Empowering Leaders' Symposium 2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to the Henrico County Public Schools 2026 Empowering Leaders Symposium

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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9:00am EDT

Leading in the Age of AI: Strategy, Practice, and Efficiency

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

2005

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping education, requiring school leadership to evolve just as quickly. This session empowers HCPS leaders to move beyond the hype and harness AI as a responsible tool for both instructional excellence and administrative efficiency.

Participants will explore a dual approach to AI:

Instructional Leadership: Examine approved HCPS tools, academic integrity frameworks, and strategies to align AI use with high-quality instruction and the Henrico Learner Profile.

Operational Efficiency: Engage in hands-on exploration of tools like Gemini and NotebookLM to streamline workflows, manage complex communications, and reduce cognitive load.

Speakers

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 →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2005

Learning Environment

9:00am EDT

MTSS Protocol Updates for 2026-2027

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

2113

This session outlines key MTSS protocol updates for the 2026–2027 school year, with a focused emphasis on clearly defined PBIS and Intervention Team roles, responsibilities, and processes. School administrators will review expectations for tiered supports, team structures, referral and progress-monitoring procedures, and decision-making protocols that promote consistency and fidelity across schools. The session is designed to support leaders in ensuring shared understanding, accountability, and alignment of MTSS practices to improve student outcomes.

Speakers

Julian Rieder

MTSS Specialist, Central Office- MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports)

Julian Rieder has been working in education for 15 years as a music teacher, special education instructor, behavior analyst & coach for schools and families, as well as Intervention Team Coordinator & MTSS Specialist for Henrico. He is a K-12 product of HCPS and currently resides... Read More →

JaNee Boston

MTSS Coordinator, Central Office- MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports)

MTSS Coordinator- Tier 1

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2113

Learning Environment

10:25am EDT

FACE: Build, Bridge Boost Effective Strategies for Family and Community Engagement

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

1104

Discover innovative strategies to implement best practices in family and community engagement, fostering meaningful collaboration among all stakeholders. Walk away from this session with tangible action items that will drive stronger relationships, increase participation, and lead to better academic and social outcomes for students and families

Speakers

Marci Goode

Extended Day/Community Learning Center Coordinator, Henrico County Public Schools

Seth Knight

Specialist, Division Family and Community Engagement

Leslie Velez

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
1104

Learning Environment

10:25am EDT

Leading in the Age of AI: Strategy, Practice, and Efficiency

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

2005

Speakers

Kourtney Bostain

Director of Innovation

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2005

Learning Environment

10:25am EDT

MTSS Protocol Updates for 2026-2027

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

2113

Speakers

Julian Rieder

MTSS Specialist, Central Office- MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports)

JaNee Boston

MTSS Coordinator, Central Office- MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports)

MTSS Coordinator- Tier 1

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2113

Learning Environment

10:25am EDT

Setting Students up for Success: How to support reshaping challenging behaviors through behavior SDI (+curriculum options)

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

2203

This session will explore practical strategies to proactively support students with challenging behaviors through targeted Behavior Specially Designed Instruction (SDI). Participants will explore evidence-based interventions and how we can create supportive classroom environments that foster positive outcomes. The training also highlights curriculum options and adaptations that align with behavioral goals, ensuring instruction remains accessible, engaging, and meaningful for all learners. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to support behavioral needs, promote student success, and strengthen instructional effectiveness.

Speakers

Michele Andrews

Kristin Herman

Exceptional Education Coordinator, Henrico County Public Schools

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2203

Learning Environment

12:40pm EDT

MTSS Platforms Usage for 2026-2027

Tuesday July 28, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT

2113

This session provides school administrators with a strategic overview of how a few of PowerSchool’s platforms will be used together to support effective implementation of tiered strategies for the 2026–2027 school year. Participants will explore practical use cases across Kickboard/Behavior Support, MTSS Interventions, MTSS Student Plans, and Unified Analytics & Insights to monitor student needs, align supports across tiers, and improve team decision-making. The session focuses on leveraging integrated data to drive consistency, fidelity, and impact in MTSS practices.

Speakers