Aurora Institute Symposium 2024 Agenda

Competency-Based Assessment, Grading, and Reporting

Bryanna Hanson, Dr. Devin Vodicka, Dr. Katie Martin, Learner-Centered Collaborative

Schools and districts around the country are shifting away from traditional grading practices and redesigning assessment, grading, reporting and credentialing structures that focus on sharing learners’ strengths and documenting growth over time. In this session, we will explore what this shift looks like in practice with models to better understand key decisions system have to make to undergo this shift including: 

• What outcomes do we assess?
• How do we collect evidence of and report on progress towards those outcomes?
• How do we do this work and support a transcript for learners to use for higher education admissions?

Please note: If you have already registered for the symposium, please contact Zorana Vulevic at [email protected] to add this pre-conference workshop to your registration.

Registration Desk Open 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Early check-in at the registration desk on the third floor in the Celestin Foyer is recommended

All Day: Immerse Yourself in NOLA!

We’ve compiled a round up of optional activities for you to engage in on Saturday, November 2nd before the official start of the conference on Sunday, November 3rd.

Registration Desk Open 7:00 am – 7:00 pm 

The registration desk is located on the 3rd floor in the Celestin Foyer.

An Introduction to Competency Frameworks for Students, Educators, and Leaders

Laurie Gagnon, Aurora Institute; Deion Jordan, KnowledgeWorks; Sandra Moumoutjis, Building 21

This workshop is designed to be a deep-dive, hands-on experience focused on introducing competency frameworks from across the country and providing guidance and information on how to plan, design, and implement learner-centered, competency frameworks and systems change. Participants will leave with access to the competency frameworks, including examples of educator and leader competencies, and concrete, actionable steps to begin the transformation to personalized and competency-based learning.

Leading with Foresight: Advancing Competency-Based Learning in an AI-Driven World

Dr. Sabba Quidwai, CEO, Designing Schools

How might we, as leaders, not just react to emerging trends, but anticipate and actively shape them using foresight techniques? The experience merges strategic AI integration with essential leadership skills like fostering a culture of trust and mastering effective communication to scale a culture of innovation across their teams. It begins with an introduction to AI technologies and their transformative impacts on the educational landscape. Participants will also develop core AI skills and explore key workplace trends, enabling them to enhance operational strategies. Throughout this experience, we will emphasize how these AI tools and strategies directly support the shift towards competency-based learning, ensuring that education is personalized, adaptive, and aligned with each student’s unique needs and goals.

Elevating Your Competency-Based Learning Journey with High Performing Collaborative Teams

Brian Stack, Jonathan Vander Els, V & S School Solutions

Authors and veteran competency-based learning (CBL) practitioners Jonathan and Brian will share the knowledge, experiences, and solutions to common problems of practice they have gained in supporting schools, including their own, with the implementation of CBL in K-12. They will reference various resources from both their 2024 Solution Tree book co-written with Karin Hess, Elevating Competency-Based Learning in a PLC at Work©: Actionable Assessment, Defensible Evidence, and Equitable Grading and their 2022 Solution Tree book, Unpacking the Competency-Based Classroom Equitable, Individualized Learning in a PLC at Work® and facilitate guided conversations and reflection specific to Aurora Institute’s seven design principles of CBL.

Competency-Based Education Policy Roundtable 

Jennifer Kabaker, Aurora Institute; Ben Erwin, Tom Keily, Education Commission of the States (ECS)

Join the Aurora Institute and Education Commission of the States (ECS) for an engaging half-day convening about the policy levers state leaders can use to make personalized, competency-based education accessible to all learners. Hear from state leaders doing the work, learn about specific approaches to policy issues such as assessment and accountability, and leave with ideas for how to make meaningful change in your state.

Researchers Roundtable: Informing and Improving Personalized, Competency-Based, Deeper Learning

Dr. Jilliam Joe, Aurora Institute; Dr. Beth Holland, The Learning Accelerator; Dr. Rebecca Wolfe, Rolando Fernando, KnowledgeWorks

This meeting fosters a space for researchers and other stakeholders in competency-based/personalized/deeper learning to come together for information sharing, collective problem-solving, and networking. It provides an opportunity for everyone to gain and give practical, applicable insights into research and evaluation to inform and improve the field. We will share work underway and recent findings, go deep on a small number of problems of practice, provide consultancies on ongoing work, and do some networking.

The Exhibit Hall is located on the 3rd floor in Storyville Hall.

