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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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Wednesday, July 29
 

9:00am EDT

Required Secondary ESL-- Secondary Leaders
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Auditorium

Speakers
avatar for Sarah Modrak

Sarah Modrak

LIEP/ESL Education Specialist, Teaching & Learning
ESL Specialist, Coordinator or Coach
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Auditorium
  Academic Achievement, Key Session

9:00am EDT

Elevating Student Learning: Observing What Matters Most in Science Instruction
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am 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
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2102
  Academic Achievement

9:00am EDT

Making Data Actionable: Using Literacy Data to Drive Instruction, Not Overwhelm It
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2103
Cut through data overload to focus on what actually improves instruction. This session clarifies the purpose of key literacy assessments and highlights how to identify a small number of high-leverage trends that matter most for teaching and learning. Participants will explore practical structures for leading focused data conversations and translating results into clear, actionable instructional next steps.
Speakers
avatar for Christina Saunders

Christina Saunders

Education Specialist - Elementary ELA, Henrico County Public Schools
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2103
  Academic Achievement

9:00am EDT

Unlocking Potential: Leveraging PreK Data for Kindergarten Success
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2205
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
Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2205
  Academic Achievement

10:25am EDT

ESL- Pinned Session for Elementary Leaders
Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:25am - 11:30am EDT
Auditorium

Speakers
avatar for Sarah Modrak

Sarah Modrak

LIEP/ESL Education Specialist, Teaching & Learning
ESL Specialist, Coordinator or Coach
Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:25am - 11:30am EDT
Auditorium
  Academic Achievement, Key Session

10:25am EDT

Increasing Student Success Across the School Day: Literacy As the Linchpin
Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2004
Improving outcomes for all students takes a school-wide approach. Literacy is the common vehicle that can move the needle for all students. This session will model vocabulary, reading, and writing strategies that can be integrated into any classroom or content. Strategies will focus on student discourse and critical thinking.
Speakers
avatar for Cat Latcovich

Cat Latcovich

Educational Specialist - Secondary Social Studies, Henrico County Public Schools
RT
avatar for Kendall Hunt

Kendall Hunt

Education Specialist Middle School Literacy, HCPS Secondary Teaching and Learning
Educational Specialist Middle School Literacy
Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2004
  Academic Achievement

10:25am EDT

Performance Matters: Reports
Wednesday July 29, 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
avatar for Joy McDonald

Joy McDonald

Education Specialist Data Analyst, Assessment, Research and Evaluation
PR

Phil Riddle

Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools
Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
1109
  Academic Achievement

10:25am EDT

Strengthening Dual Enrollment Implementation
Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2003
This professional learning session is designed for administrators who support Dual Enrollment (DE) programs. Participants will strengthen their understanding of the systems that support effective DE implementation, including Canvas course structures, scheduling considerations, staffing models, and alignment between college and district expectations. The session provides practical guidance to support strong implementation, equitable access, and improved student outcomes in Dual Enrollment pathways.
Speakers
SL

Stephanie Lambrecht

District Leader, Central Office, Department of Teaching and Learning, Specialty Centers
Educational Specialist
CA
ST
Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2003
  Academic Achievement

10:25am EDT

Strengthening Thinking Across Content Areas: Using thinkLaw in Secondary Classrooms
Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am 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
Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2104
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Implementing the 2023 Math Standards
Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm 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
Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
1208/1209
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Increasing Student Success Across the School Day: Literacy As the Linchpin
Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2005
Improving outcomes for all students takes a school-wide approach. Literacy is the common vehicle that can move the needle for all students. This session will model vocabulary, reading, and writing strategies that can be integrated into any classroom or content. Strategies will focus on student discourse and critical thinking.
Speakers
avatar for Cat Latcovich

Cat Latcovich

Educational Specialist - Secondary Social Studies, Henrico County Public Schools
RT
avatar for Kendall Hunt

Kendall Hunt

Education Specialist Middle School Literacy, HCPS Secondary Teaching and Learning
Educational Specialist Middle School Literacy
Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2005
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Making Data Actionable: Using Literacy Data to Drive Instruction, Not Overwhelm It
Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2103
Cut through data overload to focus on what actually improves instruction. This session clarifies the purpose of key literacy assessments and highlights how to identify a small number of high-leverage trends that matter most for teaching and learning. Participants will explore practical structures for leading focused data conversations and translating results into clear, actionable instructional next steps.
Speakers
avatar for Christina Saunders

Christina Saunders

Education Specialist - Elementary ELA, Henrico County Public Schools
Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2103
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Science Curriculum Updates for Middle School
Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2006
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.
Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2006
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Strengthening Dual Enrollment Implementation
Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2003
This professional learning session is designed for administrators who support Dual Enrollment (DE) programs. Participants will strengthen their understanding of the systems that support effective DE implementation, including Canvas course structures, scheduling considerations, staffing models, and alignment between college and district expectations. The session provides practical guidance to support strong implementation, equitable access, and improved student outcomes in Dual Enrollment pathways.
Speakers
SL

Stephanie Lambrecht

District Leader, Central Office, Department of Teaching and Learning, Specialty Centers
Educational Specialist
CA
ST
Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2003
  Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

The PDSA Power-Up: Transforming Compliance into Performance
Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
1203
Stop "doing" school improvement and start leading it. In this 75-minute interactive workshop, school leaders will transform the bi-weekly monitoring template from a compliance hurdle into a high-leverage coaching tool. We will bridge the gap between your School Needs Assessment and the Virginia School Performance & Support Framework (SPSF) by designing your first high-impact PDSA cycle. Whether you are aiming to climb to the next performance category or solidify your "Distinguished" status, you will leave with a concrete action plan and a refined focus on the small changes that drive big results.
Speakers
AH

Alyssa Higgins

Specialist, School Quality
avatar for Cierra Scott

Cierra Scott

Cierra Scott is an accomplished educational leader with nearly 15 years of experience in literacy instruction, curriculum development, and school improvement. She currently serves as an Education Specialist for School Quality with Henrico County Public Schools, partnering with school... Read More →
SS
Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
1203
  Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

From Scaffolding to Success: Leading the Shift to Engineered Content
Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
1208/1209
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
Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
1208/1209
  Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

Increasing Student Success Across the School Day: Literacy As the Linchpin
Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2005
Improving outcomes for all students takes a school-wide approach. Literacy is the common vehicle that can move the needle for all students. This session will model vocabulary, reading, and writing strategies that can be integrated into any classroom or content. Strategies will focus on student discourse and critical thinking.
Speakers
avatar for Cat Latcovich

Cat Latcovich

Educational Specialist - Secondary Social Studies, Henrico County Public Schools
RT
avatar for Kendall Hunt

Kendall Hunt

Education Specialist Middle School Literacy, HCPS Secondary Teaching and Learning
Educational Specialist Middle School Literacy
Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2005
  Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

The PDSA Power-Up: Transforming Compliance into Performance
Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
1203
Stop "doing" school improvement and start leading it. In this 75-minute interactive workshop, school leaders will transform the bi-weekly monitoring template from a compliance hurdle into a high-leverage coaching tool. We will bridge the gap between your School Needs Assessment and the Virginia School Performance & Support Framework (SPSF) by designing your first high-impact PDSA cycle. Whether you are aiming to climb to the next performance category or solidify your "Distinguished" status, you will leave with a concrete action plan and a refined focus on the small changes that drive big results.
Speakers
AH

Alyssa Higgins

Specialist, School Quality
avatar for Cierra Scott

Cierra Scott

Cierra Scott is an accomplished educational leader with nearly 15 years of experience in literacy instruction, curriculum development, and school improvement. She currently serves as an Education Specialist for School Quality with Henrico County Public Schools, partnering with school... Read More →
Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
1203
  Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

The Power of Knowing: Empathy Methods
Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm 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
Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
1202
  Academic Achievement
 

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