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Empowering Leaders' Symposium 2026
Welcome to the Henrico County Public Schools 2026 Empowering Leaders Symposium
Type: Academic Achievement clear filter
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Tuesday, July 28
 

9:00am EDT

Required- Operationalizing Instructional Framework- Elementary Leaders
Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Auditorium

Speakers
TH

Tonya Holmes

Principal Elementary, Henrico County Public Schools
MD
ST
Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Auditorium
  Academic Achievement, Key Session

9:00am EDT

A New Era for Student Growth Measures
Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
1106/1107
How can leaders use new flexibility around student growth measures to ensure continuous instructional improvement
Speakers
TS

Taylor Snow

Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning, Henrico County Public Schools

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
1106/1107
  Academic Achievement

9:00am EDT

Assessment Updates in Social Studies: Alternative Assessment and Verified Credit Explained (PK-12 Leaders)
Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2102
Recent updates to Local Alternative Assessments (LAA) and Permissive Local Alternative Assessments (PLAA) are shaping how social studies is assessed and how students earn verified credit. This session is designed to provide K–12 leaders with a clear, practical overview of what has changed and what it means for their schools. In addition to understanding what has changed, leaders will explore the implications for scheduling, staffing, and instructional planning, including shifts in scoring responsibilities and the use of performance-based assessments. Time will be dedicated to highlighting key considerations for implementation and preparing schools for upcoming guidance and timelines.
Speakers
avatar for Cat Latcovich

Cat Latcovich

Educational Specialist - Secondary Social Studies, Henrico County Public Schools
avatar for Alissa Straus

Alissa Straus

Elementary Social Studies Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools


Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2102
  Academic Achievement

9:00am EDT

From Scaffolding to Success: Leading the Shift to Engineered Content
Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2109/2110
This session shifts the focus from simplifying content to engineering it for Multilingual Learner (ML) success. Leaders will identify high-leverage instructional moves and evidence-based techniques that bridge the gap between language proficiency and grade-level rigor. Explore how amplified texts maintain linguistic complexity, ensuring MLs can both access and master the curriculum. Gain a coaching framework to analyze ML literacy profiles, guide PLCs to maintain rigor, and know exactly what to look for when observing teachers using engineered or amplified text.
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Modrak

Sarah Modrak

LIEP/ESL Education Specialist, Teaching & Learning
ESL Specialist, Coordinator or Coach
AH

Alexa Haynie

ESL Division Coordinator
DC
Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2109/2110
  Academic Achievement

9:00am EDT

Grow your data culture with Unified Insights
Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
1109
Unlock the full potential of your classroom and administrative data with Unified Insights, a collaborative space designed to sharpen your reporting skills and foster a data-informed school culture. Whether you’re looking to streamline your current workflows or want to explore advanced visualization techniques, this session  provides the skills and tools to turn information into impact.
Speakers
avatar for Joy McDonald

Joy McDonald

Education Specialist Data Analyst, Assessment, Research and Evaluation
Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
1109
  Academic Achievement

9:00am EDT

Science Curriculum Updates for Middle School
Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2003
Opportunities abound within the middle school science curriculum for students to make cross-content connections and explore. Let's take a journey together through the updates within the middle school science curriculum to provide all 6th grade students an opportunity to develop their Environmental Literacy through an experince at the Wilton Farm Living Building and make connections to topics within the Advanced Life Science and Advanced Physical courses.
Speakers
RT
Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2003
  Academic Achievement

9:00am EDT

Strengthening Thinking Across Content Areas: Using thinkLaw in Secondary Classrooms
Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2104
How can we elevate student thinking across middle and high school content areas in ways that are rigorous, relevant, and aligned to standards? This session introduces principals to the use of thinkLaw (free subscription access for Henrico staff) as a tool to deepen critical thinking, argumentation, and problem-solving across disciplines.Participants will explore what thinkLaw looks like in practice in secondary classrooms, including examples from core content areas. The session will highlight how structured reasoning tasks, such as analyzing multiple perspectives, constructing arguments, and evaluating evidence, can increase student engagement and push thinking beyond recall.

