SUNDAY SESSIONS 8:30 - 9:30

From Vision to Reality: Building an Early Childhood Center
Marlaine Boyd & Sara Terrill | Room: 61

This session will highlight the journey of bringing a new Early Childhood Center from idea to completion. Participants will learn about the planning, design, and construction process, as well as how state funding and a competitive grant were maximized to provide free tuition. From initial concept to opening day, this presentation offers practical insights and takeaways for school leaders interested in facility development that supports young learners and strengthens communities.

Brain Regulation for Elementary Students
Tina Basler & Daniel Rothweiler | Room: 70/71

We can’t expect students to regulate in the middle of a storm, especially if they haven’t practiced regulation strategies while calm. This session explores how prevention changes outcomes through intentional instruction. Learn how Plattin Primary (K–2) teaches students about their brain and body responses to stress and unsafe feelings using interactive, developmentally appropriate strategies that build lifelong self-regulation skills.

The Educator’s Financial Toolkit: Protecting Your Present, Securing Your Future
Mike Roman | Room: 62

Join us for a supportive session designed to take the guesswork out of your financial future. We will provide a clear breakdown of STRS pension benefits and show you how a 403(b) can effectively bridge the gap to a secure retirement. We’ll also discuss why an annual insurance review is a vital ‘check-up’ for your household budget. Finally, learn how you can bring these valuable financial wellness workshops directly to your school to support your colleagues.

Explicit and Specially Designed Instruction: A Special Education Instructional Practice Guide and Reflection Tool
Dr. Karla Arnold, Jeanne Rothermel, Dr. Christina Heet, Jared Tharp & TJ Quick | Room: 74/75

Many administrators struggle to define what “specially designed instruction” should look like in practice. This session introduces MO-CASE’s instructional practice guide and reflection tool, piloted in seven Missouri districts. Learn about the tool’s development and key insights from Fulton School District’s implementation to support effective, explicit special education instruction.

Michael Jordan Didn’t Win Championships Alone—and Neither Can School Leaders
Christine Johnson & Tyler Cesonis | Room: 72/73

Using basketball as a metaphor, this high-energy session introduces the P.R.O. Framework—Pass the ball, Recognize the team, and Own the vision—to build shared leadership, trust, and a winning school culture.

Unlocking Potential: How Empowered Teachers Drive Student Success
Casey Brownsberger | Room: 60

Discover how empowered teachers drive stronger student outcomes in any setting. Explore practical strategies for building effective systems, improving communication, and strengthening organization to create a high performing school environment. Leave with actionable ideas you can implement immediately to help teachers thrive across your building.

District to Classroom: Coordinated Efforts That Move Attendance Emily Cross & Ryan Souza | Room: 64

With a significant decline in attendance,Fort Osage has been challenged to reshape our approach to supporting student attendance. In response, the district redesigned the systems in place to more effectively address barriers and get students to school consistently. This session will outline the key steps used to build a cohesive, districtwide attendance framework. Participants will learn about the strategic actions that have led to measurable improvement and a steady rise toward meeting the State of Missouri’s attendance expectation.

Put Me in Coach - Leading Others to Win Together
Kimberley Walters, Valerie Sutton, Katie Will & Melrick Bogier | Room: 63

Learn how to coach new or aspiring principals into confident, collaborative leaders who strengthen school culture - even in challenging climates. This session shares practical tools and proven strategies for building trust, growing leader capacity, and fostering unity in dividing environments. Walk away with ready-to-use resources any principal can implement to empower their team, boost morale, and create a culture where everyone plays to win.

1st Year Principals
Erin Kaminski | Room 76/77

Calling all 1st year principals! Come connect with other first year principals across the state. Let’s talk staff culture, student behavior, parents, budgets, how to navigate your first time at MAESP conference and other topics that might have you feeling like you are drowning. This will be more of a discussion than a presentation so you will be able to share what is working and find some ideas to help you.

Leading Humans, Not Just Schools: Leadership Tools You Can Use Monday — to Build Connection, Culture, and Legacy
Joe Beckman| Room: Nautical Wheeler

School leaders are trained to run systems, not always to lead people. This breakout with national speaker and author Joe Beckman is for elementary principals who value connection, culture, and lasting impact. Learn practical tools—videos, lessons, and activities—you can use immediately to build confidence, gratitude, and authentic relationships in real schools.

The Power of Subtraction: Leading by Letting Go and Reclaiming Instructional Leadership!
Nick Pettit & Jocelyn Wilcox | Room: Parasol II

Instructional leadership is not about piling on strategies; it’s about creating clarity. Subtraction — the intentional act of removing clutter, redundancy, or distraction — makes space for what truly drives learning.

