Join us for our 10th annual education leadership conference! At WRIE 2021, you’ll learn from district leaders and teams around the country who are deeply engaged in building improvement cycles into the classroom and succeeding at supporting all students in reaching their potential. Learn key strategies in shifting culture, improving practice and unleashing results.
EXPERIENCE THE ENERGY OF WHAT’S RIGHT IN EDUCATION
TICKETS:
September Registration: $100
September 1 – 30, 2021.
October Registration: $175
October 1 – 27, 2021.
About Robert Hughes
Robert Hughes is the director of K-12 Education for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation U.S. Program. Robert works to ensure all students are prepared for success in college and career. Hughes also serves on the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Board of Directors. We are honored to welcome him to share his knowledge and experience at What’s Right in Education on October 27-28, 2021.
Hughes previously served as president of New Visions for Public Schools, a New York City school network serving approximately 45,000 students. New Visions created 99 districts and seven charter public schools, providing mentoring services to hundreds of new principals. In his time, New Visions developed school-based certification programs for teachers and principals and secondary curricula that is now used by thousands of teachers and data management tools to streamline school operations and track student progress toward graduation and college.
About Ben Daley
Ben Daley joined High Tech High to teach physics as a founding faculty member in fall 2000. He has been a school director, chief operating officer and chief academic officer for High Tech High and is now the president of the Graduate School of Education. As a student at Haverford College, Ben majored in physics and was credentialed in secondary physics and math, student teaching at Lower Merion High School outside Philadelphia.
After graduation, he traveled to the Philippines and taught science and math at an international school in Manila. Upon his return to the U.S., he taught physics and AP physics at the Madeira School, a girls’ boarding school in suburban Washington, D.C. He then moved to California to coach basketball and to teach physics at Pomona and Pitzer Colleges. He earned an M.A. in Science Education at the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of California, San Diego. Ben’s research is focused on continuous improvement in schools, which is an effort to spread good practices in education using a broad range of both outcome and process data.
All session times are in Central Time.
10:45-11:45 a.m. CT
PRE-EVENT ORIENTATION
Join early to learn about engagement opportunities, get technical support and network to get to know other attendees before the conference.
11:45 a.m.-Noon CT
WELCOME TO WRIE 2021
Janet Pilcher, Managing Director and Executive Leader
Studer Education
Noon-1 p.m. CT
KEYNOTE
Some Moments Simply Matter More Than Most
The power of early warning indicators and continuous improvement to drive student success
Robert Hughes, Director of K-12 Education
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
1-1:10 p.m. CT
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
Navigating What’s Right in Education
KK Owen, Leader Coach
Studer Education
Mandy Gagliardi, Senior Media Manager
Studer Education
1:10-1:20 p.m. CT
STRETCH BREAK
1:20-2 p.m. CT
AASA AUTHORS | PARTNER SHOWCASE BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Choose one session to attend.
Decision Making That Sustains People and Deepens Relationships
How a small South Dakota district serves as its community’s hub and heart during a crisis year
Jennifer Lowery, Superintendent
Tea Area School District, SD.
Building Resilience in an Organization
Using daily huddles and rounding for outcomes to withstand uncertainty during a pandemic and a raging wildfire
Ryan Carpenter, Superintendent
Estacada School District, OR.
Learning From Wicked Challenges
How a Wisconsin school system deployed an army of improvers to light the way during a year of volatility
Corey Golla, Superintendent
Casey Blochowiak, Director of Curriculum and Learning
School District of Menomonee Falls, WI.
Embedding Local Culture in Teaching and Learning
The unorthodox journey of a rural district serving Native American youth that aspires for organizational excellence
Larry Ouimette, Superintendent
Lac du Flambeau School District, WI.
2-2:50 p.m. CT
KEYNOTE
Strategies that Matter Most to Improve Access and Outcomes for Students
Ben Daley, President
High Tech High Graduate School of Education
2:50-3:35 p.m. CT
GALLERY WALK
Choose three Gallery Walk sessions to view then join us on the main stage for discussion and reflection.
Hardwiring Gratitude and Rounding to Create a Culture of Care
Learn how hardwiring gratitude and rounding helped to create a culture of care and service excellence to support conditions for student success in a small rural district in Wisconsin.
Ryan Nelson, Superintendent
Augusta Area School District, WI.
Leveraging Digital Media for Communication
Learn how clear and consistent communication using media eased access to resources and established consistent and reliable processes for district stakeholders as they support student success.
Jeff Harris, Superintendent
Del Norte Unified School District, CA.
Using “Learning to Improve” to Improve Student Achievement
See how a leadership team learns and grows their impact through a book study of Learning to Improve: How America’s Schools Can Get Better at Being Better.
Jenny Starck, Superintendent
School District of Cadott Community, WI.
Opening the Door to Each Child’s Future: Reframing our Strategic Vision for the Future
Learn how a Wisconsin district leadership team is pursuing new directions with a refreshed strategic plan that acknowledges success and takes it to the next level.