Principals will leave with practical look-fors, connections to SOL rigor, and strategies to support teachers in embedding thinkLaw into daily instruction to strengthen student outcomes across content areas.
Speakers
avatar for Matt Parker

Matt Parker

Gifted Talent Development Coordinator, Henrico County Public Schools
JC
JH
Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2104
  Academic Achievement

9:00am EDT

Explicit Instruction: Vocabulary & Modeling and Gradual Release (Secondary)
Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:25am EDT
2004
To be determined
Speakers
avatar for Kendall Hunt

Kendall Hunt

Education Specialist Middle School Literacy, HCPS Secondary Teaching and Learning
Educational Specialist Middle School Literacy
avatar for Drew Baker

Drew Baker

Education Specialist, Henrico County
PLL Specialist
Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:25am EDT
2004
  Academic Achievement

10:25am EDT

Assessment Updates in Social Studies: Alternative Assessment and Verified Credit Explained (PK-12 Leaders)
Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2102
Recent updates to Local Alternative Assessments (LAA) and Permissive Local Alternative Assessments (PLAA) are shaping how social studies is assessed and how students earn verified credit. This session is designed to provide K–12 leaders with a clear, practical overview of what has changed and what it means for their schools. In addition to understanding what has changed, leaders will explore the implications for scheduling, staffing, and instructional planning, including shifts in scoring responsibilities and the use of performance-based assessments. Time will be dedicated to highlighting key considerations for implementation and preparing schools for upcoming guidance and timelines.
Speakers
avatar for Cat Latcovich

Cat Latcovich

Educational Specialist - Secondary Social Studies, Henrico County Public Schools
avatar for Alissa Straus

Alissa Straus

Elementary Social Studies Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools


Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2102
  Academic Achievement

10:25am EDT

From Scaffolding to Success: Leading the Shift to Engineered Content
Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2109/2110
This session shifts the focus from simplifying content to engineering it for Multilingual Learner (ML) success. Leaders will identify high-leverage instructional moves and evidence-based techniques that bridge the gap between language proficiency and grade-level rigor. Explore how amplified texts maintain linguistic complexity, ensuring MLs can both access and master the curriculum. Gain a coaching framework to analyze ML literacy profiles, guide PLCs to maintain rigor, and know exactly what to look for when observing teachers using engineered or amplified text.
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Modrak

Sarah Modrak

LIEP/ESL Education Specialist, Teaching & Learning
ESL Specialist, Coordinator or Coach
AH

Alexa Haynie

ESL Division Coordinator
DC
Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2109/2110
  Academic Achievement

10:25am EDT

Performance Matters: Reports
Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
1109
Learn to build Performance Matters reports that bridge the gap between micro and macro-level analysis. Much like a high-definition lens, this session empowers you to construct custom reports that visualize overall pass rates across key demographics, including Race, EXED, and MLL status. Learn to toggle between broad trends and individual student performance to ensure no learner is lost in the data. By leveraging these sophisticated reporting tools, you will transform complex subgroups into clear, actionable snapshots that drive instruction.
Speakers
PR

Phil Riddle

Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools
avatar for Joy McDonald

Joy McDonald

Education Specialist Data Analyst, Assessment, Research and Evaluation
Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
1109
  Academic Achievement

10:25am EDT

Required Secondary Leaders- Operationalizing the Instructional Framework
Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
Auditorium

Speakers
TS

Taylor Snow

Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning, Henrico County Public Schools

avatar for Deia Champ

Deia Champ

Director of Middle Schools, HCPS
avatar for Thomas Ferrell, Jr.

Thomas Ferrell, Jr.

Director of High School Education, Henrico County Public Schools
Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
Auditorium
  Academic Achievement, Key Session

10:25am EDT

Seeing the Lesson: How to Recognize Strong Literacy Instruction in Real Time
Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2103
Move beyond surface-level engagement to identify what truly matters in literacy instruction. This session focuses on how to recognize evidence of strong teaching and learning during classroom visits, with an emphasis on what students are reading, writing, and thinking across foundational skills, comprehension, and small group instruction. Participants will leave with clear, actionable look-fors to guide feedback, calibrate expectations, and support consistent, high-quality literacy instruction across classrooms.
Speakers
avatar for Christina Saunders

Christina Saunders

Education Specialist - Elementary ELA, Henrico County Public Schools
Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2103
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

A New Era for Student Growth Measures
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
1106/1107
How can leaders use new flexibility around student growth measures to ensure continuous instructional improvement
Speakers
TS

Taylor Snow

Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning, Henrico County Public Schools

Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
1106/1107
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Behavioral Engagement with OTRs (TPTs, Kagan, Project Zero)
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
1208/1209
To be determined
Speakers
avatar for Taren Meekins

