Breakout Sessions

Session Title: Leadership Moves and Mindsets 

Presenters: Jack Baldermann

Description: This session will highlight the key leadership actions and beliefs that drive high-performing schools and teams. Drawing from real success at Westmont High School, participants will explore how to build a compassionate culture, develop collective teacher efficacy, and lead from every seat. The session emphasizes practical strategies such as creating a shared vision, using data-driven team structures, implementing meaningful interventions, and fostering a relentless focus on student growth and results.

Session Title: All In: Effective Teaching Practices – The Westmont Way 

Presenters: Amy Quattrone and Kristin Richey

Description: What if three instructional practices could dramatically strengthen classroom instruction and accelerate student learning?

At Westmont Junior High School, Principal Amy Quattrone and Literacy Specialist, Kristin Richey have been working to strengthen instructional clarity and improve student outcomes across classrooms. As the next step in that work, they are introducing a framework known as “The Westmont 3” - three research-based practices that will guide teaching and learning across classrooms in the coming year.

In this session, participants will explore three high-impact strategies: Clear Learning Objectives, Gradual Release of Responsibility, and Assessment for Learning and how they can transform everyday instruction when implemented with clarity and consistency.

Through practical classroom examples and leadership insights, Amy and Kristin will demonstrate how these practices can increase engagement, strengthen instruction, and improve student outcomes. Participants will leave with clear, actionable strategies they can apply immediately in their own classrooms or schools.

Session Title: All In: Crafting Your Attendance Story—From Challenge to Change 

Presenters: Sam Sinovich and Mike Lipinski

Description: Chronic absenteeism impacts student achievement, school culture, and district performance, but it doesn't have to define your school's future. In this interactive session, we will explore the proven strategies that helped one district transform their approach.. 

Participants will hear the compelling three-year journey of CUSD 201’s Miller Elementary & Westmont Junior High School,  discovering the shifts in mindset, vision, and practice that moved the needle and got kids to school. You will learn which interventions made the biggest impact, how to identify the root causes of chronic absenteeism in your own building, and how to build genuine partnerships with families and students.

What You'll Walk Away With:

• Real-world insights from a district that took action and saw immediate growth

• A framework for diagnosing chronic absenteeism in your school community

• Practical strategies you can implement immediately

• A personalized action plan tailored to your school's unique context and challenges

Whether you are a principal, counselor, teacher leader, or district administrator, this session will equip you with the tools and confidence to address one of education's most persistent challenges. Leave ready to lead change and create a culture where every student shows up and feels valued when they do!

Session Title: Leading with a Coaching Mindset: Building True Capacity within Systems Change 

Presenters: Tiffanie Torrisi and Emilee Huntley

Description: Every leader faces barriers when it comes to systems change. In this session, we'll explore how adopting a coaching mindset helps build sustainable shifts in practices, among staff, teams, & other leaders, to truly build capacity... leading to lasting and impactful improvements that stick!