Pewaukee School District, WI.
Organizing Operations to Support Student Success
When operations teams commit to making a difference for student learning, the results speak for themselves.
Kristen Mueller, District Administrator
School District of Holmen, WI.
Listening to Students and the Stakeholders who Support Them
All conversations should begin with student voice. Hear how one district started the process of building values by listening to student voices along with other stakeholders.
Mark Bielang, Superintendent
Portage Public Schools, MI.
Boldness in Rural Leadership
Rural leaders wear many hats in order for system coverage and success to be accomplished. Learn about the ways that personal and professional realms intersect to impact strategy and outcomes in a small school district.
Randy Drost, District Administrator
Rice Lake Area School District, WI.
Aligning Strategic and Cultural Elements in the Empowerment of a Large Executive Team
Working together under the umbrella of a large group of executives requires clarity of goals, focus and a collective commitment to success. Learn about the particular communication methods and practices that one large executive team utilizes for the whole district’s success.
Nick Ouellette, Superintendent
Hudson School District, WI.
Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges: Utilizing Empathy and Intentional Support to Foster Connections with Hard to Reach Students
Join California education leaders to learn about the process and power of the feedback loop. Applying what we learn from our school community to create opportunities for families, fulfill our commitment to our students and re-imagine together.
Michael Gillespie, Executive Director
El Dorado County Office of Education, CA.
Maria Osborne, Principal II
Charter Community Schools, CA.
Learning From Short Cycles of Improvement — Scorecard
Using short cycles of improvement conversations and a scorecard, the Child Development Centers, Inc. recognizes bright spots and uses themes to identify and eliminate barriers to student success.
Luke Braughler, Director of Organizational Development
Child Development Centers, Inc., PA.
3:35-4 p.m. CT
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
4-4:10 p.m. CT
STRETCH BREAK
4:10-5 p.m. CT
STUDENT EQUITY PANEL
Melissa Matarazzo, Leader Coach
Studer Education
Marty Lexmond, Superintendent
West Allis-West Milwaukee School District, WI.
Lisa Herring, Superintendent
Atlanta Public Schools, GA.
Stephanie Elizalde, Superintendent
Austin Independent School District, TX.
5-5:15 p.m. CT
QUESTIONS AND TAKEAWAYS
Janet Pilcher, Managing Director and Executive Leader
Studer Education
All session times are in Central Time.
11 a.m.-Noon
PRE-EVENT ORIENTATION
Join early to learn about engagement opportunities, get technical support and network to get to know other attendees before the conference.
Noon-12:30 p.m.
WELCOME BACK | Q&A
Janet Pilcher, Managing Director and Executive Leader
Studer Education
12:30-1 p.m.
PARTNER SHOWCASE BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Balancing Measurement and Culture: How Engagement and Results Connect
Choose one session to attend.
School-based Improvement with Results: Measures that Matter and Stories From the Field
Using three common leading measures schools track daily, Jefferson County’s Erwin Middle School and Minor Middle School were able to find vulnerable students, create connections and improve student success.
Angela Bush, Principal
Erwin Middle School, AL.
Blake Frazier, Assistant Director of Federal Programs
Jefferson County Schools, AL.
Maintaining a No Excuses Service-driven Culture
Maintaining trust and a culture of excellence year after year takes diligence. This team will share data and strategies of how they have kept the focus on excellence with astounding results for many years.
Jon Malone, Regional Director and Chief Executive
Northwestern Illinois Association, IL.
The Bold Steps of Building a “Leaders Go First” Model for Executive Level Practices
Learn how the “leaders go first” philosophy and values guide the executive level practices such as leadership, hiring and onboarding in a California County Office of Education.
Krystal Lomanto, Superintendent
San Benito County Office of Education, CA.
Engage Employees and Heighten Their Sense of Belonging
During the pandemic, it’s not just students that struggle with issues of isolation. Teachers and employees experience this as well. Join us to learn how a Kentucky school district has strategically embraced employees through “asking for a heart before you do a hand” and reward and recognition programs.
Mark Martin, Superintendent
Meade County Schools, KY.
1-1:10 p.m.
STRETCH BREAK
1:10-2 p.m.
IMPROVEMENT PANEL
Activate the Problem-solving Capabilities Already in Your System
Steve Spear, Senior Lecturer
MIT Sloan School of Management, MA.
Corey Golla, Superintendent
School District of Menomonee Falls, WI.
Pat Greco, Senior Director of Thought Leadership
Studer Education
Dale Shaver, Director of Parks and Land Use
Waukesha County Government, WI.
2-2:30 p.m.
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY
2:30-2:40 p.m.
STRETCH BREAK
2:40-3:10 p.m.
PARTNER SHOWCASE BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Support at all Levels: Understanding and Meeting Stakeholder Needs
Choose one session to attend.
