Set Your Staff Up for Success with Professional Boundaries
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Creating a safe, supportive, and professional school environment starts with clear expectations. In this session, building leaders will explore how to move beyond simply knowing professional boundaries policies to actually bringing them to life in meaningful and practical ways. We will focus on how you, as a leader, can set the tone, model expectations, and proactively support your staff in understanding and maintaining appropriate boundaries with students and colleagues. Participants can expect real-world scenarios, guided discussion, and practical strategies that can be used right away in their buildings. We will walk through common gray areas that school staff often face and talk through how to respond with clarity and confidence. You will also gain tools for coaching staff, addressing concerns early, and protecting both employees and students through consistent practices.
Speakers
avatar for Holly Giron

Holly Giron

Staff Wellness Coordinator, DCSD
Holly Giron, Staff Wellness Coordinator for Douglas County School District, has had the privilege of collaborating with both small-scale enterprises and major corporations within the realm of Employee Well-being over the past 20 years. Holly's passion lies in partnering with colleagues... Read More →
avatar for Rachel Dreiling
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
  Climate & Culture

9:45am MDT

No Hands Raised: Strategies to Increase Student Engagement & Deeper Thinking
FULL
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.
How do we ensure every student is thinking and engaging in rigorous learning rather than just a few volunteers? In this session, participants will explore research-based strategies inspired by Anita Archer to increase active participation across classrooms. Leaders will learn how to recognize and support structured response techniques (verbal, written, and action) that strengthen thinking and raise rigor, and will leave equipped to support consistent, schoolwide implementation.
Speakers
JM

Janet Merrill

Curriculum Coordinator, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
avatar for Traci Thorstenson

Traci Thorstenson

Curriculum Coordinator, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
  Climate & Culture

9:45am MDT

Explore BEFORE Explain: Reshaping Instruction in the Age of Inquiry
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Empower teachers to reshape the instructional landscape by shifting from traditional information delivery to a discovery-first model that prioritizes student sense-making. This session explores the Explore before Explain pedagogy—a transformative framework that positions student inquiry as the primary catalyst for deep comprehension. Grounded in the 5E Instructional Model, we will examine how intentionally delaying formal explanation in Science and Social Studies fosters the curiosity and cognitive endurance necessary for academic mastery across all grade levels. Participants will learn to identify the markers of high-impact inquiry, moving beyond "activity-based" learning toward a rigorous culture of investigation. By mastering this shift, school leaders will gain the strategic foresight to move their teams from mere coverage of content to a focus on the engine of achievement: student-led discovery.
Speakers
TE

Tyson Emborg

Coordinator, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Science/Social Studies
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
  PLC Question 1

9:45am MDT

Integrating Gemini and NotebookLM in Secondary Instruction
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Integrating Gemini and NotebookLM in Secondary Instruction
Speakers
avatar for Mark Blair

Mark Blair

Chief Technology Officer, DCSD, Information Technology
avatar for Rick Kendall

Rick Kendall

Director of School Technology, DCSD, Information Technology
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
  PLC Question 1

9:45am MDT

The Leader's Role in Wayfinder
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This training is designed to move beyond "checking a box" for Social-Emotional Wellness (SEW). We focus on transforming school administrators into visionaries who can weave Wayfinder’s purpose-driven framework into the very fabric of their school’s identity. Leaders will learn how to cultivate belonging, build capacity for social, emotional wellness, align to mindsets and behaviors and create sustained engagement within their schools. They will also be offered a tour of Waypoints, the assessment suite, to glean strategies for data collection and analysis in future ready skills. By the end of this training, administrators will have new insights to foster an environment where every student feels seen, known, and purposeful.
Speakers
avatar for Hope Ebel

Hope Ebel

Team Lead, DCSD, Health, Wellness & Prevention
avatar for Trena Hand

Trena Hand

Team Lead, DCSD, Health, Wellness & Prevention
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
  PLC Question 1

9:45am MDT

State-Level Data Review and School Improvement
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
In this session, school leaders will explore state-level data visualizations, analyze trends, and begin strategizing their school improvement plans based on key insights and performance metrics.
Speakers
avatar for Matt Pomme
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
  PLC Question 2

9:45am MDT

Spotlight on Secondary: Building Structured Literacy Support for Striving Adolescent Readers
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Discover how several DCSD schools are addressing adolescent literacy gaps through a pioneering model of credit-bearing structured literacy classes for middle and high school students. This session outlines the program’s development, teacher training, student placement, program implementation, and student growth outcomes. Leaders will leave with a clear framework to design and launch similar initiatives in their own schools, empowering striving readers with the literacy skills they need to succeed.
Speakers
LN

Lynni Nordheim

Dyslexia Specialist, DCSD
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
  PLC Question 3

9:45am MDT

Secondary Classroom Structures in Tier 1 to Support Intervention & Extension
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session focuses on how leaders can guide staff in using Tier 1 classroom structures to support both intervention and extension within core instruction. Participants will identify high-leverage structures, consider what they look like in secondary classrooms, and develop a plan to support consistent implementation across teams. The goal is to strengthen core instruction so more students’ needs are met without relying on separate interventions.
Speakers
avatar for Rachel Graham
avatar for Ryan Gudmundson

Ryan Gudmundson

Digital Content Project Manager, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am MDT
  PLC Question 4