SUNDAY SESSIONS 11:00 - 12:00

Bringing the Portrait of a Graduate to Life: Practical Steps for PreK-6 Implementation
Gretchen DeMasters, Grant McDonald, Aaron Snow, Jacob Stevenson, Austin Rhodes, Kari Arehart, & DJ Driskell | Room: 60

This session explores how a district designed and sustains a Portrait of a Graduate framework focused on critical thinking, life skills, academic behaviors, and compassion. Participants learn practical strategies to embed these durable skills into daily instruction, classroom culture, and school wide systems so all students graduate prepared and well-rounded.

Growing a Positive School Climate
Katie Wayman | Room: 61

Whether you are new to your building, facing challenges with school culture, or charged with strengthening your school community, this session will share our journey toward creating a more connected, family-like atmosphere for both staff and students. Participants will explore practical strategies—from staff meetings and professional development to small, meaningful connection points—that can be implemented immediately or developed over time to positively transform school culture.

Shifting Culture: Moving from “My” Students to “Our” Students
Erica Rosenbaum, Shasta Gift, & Tami Murphy | Room: 62

Learn how one school is shifting from a culture of distrust to one of trust and collective efficacy. Leaders from McBride Elementary share practical strategies, measurable results in attendance, behavior, and academics, and teacher perspectives from their guiding coalition—plus resources you can implement immediately in your own building.

Good Dads, Strong Schools: Engaging Fathers to Support Student Success
Mike Dawson & Michelle Collins | Room: 63

Engaged fathers make a powerful difference in schools. In this breakout session, Dr. Mike Dawson, Director of Good Dads – Strong Schools, and Dr. Michelle Collins, Principal of Cedar Ridge Elementary (Branson), share how intentional father engagement strengthens school culture and improves student belonging, behavior, and attendance. Participants will learn the Good Dads – Strong Schools model, a simple before-school approach, and hear practical lessons from implementing the program and its impact on students and staff.

KinderJacket at Work!
Shalyn Howe & Nancy Winfrey | Room: 64

Discover how Esther Elementary’s KinderJacket Program supports age-eligible kindergarten students who need a little more time to thrive. Learn how intentional routines, hands-on learning, and targeted instruction build early literacy, numeracy, confidence, and readiness—setting students up for long-term success from day one.

Preparing for State Assessments: Mastering Missouri Testlets (MITs)
Shauna Stephanchick, Amber Knoerschild, & Jessica Gray | Room: 70/71

Are you looking for effective strategies to prepare your students for state assessments? Join us for this practical, hands-on session focused on Missouri Testlets (MITs). Participants will explore the power of these valuable tools and learn proven strategies for incorporating them into formative assessments. Through interactive practice and discussion, you’ll gain confidence in using MITs to support student learning and readiness.

The Principal’s Guide to Human Flourishing
Patrick Keenoy & Amrita Chaturvedi | Room: 72/73

Flourishing is more than well-being—it’s living and leading with purpose, belonging, and meaning. This session explores how the Human Flourishing framework guides principals in shaping school culture, supporting staff and student growth, and nurturing their own leadership journey. Helping others flourish begins with flourishing ourselves.

Restrictive Special Environments as Intentional Pathways to Success
Will Nunn | Room: 74/75

Some Special Education settings are necessarily restrictive, but they do not have to feel limiting. By embracing strong leadership, relationship-driven practices, and student-centered priorities, educators can transform these spaces into inclusive, empowering environments. This session explores how to help every student—especially those facing the greatest challenges—build confidence, discover strengths, and thrive as valued members of the school community.

How to Make Staff & Students Feel Seen & Heard
Jessica Tollison | Room: 76/77

Creating a culture where every staff member and student feels genuinely seen and valued doesn’t just happen—it’s built intentionally, moment by moment. In this workshop, you’ll explore practical and heartfelt strategies that foster connection, belonging, and joy across your school community.

23 Tricks of the Trade for Elementary Principals
Chauncey Rardon | Room: Nautical Wheeler

Drawing on 23 years as an elementary principal, this session presents 23 practical tips to help school leaders thrive. It supports new, aspiring, and experienced principals with strategies for building trust, motivating staff and students, managing transitions, handling difficult personalities, and leading with confidence, balance, and purpose.

Belonging as a Leadership Practice: Shaping School Culture Together
Laura Foster | Room: Parasol II

A strong sense of belonging is at the heart of school culture. In this session, we will explore how leaders can intentionally cultivate belonging as a daily practice. Participants will examine the connection between belonging and engagement and reflect on how inclusive practices shape trust within a school community.

