Concurrent Sessions

1.  What Educators Might Learn From Advertisers
Myron Dueck, Educational Consulting 

Novelist Norman Douglas wrote in 1917 that, ‘you can tell the ideals of a nation by its advertisements’. Whether humorous or dramatic, subtle or loud, by some estimates we encounter somewhere between 300 and 6000 ads each day. A staggering 600 billion dollars are spent annually trying to influence what we purchase, what we think and how we act (O’Reilly & Tennant). Perhaps us educators might have something to learn from the world of advertising. In this interactive keynote, Myron will incorporate actual ads and dig into the type of design-thinking behind them. Some key, transferrable themes will be investigated. For instance, we may want to…

• Design experiences that invite curiosity rather than demand attention. 

• Be clear on our purpose of education.

• Ensure that we create a feeling or culture that supports learning.

• Spend time and energy creating our own ‘elevator pitch’ for what we do, and why we do it.

The best advertising firms understand that success is born through establishing a feeling, or culture, around a brand. More recently, in light of avenues such as YouTube and Instagram, some suggest that it’s the consumer who defines the product, not the producer. Could the same changes be occurring in our schools? Participate in this keynote to explore why education may want to take a page from advertising’s catalogue. 

2. The Full Story: Using Feedback Tools
Tammy Gibbons, Director of Professional Learning, AWSA

Leaders are pretty clear about the impact of feedback on teacher performance but there are many ways that school leaders can and should solicit and use feedback to gauge school climate, the impact of professional development, coaching entry points, etc. This fast paced session will provide a variety of tools for school leaders to review and identify for use.

3. Continuous Improvement Cycles: From Vicious to Virtuous
Yaribel Rodriguez, Director of Urban Leadership, AWSA

School leaders will explore why most continuous improvement efforts fail to generate lasting impact, often getting stuck in a vicious Plan-Do loop. This repetitive cycle leads to initiative fatigue, erodes staff culture, and stalls student outcomes. Leaders will learn how to transform this pattern into a virtuous improvement cycle by fully embracing the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) process.  Through real-world examples, reflective discussions, and practical tools, school leaders will leave with a clearer understanding of how to escape the Plan-Do rut and cultivate a data-driven culture of sustainable improvement.

4. Sharing Perspectives and Amplifying Student Voice
Matthew Amerson, Superior School District

In this session, we will learn a few strategies to include and amplify student voice in decision making. We will practice hearing and responding to the various voices present in today's school systems.

5. Building a High-Impact Attendance Team: From Reactive to Relentless: Building a High-Impact Attendance System That Works
Daniel Butler, Nicole DeRoehn, and, Jessi Selissen, Two Rivers School District

Discover how the Two Rivers Public School District reshaped its approach to attendance and achieved remarkable results through a structured, student-centered, and sustainable system. L. B. Clarke Middle School experienced a 4.5% increase in overall attendance and a 21% decrease in chronic absenteeism over just three years. During the same period, Two Rivers High School improved its overall attendance by 5.8% and saw a 21.5% decrease in chronic absenteeism. In this session, participants will explore a tiered attendance model that addresses and supports students’ varying needs; learn how to build an efficient attendance team with clearly defined roles and responsibilities; see how to implement a data-tracking system that integrates seamlessly into broader student support frameworks; and gain strategies to engage the entire school community in prioritizing attendance.

Participants will leave with practical tools, ready-to-use templates, and a proven blueprint to develop their own “Monday Machine”—a process that celebrates successes, tackles concerns proactively, and ensures no student slips through the cracks.

1. Supporting and Responding to Student Behavior Through Disciplinary Rubrics
Jared Kieslow and Dave Riley, West Bend School District

Discover the transformative potential of disciplinary rubrics in managing student behavior. Delving into the dimensions of intent, impact, disruption, and history, we explore how these rubrics offer administrators a structured approach to support and respond effectively to behavioral incidents. By examining intent, educators can discern the underlying motivations behind student actions, while assessing impact helps gauge severity of how the behavior impacted others or the entire school community. In addition, disruption levels and historical context enables tailored interventions and promotes fair and consistent judgments. Through practical examples administrative teams will be equipped with strategies to integrate disciplinary rubrics into any behavior management system.

2. You as a Learning Leader: Transforming Your School Through Data-Informed Improvement Cycles
Joe Schroeder, Associate Executive Director, AWSA

The work of a school administrator inherently focuses on the urgent and will remain that way unless one learns how to intentionally disrupt it.  Short cycles of data-focused analysis and reflection can empower school leaders to create meaningful and sustainable change.  In this session, you’ll explore strategies to effectively design and implement data-informed improvement cycles that prioritize what matters most for your school community.  Leave with actionable tools that are informed by Wisconsin school examples to lead with clarity and purpose for more impact, even amidst the demands of daily operations.