Attendees can pick up their lunch in the exhibit hall located on the 3rd floor in Storyville Hall. We invite you to head directly to the general session to enjoy your meal and experience our engaging Opening Keynote.

Nothing About Us Without Us: A Conversation With Young People on Learner-Centered Education

Moderator: Carlos Moreno, Co-Executive Director, Big Picture Learning; Sofia Ervin-Agudelo, Student, Santa Clara University; Kam Lui-Carter, Student, Santa Monica Alternative Schoolhouse

Building Agency Through Design: Crafting Student-Led Learning Experiences

Shannon King, Battelle for Kids; Cameron Ryba, Jennifer Pelko, Strongsville City Schools; Danielle Prohaska, Mechanicsburg Exempted Village Schools 

Competency-Based Education: Looking Back and Looking Forward

Chris Sturgis, LearningEdge; Laurie Gagnon, Aurora Institute

From Insight to Action: Crafting District-Wide Solutions for Student-Centered Success

Tasia Chatman, Luke Bauer, Springpoint; Gregory Myers, Millbury Public Schools

Lessons from Years 1-3 in Washington’s Mastery-based Learning (MBL) Collaborative: Hear from District and State Leaders About Our Culturally Responsive MBL Implementation

Alissa Muller, Seema Bahl, Washington State Board of Education; Kevin Takisaki, Highline School District

Lighting A Fire: Lessons from Matchbook Learning’s Growth From A Personalized K-8 Turnaround Model Into A New Competency-Based, Careers-Focused High School

Amy Swann, James Hill, Matchbook Learning

Personalized Learning: Enhancing Student Learning With Voice and Collaboration 

Jessica Nazario, Yolanda Burns, Georgia Department of Education; Laura Knapp, RTI International

Students Share How They Found Agency, Voice, and Choice in Their Massachusetts CBE Public High School Program

Francesco Perucchi, Sana Lai, Amy Bayer, ACE Program at Brookline High School

Stories, Systems and Structures: How Strategic Communication Can Support Competency-Based Learning Success

Erika Taibl, Melissa Olson, Spring Lake Park Schools

The Transformative Power of School Study Tours 

Loretta Goodwin, Aurora Institute; Joy Nolan, New Learning Collaborative; Rebecca Midles, Getting Smart

Transforming a D School to a B School Through Student-Centered Learning

Patrick Gibbs, Jill Loveall, Minerva Fernandez, Andy Anaya, ASU Preparatory Academy

Learning Pathways Bring Portraits of a Graduate to Life: Shifting Educational Outcomes From Knowing to Becoming

Kelly Mills, Kyle Dunbar, Anthony Baker, Digital Promise; Brandi Swavely, Laura Mandell, Ephrata Area School District

Join us for a revitalizing Coffee Break from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm in the Exhibit Hall on the 3rd floor of Storyville Hall. Take this opportunity to network and connect with fellow attendees over a cup of coffee.

Advancing Digital Equity to Strengthen Personalized Competency-Based Education

Ashley Fellows, Beth Holland, The Learning Accelerator; Greg Bagby, Hamilton County Public Schools

A-GAME Measure What Matters: Designing Goals That Capture the Heart of Your School

Vashaunta Harris, National Charter Schools Institute; Jody Ernst, Momentum Strategy & Research

Building Stronger Networks for Students: Elevating the Design Process for Competency-Based Microcredentials to Build Meaningful Connections Between Students and Employers

Matt St. John, Kelly Bourassa, JMG Inc.; Marilys Galindo, Digital Promise; Dulcey Laberge, State of Maine, Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Office of Child and Family Services; Ryan Moore, Bank of America; Amy Marston, Central Maine Power Co. (CMP), an affiliate of Avangrid

Charting the Course for Excellence For All Learners: Ector County ISD’s Journey From Portrait of a Graduate to Strategic Plan

Syd Young, KnowledgeWorks; Lilia Náñez, Andrea Moreno-Hewit, Lisa Wills, Ector County ISD 

Charting the Course for New Teacher Success in Student-Centered Learning

Sue Holmes, Dr. Tamara Allen-Thomas, Stephanie Cardella, LEAP Innovations

Demand From Multiple Dimensions: Why and How Our Society is Ripe for Learner-Centered Ecosystems as a Path Forward for Public Education Systems Change

Emily Bader, Education Reimagined; Karen Pittman, Knowledge to Power Catalysts; Diego Arambula, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching; Nikolaus Namba, Transcend