Taren Meekins

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

avatar for Cat Latcovich

Cat Latcovich

Educational Specialist - Secondary Social Studies, Henrico County Public Schools
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
1208/1209
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Elevating Student Learning: Observing What Matters Most in Science Instruction
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2102
Deepen your understanding of what high-quality science instruction looks like in the elementary and secondary classrooms. Explore key indicators of student engagement, scientific discourse, hands-on investigations, and reflective practice. Together, we’ll unpack observable practices that support inquiry-based learning, discuss how to recognize effective questioning and discourse strategies, and examine tools to guide meaningful feedback and teacher reflection. Leave with a clear vision and actionable look-fors to support powerful science teaching in every classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Karen Hues

Karen Hues

Elementary Science Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools
RT
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2102
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Grow your data culture with Unified Insights
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
1108
Unlock the full potential of your classroom and administrative data with Unified Insights, a collaborative space designed to sharpen your reporting skills and foster a data-informed school culture. Whether you’re looking to streamline your current workflows or want to explore advanced visualization techniques, this session  provides the skills and tools to turn information into impact.
Speakers
avatar for Joy McDonald

Joy McDonald

Education Specialist Data Analyst, Assessment, Research and Evaluation
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
1108
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Implementing the 2023 Math Standards
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2109/2110
Move beyond surface-level engagement to identify what truly matters in mathematics instruction. This session focuses on the evidenced-based practices from the VDOE along how to recognize evidence of strong teaching and learning during classroom visits. Participants will leave with clear, actionable look-fors to guide feedback, calibrate expectations, and support consistent, high-quality mathematics instruction across classrooms.
Speakers
KP

Kelly Parker

Elementary Math Specialist, Elementary Teaching and Learning
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2109/2110
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Seeing the Lesson: How to Recognize Strong Literacy Instruction in Real Time
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2103
Move beyond surface-level engagement to identify what truly matters in literacy instruction. This session focuses on how to recognize evidence of strong teaching and learning during classroom visits, with an emphasis on what students are reading, writing, and thinking across foundational skills, comprehension, and small group instruction. Participants will leave with clear, actionable look-fors to guide feedback, calibrate expectations, and support consistent, high-quality literacy instruction across classrooms.
Speakers
avatar for Christina Saunders

Christina Saunders

Education Specialist - Elementary ELA, Henrico County Public Schools
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2103
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Specialty Center Systems and Supports
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2003
This session will highlight the Specialty Center Expectations Handbook. In addition, the session will include recommendations and considerations for specialty center staffing and master scheduling to support equitable access, program integrity, and long-term sustainability across schools. Participants will review and discuss the updated action plan, with an emphasis on shared priorities and continued alignment across specialty center programs.
Speakers
SL

Stephanie Lambrecht

District Leader, Central Office, Department of Teaching and Learning, Specialty Centers
Educational Specialist
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2003
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Supporting Instructional Coaches with The IC Toolkit
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2205
This session helps administrators understand how to use The IC Toolkit to provide strong system support for instructional coaches. Participants will focus on creating the conditions for effective coaching—through role clarity, protected time, and aligned leadership—so coaches can engage in ongoing practice that leads to improved instruction and student learning.
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Combs

Sarah Combs

Coaching Support Specialist, Federal Programs & Foundational Learning
Coaching Support Specialist
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2205
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

The Power of Knowing: Empathy Methods
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
1202
School improvement is not just numbers. The impact of your MSSP can be uncovered through the voices of those implementing and experiencing your selected strategy. Empathy methods can be utilized whether you have just a minute to check in with someone or a dedicated focus group to hear their thoughts and feelings about the strategy. Join us to learn a variety of methods to elevate the voices of your stakeholders, from parents to students to community members.
Speakers
avatar for Jen Perry

Jen Perry

School Quality Manager, Henrico County Public Schools
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
1202
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Unlocking Potential: Leveraging PreK Data for Kindergarten Success
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2204
Most Henrico County elementary schools welcome former Early Learning Preschool (ELP) students who already possess a full year of foundational academic and social-emotional knowledge. As the division prioritizes success in primary grades, these prepared learners represent a significant yet often untapped resource for school growth. This session invites leaders to analyze PreK data trends and observe how early intervention accelerates long-term achievement. Participants will leave with a strategic plan to leverage their specific student data, ensuring Kindergarten teams are equipped to build upon this established momentum.
Speakers
EK
Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2204
  Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