3. Leveling Up: Landing and Loving Your Next Administrative Position
Joe Patek, Nicolet Union High School

This session is designed for leaders who are aspiring to the "next" step and want to "crush it" in their first few years. Learn how to prepare yourself as an assistant principal to become a principal, and for those new to the AP role, learn how to successfully transition into your new assistant principal role, find your people, and be an invaluable support to your principal. You will gain key strategies in this session, avoid common pitfalls, and maximize your impact as an administrator. This session will also prepare you to level up your next professional role as you plan to take the leap to the principalship. Skills required to be successful as an assistant principal are different from those required to be successful as the principal. Reflect on your assets and make a plan for what comes next in your leadership journey. 

4. Preventing the SILOs - Leading  for Collaborative Continuous Improvement and Conscious Practice
Tammy Gibbons, Director of Professional Learning, AWSA

High-performing collaborative teams have a significant impact on both the culture and the outcomes of a school.  Silos in schools can lead to misaligned priorities, low morale, and disjointed decision-making. Paying attention to growing and/or perceived silos is a challenging role for any school leader.  This session will focus on how to lead a building culture that embraces singletons, challenges historic rhetoric about use of time, and supports continuous improvement and collective efficacy.

5. X's and O's With WIAA
Mel Dow, Stephanie Hauser, WIAA Staff

The WIAA proposes to make a presentation on the process and purpose on how the WIAA works with the member schools to assist and serve their needs. They will have key staff and committee members take part in the session so that the attendees can hear how the WIAA serves its members, clear up any misconceptions about the association and answer any questions the members may have. The WIAA is an open and transparent organization, willing to provide solutions, that assists student athletes and their schools.

1. Reaching the Top 20: Building Connections that Change Behavior and Transform School Culture
Liz Nelson, Elmbrook School District

A small number of students often generate the majority of behavior referrals in schools. In this session, Liz Nelson, National Associate Principal of the Year, will share a structured approach to supporting these high-needs students—often called the “Top 20.” The session will cover practical strategies for building relationships with hard-to-reach students and families, as well as communication techniques that can lead to improved behavior and a more positive school climate.  

2. Key Issues for Elementary AP's
Tammy Gibbons, Director of Professional Learning, AWSA

An elementary associate principal plays a crucial role in supporting the overall leadership and management of a school. They help create and maintain a positive and safe learning environment, contribute to instructional improvement, and foster strong relationships with students, staff, and parents. Given the unique role of elementary school AP, join us for an opportunity to connect, inspire and strategize to further increase the impact of the role. This session will be an engaging, relevant conversation facilitated by some Elementary Associate Principals in Wisconsin.

3. BOOM Sessions: Best Practices for Increasing Attendance and Engagement: Learning from the Expertise in the Room
These fast-paced BOOM sessions deliver high-impact insights in just 8-10 minutes. Our presenters will share proven best practices in Leadership Strategies that Improve Student Attendance and Engagement.  Get ready for quick takeaways, followed by a 5-minute Q&A to deepen your understanding.

• Leveraging Student Voice & Student Focused Conversations to Improve Student Outcomes
  Joey Jonas, Franklin High School
  The brightest minds in most school districts are the learners that populate the classrooms each day. They inspire with their innovative ideas and ways to take on complex problems. At Franklin High School, we have taken on student focus groups and empathy interviewing to gather data on how to best support students in areas such as an advisory model, mentorship, and creating belonging for all. In addition, we supported all staff in coming together to team on a student they all share in our student focused PLC conversations. Through teaming, staff are able to identify a key barrier for a student, strategies to support, and a continuous improvement framework to spark positive change.

• Attendance, The Hard Part of the Job
  Jamie Saunders, Elkhorn High School
  During this session, you will learn how Elkhorn Area High School improves attendance through building relationships with students. You will also be introduced to the student/teacher-friendly system that the Associate Principals use to track daily attendance. Besides these tier-one approaches, we will also give you a few tier-two and tier-three strategies. * This model can be used in all grade levels*

• The Power of Positive Relationships
  Vince Propson, Ripon High School
  This BOOM session presentation explores how positive relationships between high school students and staff directly improve attendance rates. Based on Vincent Propson’s article, it highlights the role of belonging, engagement, and support in keeping students connected to school. The presentation emphasizes shifting from punitive discipline to a culture of support that encourages students to show up, engage, and succeed.

• From A(bsent) to P(resent)
  Doug Crowley, DeForest School District
  This presentation will highlight how tracking grade-level, individual, and overall school attendance rates and making it visible for the school community improves overall attendance. We will show how a strategic use of data helps identify trends, address concerns early, celebrate progress, and engage students, staff, and families. By using attendance data strategically, schools can foster a culture that values being present and supports student success. 

