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2024 NJAFPA Annual Leadership Conference

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Agenda:

Click below to view the agenda in full detail. 

General Overview

  • 8:00-9:00 am – Registration, Breakfast, Exhibits
  • 9:00-9:15 am – Welcome
  • 9:15-10:15 am – Keynote Presentation
  • 10:15-10:45 am – Break / Exhibits
  • 10:45-11:45 am – Breakout Session #1
  • 11:45 am -12:45 pm – Lunch / Exhibits
  • 12:45-1:00 pm – Scholarship Award
  • 1:00-2:00 pm – Breakout Session #2
  • 2:00-2:30 pm – Break / Exhibits
  • 2:30-3:30 pm – Breakout Session #3

Keynote Presentation:

Topic: How Teaching Kids to Read Went Wrong

For the past six years, journalist Emily Hanford has been reporting on how children learn to read. Her work has sent shockwaves across the United States and around the globe. In this keynote, Emily will tell the story of how she became interested in early reading instruction, discuss key insights from scientific research, share what she has learned from teachers, parents, and kids, and talk about her latest project, the podcast Sold a Story.

Meet Emily Hanford

Emily Hanford is a senior correspondent and producer for APM Reports, the documentary and investigative reporting group at American Public Media. Her work has appeared on NPR and in The New York Times and other publications. For the past several years, she has been reporting on reading instruction. Her 2018 podcast episode “Hard Words: Why aren’t kids being taught to read?” won the inaugural public service award from EWA. Her most recent project, the podcast Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong, won a 2023 IRE Award and was nominated for a Peabody. Emily is based in the Washington, D.C. area. She is a graduate of Amherst College.

Presenters:

Topic: Title I Compliance Academy-How to Manage Title I Compliance like a Rockstar

Compliance! Where do you start? Ever wish Title I documentation was easier to manage
and monitor? The Title I Compliance Academy is based on the book “Compliance by Design” and provides the blueprints to effectively plan, coordinate, manage, monitor, and evaluate the complex and required Title I documentation with useful tools and resources.

 

This engaging and interactive session will empower and equip campus and district
administrators with the skills and tools to simplify, manage, and monitor Title I compliance requirements from start to finish. Participants will develop and refine their skills to analyze documentation for the essential components and enhance leaders’ understanding of how to meet Title I compliance requirements with a step-by-step process. This session is perfect for both campus and district leadership who are responsible for managing Title I compliance for their campus or district. Learn how to excel at compliance like Title I compliance rockstar!

Meet Kish Russell-Yoquelet

Kish Russell-Yoquelet is the author of the “Compliance by Design” book series and creator of the “ESSA Compliance Academy” professional development.

Topic: Aligning Tiers of Instruction for Maximum Student Achievement

Presentation goals include how to align tiers of instruction, implement effective structured literacy practices, and provide evidence-based resources to maximize student achievement for ALL learners. We will provide literacy success stories and hear from administrators who made bold changes and saw exciting results!

Meet Jill Robbins

Jill is an educator, literacy leader, change maker, thought partner and Science of Reading implementer for PA & NJ.

Topic: Imagine a Future of Learning

In today’s diverse educational landscape, one size does not fit all. Join Imagine Learning to learn about our digital-first learning solutions designed to meet the unique needs of all students PreK-12. From adaptive, supplemental solutions in ELA, Math and Spanish that are crafted to personalize instruction and enhance student engagement to rigorous and customizable digital courses to help all students 6-12 achieve their individual academic goals.

Meet Dan Savarese

Before Imagine Learning, Dan was employed by school districts in NJ as a middle school teacher and building administrator.

Confirmed Presentations:

Compliance Academy-How to Manage Title I Compliance like a Rockstar

Compliance! Where do you start? Ever wish Title I documentation was easier to manage and monitor? The Title I Compliance Academy is based on the book. “”Compliance by Design”” and provides the blueprints to effectively plan, coordinate, manage, monitor, and evaluate the complex and required Title I documentation with useful tools and resources. This engaging and interactive session will empower and equip campus and district administrators with the skills and tools to simplify, manage, and monitor Title I compliance requirements from start to finish. Participants will develop and refine their skills to analyze documentation for the essential components and enhance leaders’ understanding of how to meet Title I compliance requirements with a step-by-step process. This session is perfect for both campus and district leadership who are responsible for managing Title I compliance for their campus or district. Learn how to excel at compliance like Title I compliance rockstar!

 

Aligning Tiers of Instruction for Maximum Student Achievement

Presentation goals include how to align tiers of instruction, implement effective structured literacy practices, and provide evidence-based resources to maximize student achievement for ALL learners. We will provide literacy success stories and hear from administrators who made bold changes and saw exciting results!

Imagine a Future of Learning

In today’s diverse educational landscape, one size does not fit all. Join Imagine Learning to learn about our digital-first learning solutions designed to meet the unique needs of all students PreK-12. From adaptive, supplemental solutions in ELA, Math and Spanish that are crafted to personalize instruction and enhance student engagement to rigorous and customizable digital courses to help all students 6-12 achieve their individual academic goals.

Stop Swimming Upstream: The Secret to Brain-Friendly Learning

Together we’ll examine what the brain -simply put- likes to do, and how to embed that in learning experiences. We will identify how hemispheres of the brain impact verbal and emotional responses, and the causality of reactive behavior. We will also identify three concrete strategies creating ease for our brains in learning environments.

