Empowering Leaders' Symposium 2026 has ended

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Empowering Leaders' Symposium 2026

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

Digital Wellness: a purposeful and balanced approach to technology use

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT

Speakers

Kourtney Bostain

Director of Innovation

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
Auditorium

Academic Achievement, Key Session

10:25am EDT

Advancing Advanced Learners in Math: Leveraging Curriculum Extensions for Growth and SOL Success

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT

How do we ensure our highest-performing students continue to grow and that growth translates into strong advanced pass rates on SOLs? This session focuses on practical ways principals can support teachers in using curriculum extensions to move beyond grade-level expectations and provide meaningful challenge for advanced learners. Participants will explore what effective extension looks like in math classrooms, how to use available curricular resources (including A3, Math League, and i-Ready) to deepen thinking, and how to monitor impact through growth and achievement data. The session will also highlight leadership moves that support consistent implementation across classrooms, ensuring advanced learners experience rigorous, aligned instruction every day.

Principals will leave with clear look-fors, data points to monitor, and strategies to strengthen both student growth and advanced SOL outcomes.

Speakers

Shannon Wakefield

Divisional Gifted Coordinator, Henrico County Public Schools

Catherine Kelly

Divisional Gifted Coordinator, Henrico County Public Schools

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2104

Academic Achievement

10:25am EDT

Best Practice For Attendance Team Support and Engagement

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT

Wondering how an attendance team can make a difference with supporting attendance? Curious about how attendance interventions and strategies can be applied using a tiered system approach? Then this session is for you! Join us for an active and engaging learning session that will:
(1) Review the current protocol for addressing and supporting attendance,
(2) Highlight the design of effective attendance teams, including roles and responsibilities of team members, and
(3) Introduce participants to various attendance strategies and interventions using a tiered system of support approach.

Speakers

Shenita Williams

Jan Parrish

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
1110

Academic Achievement

10:25am EDT

Clarity Beyond the Board

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT

To be determined

Speakers

Melanie Phipps

Associate Principal, Freeman High School

Ann Nash

Innovation Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools

Innovation Specialist with Henrico County Public Schools

Stephanie Lambrecht

District Leader, Central Office, Department of Teaching and Learning, Specialty Centers

Educational Specialist

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2210

Academic Achievement

10:25am EDT

Explicit Instruction: Vocabulary & Modeling and Gradual Release

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT

To be determined

Speakers

Kendall Hunt

Education Specialist Middle School Literacy, HCPS Secondary Teaching and Learning

Educational Specialist Middle School Literacy

Drew Baker

Education Specialist, Henrico County

PLL Specialist

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2005

Academic Achievement

10:25am EDT

Leading the "Dynamic Duo": Maximizing the Impact of ML Collaboration

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT

When ESL and content teachers collaborate effectively, the classroom transforms into a powerhouse for student achievement. School leaders must move beyond simply scheduling collaboration; they must strategically lead co-planning pairs for maximum impact. This session will help you examine effective structures for collaboration between general education and LIEP teachers and introduce observation tools for co-teaching. We will clarify the distinct roles at the planning table: the content teacher provides the rigor of the standards, and the ESL teacher provides the linguistic pathways to achieve them. Learn how to ensure your teams seamlessly merge WIDA Language Expectations with Core Content Standards to create a single, cohesive lesson. Finally, we will discuss creative administrative solutions for the greatest challenge—securing and protecting shared planning time as a non-negotiable for multilingual learner success.

Speakers

Sarah Modrak

LIEP/ESL Education Specialist, Teaching & Learning

ESL Specialist, Coordinator or Coach

Alexa Haynie

ESL Division Coordinator

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
1208/1209

Academic Achievement

10:25am EDT

The Power of Knowing: Empathy Methods

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT

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

Jen Perry

School Quality Manager, Henrico County Public Schools

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
1202

Academic Achievement

10:25am EDT

The Power of the High School Success Data Dashboard

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT

This session provides a deep dive into the High School Success Data Dashboard within Unified Insights. Participants will move beyond simple data viewing to master data interpretation, focusing specifically on identifying and supporting students whose grades are off-track.
What You Will Learn
Navigation & Mastery: Navigate the Unified Insights interface to locate real-time "on-track" metrics.
Early Warning Indicators: Learn to identify the subtle academic, attendance, and behavior indicators that signal a student is drifting off-track.
Strategic Intervention: Transition from data to action by hearing from our own high school administrators on how to use the dashboard analytics to successfully lead team meetings to determine interventions and next-steps to support students.

Speakers

Nicole Sanchez-Coe

School Quality Specialist, School Quality

Nicole Sanchez-Coe is a dedicated educator with over 18 years of experience in the classroom. Her career began in New York City, where she was selected as a Teaching Fellow and launched her work in education at a middle school in the Bronx. During this time, she earned her Master’s... Read More →

Rebecca Reiter

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
1205

Academic Achievement

10:25am EDT

Understanding the VESOLs and supporting students taking the VAAP with High Quality Instruction

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT

Participants will develop an understanding of how the VESOLs align with the SOLs and how high quality instruction can be utilized to demonstrate progress on IEP goals while demonstrating achievement on the VAAP.

Speakers

Maggie Walsh

Ex Ed Specialist, CO

Maggie is a Secondary Exceptional Education Specialist

Amelia Elander

Exceptional Education Specialist, CO, Henrico County Public Schools

Thursday July 30, 2026 10:25am - 11:40am EDT
2202

Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Advancing Advanced Learners in Math: Leveraging Curriculum Extensions for Growth and SOL Success

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT

How do we ensure our highest-performing students continue to grow and that growth translates into strong advanced pass rates on SOLs? This session focuses on practical ways principals can support teachers in using curriculum extensions to move beyond grade-level expectations and provide meaningful challenge for advanced learners. Participants will explore what effective extension looks like in math classrooms, how to use available curricular resources (including A3, Math League, and i-Ready) to deepen thinking, and how to monitor impact through growth and achievement data. The session will also highlight leadership moves that support consistent implementation across classrooms, ensuring advanced learners experience rigorous, aligned instruction every day.

Principals will leave with clear look-fors, data points to monitor, and strategies to strengthen both student growth and advanced SOL outcomes.

Speakers

Shannon Wakefield

Divisional Gifted Coordinator, Henrico County Public Schools

Catherine Kelly

Divisional Gifted Coordinator, Henrico County Public Schools

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2104

Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Clarity Beyond the Board

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT

To be determined

Speakers

Melanie Phipps

Associate Principal, Freeman High School

Ann Nash

Innovation Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools

Innovation Specialist with Henrico County Public Schools

Stephanie Lambrecht

District Leader, Central Office, Department of Teaching and Learning, Specialty Centers

Educational Specialist

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2210

Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Cornerstone Elective for Middle Schools

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT

HCPS has developed a new Middle School Cornerstone Elective designed to support student self-reflection and growth in durable skills through authentic, self-directed leadership experiences. Whether your school is offering the elective for the first time or you simply want to learn more, join us to explore how this course connects students deeply with the Henrico Learner Profile (HLP). In this session, we will identify the specific teacher qualities and leadership "Look-Fors" essential for fostering a successful, student-led environment. Leave with a clear vision and a roadmap of the resources available to help your students develop and grow in the durable skills of the HLP.

Speakers

Rachael L. Toy

Education Specialist - Secondary Science, Secondary Teaching and Learning

Educational Specialist - Secondary Science

Laura van Bylandt

Innovation Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools

National Board Certified Educator and former Middle and High School Art teacher with 21 years of experience in Henrico County Public Schools. Laura previously taught Art at Godwin HS, Wilder MS, Hungary Creek MS, and Glen Allen High School. She was the ILC at Short Pump Middle School... Read More →

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2005

Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Courage to Learn

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT

Instructional improvement doesn't happen because teachers are told to take more risks. It happens when leaders intentionally create the conditions where taking risks feels safe, supported, and worthwhile. This interactive session explores how school leaders can foster a culture of courage through trust, feedback, productive struggle, and shared learning. Participants will examine practical leadership actions that can be implemented immediately to support teachers, strengthen classrooms, and improve learning across their schools.
Designed for elementary administrators, however this session is relevant for leaders at all levels.

Click here for the slide deck.

Speakers

Karen Hues

Elementary Science Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools

Alissa Straus

Elementary Social Studies Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
Community Room

Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Leading the "Dynamic Duo": Maximizing the Impact of ML Collaboration

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT

When ESL and content teachers collaborate effectively, the classroom transforms into a powerhouse for student achievement. School leaders must move beyond simply scheduling collaboration; they must strategically lead co-planning pairs for maximum impact. This session will help you examine effective structures for collaboration between general education and LIEP teachers and introduce observation tools for co-teaching. We will clarify the distinct roles at the planning table: the content teacher provides the rigor of the standards, and the ESL teacher provides the linguistic pathways to achieve them. Learn how to ensure your teams seamlessly merge WIDA Language Expectations with Core Content Standards to create a single, cohesive lesson. Finally, we will discuss creative administrative solutions for the greatest challenge—securing and protecting shared planning time as a non-negotiable for multilingual learner success.

Speakers

Sarah Modrak

LIEP/ESL Education Specialist, Teaching & Learning

ESL Specialist, Coordinator or Coach

Alexa Haynie

ESL Division Coordinator

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
1106/1107

Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Questioning / Discourse (Cognitive Engagement and Critical Thinking)

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT

In this session, we will be learning about quality questioning and academic conversations so that leaders can support teachers in creating more opportunities for cognitive engagement and critical thinking.

Access this session's slide deck here.

Speakers

Artice Appling

Education Specialist, Middle School Mathematics, HCPS

MS Math Specialist

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 →

Jon Gregori

Education Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools

Innovation Specialist

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2101

Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

The Power of Data: The Journey Continues

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT

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

Jen Perry

School Quality Manager, Henrico County Public Schools

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
1204

Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

The Power of the High School Success Data Dashboard

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT

This session provides a deep dive into the High School Success Data Dashboard within Unified Insights. Participants will move beyond simple data viewing to master data interpretation, focusing specifically on identifying and supporting students whose grades are off-track.
What You Will Learn
Navigation & Mastery: Navigate the Unified Insights interface to locate real-time "on-track" metrics.
Early Warning Indicators: Learn to identify the subtle academic, attendance, and behavior indicators that signal a student is drifting off-track.
Strategic Intervention: Transition from data to action by hearing from our own high school administrators on how to use the dashboard analytics to successfully lead team meetings to determine interventions and next-steps to support students.

Speakers

Nicole Sanchez-Coe

School Quality Specialist, School Quality

Nicole Sanchez-Coe is a dedicated educator with over 18 years of experience in the classroom. Her career began in New York City, where she was selected as a Teaching Fellow and launched her work in education at a middle school in the Bronx. During this time, she earned her Master’s... Read More →

Rebecca Reiter

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
1205

Academic Achievement

12:40pm EDT

Understanding the VESOLs and supporting students taking the VAAP with High Quality Instruction

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT

Participants will develop an understanding of how the VESOLs align with the SOLs and how high quality instruction can be utilized to demonstrate progress on IEP goals while demonstrating achievement on the VAAP.

Speakers

Maggie Walsh

Ex Ed Specialist, CO

Maggie is a Secondary Exceptional Education Specialist

Amelia Elander

Exceptional Education Specialist, CO, Henrico County Public Schools

Thursday July 30, 2026 12:40pm - 1:55pm EDT
2202

Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

Leading the "Dynamic Duo": Maximizing the Impact of ML Collaboration

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

When ESL and content teachers collaborate effectively, the classroom transforms into a powerhouse for student achievement. School leaders must move beyond simply scheduling collaboration; they must strategically lead co-planning pairs for maximum impact. This session will help you examine effective structures for collaboration between general education and LIEP teachers and introduce observation tools for co-teaching. We will clarify the distinct roles at the planning table: the content teacher provides the rigor of the standards, and the ESL teacher provides the linguistic pathways to achieve them. Learn how to ensure your teams seamlessly merge WIDA Language Expectations with Core Content Standards to create a single, cohesive lesson. Finally, we will discuss creative administrative solutions for the greatest challenge—securing and protecting shared planning time as a non-negotiable for multilingual learner success.