Dungeons, Dragons, and Durable Skills: How YOU Can Use Tabletop Role-Playing Games for Making Academics and SEL Come Alive in a Classroom

Adam Watson, Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative (OVEC)

Leveraging Community Partnerships for Equitable Learner Engagement 

Anna Leonhard, WPS Institute; Elena Rodriguez-DePaul, Chelsea Banks, Salem Public Schools; Katelyn Adams, Center for Civic Engagement at Salem State University

Unlocking Potential Through Policy Activation in Indiana: How Dynamic Policies are Paving the Way for Transformative Learner-centered Design, Practice, and Advancement

Sarah Bishop-Root, Education Reimagined; Keeanna Warren, Purdue Polytechnic High School; Scott Bess, Indiana State Board of Education; George Philhower, Eastern Hancock Schools 

Student Summit: Your Schools, Your Experience

Franklin High School Students, Educating for Good

Activating Agency:  Implementation Model for “Agency by Design: An Educator’s Playbook”

Derek Wenmoth, Futuremakers; Marsha Jones, Springdale School District; George Edwards, New England Association of Schools and Colleges; Annette Thompson, Inquire Innovation

A Deep Dive into the PCBE Transformation Process: The Why, What, and How for Navigating Essential Shifts and Defining Next Steps on Your Journey

Sandra Moumoutjis, Building 21; Crystal Danzy, PACE High School; Susan Poppe, Waukesha East High School; Patty Homuth, Waukesha East High School; Alana Jenkins, Sea Islands Heritage Academy; Holly O’Leary, New Liberty Innovation School

A Roadmap to Future Readiness: Making reDesign’s Future9 Competencies Your Own

KaTrina Wentzel, Antonia Rudenstine, Alexandra Dye, reDesign, LLC

A School Framework for Continuous Improvement and Innovation in Competency-Based Education

Brenda Martin, Claudette Trujillo, Nancy Mills, Roger Vadeen, Lucy Pearson, Westminster Public Schools

The CPS CBE Framework: How Chicago Is Growing Equitable Proficiency-Based Practices in America’s 3rd Largest District

Sonjanita Moore, Shannae Jackson, Duc Do, Chicago Public Schools

Shifting From Grades to Competencies: How to Start 

Bryanna Hanson, Learner Centered Collaborative

Embark on a networking journey through our Exhibit Hall, located on the third floor in Storyville Hall. Engage with industry-leading brands, discover cutting-edge technologies, and delve into the transformative impact of competency-based education (CBE) on student success. If you need a moment to recharge or prefer a more virtual approach, our mobile app is at your fingertips. Explore profiles of fellow attendees, initiate conversations, and schedule virtual meetups effortlessly.

Join us for our Welcome Reception from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Exhibit Hall, located on the third floor in Storyville Hall, where you can enjoy a bite to eat and refreshments while networking with fellow attendees.

The registration desk will be open from 7:00 am – 6:15 pm. It is located on the 3rd floor in the Celestin Foyer.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of our Exhibit Hall, open from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm on the 3rd floor of Storyville Hall. Discover a myriad of innovative Competency-Based Education vendors, showcasing cutting-edge solutions and resources to elevate your educational journey. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore, engage, and expand your horizons!

Attendees can pick up their breakfast in the exhibit hall. We invite you to head directly to the general session to enjoy your meal and experience our engaging morning keynote.

One Good Question with Youth Leaders: Exploring Student Perspectives on How We Invest in Our Future

Rhonda Broussard, Founder, CEO: Beloved Community; Samarah Bently, Freshman, Louisiana State University, David Ramirez, Student, New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School; DeAnna Fair, Student, Clearwood Junior High School

Join us for a Coffee Break from 9:00 am to 9:30 am in the Exhibit Hall on the 3rd floor of Storyville Hall. 

This is a chance to mingle, network, and forge meaningful connections over a steaming cup of coffee before diving into our enriching sessions. Let’s kick-start the day together with great conversations and fresh ideas!