MONDAY SESSIONS 8:30 - 9:30

Fight, Flight or Facilitate: Navigating Conflict as a Leader
Ron Fox| Room: 60

Conflict is inevitable, but how we respond determines whether culture thrives or deteriorates. In this interactive session, school leaders will explore the instinctive fight-or-flight response—and why it often leads to regrets instead of results. Using vivid stories, practical strategies, and neuroscience insights, we’ll uncover the third option: facilitation. Learn how to manage yourself in moments of tension, address “mosquito-sized” behaviors before they become moose-sized crises and use proven practices to turn conflict into a catalyst for connection. Leave with tools you can apply immediately to protect, strengthen, and sustain a positive school culture—even when conversations get hard.

Tools for Trauma, Data, and Building Problem-Solving Teams
Stefanie Virgen & Stacey Secor | Room: 61

Can a trauma-informed and restorative outlook toward students ALSO be data-focused and teacher-supportive? Learn some real-life impacts tiered supports and problem-solving teams have on behavior, class-management, and climate/culture. Join the gritty principals of the largest K-6 elementary in Washington School District for tools to help build problem-solving teams, respond to crises and ensure school safety, provide behavior supports, and impact teacher retention. Walk out the door with tools for both elementary and secondary leaders.

Belonging By Design: Creating Moments That Matter
Andrew Berry| Room: 62

Explore how small shifts in communication, recognition, and leadership routines can strengthen staff culture. Learn practical ways to build trust, reduce stress, and help every adult feel seen. Participants will leave with ready-to-use strategies that boost belonging, connection, and teacher retention.

We’re Happy to See You! Making Attendance a Building-Wide Priority
Michelle McMullan | Room: 63

Learn how South Elementary implemented attendance initiatives to improve building attendance rates. This session will focus on South Elementary’s programming that includes “Never Been Absent--NBA” celebrations, “Here Everyday, Ready, and On-time (HERO)” attendance social-skills groups, attendance watch lists, creating and monitoring an attendance SMART goal, and other school-wide attendance initiatives.

Tackling the Tiers
Joanna Brockwell & Jodi Grable | Room: 64

Join our journey from chaos to calm, to quiet halls, few elopements, minimal assaultive behaviors, and a drastic reduction in discipline incidents. Hear how we’ve used Conscious Discipline, PBIS, and our Focus Room team to create a climate that makes staff and students feel safe and successful.

Coaching Teachers in Classroom Management
Sierra Johnson & Carmen Mix | Room: 70/71

Tired of feeling stuck when coaching teachers through behavior challenges? Join us for an engaging, practical session that turns classroom management from reactive to proactive. Learn how to use our coaching checklists to guide meaningful teacher growth, provide clear expectations, and strengthen Tier 1 practices. Walk away with ready-to-use tools that build confidence, consistency, and calm in every classroom.

Culture by Kids: How Student Voice Shapes Our School Community
Brad Royle & Jennifer Lindemeyer, & Randi Schatz | Room: 72/73

At Gerald Elementary, we’ve learned that strong school culture grows from student connection and ownership. This session shares how peer mediation, family groups, student leadership, clubs, and traditions like 5th Grade Dutch Camp help students feel valued, responsible, and part of something bigger.

A Sense of Belonging through Student Ownership & Leadership
Mitch Masker | Room: 74/75

This session will focus on how to implement strategies within the structure of your school day to create a sense of belonging for students in Tier 1, 2, and 3 formats. Our students have demonstrated a newfound sense of ownership and pride in their school through a building-wide monthly “Huddle-Up” and the implementation of student leadership. In this session, you will learn ways to foster a sense of ownership in your school for all students.

Building Strong Foundations: Topping Elementary’s Kindergarten Soft Start
Tina Hinds-Booth & Calista Speake | Room: 76/77

Now in its fourth year, Topping Elementary’s Kindergarten Soft Start bridges the transition from home to school through intentional relationship-building, routines, and early assessment. This session will share implementation strategies and data demonstrating how Soft Start has positively impacted attendance, behavior, and academic readiness. Participants will leave with practical ideas for creating an equitable, nurturing start to school that strengthens connections and supports long-term student success.

The Connected Campus: Culture Starts With You
Kyle Palmer | Room: Nautical Wheeler

“Social health” is a critical but often overlooked pillar of school success. This session explores how strong connections build belonging, trust, and positive school culture—improving engagement, attendance, and achievement. Participants will examine research, real-world impact, and practical strategies to strengthen social health for staff and students, support retention and resilience, and become “lucky charm” leaders who positively influence others. Culture starts with you.