11:00am MDT

Using Proficiency Scales to Engage Students in Learning
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
In this session, we will explore how to use proficiency scales (success critieria) with students for goal setting and feedback and the difference between learning targets vs. student success criteria.
Speakers
avatar for Erica Mason

Erica Mason

Director, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
CM

Charla McClinton

Assistant Director, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
  All PLC Questions

11:00am MDT

State-Level Data Review and School Improvement
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
In this session, school leaders will explore state-level data visualizations, analyze trends, and begin strategizing their school improvement plans based on key insights and performance metrics.
Speakers
avatar for Matt Pomme
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
  PLC Question 2

11:00am MDT

Using Data Protocols to Analyze the Efficacy of Assessment Tools
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
In this hands-on session, you’ll explore how data protocols be used to determine the efficacy of assessment tools. We will use scenarios and case studies to build skills that support professional learning teams as they use proficiency scales and design/select items for common formative assessments.
Speakers
avatar for Deanne Kirby

Deanne Kirby

Director, DCSD, Educator Effectiveness
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
  PLC Question 2

11:00am MDT

Differentiated Tier 1 Foundational Skills Instruction to Accelerate Learning: To Grade-Level Island and Beyond!
FILLING
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Limited Capacity filling up
Ensure every student reaches—and exceeds—grade-level expectations in foundational skills through a strategic, differentiated Tier 1 model. In this session, elementary leaders will gain a clear vision and practical roadmap for accelerating growth, including how to support below-grade-level students in making more than a year’s progress through "double dipping". Participants will explore the “why,” “what,” and “how” of effective Tier 1 differentiation, including key instructional components, structures, and assessment practices that drive results. Leaders will also learn how to leverage staffing, time, and schedules in innovative ways to maximize impact. Walk away with concrete strategies and an actionable plan to implement a cohesive, schoolwide model that ensures strong instruction and measurable gains for every student.
Speakers
LN

Lynni Nordheim

Dyslexia Specialist, DCSD
avatar for Traci Thorstenson

Traci Thorstenson

Curriculum Coordinator, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
  PLC Question 4

11:00am MDT

Beyond the Prompt: Building Your AI Fluency
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Unlock the power of AI by shifting from a "tool-user" to a fluency-first mindset. This session reframes artificial intelligence as a vital disciplinary literacy, bridging the gap between historical theory and real-world application. We will trace the evolution of AI—from the logic of Statistical Language Models to the architecture of modern LLMs—demystifying how "tokens" become intelligence. Participants will sharpen high-leverage technical skills while cultivating the critical dispositions of ethical oversight and bias awareness. By integrating these core competencies, school leaders will transition from passive users to fluent navigators, ready to lead human-centered, AI-enhanced environments with strategic foresight and grounded confidence.
Speakers
TE

Tyson Emborg

Coordinator, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Science/Social Studies
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
  Special Topic

11:00am MDT

Coaching Actions in Practice: Coaching for Rigor in Math
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
In this session, instructional coaches and leaders will explore key look-fors that signal strong mathematics instruction aligned to standards. Participants will examine coaching moves that help translate instructional planning into meaningful classroom practice, with a focus on supporting standards-aligned instruction, student discourse, and conceptual understanding. Through collaborative discussion and applied examples, participants will strengthen their ability to provide targeted, actionable feedback that moves instruction forward.
Speakers
avatar for Jana Mustard

Jana Mustard

CIA Math Coordinator, DCSD
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
  Special Topic

11:00am MDT

Deep Dive into Gemini and NotebookLM for Educators
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Refine your skills with Google's powerful AI tools: Gemini and NotebookLM. Learn about new features in these constantly evolving tools and explore advanced workflows designed to streamline planning, enhance communication, and synthesize complex information.
Speakers
avatar for Mark Blair

Mark Blair

Chief Technology Officer, DCSD, Information Technology
avatar for Rick Kendall

Rick Kendall

Director of School Technology, DCSD, Information Technology
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
  Special Topic

11:00am MDT

The PSR Playbook: What Leaders Need for CTE, CE, and WBL for 26–27
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Kick off the 2026–27 school year with the latest updates and essential information for Postsecondary Readiness leaders. This session will provide timely guidance on current policies, processes, and best practices related to Career & Technical Education, Concurrent Enrollment, Extended Year Programming and Work-Based Learning. Leaders will gain clarity on key expectations, reporting updates, compliance requirements, and program priorities while collaborating with colleagues to strengthen pathway implementation and student opportunities across DCSD. Leaders will also engage in conversations around CTE pathway realignment and refinement to ensure programs remain responsive to student interests, industry needs, and postsecondary opportunities. Participants will leave prepared to lead with confidence and support high-quality postsecondary readiness experiences for all students.
Speakers
avatar for Keri Stuebinger

Keri Stuebinger

Assistant Director of Postsecondary Readiness, DCSD, Career & Technical Education
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
  Special Topic

1:00pm MDT

Kindergarten Readiness Contact Training
LIMITED
Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Kindergarten Readiness Contact Training for the 26-27 school year
Speakers
avatar for Megan Sobeck

Megan Sobeck

Assessment Specialist & School Readiness Coordinator, DCSD, Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
  Special Topic
 

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  • All PLC Questions
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