A Mixed-Method Study of Personalized, Competency-Based Learning (PCBL) in South Carolina: Methodology and Preliminary Findings

Brooke Culclasure, Alexis Sprogis, The Riley Institute at Furman University; Rolando Fernando II, KnowledgeWorks

Cultivating an SEL-Informed Career-Connected Learning Classroom 

Briana Anderson, nXu; Jen Maestas, Jeanne Russell, CAST Schools

Empowering Novice Teachers: Integrating Competency-Based Education and Universal Design for Learning

Sherann Jackson-Alkins, Action for Boston Community Development; Melissa Sanjeh, CAST

How Leaders are Creating PCBE Alternatives within Traditional Districts to Focus on Student-Centered Learning, Personalized Pathways, and Place-Based Learning Opportunities

Sandra Moumoutjis, Building 21; Dannyelle Austin, Launchpad; Crystal Danzy, PACE High School; Alana Jenkins, Sea Islands Heritage Academy; Susan Poppe, Waukesha East Alternative School & Waukesha Transition Academy; José Rosado, Jr., Building 21 Allentown High School

Humanized Education: The School Fitness Flywheel – Growth, Strength, and Mastery: A Framework for Modern Schools

Mike Ruyle, Marzano Resources; Awaachiáookaaté Jason Cummins, Montana State University; Donterio Porter, Little Rock Unified School District

Navigating the Tightrope: Overcoming Barriers to Equity in Politically Charged Educational Landscapes

Kimberly Eckert, Western Governors University; Brianna Young, Reach University

SPONSOR SESSION: Designing for Success: Insights From Innovative Schools

Mia Howard, Jason Atwood, NewSchools 

On a CBE Island on Your Own? How Can We Build Momentum and Get Others to Join in the Work That Matters Most for Students?

Kayla Siler, Laura Knapp, RTI International

Scaling Student Employability Skills From Early Education Into the Adult Workforce

Tim Taylor, America Succeeds; Sylvester Chisom, Global CTE Learning; Brittany Griffin, Learner-Centered Collaborative

Shifting Instructional Practice to CBL: Educators Creating the Conditions for Success

Tom Klapp, Cory Steiner, Northern Cass School District; Holly Reardon, Transcend Education

The ABCs of Equitable Implementation. How To Be an Architect, Builder and Contractor of a Learner-Centered, Personalized Learning Environment

Theresa Ewald, Institute for Personalized Learning; Brenda Vogds, i4PL; Laura Dahm, Fox Point Bayside School District

Unrealized Impact 2.0 The Hard Truth About Where We Are and Ways to Move Forward

UnSuk Zucker, Promise54

What Happens When Students Determine the Competencies for Your School’s Mastery Transcript Learning Record? 

Beth Blankenship, Derrick  Rauenzahn, James Madison High School / Fairfax County Public Schools

126 Falsehoods We Believe About Education: Checking Our Assumptions

Gary Chapin, Carisa Corrow, Educating for Good

Beyond Initiatives: Supporting Sustainable Education Transformation

Kyle Anderson, Julianna Charles Brown, KnowledgeWorks

Building Academic Mindsets in Special Education

Malika Ali, Throughline Learning

Designing Curriculum and Culture to Empower all Learners

Sahba Rohani, Brandi Forté, Roots ConnectED

Empowering Young Architects: Student-led Creation of a Profile of a Learner

Carmen Coleman, Lacey Eckels, Rachel Albright, elevatED studios @Ohio Valley Education Cooperative

The Future of Education: Ecosystem Design for All

Geoffrey Roehm, Runway Green and Launch EL School; Bobbi Macdonald, Education Reimagined; Aysha Khan, Runway Green; Alexis Rubin, Launch EL Charter School

Unlocking Potential: The Dynamic Duo of AI and UDL

Cindy Blackburn, Toddle

Community Driven Transformation: One District’s Journey to a Stronger WHO and WHY!

David Cook, Learning Ecosystems Design LLC; Jesse Bacon, Michael Ekbundit, Adrienne Usher, Bullitt County Schools

Conflict Analysis: A Transformation Approach

Nicole Caridad Ralston, Beloved Community

Defining Impactful Work-Based Learning: A Call for a National Framework

Shawnee Caruthers, Nate McClennen, Getting Smart

How are Higher Education Admission Policies & Processes Adapting to Competency-Based Student Credentials?

