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Empowering Leaders' Symposium 2026
Welcome to the Henrico County Public Schools 2026 Empowering Leaders Symposium
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Wednesday, June 3
 

10:15am EDT

Say what? Engaging families and staff through meaningful communication
Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EDT
1104
School administrators will explore practical strategies for crafting clear, impactful messages that connect with families and staff without overwhelming them. We'll discuss how to bridge the gap between complex school operations and everyday understanding to promote inclusivity and engagement. We will also talk about the challenges of information overload and how to effectively use tools like ParentSquare, newsletters, social media, and media relations to strengthen communication.
Speakers
KB
avatar for Eileen Cox

Eileen Cox

Chief of Communications, Henrico County Public Schools
DG
CG
CO

Chris OBrion

Communications Specialist
Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:15am - 11:30am EDT
1104
  Learning Environment, Recommended

12:30pm EDT

AI-Ready Leadership
Wednesday June 3, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT
2212
Please join the Department of Innovation for “AI-Ready Leadership.” Leading AI at your school starts with developing your own skills. Through this session, participants will explore essential AI competencies for school leaders, boosting your productivity, creativity, and leadership effectiveness. We will cut through the complexity to reinforce your existing foundational AI knowledge and provide the essential AI literacies leaders need to thrive today. This session will empower you to confidently use, model, and lead safe, effective AI implementation in your school, helping you to remain an informed leader.
Speakers
avatar for Kourtney Bostain

Kourtney Bostain

Director of Innovation
Kourtney is in her 23rd year in education and currently serves as the Director of Innovation for Henrico County Public Schools. She started her career as a middle school social studies teacher at Brookland Middle, then moved into instructional technology as an ITRT at Moody and Quioccasin... Read More →
avatar for Jon Gregori

Jon Gregori

Education Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools
Innovation Specialist
Wednesday June 3, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT
2212
  Learning Environment, Choice for all leaders

12:30pm EDT

BLISS? Supporting Students with Challenging Behaviors
Wednesday June 3, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT
1207
Description of the BLISS program (profile of students and interventions) for administrators who may not be familiar with the program. Learn to think about student consequences using a new lens.
Speakers
MA
Wednesday June 3, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT
1207
  Learning Environment, Recommended

12:30pm EDT

Explicit Instruction
Wednesday June 3, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT
2210
Learn how the Explicit Instruction approach, developed by Dr. Anita Archer, promotes student achievement, academic engagement, and on-task behavior and helps teachers cover content more deeply and quickly. Throughout the learning, participants will explore the core concepts of Explicit Instruction, a set of research based design and delivery principles that provide a clear model for what impactful classroom instruction looks like.
Speakers
avatar for Drew Baker

Drew Baker

Education Specialist, Henrico County
PLL Specialist
avatar for Jenn Coleman

Jenn Coleman

Professional Learning and Leadership Specialist, Henrico County
PLL Coordinator
avatar for Taren Meekins

Taren Meekins

Coordinator, Professional Learning and Leadership, HCPS Professional Learning and Leadership

Wednesday June 3, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT
2210
  Learning Environment, Choice for all leaders

12:30pm EDT

Say what? Engaging families and staff through meaningful communication
Wednesday June 3, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT
1104
School administrators will explore practical strategies for crafting clear, impactful messages that connect with families and staff without overwhelming them. We'll discuss how to bridge the gap between complex school operations and everyday understanding to promote inclusivity and engagement. We will also talk about the challenges of information overload and how to effectively use tools like ParentSquare, newsletters, social media, and media relations to strengthen communication.
Speakers
KB
avatar for Eileen Cox

Eileen Cox

Chief of Communications, Henrico County Public Schools
DG
CG
CO

Chris OBrion

Communications Specialist
Wednesday June 3, 2026 12:30pm - 1:45pm EDT
1104
  Learning Environment, Recommended

1:55pm EDT

Explicit Instruction
Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:55pm - 3:10pm EDT
2210
Learn how the Explicit Instruction approach, developed by Dr. Anita Archer, promotes student achievement, academic engagement, and on-task behavior and helps teachers cover content more deeply and quickly. Throughout the learning, participants will explore the core concepts of Explicit Instruction, a set of research based design and delivery principles that provide a clear model for what impactful classroom instruction looks like.
Speakers
avatar for Drew Baker

Drew Baker

Education Specialist, Henrico County
PLL Specialist
avatar for Jenn Coleman

Jenn Coleman

Professional Learning and Leadership Specialist, Henrico County
PLL Coordinator
avatar for Taren Meekins

Taren Meekins

Coordinator, Professional Learning and Leadership, HCPS Professional Learning and Leadership

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:55pm - 3:10pm EDT
2210
  Learning Environment, Choice for all leaders

