MODEL SCHOOLS CONFERENCE

Event Agenda

June 22–25, 2025 | Gaylord National DC

Join our featured speakers, Model Schools, Innovative Districts, Epic Educators, and Aspiring Model Schools as they share best practices in leadership, teaching & learning, assessment, inclusivity, literacy, school culture, family and community engagement, and so much more!

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired!

Featured speakers

Keynote speakers

Energize your Passion

Dr. Adam Drummond

Author, Senior Director
Center for Model Schools

Fueling your Momentum: You Owe YOU

Eric Thomas, Ph.D

Author, Speaker, Educator
Eric Thomas & Associates

Stories as a Catalyst: Transforming Education through the Currency of Connection

Dr. Mary Hemphill

CEO & Founder, The Limitless Leader; Senior Fellow
Center for Model Schools

Powerful Engagement Strategies

Theresa Atchison

Instruction and Leadership Coach

Low-prep, High-yield: Formative Assessment Strategies

Alisa Braddy

Instruction and Leadership Coach

Instructional Leadership

Dr. Adam Drummond

Author, Senior Director; Center for Model Schools

Seeing the Potential in Every Student

Kyle Greene

Author and Keynote Speaker

Creating Connections in Classrooms

Leah LeComte

Instruction and Leadership Coach

Personal Climate and Culture

Gerry Brooks

Teacher

Keeping the Vision in Tune: Aligning Culture with Action

Karen Cagle

Instruction and Leadership Coach

NWEA Data for Differentiation

Dr. Heather Schmidt

Former Superintendent; Instruction and Leadership Coach

Developing Reading Fluency with Intermediate and Adolescent Multilingual Learners Across the School Day (k–8)

Jennifer Finney-Ellison

Educator and English 3D program co-author

Deepening Student Discourse

Denise White

Instruction and Leadership Coach, Center for Model Schools

Navigating the Future of Education: A Superintendent Strategy Forum

Dr. Chris Price

Senior Director, Center for Model Schools

From 'Help!' to 'I've Got This!': 1 Framework and 10 High-Impact Strategies to Empower New Teachers

Berit Gordan

Teacher, Author, and Consultant

An Educator's Playlist

Anthony Colannino

Principal, President, Leading and Teaching for Growth

Rise and Shine: Building Resilient Educators for a Brighter Tomorrow

Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket

Principal, Howard County Public School System

Make an Impact: Inspire Growth and Plant Positive Seeds

Robert Jackson

National Education Consultant, Robert Jackson Consulting LLC

Student Engagement: More than Buzz

Stascia Hardy

Epic Educator

Tools to Turn Conflict into Resolution

Danny Konopasek

Instruction and Leadership Coach

Closing Learning Gaps

Glenn Ledet

Instruction and Leadership Coach

High Performance Under Pressure

Andrew Marotta

Director of Communications & Academic Services, Port Jervis School District; Author

Channeling a Student

Derek Pitts

Instruction and Leadership Coach

Straight Facts on Dyslexia

Dr. Tiffany Peltier

Senior Professional Learning Strategy Consultant, NWEA

Fostering a Culture of Ambitious Instruction

Robert Thornell

Author and Instruction and Leadership Coach

Workshop Your Words

Oatanisha Dawson

Instruction and Leadership Coach, Center for Model Schools

Leading with Purpose: A real-world guide to school leadership

Dr. Marc Cohen

Instruction and Leadership Coach, Center for Model Schools

Empowering Multilingual Learners in Evolving Educational Environments

Lauren Black

Product Enablement Director, HMH

Advanced Map Growth

Dr. Susan Price

Director of Professional Learning NWEA/HMH, Former Executive Director of Curriculum, Jefferson County Public Schools

Essential Map Growth Reports for Leaders

Dr. Beth Praska

Senior Professional Learning Consultant NWEA/HMH, Former Consultant and Literacy Specialist for the Minnesota DOE and the University of Minnesota

HMH Literacy strand sessions

(Read 180, Into Reading, Into Literature, & English 3D users)

Empowering Teachers Through AI: AI Teacher Personas

Francie Alexander

SVP Efficacy Research, NWEA

Empowering Teachers Through AI: AI Teacher Personas

Using AI to Support Multilingual Learners

Amy Endo

Efficacy Research Director, NWEA

Check Out Read 180's New Bookshelf to Foster Independent

Identifying Key "Look Fors" in Structured Literacy Instruction

Reading The Read 180 Experience on Ed

The Real Deal of Planning for the ReaL Book Workshop Lessons

Cherith Fluker

Director of Professional Learning, HMH

Finding Their Happy Place: How Placement Decisions Are Made in Read 180

The Read 180 Experience on Ed

So, You Want Me to Differentiate in My Secondary Classroom?

