Olathe Summer Conference 2026: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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TBA

Self-Paced- Analyzing Data Using Google Forms and Google Sheets

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA

Use Google Forms to consistently and efficiently enter data on student behavior.
Analyze the data quickly using Google Sheets, and use the averages and charts to visualize trends.
Troubleshoot graphs by ensuring the data is correctly sorted and choosing the right chart type.
Track student progress in an organized and efficient way.

Speakers

Juliana Dodson

Behavior Coach, Olathe Schools

Juliana has been a Behavior Coach for Olathe Schools for six years. Prior to that, she has been a general education teacher, resource teacher, and SER teacher. She recently earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership. She actively collaborates with teams to problem-solve and... Read More →

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA
Self-Paced Session

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TBA

Self-Paced- Balancing Act: The Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA

Self-Paced Session

Great leadership requires navigating daily tensions—strong yet humble, visionary yet grounded, decisive yet adaptable. This self-paced session explores The Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership by Tim Elmore, guiding learners through the essential tensions that effective leaders learn to balance rather than resolve. Through prompts and practical application, the session invites participants to reflect on how seemingly opposing qualities—such as leading with authority while fostering collaboration, or maintaining high expectations while supporting staff and student well-being—show up in schools and classrooms. Participants will examine how embracing these paradoxes can elevate their influence, decision-making, and authenticity. Designed for teacher leaders and administrators at any stage, this session empowers learners to lead with clarity and confidence in an ever-changing educational environment.

To access this session go to https://nearpod.com/student/
Enter code: TBA

Be sure to complete any required responses in the session should attendance need to be verified.

Speakers

Jenna Kuder

Director of Professional Learning, Olathe Public Schools

Jenna will write this

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA
Self-Paced Session

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TBA

Self-Paced- Clear by Design: Practical Accessibility in Microsoft 365

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA

Self-Paced Session

Accessibility means designing communication so your message can be clearly understood and acted on by everyone who receives it. In this session, participants will explore practical strategies for improving accessibility in Microsoft 365 through an immersive email simulation and hands-on revision activity that demonstrates how small design choices affect clarity. Participants will leave with a ready-to-use accessibility checklist, revised examples, and step-by-step guides they can immediately apply to improve everyday workplace communication.

To access this session go to https://nearpod.com/student/
Enter code: TBA

Be sure to complete any required responses in the session should attendance need to be verified.

Speakers

Joe Chavez

Digital Workplace Trainer, Olathe Public Schools

I have a Master's in Education Technology and Learning Design, and I'm an expert in adult learning. I have a passion for accessibility, technology, and creating meaningful learning experiences! This is my first year in my role as the Digital Workplace Trainer.

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA
Self-Paced Session

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TBA

Self-Paced- Exploring The Opportunity Myth: What Students are Asked to Learn- and Why It Matters

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA

Self-Paced Session

This self-paced session walks participants through The Opportunity Myth research from TNTP. Participants will explore key findings about students’ access to grade-level assignments, instructional expectations, and learning opportunities. Through guided navigation of the research, learners will build a deeper understanding of how opportunity gaps affect student outcomes.

To access this session go to https://nearpod.com/student/
Enter code: TBA

Be sure to complete any required responses in the session should attendance need to be verified.

Speakers

Jenna Kuder

Director of Professional Learning, Olathe Public Schools

Jenna will write this

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA
Self-Paced Session

All

TBA

Self-Paced- One Strategy at a Time: Building Strong Behavior Systems in the Classroom

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA

Self-Paced Session

This self-paced learning experience highlights practical strategies for supporting student behavior, engagement, and regulation in the classroom. Drawing from The Behavior Beat newsletters, participants will explore evidence-based practices such as teaching routines, understanding the function of behavior, embedding SEL supports, and responding safely to challenging behavior.

To access this session go to https://nearpod.com/student/
Enter code: TBA

Be sure to complete any required responses in the session should attendance need to be verified.

Speakers

Melinda Bricker

Behavior Coach, Olathe Public Schools

I am a behavior coach with the Olathe School District serving elementary school buildings.

Kadie Clifford

Olathe Public Schools

Juliana Dodson

Behavior Coach, Olathe Schools

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA
Self-Paced Session

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TBA

Self-Paced- Owls, Watchdogs, and Possums- Oh My!

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA

Self-Paced Session

Behind every "defiant" or "checked-out" student is a nervous system trying to stay safe. In this self-paced session, we explore Robyn Gobbel's relational neuroscience framework through the metaphors of the Watchdog, Possum, and Owl. You will learn to look beneath the surface of behavior to identify whether a student is in a state of protection or connection. This session provides the language and tools to foster "felt-safety" in your classroom, helping you move from reactive discipline to proactive co-regulation.

To access this session go to https://nearpod.com/student/
Enter code: TBA

Be sure to complete any required responses in the session should attendance need to be verified.

Speakers

Bre McGranahan

Elementary Behavior Coach, Olathe School District

Bre McGranahan, a 2024 Kansas Master Teacher, is an elementary behavior coach with ten years of experience in both general and special education. Her expertise is shaped by a decade in the classroom and a personal commitment to foster care advocacy. By blending professional behavioral... Read More →

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA
Self-Paced Session

All

TBA

Self-Paced- Planning for Grade Level Rigor

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA

Self-Paced Session

This self-paced option allows you to implement what you learned at Summer Conference as you plan for your upcoming school year.
Consider the following in your reflection and planning:
•Dig into your standards, develop your learning intentions and success criteria, and then plan for effective instruction at appropriate grade level rigor.
•Utilize the District Adopted High Quality Instructional Materials as your foundation and get a "jump start" on planning for the 2026-27 school year.
•Consider how your new learning from sessions you attended at Summer Conference impacts your planning.

You will log your learning and implementation on a provided log and submit by Friday, June 5. (See information below).

•Click here to access the log.
•Download and save the log to a location of your choice.
•Record your learning and implementation on the log. (You may record up to 7 hours between May 29 and June 5).
• Submit your log to Jenna Kuder at [email protected] by Friday, June 5.

Speakers

Jenna Kuder

Director of Professional Learning, Olathe Public Schools

Jenna will write this

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA
Self-Paced Session

All

TBA

Self-Paced- What's New in Children's Literature

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA

Self-Paced Session

Explore newly published titles in all different genres of children's literature. Participants will learn about highly recommended new releases, have opportunities to collaborate on lesson ideas, and share other books that have impacted your classrooms!

To access this session go to https://nearpod.com/student/
Enter code: TBA

Be sure to complete any required responses in the session should attendance need to be verified.

Speakers

Jamie Haffey

Library Facilitator, Olathe Public Schools

Friday May 29, 2026 TBA
Self-Paced Session

All

8:00am CDT

Completing Your Action Plan: A Guided Work Session AM

Friday May 29, 2026 8:00am - 11:30am CDT

Room 704

This is a Work Session, not a formal presentation. Participants will receive hands-on support entering the Knowledge, Application, and Impact points they have earned throughout the year.
The process can feel challenging, but during this session you will be able to ask questions, submit each step for approval, and receive real-time coaching to help you move forward successfully.
Whether you completed a district course such as The Culture Setter, Moral Courage, or LETRS, or developed your own Action Plan and just need guidance entering everything into Frontline for point approval—this session is designed for you.
*Bring any student data connected to your Action Plan SMART Goal that you may have if you are going to be submitting an IMPACT request.

Speakers

Jenna Kuder

Director of Professional Learning, Olathe Public Schools

Jenna will write this

Friday May 29, 2026 8:00am - 11:30am CDT
Room 704

All

8:00am CDT

HeartSaver CPR and First Aid AM

Friday May 29, 2026 8:00am - 11:30am CDT

Band Room 415

This session will train the participants in HeartSaver CPR and basic First Aid. HeartSaver CPR certification is for 2 years.

Speakers

Olathe Nurses and CPR Facilitators

Olathe Public Schools

Friday May 29, 2026 8:00am - 11:30am CDT
Band Room 415

All

8:00am CDT

Purposeful Planning for Rigorous Instruction AM

Friday May 29, 2026 8:00am - 11:30am CDT

Room 704

Teachers are invited to gather at Olathe East for flexible planning sessions focused on strengthening instruction through the use of High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM). These sessions emphasize aligning daily instruction to grade-level standards, preserving rigor, and making intentional instructional decisions. Participants may work independently or alongside colleagues to refine lessons, assessments, and supports that ensure all students access grade-level learning.

Speakers

Jenna Kuder

Director of Professional Learning, Olathe Public Schools

Jenna will write this

Friday May 29, 2026 8:00am - 11:30am CDT
Room 704

All

8:00am CDT

SCM Recertification- Theory

Friday May 29, 2026 8:00am - 11:30am CDT

Orchestra Room 411

This session is for staff seeking RECERTIFICATION in the theoretical foundations of Safe Crisis Management (SCM). This training explores how student behavior is a form of communication and examines the factors that contribute to escalation while supporting students’ social-emotional and behavioral growth.

Speakers

SCM Trainers

Olathe Public Schools

Friday May 29, 2026 8:00am - 11:30am CDT
Orchestra Room 411

All

8:30am CDT

KC Metro Social Studies Summer Summit

Friday May 29, 2026 8:30am - 3:15pm CDT

Shawnee Mission School District Center for Academic Achievement

Join us for this conference built for K-12 educators that centers high-impact social studies strategies and text by exploring practical ways to engage students in relevant and rigorous ways. Challenge your students to investigate the past by thinking like a historian!
Your attendance at Summit will count toward your Summer Conference Day 3 session.
College credit is available if you are not already earning college credit or points for Summer Conference.
You MUST register for this Summit IN ADVANCE.
Click here to for the pre-registration link.

Speakers