Elevating Excellence Conference
About this Event
Welcome to the Elevating Excellence Conference!
Get ready for an amazing in-person experience where you'll connect, learn, and grow with fellow leaders in education. This is your chance to dive into inspiring talks, hands-on workshops, and valuable networking sessions. Come join us and elevate your organization's excellence to the next level!
Nov 17
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration
Host: Location: Hallway
Info: Start the conference with attendee check-in and a warm welcome as we launch a day of learning, inspiration, and growth.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Excellence by Design with Commissioner of Education Susana Córdova
Host: Commissioner Susana Córdova
Info: What does it take to create schools where students are fully engaged, educators feel empowered, and achievement continues to rise? In this inspiring and forward-looking keynote, the Commissioner of Education will share a compelling vision for designing education systems that deliver excellence for every learner. Serving as the cornerstone of the conference, this motivating session will explore how increasing student engagement, accelerating academic success, and cultivating a thriving educator workforce work together to drive transformational outcomes. Attendees will leave with a renewed commitment to excellence.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Spotlight on Secondary: Structured Literacy Support for Adolescent Readers
Host: Lynni Nordheim
Info: Discover how a Colorado school district is addressing adolescent literacy gaps through a pioneering model of credit-bearing structured literacy classes for middle and high school students. This session outlines the program’s development, teacher training, student placement, and program implementation. Participants will leave with a clear framework to design and launch similar initiatives in their own schools or districts, empowering striving readers with the skills they need to succeed.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
From Compliance to Impact: Building Partnerships that Maximize Title Funds
Host: Joey Willett
Info: This session is designed for district and school leaders responsible for planning and implementing Title-funded programs. Participants will explore a practical framework for making strategic, collaborative decisions about federal funds that move beyond compliance to impact. Drawing on real examples from Aurora Public Schools, the session highlights how cross-department partnerships strengthen alignment and resource use. Attendees will engage in a brief scenario-based activity to identify key partners, clarify roles, and surface critical questions. The session centers equity by emphasizing inclusive decision-making and aligning resources to the specific needs of underserved student populations.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
3 Engagement Rings: The Real Work of Student Engagement
Host: Matthew Colwell
Info: In this session, K-12 educators will discover the prerequisites for authentic student engagement through the "3 Engagement Rings" framework: Wellness, Relevance, and Self-Efficacy. By anchoring engagement in these core human needs, we will explore how to drive equitable student outcomes and dismantle learning barriers for marginalized students. Participants will actively engage via collaborative peer discussions and guided self-reflection, critically evaluating popular "engagement programs" against true engagement criteria. Attendees will leave with practical strategies and a transformed mindset to ensure every learner feels valued, capable, and connected.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Humanistic Leadership: Create Real and Lasting Change
Host: Simone Thea Richardson
Info: Discover how humanistic leadership fuels systemic change while supercharging staff morale to increase equitable outcomes. Humanistic Leadership flips the script by shifting the focus from rigid, top-down compliance to a "people-first" infrastructure. It uses deep self-awareness and collective action to tear down barriers and make sure equity isn't just a buzzword, but a reality. We’ll explore the 5 Levers of Change, zooming in on the power of Shared Leadership and the growth that comes from intentional reflection. Through a mix of collaborative content and hands-on skill development, you’ll leave with the tools and mindsets needed to build a high-performance culture!
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Beyond the Ceiling: Rigorous Thinking Routines for Deep Vocabulary Ownership
Host: Erica Schliemann Duran
Info: Shattering the Notice/Wonder Ceiling: Rigorous Language Ownership for MLLs
Designed for educators seeking to elevate language as a vital tool for communication, this interactive workshop delivers equitable outcomes by shifting multilingual learners from passive observation to deep word ownership. Through a framework of four rigorous thinking routines, participants will counter deficit narratives and cultivate high-order thinking. Attendees will engage first-hand in these routines, learning to transform abstract academic vocabulary into tools for logic and empathy. Participants will leave equipped to implement non-linguistic tools that build linguistic stamina and ensure every student accesses high-stamina language synthesis.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Student and Family Educational Journey Mapping to Address Chronic Absenteeism
Host: Wendy Loloff Cooper
Info: Participants will be introduced to Educational Journey Mapping (EJM) as a student- and family-driven assessment process that helps schools identify root causes of chronic absenteeism, disengagement, and barriers to educational success. Grounded in implementation experience with justice-engaged students and expanded into broader school settings, this interactive workshop explores how EJM can strengthen belonging, student engagement, and MTSS systems through relationship-centered planning and wraparound supports. Participants will engage with case studies, attendance data, and hands-on activities to examine how schools can use Educational Journey Mapping to improve student engagement, uncover barriers to success, and support equitable educational outcomes.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Inspiring Excellence in Math: Learning from Colorado Classrooms
Host: Jason Cushner
Info: Explore newly released videos of Colorado teachers enacting the NCTM Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices to deepen student engagement and understanding. Grounded in research and authentic classroom examples, this interactive session highlights practices such as discourse, purposeful questioning, and productive struggle. Participants will analyze video, reflect collaboratively, and use structured discussion tools that elevate diverse student voices and support culturally responsive teaching. Attendees will experience engaging, adult-learning–aligned professional learning and leave with ready-to-use resources to strengthen instruction, lead meaningful PD, and create equitable math learning environments.
