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Core Curriculum
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MODEL SCHOOLS CONFERENCE
2026 Event Agenda
June 28-July 1 | Marriott World Center Orlando
Empowering Bright Futures
Join us to lead change and inspire students in districts, schools and classrooms across the country and beyond.
Topics include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Assessment and data
- English language learners/multi lingual learners
- Intervention and MTSS
- Literacy, math, engagement and instructional strategies
- School improvement and accountability
- Strategies for building transformative relationships with at-risk students
- Reducing burnout: re-igniting passion in education professionals
- AND MORE!
2026 Featured speakers
Building Connections, Culture and Climate
Gerry Brooks
Educator
Empowering Bright Futures
Dr. Lucretia Prince
Principal
Purpose in Motion: Turning Vision into Action
Demont Pope
Dean of Student Affairs and Author
Effective AI Strategies for Teachers and Leaders
Dr. Adam Drummond
Author, Senior Director; Center for Model Schools
Build Up the Hype: Transform Your Teaching with Hip Hop Teacher Moves
Toney Jackson
Teacher, Poet, Author
Making Instruction Explicit: How to Teach Reading & Writing Through Mini-Lessons
Kristina Smekens
Educator, Literacy Consultant
The Power Others Miss: Unlocking Potential
Dr. Natasha Brown
Principal
Prioritizing Relevance to Reach Academics
Karen Cagle
Instruction and Leadership Coach
Leading with Purpose: A Real-world guide to school leadership with the 5Essentials
Dr. Marc Cohen
Instruction and Leadership Coach
Data-Driven Decision Making
Dr. Heather Davis Schmidt
Former Superintendent; Instruction and Leadership Coach
Student Engagement: More than Buzz
Stascia Hardy
Instruction and Leadership Coach
Leading Data Teams: Developing Individual Capacity and Collective Efficacy
Robert Thornell
Author and Instruction and Leadership Coach
Workshop Your Words
Oatanisha Dawson
Instruction and Leadership Coach
High-Impact Instructional Strategies to Engage Kids in Learning
Leah Lecomte
Instruction and Leadership Coach
From Burnout to Breakthrough: The Clarion Call for Educator Wellness
Dr. Vernon S. Lowery
Principal
Enjoy the Ride
Kyle Greene
Educator, Keynoter, Author
Navigating the Future of Education: A Superintendent Strategy Forum
Dr. Chris Price
Senior Director, Center for Model Schools
Learn, Experiment, Innovate: The Opportunity for Education in an AI World
Amanda Bickerstaff
AI in Education CEO
Maximizing Your MSC Experience
Dr. Linda Lucey
Program Co-Chair
MSC Playbook: Food, Flow, & Friendship
Jennifer Colindres
Program Co-Chair
This Is How We Do It: Creating Your DI Playlist
Dr. Akecia Owens-Cunningham
Educator
Let them. Let me...TEACH!
Leslie Rob, M.Ed.
Award-Winning, International, Comedic Motivational Speaker, Teacher & Bus Driver
Deepening Student Academic Discourse
Denise White
Instruction and Leadership Coach, Center for Model Schools
Low-prep, High-yield Formative Assessment Strategies
Alisa Braddy
Instruction and Leadership Coach, Center for Model Schools
Plan Like a Boss: The Art and Science of Internalization
Noelle Morris
Teacher’s Corner
Streamlining Instructional Leadership Teams
Glenn Ledet
Instruction and Leadership Coach, Center for Model Schools
Meeting the Needs of Those Who Need Us Most
Danny Konopasek
Instruction and Leadership Coach, Center for Model Schools
Beyond the Bell: Relationships, Routines, and Real Impact
Chelonnda Seroyer
Educator
Science of Reading Essentials
Dr. Tiffany Peltier
Educator
MSC 2026 Model Schools, Innovative Districts, and Epic Educators
Congratulations to the following educators driving transformational change.