Seeing the Lesson: How to Recognize Strong Literacy Instruction in Real Time
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
2103
Move beyond surface-level engagement to identify what truly matters in literacy instruction. This session focuses on how to recognize evidence of strong teaching and learning during classroom visits, with an emphasis on what students are reading, writing, and thinking across foundational skills, comprehension, and small group instruction. Participants will leave with clear, actionable look-fors to guide feedback, calibrate expectations, and support consistent, high-quality literacy instruction across classrooms.
Speakers
avatar for Christina Saunders

Christina Saunders

Education Specialist - Elementary ELA, Henrico County Public Schools
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
2103
  Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

A New Era for Student Growth Measures
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
1106/1107
How can leaders use new flexibility around student growth measures to ensure continuous instructional improvement
Speakers
TS

Taylor Snow

Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning, Henrico County Public Schools

Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
1106/1107
  Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

Behavioral Engagement with OTRs (TPTs, Kagan, Project Zero)
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2005
To be determined
Speakers
avatar for Taren Meekins

Taren Meekins

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

avatar for Cat Latcovich

Cat Latcovich

Educational Specialist - Secondary Social Studies, Henrico County Public Schools
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2005
  Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

Elevating Student Learning: Observing What Matters Most in Science Instruction
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2102
Deepen your understanding of what high-quality science instruction looks like in the elementary and secondary classrooms. Explore key indicators of student engagement, scientific discourse, hands-on investigations, and reflective practice. Together, we’ll unpack observable practices that support inquiry-based learning, discuss how to recognize effective questioning and discourse strategies, and examine tools to guide meaningful feedback and teacher reflection. Leave with a clear vision and actionable look-fors to support powerful science teaching in every classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Karen Hues

Karen Hues

Elementary Science Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools
RT
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2102
  Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

Explicit Instruction: Vocabulary & Modeling and Gradual Release
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2004
To be determined
Speakers
avatar for Kendall Hunt

Kendall Hunt

Education Specialist Middle School Literacy, HCPS Secondary Teaching and Learning
Educational Specialist Middle School Literacy
avatar for Drew Baker

Drew Baker

Education Specialist, Henrico County
PLL Specialist
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2004
  Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

Implementing the 2023 Math Standards
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
1208/1209
Move beyond surface-level engagement to identify what truly matters in mathematics instruction. This session focuses on the evidenced-based practices from the VDOE along how to recognize evidence of strong teaching and learning during classroom visits. Participants will leave with clear, actionable look-fors to guide feedback, calibrate expectations, and support consistent, high-quality mathematics instruction across classrooms.
Speakers
KP

Kelly Parker

Elementary Math Specialist, Elementary Teaching and Learning
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
1208/1209
  Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

Questioning / Discourse (Cognitive Engagement and Critical Thinking)
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2101
To be determined
Speakers
avatar for Artice Appling

Artice Appling

Education Specialist, Middle School Mathematics, HCPS
MS Math Specialist
avatar for Sarah Morris-Slaughter

Sarah Morris-Slaughter

Educational Specialist of Professional Learning and Leadership, Henrico County Public Schools
Dr. Sarah Morris Slaughter's purpose and passion is helping people to serve others (i.e. students, teachers, admininistrators, educators, colleagues) from an authentic place through the vehicle of professional learning. She has served in numerous capacities to include a middle school... Read More →
avatar for Jon Gregori

Jon Gregori

Education Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools
Innovation Specialist
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2101
  Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

Specialty Center Systems and Supports
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2003
This session will highlight the Specialty Center Expectations Handbook. In addition, the session will include recommendations and considerations for specialty center staffing and master scheduling to support equitable access, program integrity, and long-term sustainability across schools. Participants will review and discuss the updated action plan, with an emphasis on shared priorities and continued alignment across specialty center programs.
Speakers
SL

Stephanie Lambrecht

District Leader, Central Office, Department of Teaching and Learning, Specialty Centers
Educational Specialist
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2003
  Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

The Power of Data: The Journey Continues
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
1204
Meaningful improvement starts with effective measurement. This session will dive deeper into the improvement science principle: “We cannot improve at scale what we cannot measure.”
Through an interactive, hands-on workshop, participants will develop the data journey for at least one key measure of success identified in their school support plan. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to determine what data to collect, how it will be collected, how it will be displayed, and how it can be interpreted to determine next steps.
Speakers
avatar for Jen Perry

Jen Perry

School Quality Manager, Henrico County Public Schools
Tuesday July 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
1204
  Academic Achievement
 

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