Empowering District Leadership Through Executive Coaching

Embark on a transformative journey with Dr. Sean McCarron, Administrator and Executive Coach, in this comprehensive workshop designed to empower K-12 school and district leaders through the practice of executive coaching. As education landscapes evolve, the significance of effective leadership cannot be overstated, making this session a pivotal experience for those seeking to reshape their district’s performance.

In this dynamic workshop, participants will delve into the nuanced world of executive coaching under the guidance of Dr. McCarron. With a condensed yet impactful format, the session is crafted to offer a concentrated exploration of coaching principles tailored specifically for K-12 leaders. Drawing on his extensive background as an Educator, Administrator and Executive Coach, Dr. McCarron will share insights, strategies, and tangible takeaways aimed at immediate implementation.

 

Expect to uncover the power of executive coaching, gaining a heightened understanding of its application in the educational leadership context. Dr. McCarron will provide a holistic view, emphasizing the potential impact on both personal and professional dimensions of leadership. The workshop is designed to equip attendees with immediate takeaways poised to enhance their leadership skills. These actionable insights are geared towards inspiring tangible change within the participants’ roles and contributing to the overall success of their districts. The goal is not just to inform but to empower leaders, fostering a renewed sense of purpose and motivation.

As a result of this session, participants can anticipate a redefined perspective on leadership. Dr. McCarron’s expertise, coupled with practical applications of executive coaching principles, will empower leaders to navigate challenges, inspire their teams, and drive positive change within their educational institutions. The workshop sets the stage for ongoing personal and professional growth, establishing a foundation for sustained success. Join us for an immersive experience that promises profound insights, immediate impact, and the tools needed to navigate the complexities of educational leadership through the lens of executive coaching.

Innovate to Elevate: Revitalizing Professional Development Practices

The three main goals are: 1.Understand the needs of staff and strengths and weaknesses that exist within those identified needs. 2. Develop a strategic plan that embeds professional development in unique and individualized ways. 3. Maximize your current human capital and empower risk-taking and change.

You’re In Charge of Title I, Now What?

The presentation is to help new Title I program coordinators with the basics on how to navigate through the ESEA Grant. The presentation will discuss program manager responsibility, understanding Title I, supplement vs. supplant, function and object codes, stakeholder engagement, and evaluating programs.

Improving Climate and Culture to Impact Absenteeism and Academics

This presentation will discuss ways to impact the climate and culture of schools for both staff and students. We will also look at how this helps to improve student and staff attendance, student academic achievement, and the social and emotional well-being of the school community. Participants will engage in conversations with colleagues, and offer ideas and share past experiences that have worked!

The Science of Reading: Practical Application for Your Classroom and School

As a result of attending this session, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the Simple View of Reading and the importance of language comprehension and word recognition.
  • Evaluate their reading program for five key components that drive growth.
  • Identify practices they can implement in their school to improve reading performance.
  • Objective: The overarching goal of this session is to introduce several strategies schools can implement to improve their students’ reading outcomes.

Making the School Day Work for Your Students

This presentation will explore ways to optimize student learning within the least restrictive environment. The discussion will touch on master scheduling, inclusive practices, data analysis, MTSS, and other topics. Participants will walk away with a comprehensive framework to begin their own journey, including a sample schedule, an MTSS flowchart and other documents, and sample assessments for in-depth screening.

Setting Limits Through Play: A Trauma-Informed Approach

  1. Participants will understand how emotional development is influenced by the child’s social environment and early experience.
  2. Participants will recognize how preventive strategies reduce the likelihood of challenging behaviors from occurring.
  3. Participants will learn how to set limits while engaging children in play and how to generalize the skill throughout the day.

 

In this workshop, participants will develop an understanding how early experience, particularly adversity, influences children’s social-emotional development. Preventive strategies, including; structuring the child’s routine, the use of descriptive praise, the importance of control in relation to challenging behavior, and the influence of supportive and attuned teacher-child relationships will be emphasized. Play-based strategies that support children’s social-emotional learning and facilitate the acquisition of new skills will be shared,
including; identifying the child’s feelings, choice giving through play, social skill building, and how to set limits with children using choices and natural consequences through video examples, experiential exercises, and group discussion.

Stop Swimming Upstream: The Secret to Brain-Friendly Learning

  1. Participants will understand how emotional development is influenced by the child’s social environment and early experience.
  2. Participants will recognize how preventive strategies reduce the likelihood of challenging behaviors from occurring.
  3. Participants will learn how to set limits while engaging children in play and how to generalize the skill throughout the day.

 

In this workshop, participants will develop an understanding how early experience, particularly adversity, influences children’s social-emotional development. Preventive strategies, including; structuring the child’s routine, the use of descriptive praise, the importance of control in relation to challenging behavior, and the influence of supportive and attuned teacher-child relationships will be emphasized. Play-based strategies that support children’s social-emotional learning and facilitate the acquisition of new skills will be shared,
including; identifying the child’s feelings, choice giving through play, social skill building, and how to set limits with children using choices and natural consequences through video examples, experiential exercises, and group discussion.

Differentiating Tier 1 Instruction Using Multimodal Approaches

Join us for an engaging session discovering practical approaches for differentiation in math and literacy to meet all learners where they are at! Learn how to leverage proven hands-on, multimodal resources to close the learning gaps. We will share strategies using Hand2Mind’s supplemental resources to enhance instruction and to make it fun! From tactile math manipulatives to interactive literacy tools, explore how these resources transform classrooms into dynamic hubs of exploration and discovery while supporting The New Jersey Student Learning Standards.

Platinum Sponsors:

Diamond Sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors: