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.

arrow_back View All Dates

9:00am EDT

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

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT

2109/2110

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

Wednesday July 29, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
2109/2110

Learning Environment

10:25am EDT

Leading Sustainable Partnerships: A principal's role in collective IMPACT

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT

1104

As school leaders advancing HCPS's Journey to 2030, principals play a key role in sustaining school-community partnerships. This session highlights how impact committees create shared accountability, align resources, and embed partnership work into school systems. Participants will gain practical strategies to activate and sustain collaboration that supports student and family motivation and engagement.

Speakers

Rich Ashburn

GRT, Henrico County Public Schools,

Chris Wade

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
1104

Learning Environment

10:25am EDT

MTSS Platforms Usage for 2026-2027

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am 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

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

Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2113

Learning Environment

12:40pm EDT

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

Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT

2109/2110

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 →

Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2109/2110

Learning Environment

12:40pm EDT

MTSS Protocol Updates for 2026-2027

Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm 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)

JaNee Boston

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

MTSS Coordinator- Tier 1

Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2113

Learning Environment

12:40pm EDT

The Paradox of Potential: Navigating Giftedness, Language and Disability to Support 2E and 3E Students

Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT

2204

Students often have more than one need in our schools. Learn how to support twice and thrice exceptional education students.

Speakers

Allyn Pritchard

Divisional English as a Second Language Coordinator, Henrico County Public Schools

Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2204

Learning Environment

3:00pm EDT

Leading Sustainable Partnerships: A principal's role in collective IMPACT

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT

1104

Speakers

Rich Ashburn

GRT, Henrico County Public Schools,

Chris Wade

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
1104

Learning Environment

3:00pm EDT

Student Support Interventionist (SSI): Time to level up!

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT

2114

The SSI program is shifting toward a more data-driven model. We are moving beyond general support to a tiered caseload system, ensuring that student interventions are matched to their individual needs.

Speakers