DCSD Summer Summit 2026

DCSD Summer Summit 2026

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

7:30am MDT

Alternative Schools Regional Breakfast (For School Administrators and PLS)Nikki Ballow

Castle Rock Regional Breakfast (For School Administrators and PLS)Amy Moyle

East Highlands Ranch Regional Breakfast (For School Administrators and PLS)John Gutierrez

Parker Regional Breakfast (For School Administrators and PLS)Michelle Franci

West Highlands Ranch Regional Breakfast (For School Administrators and PLS)Ian Wells

8:30am MDT

Leadership Kickoff with Superintendent KaneErin Kane

9:00am MDT

Keynote: Weston KieschnickWeston Kieschnick

10:45am MDT

Integrating Student Support Staff into the PLC ProcessKelli Smith

Mentoring & Coaching in Today's Climate Through a Generational LensErica Mason • Janet Merrill

Strategic Synergy: Aligning District, Department and School GoalsDanelle Hiatt

Weston Kieschnick Breakout SessionWeston Kieschnick

Rigor: Surface, Deep, and TransferDeanne Kirby • Christine Pomme • Matt Pomme

Lesson Internalization Using HQIMJana Mustard • Rachel Graham

From Risk to Resilience: A Roadmap to Student AssistanceJan Laning • Angela Lange

From Observations to Outcomes: Mastering the Art of Actionable FeedbackNikki Ballow • Gordon Mosher

Intro to Gemini and NotebookLM for EducatorsRick Kendall • Mark Blair

The Craft of the PrincipalshipMichelle Franci • Amy Moyle • John Gutierrez

1:30pm MDT

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

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

Best Practices: Building Capacity of Teacher Leaders to Facilitate PLCsDeanne Kirby

Building Culture with Difficult TeamsJolee Jones

Leading Boldly: Strengthening Campus Systems for High-Quality Math InstructionJana Mustard

Singletons: Practical Solutions to Support All PLCsLaurie LaComb • Tyson Emborg

Weston Kieschnick Breakout SessionWeston Kieschnick

Scaling Writing Success: Using thinkSRSD Goal Setting Menus and Scoring Guidelines as Proficiency ScalesJanet Merrill • Traci Thorstenson

Highly Effective Systems of Support: Response to Intervention and PLCDanelle Hiatt • Kelli Smith • Ryan Gudmundson • Trena Hand • Hope Ebel

A New Approach to Coaching, Teaching, and LearningDanny Winsor • Ian Wells

Attendance Unlocked: Keys to Engagement and a Resilient School YearVicky Schleining • Lisa De La Pena

7:30am MDT

Principal Mentor/Mentee MeetingJohn Gutierrez

7:45am MDT

Breakfast and Networking

8:15am MDT

PLC Time ExpectationsDanelle Hiatt • Danny Winsor

8:45am MDT

Elementary Unconference Time (Castle Rock and Parker)

Elementary Unconference Time (Highlands Ranch)

High School Unconference Time

Middle School Unconference Time

9:45am MDT

Using the Proficiency Scales in All PLC QuestionsErica Mason

From Policy to Practice: How to Set Your Staff Up for Success with Professional BoundariesHolly Giron • Rachel Dreiling

No Hands Raised: Strategies to Increase Student Engagement & Deeper ThinkingJanet Merrill • Traci Thorstenson

Explore BEFORE Explain: Reshaping Instruction in the Age of InquiryTyson Emborg

Integrating Gemini and NotebookLM in Secondary InstructionMark Blair • Rick Kendall

The Leader's Role in WayfinderHope Ebel • Trena Hand

State-Level Data Review and School ImprovementMatt Pomme

Spotlight on Secondary: Building Structured Literacy Support for Striving Adolescent ReadersLynni Nordheim

Secondary Classroom Structures in Tier 1 to Support Intervention & ExtensionRachel Graham • Ryan Gudmundson

11:00am MDT

Using Proficiency Scales to Engage Students in LearningErica Mason • Charla McClinton

State-Level Data Review and School ImprovementMatt Pomme

Using Data Protocols to Analyze the Efficacy of Assessment ToolsDeanne Kirby

Differentiated Tier 1 Foundational Skills Instruction to Accelerate Learning: To Grade-Level Island and Beyond!Lynni Nordheim • Traci Thorstenson

Beyond the Prompt: Building Your AI FluencyTyson Emborg

Coaching Actions in Practice: Coaching for Rigor in MathJana Mustard

Deep Dive into Gemini and NotebookLM for EducatorsMark Blair • Rick Kendall

The PSR Playbook: What Leaders Need for CTE, CE, and WBL for 26–27Keri Stuebinger

1:00pm MDT

Kindergarten Readiness Contact TrainingMegan Sobeck