1:55pm EDT

Get in the Game: Boost Student Engagement and Belonging
Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:55pm - 3:10pm EDT
2203
Let’s "Get in the Game" and have serious fun at school that builds student engagement, improves attendance, and strengthens learners and community alike. Join the Innovation and Gifted departments for an introduction to the many game-changing opportunities available in Henrico, including FIRST, Rubik’s, Chess, Minecraft, Esports, and more. Whether you are looking to start a club, support PBIS, or build a competitive team, you will learn about new pathways for student success! You will leave with a menu of game-changing opportunities for your students and an early invitation to be "All In" on February 25, 2026.
Speakers
avatar for Kourtney Bostain

Kourtney Bostain

Director of Innovation
Kourtney is in her 23rd year in education and currently serves as the Director of Innovation for Henrico County Public Schools. She started her career as a middle school social studies teacher at Brookland Middle, then moved into instructional technology as an ITRT at Moody and Quioccasin... Read More →
avatar for Elizabeth Kirk

Elizabeth Kirk

Education Specialist - Innovation, Henrico County Public Schools
Elizabeth has 29 years of experience in education. She spent 18 years teaching 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade in Lynchburg City and Chesterfield County. She also served as a STEM Coach for Powhatan County and a Curriculum Specialist at VCU for the Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching... Read More →
Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:55pm - 3:10pm EDT
2203
  Learning Environment, Choice for all leaders

3:20pm EDT

AI-Ready Schools
Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:20pm - 4:35pm EDT
2105
Please join the Department of Innovation for “AI-Ready Schools.” Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping education, and schools that embrace this shift will be best equipped to adapt and thrive. Through this session, participants will explore a school-wide blueprint for integrating AI safely, responsibly, and equitably, so no one is left behind. You will get practical strategies for cultivating innovation among teachers, strengthening students' digital literacy and citizenship skills, and seamlessly weaving AI initiatives into your school’s goals. Leave with actionable ideas and tools to help lead your school to become AI-ready.
Speakers
avatar for Kourtney Bostain

Kourtney Bostain

Director of Innovation
Kourtney is in her 23rd year in education and currently serves as the Director of Innovation for Henrico County Public Schools. She started her career as a middle school social studies teacher at Brookland Middle, then moved into instructional technology as an ITRT at Moody and Quioccasin... Read More →
avatar for Jon Gregori

Jon Gregori

Education Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools
Innovation Specialist
avatar for Doug Saunders

Doug Saunders

Innovative Learning Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools
I work in the Department of Innovation for Henrico County Public Schools, where I enjoy supporting school leaders and educators in designing forward-thinking learning experiences. I'm passionate about creativity, collaboration, and exploring emergent technologies that can transform... Read More →
Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:20pm - 4:35pm EDT
2105
  Learning Environment, Choice for all leaders

3:20pm EDT

EDO Empowering School Culture Principal Focus Group
Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:20pm - 4:35pm EDT
1108
Participants will share a collaborative space to provide expertise and critical feedback on the school district’s equity-driven efforts in alignment with the HCPS strategic plan: Journey to 2030.
Speakers
avatar for Tiffany Lewis

Tiffany Lewis

Chief, Division of Equity, Diversity, and Opportunity, Henrico County Public Schools
avatar for Kyle McCollum

Kyle McCollum

Education Specialist, Division of Empowerment, Development, & Opportunity
Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:20pm - 4:35pm EDT
1108
  Learning Environment

3:20pm EDT

Get in the Game: Boost Student Engagement and Belonging
Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:20pm - 4:35pm EDT
2203
Let’s "Get in the Game" and have serious fun at school that builds student engagement, improves attendance, and strengthens learners and community alike. Join the Innovation and Gifted departments for an introduction to the many game-changing opportunities available in Henrico, including FIRST, Rubik’s, Chess, Minecraft, Esports, and more. Whether you are looking to start a club, support PBIS, or build a competitive team, you will learn about new pathways for student success! You will leave with a menu of game-changing opportunities for your students and an early invitation to be "All In" on February 25, 2026.
Speakers
avatar for Kourtney Bostain

Kourtney Bostain

Director of Innovation
Kourtney is in her 23rd year in education and currently serves as the Director of Innovation for Henrico County Public Schools. She started her career as a middle school social studies teacher at Brookland Middle, then moved into instructional technology as an ITRT at Moody and Quioccasin... Read More →
avatar for Elizabeth Kirk

Elizabeth Kirk

Education Specialist - Innovation, Henrico County Public Schools
Elizabeth has 29 years of experience in education. She spent 18 years teaching 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade in Lynchburg City and Chesterfield County. She also served as a STEM Coach for Powhatan County and a Curriculum Specialist at VCU for the Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching... Read More →
Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:20pm - 4:35pm EDT
2203
  Learning Environment, Choice for all leaders
 

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