Leslie Claiborne

Instructional Coach, HMH

Shift Students from Self(ish) Connections to Globally Confident Ones

Transition Your Young Writers from Formulaic Writing to Evidence-Based Responses

Efficiency Unleashed: How Writable Empowers Educators with AI to Save Time and Grow Great Writers

Make and Take: AI Generated Vocabulary

Patrice Bruny

Senior Implementation Manager, HMH

The Must Dos for Every Foundational Skill K-2 Into Reading Lesson

Observing a Model Lesson in Structured Literacy

Amp Up Your Structured Literacy Lessons with Foundational Fun

Make and Take: Build a Phonics Fun Toolkit

Kaci Dengler

Instructional Coach Teacher's Corner, HMH

Ready, Set, Differentiate to Get Students Into Reading

Mastering the Into Reading Scope and Sequence of Foundational Skills

Observing a Model Lesson in Structured Literacy Identifying Key "Look Fors" in Structured Literacy Instruction

An Instructional Reveal: Unbox a SOR Aligned Classroom with Into Reading

Get Into the Groove with Instructional Routines K-5

Kayla Dyer

Literacy Coach Teacher's Corner, HMH

Lesson-Aligned Interventions

Get the 411: Discover Key Reports

Get Into the Groove with Instructional Routines K-5

Noelle Morris

Senior Director of Community Engagement, HMH

Foster Independent Reading with the Read 180 Bookshelf

Independent Reading from Z to A: Get Students to Love Reading

Jakeima Lewis

Teacher Grade 6, TX

How Can I Support My Teachers with Into Reading?

Rowena Penn

Principal, Teacher's Corner from HMH, The Family School

The Art and Science of Timely Correct and Redirect Instructional Feedback

An Into Reading Must Know: Fluency Routines that Should Not Stop at Grade 2

Teresa Ranieri

Literacy Coach K-5, Teacher's Corner, HMH

Enhancing Academic Writing with Multilingual Learners

Unlock the Power of Multilingualism! Making Connections Between Home Languages and English

The English 3D Experience

Wined Negron Cruz

Senior Implementation Manager, HMH

How Can I Support My Teachers with Into Reading?

You Don't Have to Forget About Science and Social Studies to Improve Literacy Results

Andrea Burkiett

Director of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction, Savannah Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS)

Prepare for Your First Three Weeks in Read 180

Michaele Teague

Teacher, Grade 6-8

Developing Reading Fluency with Primary Multilingual Learners Across the School Day (K-3)

Developing Reading Fluency with Intermediate and Adolescent Multilingual Learners Across the School Day (4-8)

Jennifer Finney-Ellison

Educator and English 3D program co-author

MSC 2025 Model Schools, Innovative Districts, and Epic Educators

Learn from educators driving transformational change.

Academy of Innovation at Remington, St. Louis, MO

Arcadia Elementary School, Tuscaloosa, AL

Brock Road Elementary School, Spotsylvania, VA

Compass Elementary School, Kansas City, MO

Dannelly Elementary School, Montgomery, AL

Dover Elementary School, Orangeburg, SC

Glenn Duncan Elementary School, Reno, NV

Hamilton Elementary School, Moline, IL

James Avant Elementary School, East St. Louis, IL

Matilda Hartley Elementary School, Macon, GA

Midway Elementary School, Blackshear, GA

Ricardo Richards Elementary School, St. Croix, VI

Rich Pond Elementary School, Warren, KY

Rozelle Elementary School, Memphis, TN

Sonny Carter Elementary School, Macon, GA

Woodland Forrest Elementary School, Tuscaloosa, AL

Brookland Junior High School, Brookland, AR

Dag Hammarskjöld Middle School, Wallingford, CT

Fountain Hills Middle School, Fountain Hills, AZ

Green Acres Middle School, Birmingham, AL

Huntington East Middle School, Huntington, WV

Irmo Middle School, Columbia, SC

Millennium Middle School, Sanford, FL

Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences, Palatka, FL

Ridgeland Secondary Academy of Excellence, Ridgeland, SC

Smyrna Middle School, Smryna, TN

Bedford High School, Bedford, OH

Central High School, Phenix City, AL

Dougherty Comprehensive High School, Albany, GA

Fountain Hills High School, Fountain Hills, AZ

Garrett Morgan School of Engineering High School, Cleveland, OH

Hedgesville High School, Hedgesville, WV

Homer High School, Homer, LA

Innovation Academy High School, Medford, OR

Lathrop High School, Lathrop, CA

NeoCity Academy, Kissimmee, FL

Potomac Falls High School, Potomac Falls, VA

Shadle Park High School, Spokane, WA

Aiken County Public Schools, Aiken, SC

Berkeley County Schools, Berkeley, WV

Moline-Coal Valley School District, Moline, IL

Delaware Valley School District, Milford, PA

Ferris ISD, Ferris, TX

Gilbert Public Schools, Gilbert, AZ

Allendale Fairfax School System, Fairfax, SC

School District of Indian River County, Indian River, FL

Shawn Desmond, Principal
Avon Middle High School, Avon, MA

Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket, Principal
Howard County Public School System, Ellicott City, MD

