High Impact Leadership

Doug Reeves

Dr. Reeves will address the factors that matter most for effective educational leadership.  “Even when faculties, students, home environment, and socioeconomic status are the same, leaders make a profound difference for students.”  This presentation will include national and international evidence on student achievement and engagement.  There will also be opportunities for participants to engage in questions, challenges, and the sharing of success stories. Topics to be considered include: The latest evidence on how leaders and teachers influence student achievement, the seven elements of effective leadership in education, the power of focus in improving student results and teaching excellence, how schools promote (and sometimes undermine) creativity and critical thinking, and, the power of student engagement - and how schools can increase it.

Session Resources

Dr. Douglas Reeves is the author of more than 45 books and 100 articles on education and leadership. Twice named to the Harvard University Distinguished Authors Series, Doug has received several national and international awards for his contributions to education. 

Doug has taught at every level, from the primary grades to post-doctoral students. Doug and his more than 60 colleagues at Creative Leadership Solutions have served students in 50 states and more than 40 countries. He lives in Boston and can be reached at: Douglas.Reeves@CreativeLeadership.net. 

Fearless Instruction: Unpacking Research on Effective Instructional Strategies

Allyson Apsey

In this engaging session, participants will explore current research on effective instructional strategies. In a relaxed, collaborative setting, attendees will discuss key findings and practical applications with colleagues around the table. Through open conversation, they will discover how these strategies can enhance student learning and engagement. This session provides a unique opportunity for educators to share experiences, gain new insights, and leave with actionable ideas to improve their leadership practices. 

Session Resources

Fearless Change: Unleashing Potential Through Your School Improvement Plan

Allyson Apsey

In this dynamic and inspiring keynote, participants will explore how their School Improvement Plan can serve as a catalyst for meaningful and lasting change. With a focus on collaboration and coaching, the session will unpack the power of experience-based learning, nonfiction writing, and academic rigor in creating a thriving school environment. Attendees will also be introduced to the concept of “Fearless Coaching”—a bold approach to guiding and supporting educators as they grow and take risks to improve their practice.  

Attendees will leave this session empowered with actionable strategies to build a collaborative culture and raise the bar for student achievement. Whether participants are teachers, administrators, or coaches, they will discover new ways to leverage their School Improvement Plan to drive real impact in their school communities. 

Session Resources

Allyson Apsey has been an award-winning school, district, and state leader for over 20 years, leading all levels from elementary to High School. She had the honor to help open a highly successful charter school, which included developing a secondary program designed around research-proven practices. Allyson next served as an elementary principal and district leadership coach for Zeeland Public Schools in Michigan.

She was on the Executive Board of Directors for MEMSPA (Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association) as the Professional Development Chair and is on the NAESP Editorial Advisory Board. Allyson is the author of several books— including best-sellers Lead with Collaboration, Leading the Whole Teacher, and The Path to Serendipity. She also wrote the picture book The Princes of Serendip.

She loves working with passionate groups of educators to support them in taking care of the whole child and the whole educator by implementing research-proven practices. Allyson's TED Talk can give you an insight into her passion. She currently works as an associate for Creative Leadership Solutions, supporting schools and districts as a collaboration and leadership coach.