Susan Bell, Eddie Arteaga, Mastery Transcript Consortium; Jonathan Alfuth, KnowledgeWorks; Kaela Clapp, EF Academy Pasadena

Let Learners Take the Lead: Student-Led Approaches to Developing Learner Agency

Larissa Peru, Kasie Betten, Enrique Rojo, Kiara Paez Chacon, Lesly Romero, Martin Urias, Sunnyside Unified School District 

Leveraging Improvement Science to Spread Promising Practice

Chloe Jordan, Jim May, New Tech Network

Moving Beyond Numbers & Letters: Meaningfully Assessing and Measuring Student Progress in Personalized, Competency-Based, and Future-Oriented Learning Environments 

Beth Holland, The Learning Accelerator (TLA); Kate Place, Mathematica; Sara Haviland, ETS; Jilliam Joe, Aurora Institute; Rolando Fernando, KnowledgeWorks; Jason Atwood, New Schools

Navigating Transformation: Schools as the Heart of A Community Hub

Jessica Paulsen, Marcell Kirk, Karin Breo, Stephanie Cardella, Kristin Eng, Distinctive Schools

NCAA Legislative Changes: A More Inclusive Process For Student-Centered Learning

Sarah Overpeck, NCAA

Pairing State SEL Guidance with CBE Principles: An Examination of One Urban District’s Journey to Instill Mindsets and Habits for Success Both in the Classroom and Beyond

Jeanine Rainey, University of Chicago Charter Schools- Woodlawn Campus; Ashley Avila, Marzano Academies

Ready to Soar & Roar: Students’ Perspectives in Leading School Change

Abbigail Barry, Addison Hassell, Linda Juarez-Carrillo, Kim Mawhiney, Connor Mawhiney, Anna Montero, Elijah Santiago, Emmanuel Morgan, Teamir Silva, Caren Williams, Charli Williams, Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies

The Playbook for Self-Directed Learning

Amber Bryant, Brittney Toles, The Forest School: An Acton Academy

Student Summit: Advice for Adult School Changemakers

Franklin High School Students, Educating for Good

Attendees can pick up their lunch in the exhibit hall. We invite you to head directly to the general session to enjoy your meal and experience our engaging afternoon keynote.

From Tools to Teammates: What is Your Human Advantage in an AI World

Dr. Sabba Quidwai, CEO, Designing Schools

Embark on a networking journey through our Exhibit Hall, located on the third floor in Storyville Hall. Engage with industry-leading brands, discover cutting-edge technologies, and delve into the transformative impact of competency-based education (CBE) on student success. If you need a moment to recharge or prefer a more virtual approach, our mobile app is at your fingertips. Explore profiles of fellow attendees, initiate conversations, and schedule virtual meetups effortlessly.

Back to the Future: How Do We Ensure Competency-Based Education Sticks Around This Time?

Carisa Corrow, Educating for Good; David Levesque, Franklin High School

Beyond Dress Down Days: Sustaining Teachers in the School Transformation Process

Heather Harlen, Building 21; Corina Mendoza, PACE High School; Holly O’Leary, New Liberty Innovation School, Salem Public Schools; Patty Homuth, Waukesha East High School

Bridging the Gap: Leveraging a Blended, Self-Paced, Mastery-Based Framework for Increased Access to CTE Opportunities While Creating a Local Educator Pipeline

Erin Luckhardt, Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District; Michele Deming, Boyne City Public Schools; Genevieve Willoughby, Petoskey High School; Karlee Eaton, Charlevoix Middle High School

Empowering Rural Futures: Student Perspectives on Equitable Solutions for Rural Education

Michael Gonzalez, Jacelyn Vasquez, Dora Parada, Celeste Garcia, Kimberlina Garcia, Rural Schools Innovation Zone; Sara Saleem, Education Partnership of the Permian Basin

Five Years of Personalized Learning in North Dakota: National, State, and District Perspectives on What We’ve Learned So Far from the Research

Dereck Norville-Bowie, Lauren McCauley, Knowledgeworks; Kirsten Baesler, North Dakota Department of Public Instruction; Cory Steiner, Tom Klapp, Northern Cass School District

My Voice is My Source of Power: Using Expression-Driven Teaching to Promote Youth-Led Change

AnnMarie Baines, Mistura Bankole, The Practice Space

New Mexico: A Case Study in Systems Transformation for Student and Community Wellbeing

Tony Monfiletto, Future Focused Education

Scores Are Not Learning: Moving Towards Competency-Based Learning and Equitable Grading in a Traditional Grading Environment for Middle and Secondary Schools

Ryan Sikkes, Tintop Consulting

Student Voices Taking Up Space – a Toolkit for Storytelling as Meaningful Assessment

Abby Benedetto, Core Shifts; Yvonne Armenta, Chats With Yvonne

Supercharging Strategic Plans with Inclusive Design

Doannie Tran, Rita Harvey, Center for Innovation in Education

“The Great Remake”: How Pittsburgh Has Reimagined Learning for Youth Over 15 years, and How You Can Too!