Colleen Fitzpatrick, Curriculum Supervisor
Middletown Public Schools, Middletown, CT

Maura Thompson, Teacher
Middletown Public Schools, Middletown, CT

Christopher Gibbs, Teacher
Volusia County Schools, Deland, FL

Robert Hinchiffe, Principal
Tyrone Thompson Elementary School, Las Vegas, NV

Courtney Jolly, Instructional Curriculum Coach
Memphis Shelby County Schools, Memphis, TN

Alexis Kelly, Teacher
Barack and Michelle Obama Elementary, Atlanta, GA

Ms. Loraine Foushee Media Specialist
Barack and Michelle Obama Elementary, Atlanta, GA

Mrs. Dekesha Marshall 5th Grade Reading & Social Studies Teacher
Barack and Michelle Obama Elementary, Atlanta, GA

Vernon Lowery, Principal
Cumberland County Schools, Fayettville, NC

Sunday, June 22
9:00am–7:00pm	Registration
11:00am–4:00pm	Pre-Conference Sessions (optional, lunch included)
7:00pm–8:00pm	Opening Keynote Experience—Potomac Ballroom

Monday, June 23
7:00am–8:00am	Light Breakfast—included
7:00am–4:00pm	Registration
8:00am–9:00am	Opening Keynote—Potomac Ballroom
9:30am–12:00pm	Concurrent Sessions
12:00pm–1:30pm	Lunch—included
1:30pm–4:00pm	Concurrent Sessions

Tuesday, June 24
7:00am–8:00am	Light Breakfast—included
7:00am–4:00pm	Registration
8:00am–12:00pm	Concurrent Sessions
12:00pm–1:30pm	Lunch—included
1:30pm–4:00pm	Concurrent Sessions

Wednesday, June 25
7:00am–8:00am	Light Breakfast—included
8:00am–12:00pm	Concurrent Sessions
11:00am–noon	Closing Keynote—Potomac Ballroom

*Breakfast & Lunch included on Monday & Tuesday and Breakfast on Wednesday

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center | 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD

Leading a system that learns

Effective leaders live by this truth: If you want to solve a problem in your organization, examine the systems that cause it. In this collaborative, action-oriented pre-conference experience, we zero in on leaders’ primary role in elevating learning for all students as we investigate the systems of assessment and instruction. This session is designed to meet role-specific needs for creating lasting impact in schools, as we:

Define leadership values that match your school’s vision and mission.
Visually map how teaching and assessment systems affect student results.
Plan how to distribute leadership to ensure consistent teaching practices.

Target Audience: Superintendents/Assistant Superintendents, Principals, Assistant Principals; all other district and building instructional leaders and/or aspiring leaders.

Strategies to engage all learners

Are your students consistently engaged in learning? Let's explore how to captivate the diverse minds in your classroom, day-in and day-out, by deepening our instructional toolboxes. In this interactive pre-conference, you'll dive into engagement strategies that lay the foundation for learning based on high expectations, critical thinking, deep understanding, and real-world relevance. Join us for an immersive experience that places student learning at the heart of professional practice and reinvigorates our ideas around instructional excellence.

Target Audience: Classroom teachers, support staff, special education teachers, guidance counselors, and more.

Full program agenda with session day/times coming soon.

Experience Unique, Impactful Professional Learning

Explore 150+ sessions designed to help you tackle today’s most pressing educational challenges head-on.

School Improvement

Driving continuous growth for student success.

Strategic Planning

Aligning goals, data, and actions for lasting impact.

Assessment

Using data to measure progress and inform instruction.

Literacy

Building strong reading and writing skills for lifelong learning, Including PD for Read 180, Into Reading, Into Literature, and English 3D users!

SPED

Supporting diverse learners through MTSS with inclusive, data-driven, and tailored instruction.

Supporting Effective Instruction

Strategies to enhance teaching and student outcomes.

MODEL SCHOOLS CONFERENCE

Event Agenda

Featured speakers

Keynote speakers

Energize your Passion

Fueling your Momentum: You Owe YOU

Stories as a Catalyst: Transforming Education through the Currency of Connection

MSC 2025 Model Schools, Innovative Districts, and Epic Educators

Featured programming

Experience Unique, Impactful Professional Learning

School Improvement

Strategic Planning

Assessment

Literacy

SPED

Supporting Effective Instruction

Secure spots for your team today!

Curriculum

Resources

Company

Divisions

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Secure best pricing today!