The Power and Process of the Feedback Loop
We know feedback is foundational to improvement. Learn how this county office of education engaged teams from across their state and region to better align efforts and improve how they lead together as one team.
Ed Manansala, Superintendent
El Dorado County Office of Education, CA.
It Takes a Village: Addressing the Needs of At-risk Students Through Child Support Teams
Meeting the needs of students at risk, especially magnified during these difficult times, takes everyone being on the same page. In this session, you will hear how a Kentucky school district brings service providers together to streamline communication and support and remove barriers to improve student success.
Rob Clayton, Superintendent
Melissa Stephanski, Chief Academic Officer/Assistant Superintendent
Warren County School District, KY.
Stepping Outside the Safety Zone: Hiring Boldly
Breaking the mold for hiring school leaders is not easy. One superintendent decided to break the status quo to make sure to get the right leaders. Listening to stakeholders first made the difference.
Sean Dorsey, Superintendent
District 49 Sand Creek Zone, CO.
Amy Sanchez-Martinez, Campus Director/Principal
Sand Creek High School, CO.
3:10-3:20 p.m.
STRETCH BREAK
3:20-3:50 p.m.
PARTNER SHOWCASE BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Connecting our Values to our Work: Keeping Students First
Choose one session to attend.
Measuring our Portrait of a Graduate
What it means to be career-ready is rapidly changing. The skills that students need to be successful beyond school years will look quite different in 2025. To best support students for the future, leaders and community members in Oak Ridge School District have made a collective commitment to advance their strategic plan and include a focus on college, career and life success.
Bruce Borchers, Superintendent
Kelly Williams, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning
Oak Ridge Schools, TN.
Bold Listening: The Power of Receiving Feedback Within the First 45 Days
In rapidly changing times, keeping a listening ear open to stakeholder perceptions helps guide the communication and next steps of a district. This takes brave leadership and a willingness to face facts.
Sergio Mendoza, Superintendent
Burton School District, CA.
You Told Us. We Listened: Responding Using Feedback
Bill King, Facilities Director
Carol Dufek, Assistant Facilities Director
School District of South Milwaukee, WI.
3:50-4:20 p.m.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PANEL
Engaging Stakeholders in Developing the County Office Core Values, Pillars and Scorecards for Excellence
These executive leaders are focused and committed. This panel will share what California superintendents are learning as they engage their people to align efforts and build capacity for their organizations and regions to continuously improve.
Steve Herrington, Superintendent
Sonoma County Office of Education, CA.
Chris Hartley, Superintendent
Humboldt County Office of Education, CA.
Tim Hire, Superintendent
Tulare County Office of Education, CA.
Ed Manansala, Superintendent
El Dorado County Office of Education, CA
Pat Greco, Senior Director of Thought Leadership
Studer Education
4:20-4:45 p.m.
REFLECTION ROUNDTABLE
KK Owen, Leader Coach
Studer Education
4:45-5 p.m.
SUMMARY OF WRIE
Janet Pilcher, Managing Director and Executive Leader
Studer Education
ROBERT HUGHES
Carnegie Foundation | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Director of K-12 Education • Carnegie Board of Directors
Robert “Bob” Hughes, director of K-12 Education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation United States Program, oversees the work to ensure that all students are prepared for success in college and career.
Before joining the foundation, Bob was president of New Visions for Public Schools, a New York City school network of 70 district schools serving approximately 45,000 students. During his tenure, New Visions created 99 district and seven charter public schools, provided mentoring services to hundreds of new principals, developed school-based certification programs for teachers and principals, secondary curricula now accessed by thousands of teachers and data management tools to streamline school operations and track student progress toward graduation and college. Hughes has also led or been involved in individual and class action litigation in special education and state school finance. He started his career providing legal representation to homeless parents and students in the New York City public school system and worked extensively with community organizers around education issues.
Bob serves as a board member of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Prior board affiliations include Advocates for Children of New York, Fund For Teachers, and Projects in Education, the nonprofit publisher of Education Week.
BEN DALEY
High Tech High Graduate School of Education
President • Chief Operating Officer • Chief Academic Officer • Founding Faculty Member
Ben Daley joined High Tech High to teach physics as a founding faculty member in fall 2000. He has been a school director, chief operating officer and chief academic officer for High Tech High and is now the president of the Graduate School of Education. As a student at Haverford College, Ben majored in physics and was credentialed in secondary physics and math, student teaching at Lower Merion High School outside Philadelphia.
After graduation, he traveled to the Philippines and taught science and math at an international school in Manila. Upon his return to the U.S., he taught physics and AP physics at the Madeira School, a girls’ boarding school in suburban Washington, D.C. He then moved to California to coach basketball and to teach physics at Pomona and Pitzer Colleges. He earned an M.A. in Science Education at the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of California, San Diego. Ben’s research is focused on continuous improvement in schools, which is an effort to spread good practices in education using a broad range of both outcome and process data.