Leaders in education are increasingly being called to address problems they were never designed to solve alone, like workforce shortages, rural access, and structural inequities. In a time when complexity is high, resources are strained, and polarization threatens collaboration, leaders are being asked to do more, and move faster, than ever before. This session introduces participants to the benefits of moving beyond institutional walls and addressing issues in collaboration with diverse community stakeholders. Participants will explore individual and institutional practices that support adaptation when the path isn’t clear, with a focus on building individual’s capacity for relationship building and collaboration, the power of transparency, and the importance of slowing down and sensemaking before acting.
Leaders in education are excellent problem-solvers, but the most pressing challenges require the ability to see a system clearly, understand what's actually driving the outcomes you're seeing and build a plan grounded in those realities rather than in wishful thinking. This session introduces participants to systems thinking as a practical leadership skill that helps to diagnose your situation more accurately, allowing you to act more strategically.
Today’s IEP meeting participants have access to more information, resources, and recommendations than ever before. Social media, AI, and outside influencers are readily available and full of ideas. When team members are operating from different sources of data/expectations, collaboration and consensus building can be challenging. This session focuses on providing special education administrators with tools and strategies to support robust student-centered conversations and team decision-making when External Forces and Influences enter the IEP meeting.