- Model elementary schools
- Model middle schools
- Model high schools
- Innovative districts
- Epic educators
Model Elementary Schools:
- Canyon Rim Elementary, Mesa, AZ
- Franklin Elementary School, Moline, IL
- Gilbert Willie Sr. Elementary, Terrell, TX
- Iberville Math, Science, and Arts Academy East, St. Gabriel, LA
- Manorhaven Elementary School, Port Washington, NY
- Natchez Elementary School, Wadsworth, NV
- Park Elementary School, Casper, WY
- Rockfield Elementary School, Warren, KY
- Six Mile Elementary School, Pickens, SC
- Smithridge STEM Academy, Reno, NV
Model Middle Schools:
- Denham Springs Junior High School, Denham Springs, LA
- Estrella Vista STEM Academy, Littleton, AZ
- Gunn Junior High and Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy, Arlington, TX
- McNair Middle School, TX
- Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet, Albany, GA
- Stuart Middle School, Stuart, FL
- Wilson Middle School, Moline, IL
- William Davies Middle School, Mays Landing, NJ
Model High Schools:
- Cy Park High School, Cypress, TX
- East Lee County High School, Lehigh Acres, FL
- Highland School of Technology, Gastonia, NC
- Hueytown High School, Jefferson, AL
- Mesquite High School, Gilbert, AZ
- MetWest High School, Oakland, CA
- Minor High School, Adamsville, AL
- Morgantown High School, Morgantown, WV
- North Mecklenburg High School, Huntersville, NC
- Northshore High School, Slidell, LA
- State College Area High School, State College, PA
- Stockbridge High School, Stockbridge, GA
Innovative districts:
- Birmingham City Schools, Birmingham, AL
- Crittenden County Schools, Marion, KY
- Gilbert Public Schools, Mesa, AZ
- Gorham School District, Gorham, ME
- Henry County School District, McDonough, GA
- Lauderdale County School District, Meridian, MS
- Tangipahoa Parish School System, Amite, LA
- Wilson County Schools; Lebanon, TN
Epic educators:
- Avery Wilmurth, ELA Teacher
- Lindsey Brooks, Curriculum Coordinator
- Dr. Erika Henderson, ELA High Teacher
- Dr. Keyoshia Liverman, School Counselor
- Samose Mays, Health and PE Teacher
- Dr. Vernon Lowrey, Principal
- Julie Collins, High School Teacher
Featured programming
| Sunday, June 28 | |
|---|---|
| 9:00am–7:00pm | Registration |
| 11:00am–4:00pm | Pre-Conference Sessions (optional, lunch included) |
| 7:00pm–8:00pm | Opening Keynote Experience—Cypress Ballroom |
| Monday, June 29 | |
|---|---|
| 7:00am–8:00am | Light Breakfast—included* |
| 7:00am–4:00pm | Registration |
| 8:00am–9:00am | Opening Keynote—Cypress Ballroom |
| 9:30am–12:00pm | Concurrent Sessions |
| 12:00pm–1:30pm | Lunch—included* |
| 1:30pm–4:00pm | Concurrent Sessions |
| Tuesday, June 30 | |
|---|---|
| 7:00am–8:00am | Light Breakfast—included* |
| 7:00am–4:00pm | Registration |
| 8:00am–12:00pm | Concurrent Sessions |
| 12:00pm–1:30pm | Lunch—included* |
| 1:30pm–4:00pm | Concurrent Sessions |
| Wednesday, July 1 | |
|---|---|
| 7:00am–8:00am | Light Breakfast—included* |
| 8:00am–12:00pm | Concurrent Sessions |
| 11:00am–12:00pm | Closing Keynote—Cypress Ballroom |
*Breakfast and Lunch included on Monday and Tuesday and Breakfast on Wednesday
Marriott World Center | 8701 World Center Dr, Orlando, FL 32821
Building Trust and Navigating AI in K–12 Leadership
In this immersive pre-conference session, K–12 leaders will explore how to cultivate trust—among staff, students, and communities—with responsible integration of artificial intelligence. Based on over 20 years of research from The University of Chicago Consortium on School Research on the 5Essentials® for school improvement, trust is the foundation for strong collaboration and effective instructional practice. Through scenario-based learning rooted in real-world examples, participants will examine how AI tools can enhance learning, streamline operations, and strengthen decision-making without compromising transparency or ethics. Leaders learn strategies and build confidence with emerging technologies while maintaining a people-first culture. Participants leave the session with practical tools to amplify collaboration, communication, and clarity in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Join us to discover how trust and AI together can empower your school community to thrive in the future of education.
Learning Outcomes
- Establish Ethical AI Guidelines:
Develop a plan for safely and responsibly incorporating artificial intelligence into district and school operations—grounded in transparency, data privacy, and equitable access that maintain trust. - Enhance Leadership Efficiency:
Explore practical ways to leverage AI tools to streamline administrative tasks, improve communication, and make more informed, data-driven decisions—freeing time to focus on instructional leadership. - Empower and Equip Staff:
Gain evidence-based strategies to build staff confidence and capacity in using AI, fostering a culture of trust, curiosity, and continuous learning across the school community.
Teaching with Trust in the Age of AI
In this engaging pre-conference session K–12 teachers explore how artificial intelligence can enhance—not replace—the heart of great teaching: human connection and trust. Based on over 20 years of research from The University of Chicago Consortium on School Research on the 5Essentials® for school improvement, trust is the foundation for strong collaboration and effective instructional practice. Participants will explore practical ways to use AI to streamline lesson planning, personalize learning, and support student creativity while maintaining professional judgment and ethical boundaries. Through interactive activities and real-world examples, teachers will discover how to balance innovation with intention, ensuring technology serves as a trusted partner in the classroom. Together, we’ll unpack what it means to teach confidently, compassionately, and creatively in an AI-empowered world.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply AI Responsibly in Instruction:
Identify safe, ethical, and effective ways to integrate AI tools into classroom practice to support student learning and engagement. - Increase Efficiency and Creativity:
Explore how AI can save time on tasks like grading, feedback, and resource creation—allowing more focus on student relationships and meaningful instruction. Foster Trust and Empower Students:
Apply evidence-based strategies to empower students to become thoughtful, responsible users of emerging technologies.
Experience Unique, Impactful Professional Learning
Explore 160+ sessions designed to help you tackle today’s most pressing educational challenges head-on.
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