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
Lunch & Excellence Exchange
Host: Location: Platte River
Info: Take advantage of this dedicated networking lunch to connect with fellow educators, leaders, and partners from across the state who share a commitment to educational excellence. Whether you're exchanging innovative ideas, discussing common challenges, or building new professional relationships, this session provides an opportunity to learn from one another in a relaxed and engaging setting. Join colleagues in meaningful conversation, expand your network, and gain fresh perspectives that can inspire and strengthen your work long after the conference concludes.
🕑: 01:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Whole Group Workshop: Short Cycle Planning and Performance Management
Host: Lauren Kampfe
Info: Effective school improvement requires more than a well-written plan—it requires a process for monitoring progress, learning from implementation, and making timely adjustments. In this interactive session, participants will deepen their understanding of short improvement cycles and learn how to leverage a Performance Management Tool to drive continuous improvement at the school and district levels.
Participants will explore the essential components of high-quality end-of-year goals, implementation benchmarks, and action steps that lead to measurable outcomes. The session also includes dedicated work time to download, navigate and explore the Performance Management Tool, allowing participants to apply their learning and begin developing or refining their own improvement plans.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Relationships Impact Results
Host: Superintendent Wendy Birhanzel
Info: Join Superintendent Wendy Birhanzel for an engaging session on how School District 2 intentionally cultivates classroom cultures grounded in connection, belonging, and high expectations for every student. Learn how D2’s relationship-centered approach strengthens student engagement, academic achievement, and educator effectiveness, while fostering meaningful partnerships with families, community organizations, and local stakeholders. Participants will gain practical insights into the systems, strategies, and leadership practices that help create a culture where strong relationships drive lasting results.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Vision for Quality Schools
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
CS Year 3+
Nov 18
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration
Host: Location: Hallway
Info: Start the conference with attendee check-in and a warm welcome as we launch a day of learning, inspiration, and growth.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Beyond Programs: Collaborative Systems That Accelerate Outcomes
Host: Dr. Holly Porter
Info: This keynote explores how intentional collaboration structures, including co-planning, professional learning communities, and co-teaching, can transform fragmented services into cohesive systems that better support multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and other underserved student populations (i.e., aligning the expertise already present within schools rather than adding new programs).
Drawing on research and practical leadership strategies, the session will examine how collaborative instructional models increase student engagement, improve access to rigorous grade-level instruction, and strengthen outcomes for diverse learners. Participants will also explore how district and school leaders can design systems that support collaboration through scheduling, staffing, professional learning, and strategic use of federal funding streams such as ESEA and IDEA.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Like-Peer Comparative Data at All Levels of the System
Host: Hunter Smith
Info: This session explores the use of like-peer comparative data across all system levels and instructional tiers to support Multilingual Learners (MLs). Participants will examine how disaggregating academic data by language proficiency enables educators to make more accurate, equitable programmatic, instructional, and placement decisions. Emphasis will be placed on distinguishing language acquisition from potential disability and avoiding inappropriate referrals. Through practical examples, attendees will learn how to implement data-informed practices within MTSS and special education systems. The session highlights how like-peer comparisons strengthen equity, improve outcomes, and ensure that MLs receive instruction and supports aligned to both their linguistic and academic development.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Small Steps, Big Impact: Transforming Learning through Explicit Instruction
Host: Kathryn Wilson
Info: “How well you teach equals how well they learn.” Designed for anyone who teaches , this interactive session explores Anita Archer’s 16 elements of explicit instruction to understand how novice students actually learn. You will learn how to build the essential knowledge students need before they are able to engage in productive struggle—making explicit instruction a vital tool for strengthening equitable student outcomes.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Beyond the Buddy System: Engineering Equitable Mentorship Networks that Retain
Host: Melissa Fike
Info: Designed for administrators, HR personnel, and school leaders, this interactive 60-minute workshop transforms traditional "buddy systems" into equitable mentorship networks. Participants will use a Mentoring Quality and Equity Audit Tool and engage in a collaborative system-mapping challenge to evaluate their current practices. By shifting from transactional matching to culturally responsive, protected collaborative structures, this session strengthens equitable outcomes by dismantling educator isolation. Leaders will leave with concrete ideas to support and retain a diverse workforce across their districts.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Leading From Within: Teacher Coaches Elevate Instruction and Empower Teams
Host: Simone Richardson, Sara LaGiglia,