• Making Attendance the Focus for Everyone
  Daniel Butler and Nicole DeRoehn, Two Rivers School District
  This presentation will highlight how tracking grade-level, individual, and overall school attendance rates and making it visible for the school community improves overall attendance. We will show how a strategic use of data helps identify trends, address concerns early, celebrate progress, and engage students, staff, and families. By using attendance data strategically, schools can foster a culture that values being present and supports student success. 

4. Creating a Positive School Climate: Building Powerful Teams for Tier 2 Behavior Support
Yaribel Rodriguez, Director of Urban Leadership, AWSA

This session is tailored for principals seeking effective strategies to address Tier 2 behaviors through a culturally responsive lens. By fostering inclusive problem-solving approaches, educators can create supportive environments that empower both students and staff. Join us as we explore practical techniques for forming powerful teams dedicated to supporting student and educator success. Through examples, case studies, and discussions, participants will gain insights into reducing disciplinary incidents and the need for intensive supports.

5. From Philosophy to Practice: Implementing Standards-Based Learning, AI Integration, and Gradebook Alignment
Don Norwick, Associate Principal; Alicia Acosta, Math Teacher; and, Tara Smith, ELA Teacher, Wilmot Union High School

This session will share Wilmot Union High School’s multi-year journey of transforming teaching and learning through Standards-Based Learning (SBL) and Standards-Based Grading (SBG), enhanced by the strategic use of AI tools and an intentional approach to using our digital gradebook to support these practices. Presenters will include both administrators and classroom teachers, providing multiple perspectives on how these initiatives evolved from theory to sustainable practice. Participants will explore the philosophy, research, and practical steps behind SBL/SBG, discover strategies for fostering teacher buy-in, and learn how our gradebook was leveraged to align instruction, assessment, and reporting in ways that provide clarity for students, families, and staff. The session will also highlight how AI has been incorporated to streamline feedback, personalize learning, and increase student ownership. Through successes, challenges, and lessons learned, attendees will leave with actionable strategies, communication tools for stakeholders, and an understanding of how to structure professional development and implementation timelines for lasting impact.

1. Creating a Culture of Consistency Through Tier 1 and Tier 2 Behavioral Structures and Supports
Ben Yaucher, Milton School District

This session will highlight Milton Middle School’s path from ongoing behavioral frustrations to a culture of consistent, high expectations for students through work with their EMLSS team and climate and culture team. The collaborative work enhanced learning opportunities and led to a reduction in behavioral referrals by nearly 50%.

2. AI-Powered Collaboration: Accelerating the Impact of School Teams
Yaribel Rodriguez, Director of Urban Leadership, AWSA

School leaders will learn how to accelerate the effectiveness and impact of their collaborative teams by integrating AI tools and adopting a laser-sharp focus on student outcomes. Too often, team meetings focus on surface-level discussions or broad instructional practices, resulting in minimal impact on student growth. This session will introduce a practical framework where teams:
1. Rapidly Break Down Standards into Key Skills: Using both AI-powered analysis and team expertise, leaders will guide teams in deconstructing complex standards into the essential skills necessary for mastery and common misconceptions quickly.
2. Use Student Work to Drive Decisions: Use student work to identify skills students have mastered and identify where supports are needed.
3. Name the Gap by Skill: Using both AI-generated insights and teacher expertise, teams will pinpoint the precise skill gaps in student learning, moving beyond generalizations like "comprehension" or "engagement" to specific, actionable skills.
4. Identify a Targeted Teaching Strategy: Using both AI-generated insights and teacher expertise, teams will pinpoint the precise teaching strategy to help students achieve mastery.  

Through interactive discussions, practical examples, and AI demonstrations, participants will leave equipped with a streamlined process and AI-powered tools to transform collaborative teams into high-impact, results-driven forces for student success.

3. Energy Leadership: Keeping Educators Motivated in a Challenging Socio-Political Climate
Tammy Gibbons, Director of Professional Learning, AWSA

What does it take to keep educators motivated when every corner of their world and life may present obstacles and perceived barriers to student impact?  This session will focus on leading a school community that energizes one another, sees change as an opportunity, and focuses on thriving, not just surviving. 

4. You as a Learning Leader: Transforming Your School Through Data-Informed Improvement Cycles
Joe Schroeder, Associate Executive Director, AWSA

The work of a school administrator inherently focuses on the urgent and will remain that way unless one learns how to intentionally disrupt it.  Short cycles of data-focused analysis and reflection can empower school leaders to create meaningful and sustainable change.  In this session, you’ll explore strategies to effectively design and implement data-informed improvement cycles that prioritize what matters most for your school community.  Leave with actionable tools that are informed by Wisconsin school examples to lead with clarity and purpose for more impact, even amidst the demands of daily operations.