Welcome to Our House: Implementing a Schoolwide House System
Kelly McFatrich & Stephanie Jackson | Room: Parasol II

Discover how a House System can strengthen school culture, boost engagement, and build belonging. This interactive session shares how schools designed and launched Houses to promote leadership, collaboration, and positive behavior. Learn practical strategies for traditions, point systems, and integrating Houses into academics and SEL, plus real examples of how they energize assemblies and schoolwide events.

Monday Sessions 9:45 - 10:45

Earn Your Career Certificate with Micro-Credentials
Arlin Peebles| Room: 60

Learn how you can earn your Career And Transition Certificates using DESE approved Micro-Credentials as an alternative to the traditional route of getting your doctorate or specialist degree. During this session we will take a deep dive into the Micro-Credential portal so you will walk away with all of the information you need to be successful during this phase of your leadership journey.

Growing Greatness Together: Our PLC Work
Allison Page | Room: 61

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are the foundation of a collaborative culture focused on improving teaching and learning. This session highlights how Compass Elementary uses PLCs to analyze data, set goals, align instruction, and monitor student progress. Participants will explore strategies to build shared responsibility and collective efficacy that support teacher growth and ensure high levels of learning for all students.

Bridging the Gap: How KinderStart Transforms the Kindergarten Transition
Kelly Weathers, Katie Walker, Lesa Carroll, Kelcey Ramey, & Bradley Reed | Room: 62

Northwest Elementary’s KinderStart bridges preschool and kindergarten with a strong focus on school readiness. Through intentional, developmentally appropriate learning, students build academic, social, and behavioral skills. Discover how this small rural district enhances students’ confidence and readiness, as well as the successes they have achieved since implementing this transitional program.

Beyond “Putting Out Fires” A Proactive System to Reclaim Your Classrooms and Support Your Staff
Keisha Panagos & Mrs. Megan Sides | Room: 63

Revolutionize your school culture by replacing reactive discipline with proactive intervention. Discover how our Care Team slashed office referrals by 60%, reclaiming vital instructional time. We’ll share proven Tier I and II strategies to eliminate chronic disruptions, maintain high expectations, and prevent teacher burnout through systematic, effective support.

Where Little Eagles Learn and Teachers Soar: The Story of Little Eagles Nest Daycare
Sarah Strobel | Room: 64

Discover how Little Eagles Nest Daycare took flight to meet the needs of our most valuable resource—our teachers. This session shares how one district created on-site childcare to support staff retention, morale, and work-life balance while strengthening community and student success. Learn practical steps, funding strategies, and lessons learned from building a program that not only cares for children but helps educators soar.

The Art of Adoption: Making Innovation Stick
Dan Munson | Room: 70/71

Stop fighting resistance and start fueling momentum. This session explores the Law of Diffusion of Innovation to identify your “first 16%”—the champions who drive change. Learn to bridge the chasm between early adopters and the mainstream, building organic buy-in and lasting impact without the need for mandates.

Enhancing the Work with Your Counselor
Amanda Jackson & Johna-Kaye Sutton | Room: 72/73

Strong partnerships begin with clarity and shared purpose. This session focuses on defining roles and building a collaborative mindset between principals and school counselors. Participants will hear from school administrators about how they align work, address daily barriers, and strengthen practice in ways that support both leadership and counseling roles.

Feedback that Fuels Growth: Empowering Teachers through High-Impact Conversations
Leah Roesgen & Kelly Bailey | Room: 74/75

This session explores how principals can deliver research-based, individualized feedback that drives meaningful improvements in teaching and learning. Participants will learn strategies to provide actionable insights that not only elevate student performance but also foster teacher buy-in, shared decision-making, and stronger relationships within the school community. Walk away with tools to make every feedback conversation a catalyst for growth, trust, and lasting impact.

If You Build It {Brand It}, They Will Come
Angela Grammer & Jason Abner | Room: 76/77

A school’s brand can build pride, trust, and belonging. Discover how Sterling Elementary transformed its culture through intentional branding, social media storytelling, and meaningful spaces. Walk away with creative, practical strategies to make your school a place people want to join.

Retention is the New Recruitment
Dr. Ted Huff & Dr. John Schuler| Room: Nautical Wheeler

Retention is the new recruitment. Being a great place to work means attracting and retaining high quality teachers for your school. We’ll take a close look and discuss practical tools to implement in your school to ensure your teachers are valued, appreciated, recognized, and developed.