Speakers

Sarah Modrak

LIEP/ESL Education Specialist, Teaching & Learning

ESL Specialist, Coordinator or Coach

Alexa Haynie

ESL Division Coordinator

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
1106/1107

Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

Advancing Advanced Learners in Math: Leveraging Curriculum Extensions for Growth and SOL Success

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT

How do we ensure our highest-performing students continue to grow and that growth translates into strong advanced pass rates on SOLs? This session focuses on practical ways principals can support teachers in using curriculum extensions to move beyond grade-level expectations and provide meaningful challenge for advanced learners. Participants will explore what effective extension looks like in math classrooms, how to use available curricular resources (including A3, Math League, and i-Ready) to deepen thinking, and how to monitor impact through growth and achievement data. The session will also highlight leadership moves that support consistent implementation across classrooms, ensuring advanced learners experience rigorous, aligned instruction every day.

Principals will leave with clear look-fors, data points to monitor, and strategies to strengthen both student growth and advanced SOL outcomes.

Speakers

Shannon Wakefield

Divisional Gifted Coordinator, Henrico County Public Schools

Catherine Kelly

Divisional Gifted Coordinator, Henrico County Public Schools

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2104

Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

Clarity Beyond the Board

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT

To be determined

Speakers

Melanie Phipps

Associate Principal, Freeman High School

Ann Nash

Innovation Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools

Innovation Specialist with Henrico County Public Schools

Stephanie Lambrecht

District Leader, Central Office, Department of Teaching and Learning, Specialty Centers

Educational Specialist

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2210

Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

Questioning / Discourse (Cognitive Engagement and Critical Thinking)

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT

In this session, we will be learning about quality questioning and academic conversations so that leaders can support teachers in creating more opportunities for cognitive engagement and critical thinking.

Access the slide deck here.

Speakers

Artice Appling

Education Specialist, Middle School Mathematics, HCPS

MS Math Specialist

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 →

Jon Gregori

Education Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools

Innovation Specialist

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2109/2110

Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

Supporting Students with Autism in the General Education Classroom

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT

Speakers

Laura Tully

Exceptional Education Specialist, Exceptional Education

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2102

Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

The Power of Data: The Journey Continues

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT

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

Jen Perry

School Quality Manager, Henrico County Public Schools

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
1204

Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

The Power of the High School Success Data Dashboard

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT

This session provides a deep dive into the High School Success Data Dashboard within Unified Insights. Participants will move beyond simple data viewing to master data interpretation, focusing specifically on identifying and supporting students whose grades are off-track.
What You Will Learn
Navigation & Mastery: Navigate the Unified Insights interface to locate real-time "on-track" metrics.
Early Warning Indicators: Learn to identify the subtle academic, attendance, and behavior indicators that signal a student is drifting off-track.
Strategic Intervention: Transition from data to action by hearing from our own high school administrators on how to use the dashboard analytics to successfully lead team meetings to determine interventions and next-steps to support students.

Speakers

Nicole Sanchez-Coe

School Quality Specialist, School Quality

Nicole Sanchez-Coe is a dedicated educator with over 18 years of experience in the classroom. Her career began in New York City, where she was selected as a Teaching Fellow and launched her work in education at a middle school in the Bronx. During this time, she earned her Master’s... Read More →

Rebecca Reiter

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
1205

Academic Achievement

3:00pm EDT

Understanding the VESOLs and supporting students taking the VAAP with High Quality Instruction

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT

Participants will develop an understanding of how the VESOLs align with the SOLs and how high quality instruction can be utilized to demonstrate progress on IEP goals while demonstrating achievement on the VAAP.

Speakers

Maggie Walsh

Ex Ed Specialist, CO

Maggie is a Secondary Exceptional Education Specialist

Amelia Elander

Exceptional Education Specialist, CO, Henrico County Public Schools

Thursday July 30, 2026 3:00pm - 4:15pm EDT
2202

Academic Achievement