Info: Wamsley Elementary’s transformation from a low-performing school to a high-performing school in just three years highlights the impact of humanistic leadership, collective efficacy, and systems-driven improvement. Designed for elementary leaders, teachers, instructional coaches, and district teams, this interactive session blends storytelling, reflection, and collaborative discussion to examine strategies that strengthened teacher retention, instructional practice, school culture, and student achievement. Presenters will share lived experiences, practical tools, and equity-centered practices that foster culturally responsive learning environments where all students and staff thrive. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for sustainable and equitable school improvement.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Enrollment for Exceptional Students in Choice Schools
Host: Nadine Penn
Info: Navigating the enrollment/school choice process for exceptional students can be tricky for school staff and families alike. Knowing what language to use at what step in the process, when to collect an IEP/ALP/504 plan, how to answer parent questions, or how to go about a potential change in placement can be challenging. The goal of this session is to review the different sections of Colorado statute and rule that discusses school choice, break each step of the choice and enrollment process down, answer questions, and offer resources to support families, staff, and administrators. By understanding Colorado statute and best practices school and district personnel can ensure all students have equitable access to engage in the school of choice process.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Appropriate Special Ed Identification Through a Comprehensive Body of Evidence
Host: Krista Klabo, Ed.S. NCSP
Info: This session is designed for administrators, general education teachers, multilingual learner/ELL educators, special education leaders, and related service providers. Participants will examine essential information all school teams should understand about special education evaluation, student support needs, and appropriate identification. Through body of evidence visuals, guided reflection, and practical examples, participants will explore how data, culture, language, context, and collaboration lead to appropriate special education identification.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
From Process to Promise: Centering Language, Culture, and Identity in IEPs
Host: Alison G. Boardman
Info: This interactive session engages educators and school leaders in identifying key elements of a comprehensive body of evidence to guide IEP development for multilingual learners. Participants will examine common myths and misconceptions and collaborate to address persistent problems of practice. The session highlights practical tools and strategies to help educators center equity throughout the IEP process. These include designing individualized supports and accommodations that reflect each student’s strengths, identities, and needs; including student and family voices; and incorporating each student’s language development and culture, all with the goal of strengthening just and responsive outcomes for multilingual learners with disabilities.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Curiosity Through Composition: Rebuilding Engagement In Student Writing
Host: Tanner Jones
Info: This interactive session is designed for secondary educators seeking practical strategies to increase student engagement through introspective and connective literacy practices. Grounded in classroom experience, literacy research, and current challenges surrounding AI-generated writing, the session explores how formulaic, compliance-driven reading and writing can limit curiosity, connection, and meaningful participation. Participants will engage in discussion-based activities, observation writing, mentor text analysis, and reflective inquiry practices that foster student ownership, equitable participation, and deeper critical thinking. Educators will leave with adaptable, classroom-ready tools designed to support diverse learners, strengthen authentic engagement, and reconnect reading and writing to thinking, community, and lived experience.
🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
Lunch & Excellence Exchange
Host: Location: Platte River
Info: Take advantage of this dedicated networking lunch to connect with fellow educators, leaders, and partners from across the state who share a commitment to educational excellence. Whether you're exchanging innovative ideas, discussing common challenges, or building new professional relationships, this session provides an opportunity to learn from one another in a relaxed and engaging setting. Join colleagues in meaningful conversation, expand your network, and gain fresh perspectives that can inspire and strengthen your work long after the conference concludes.
🕑: 01:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Leading in Times of Polarization
Host: Dr. Katy Anthes
Info: Public education is operating in an increasingly polarized environment where conflict and division can overshadow the shared goal of student success. This session explores how leaders can honor the humanity of others, engage diverse perspectives productively, and find common ground across differences. Participants will learn strategies for navigating conflict, fostering meaningful dialogue, and building stronger communities that support both democratic engagement and improved outcomes for students.
🕑: 04:00 PM - 04:30 PM
From Ideas to Impact
Host: Assistant Commissioner Lindsey Jaeckle
Info: As we conclude our time together, this inspiring closing session will celebrate the possibilities ahead for public education and the collective impact of those dedicated to its success. Grounded in the belief that excellence is achievable in every community, participants will reflect on key insights, reconnect with their purpose, and leave energized to lead with hope and a clear plan for action.
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
District Bright Spot
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