James Doyle, The Grable Foundation; Tyler Samstag, Remake Learning

Traversing Change: One District’s Journey to Sustaining Personalized Learning

Ashley Belton, Nicole Bixby, Marissa Limon, Dallas Independent School District; Raymie Venable, Kristen Watkins, Akiba Yavneh Academy

Finding Your Leadership Soul – A Book Talk with Carlos Moreno

Carlos Moreno, Big Picture Learning

Rethinking Depth of Knowledge (DOK)

Erik Francis, Maverik Education

Adaptive Coaching – Personalized Professional Learning

Hillary Stacey, Ogden School District

Community-Engaged Learning: Transforming Lives, Learning, and Communities

Jilian Mackenzie, Josh Schachter, CommunityShare

Creating Congruent Environments to Navigate Systems Change

Jennifer Echols, Tracy Yslas, Adam Unrein, Vatricia Harris, Lauren Williams, Mesa Public Schools

Design Elements for a CBE Program within a Large Public High School

Amy Bayer, ACE Program at Brookline High School

Regenerative Futures Lab 

Trish Hansen, Urban Mind Studio

How to Transform Education as a Leader From the Inside Out: Using Components of a Learner-Centered Leadership Framework to Approach Any Challenge & Guide Your School or System to Aligned Success

Tom Rooney, Cinnamon Scheufele, Chris McJunkin, Lindsay Unified School District, Nikolaus Namba, Transcend

Beyond the Test, Carnegie and ETS Design A New Future of Assessment

Laura Slover, ETS (Skills for the Future); Brooke Stafford-Brizard, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

Equitable Pathways to the Portrait of a Graduate: Understanding Vermont’s Framework for Proficiency and Flexible Pathways Initiative

Pat Fitzsimmons, Ryan Parkman, Vermont Agency of Education

How to Increase Rigor Through College Experiences & Partnerships

Christipher Fleming, Yanil Martinez, Pablo Lopez Oro, Alex Dekhterman, South Bronx Community Charter High School

Inclusive and Personalized School Environments Where Black and LatinX Students with Learning Differences Thrive

Ruth Wei, Envision Learning Partners; Heather Lewis-Charp, Social Policy Research Associates; Wanda Pittman-Gregory,  Jamilla Young, Capital City Public Charter School; Mindy Baier, Liany Rivera, Crosstown High School; Nikkolette Hunter, Social Policy Research Associates (SPR)

It’s All About You! Developing Personalized Learning Pathways for Every Student

Nerel Winter, Cajon Valley Union School District; Chad Carlson, One Stone Lab School and Idea51

It’s ALL Trauma-Informed: Aligning Policy, Pedagogies, and Practices to Support Innovative Approaches to Safety, Belonging, and Agency From a Trauma-Responsive Lens

Brianna Young, ConstructEd

Modernizing the Certification Process: Competency-Based Training for Teachers of Multilingual Learners

Laureen Avery, UCLA Center X/The ExcEL Leadership Academy; Kristin Re, Rhode Island Department of Education; Michaela McCaughey, Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts (TAPA) Providence; Jessica Mazo, Providence Public Schools 

Schools and Communities in Reciprocity for Youth Engagement

Moneka Stevens, Tony Monfiletto, Future Focused Education

The NEAAAT Way: Innovative Teaching and Learning Practices That Promote Student Agency and Real World Learning, Anytime and Anywhere

Caren Williams, Kim Mawhiney, Lindsey Cahoon, Rebecca Dail, Caitlin McDonald, Andrew Harris, Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies

The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education

Lizette Valles, Oscar Valles, Ellemercito Academy/National Microschooling Center; Coi Morefield, The Lab School of Memphis; Eric Threeton, Nevada School of Inquiry; Chad Ratliffe, Community Lab School/University of Virginia; Nate McClennen, Getting Smart

The State of Career Exploration: Making Middle School Count

Julie Lammers, American Student Assistance; Casey Haugner Wrenn, Education Strategy Group

Unveiling Competency: Crafting Portraits of Competency-Based Learners

Claudette Trujillo-Federico, Dillon Lynch, Dylan Shelofsky, Amanda Fuller, Zach Levenson, Metropolitan Arts Academy-Westminster Public Schools

Elevating Competency-Based Learning in a PLC at Work: Actionable Assessment, Defensible Evidence, and Equitable Grading

Jonathan Vander Els, Brian Stack, V&S School Solutions; Karin Hess, Educational Research in Action

Located in the Exhibit hall on the third floor in Storyville Hall.