Engage, Energize, Elevate… Unlock Potential
Tonya Edgar & Allison Burton | Room: Parasol II

Discover how every member of your school community can thrive when positivity and engaging activities are at the core of your culture. This session will explore practical strategies to energize lessons, build staff morale, and foster collaboration across all roles in the building. Participants will leave with simple, powerful tools to unlock hidden potential in themselves and others, creating a more vibrant and supportive school environment.

Monday Sessions 12:45 - 1:45

Transactional Ways to be Transformative: Building Trust & Culture Among Staff
Abby Hathcock & Lauren Hassell | Room: 60

Discover how small, everyday actions can spark big cultural change. Using the Virtuous Leader model, we’ll explore how respect, relationships, and reconciliation create the foundation for authentic trust. This session moves beyond theory—offering practical, “do-it-tomorrow” strategies that help principals lead with empathy, courage, and integrity. Walk away with simple, transactional ways to be truly transformative in shaping a thriving, connected school culture.

Tiered Attendance Support That Works
Joe Clauser| Room: 61

Absenteeism hurts achievement and funding, while factors like illness and limited family support impact student attendance and often make improvement seem out of reach. Learn how a K–2 school with nearly 60% free/reduced lunch used tiered supports to raise proportional attendance over four years, reaching 96.8% in 2025.

Federal Programs Updates and Ideas
De Frink-Hedglin | Room: 62

With federal program requirements changing for 2025–2026, LEA leaders must remain flexible and informed. This session provides current guidance on funding use, annual requirements, monitoring, planning, and budgeting. Participants will receive practical advice, resources, and collaborative opportunities to help both new and experienced coordinators successfully navigate program changes and requirements.

Turning Many Priorities Into One Clear Path for all Stakeholders
Erica Wood & Mary Shepherd | Room: 63

Move beyond juggling initiatives to leading with clarity and purpose. This session shares practical strategies for aligning focus areas into a unified schoolwide direction that accelerates learning, strengthens climate, and reduces staff overwhelm—leaving participants with a clear roadmap for meaningful, shared impact.

Tiered Behavior Supports and Restorative Practices
Erin Kaminski & Jennifer Watson | Room: 64

In this session, we will describe our behavior intervention room, our student check-in procedures, data tracking and staff meetings around behavior data. We will also share our flowcharts for staff and our incident forms with a restorative approach.

Authentic Leadership: Ownership to Inspire Growth
Becca Warren | Room: 70/71

This presentation explores authentic leadership, a style rooted in self-awareness, transparency, ethics, and genuine relationships. It highlights how my journey to authentic leadership built trust, fostered collaboration, and inspired my team. The insight my team has into who I am allows them to better understand the decisions I make, respect the direction we are going, and fosters stronger team efficacy!

Dealing with Difficult Conversations: A Leader’s How-To Guide
Becky Gallagher & Toni Bass | Room: 72/73

Principals need strong skills and varied strategies to navigate difficult conversations with professionalism, supporting staff retention and a positive school culture. This session builds those abilities through practiced techniques, and each participant will leave with an action plan to apply the techniques and help move their school forward.

Creating Spaces for Success: Refocusing Your School on Learning
Kari Lund & Leah Roesgen | Room: 74/75

Refocus your school on what matters most, learning. This session explores how intentional structures for coaching, collaboration, and communication create spaces where students and staff thrive. Participants will gain practical examples and actionable steps to strengthen alignment, trust, and instructional focus across their school.

Launching Learners: The Transitional Kindergarten Experience
Angela Meyer & Randi Stewart | Room: 76/77

Transitional Kindergarten bridges Pre-K and Kindergarten, giving age-eligible students additional time to build academic and social readiness at a developmentally appropriate pace. This session shares how our school used data to launch TK, gained support from families and the school board, and developed a thriving program that now plays an essential role in student success.

Boom Session 4.0
Jodi Oliver, Melissa Hellwig, Ta’Keshia Parker, Shawn Riley, Kristie Lehde, & Patrick Keenoy | Room: Nautical Wheeler

We are back! This is the 3rd annual Boom Session at the MAESP conference. It is modeled after the boom sessions offered at the NAESP national conference! In this upbeat presentation you will hear from experienced Missouri principals to inspire, engage, and ignite your daily work. Each principal will present an idea that is currently working in their school and how you can take it back to your school community immediately.

Student Leadership Rocks!
Andrea Curtis & Abby Massingill| Room: Parasol II

Empower your elementary students through student leadership families! In this presentation, you’ll discover how students can join specialized action teams to identify ways to improve their school and community. By working together on meaningful projects, students learn valuable lessons in responsibility, teamwork, and leadership. This program not only gives students a voice in shaping their environment but also fosters high morale and a positive school culture where everyone feels included and inspired to make a difference.