Are You Causing Harm with Single Stories? Unveiling the Power of Narrative Diversity for Educational Equity

Angelique Drakeford, Beyond INclusion & Urban Academy Charter School; Jazminn Williams, Aurora Institute

Bridging the Gap: Empowering Students with Career and Technical Education From Elementary to Employment 

Amy Heflin, Jaimi Gruler, Misty Mizzoni, FlexPoint Education Cloud and Florida Virtual School

From the Classroom to the Statehouse: Building a Statewide Approach to Student-Centered Learning

Lachelle Brant, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon’s Office; Diana Clapp, Wyoming State Board of Education; Shane Ogden, Wyoming Association of School Administrators; Adam Rubin, 2Revolutions

Learning Through the World of Work – Leveraging Competency-Based Education to Support the Needs of Working Students

Sela Kenen, Chelsea Opportunity Academy

Soft Skills: Getting Young People Ready for College, Career, and Life

Nathan Stockman, YouthForce NOLA

The Demystification of AI in Education: How Do We Ensure AI Supports Teachers’ and Learners’ Real Needs in the Classroom?

Shayla Cornick, Sierra Noakes, Digital Promise; Andrew Fenstermaker, Iowa City Community Schools

Leadership Journeys is a celebration of educators and leaders of color, fueled by dance, music, storytelling, and community.

The registration desk is located on the 3rd floor in the Celestin Foyer.

The Exhibit Hall is located on the 3rd floor in Storyville Hall.

Located in the Exhibit Hall on the 3rd floor in Storyville Hall.

Competency Calibration! 

Laurie Gagnon, Aurora Institute; Emilee Bodily, Tani Sapp, Braintree Education; Dylan Shelofsky, Westminster Public Schools; Benjamin Little, Brookline High School; Christipher Fleming, South Bronx Community Charter High School; Sela Kenen, Chelsea Public Schools; Carisa Corrow, Educating for Good; Amy Bayer, ACE Program at Brookline High School

Design Transformative Learning Experiences Using AI

Aatash Parikh, Inkwire; Kali Frederick, Paola Capo-Garcia, High Tech High Graduate School of Education

Documenting Moments and Telling the Story of the Journey: Evidence and Learner Empowerment in CTE, Career Pathways, and Competency Based Education

Aaron Schorn, Unrulr and the Nalukai Foundation; Victoria Andrews, Getting Smart; Madison Tortessi, Cañon City Schools; Bill Summers, Cañon City High School

From Theory to Practice: Building Competency-Based Learner-Centered Classrooms 

Christy Kingham, Springpoint; Greg Zimdahl, The Young Womens’ Leadership School of Astoria; Jessica Waters, Nowell Leadership Academy

Moving from Teacher-Directed Instruction to Student-Led Discovery using an intentional model of instruction designed specifically for Competency-Based Educators

Bill Zima, Marzano Academies; Priscilla Newton, Flynn Elementary School; Claudette Trujillio-Federico, Metropolitan Arts Academy Public School; Olivia McCartney, Westminster Public Schools

Seeding Success: Growing Excellence in a Cross-Curricular, Culturally Responsive Urban Farm Experience

Andrea Stewart, Learning Couture, LLC; Tammy Askeland-Nagle, Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency; Phoebe Pester, Laureli Villagomez, Breelyn Seifert, Nathan Defoe, Nevaeh Rivera-Painter, Davenport Community School District; Ann McGlynn, Tapestry Farms

Launching the Next Generation of Student-Driven Performance Tasks: Committing to Engagement, Agency and Competency

Antonia Rudenstine, reDesign; Alexandra Dye, reDesign Youth Advisory Council

Designing Teacher Contracts for the Modern Classroom: Enabling Competency-based Learning through Union Contracts

Evan Stone, Educators for Excellence; Tong Hui Koh, Center for Public Research and Leadership

Finding Equity with Self-Paced, Blended Learning.  How a school serving kids from under-resourced communities used personalized learning to close gaps

Azaree Goodrum, Alyssa Stang, The Greater Dayton School; Dana Kravchick, Wavio

Going Small: Growing a Real World Learning Program within Small Schools

David Berg, Big Picture Learning; Dana Jones, Big Picture Learning Windsor; Candace Eaton, The Workshop School; Sparkle King, Big Picture Nashville High School

Help Learners Own Their Learning! Systemically supporting Learner Agency starting in the early Elementary Level

Cinnamon Scheufele, Chris McJunkin, Sherilee Gonzalez, Casandra Luna, Lindsay Unified School District; Jane Bryson, Nikolaus Namba, Cynthia Leck, Transcend

How the Educators Rising Program is Building Student Voice Around the Nation

James Lane, PDK International and Educators Rising

Implementing culturally responsive performance assessments at the classroom level that yield useful data for state or district systems

Kathleen Schwille, Cris Waldfogel, PBLWorks; David Cook, Learning Ecosystems Design

The Art of Letting Go-Utilizing Learning Menus Alongside Flexible Scheduling 

Mimi Renteria, Sarah Boswell, Jennifer Martinez, Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District #35

Transforming Education in the Bluegrass State through Deeper Learning in Kentucky

Karen Perry, Susan Dugle, University of Kentucky; Gretchen Morgan, Center for Innovation in Education (C!E); Sarah Snipes, Kentucky Department of Education; Travis Hamby, Allen County Schools

Who’s on deck to lead change for learners? Identifying and developing emerging changemakers at all levels of your system

Laura Hilger, KnowledgeWorks; Brenda Diaz, Nashville Big Picture High School & Metro Nashville Virtual School; Hector Estrada, Arizona State University, Next Education Workforce Initiative; Cory Steiner, Northern Cass School District; Carmen Coleman, Ohio Valley Education Cooperative; Christina Guevara, Spectrum Academy

Beyond the Classroom: Looking through the Kaleidoscope of K-12 Learning Models

Christian Lehr, Adam Newman, Tyton Partners

Advancing Policy Reform in Colorado through Statewide Stakeholder Engagement

Mallorie Klemm, Renee Martinez, Colorado Department of Education

Advancing Equity Through Grading Reform in K-12 Education

Sierra Holtzheuser, SpacesEDU; Starr Sackstein, Mastery Portfolio; Natalie Vardabasso, Empowerment Ecosystem; Bryanna Hanson, Learner-Centered Collaborative

Beyond the Buzzwords: Communicating the Value of Pathways and Competency-Based Learning

Shawnee Caruthers, Getting Smart; Mike Murphy, American Student Assistance (ASA); Adam Kulaas, Tacoma Public Schools; Kenny Rodrequez, Grandview C-4 School District

District Change Makers: Designing Equitable Access to Personalized Learning  

Rebecca Midles, Getting Smart; Becky Hutchinson, Concord Schools; Tonja Reischl, Issaquah School District; Erin Whalen, DaVinci Schools; Keeanna Warren, Purdue Polytechnic

Five States Chat: Personalized Virtual Program Partnerships for their At-Home Learning Populations

Lauren Bailey, Tech Trep Academy; Kyla Archie, Sequoia Choice – Arizona Distance Learning Academy; Clark Coberly, Weston County School District #7; Terri Sorensen, Oneida School District; Greg Linton, Cloverdale Community Schools

Forging Pathways to Opportunity: The Journey of Ogden Technical High School

Dana Nolan, Patty Nielson, Hillary Stacey, Ogden School District

From Aspiring to Inspired: The Power of Project & Competency-Based PD for Equity-Driven Leaders

Sarah Pazur, Elaina Holsey, CS Partners; Chris Quiambao, FlexTech High School; Meagan Scott, American Montessori Academy; Sarah Paprocki, Huron Academy; Jenna Strong, Oakland FlexTech High School

The Power of Connection:  Cultivating Connection and Agency through Peer-Based Goal Setting and Critique

Reyna Beltran, Kimberly Gair, Jennifer Pasillas, Lindsay Unified School District; Elaine Hou, Jan Faraguna, Transcend

Using Personalized Competency Based Learning to Support Meaningful Inclusion for Students with Disabilities

Lindsey Cunningham, Emily Berry, Utah State Board of Education

Attendees can pick up their lunch in the exhibit hall located on the 3rd floor in Storyville Hall. We invite you to head directly to the general session to enjoy your meal and experience our engaging Closing Keynote.

Awakening the Genius in Your Students Through Learning Autonomy

Erika Twani, Learning One to One