Pennsylvania Association
for Supervision and
Curriculum Development

Elevating, Developing, & Growing Educators

Through Curriculum, Instruction, & Supervision

North Star Practices

Teaching and learning

The Joy Factor: Turning Ordinary Moments into Extraordinary Learning

Ming Shelby, Director of Professional Learning at Batavia SD

Discover how joy can transform your school! Explore research-backed strategies that empower staff to engage students, strengthen collaboration, and turn everyday interactions into meaningful learning moments. Leave energized with practical tools to create a unified, student-centered culture where every classroom shines

Mathematics: Defining the Undefined

Rob Baier, Atlantic Strategic Account Lead at Innovamat, & Rebecca Gibboney

In “Mathematics: Defining the Undefined,” we’ll unpack commonly used but often misunderstood terms like explicit instruction, direct instruction, and fluency. Attendees will gain clear, research-based definitions, explore practical classroom applications, and leave with a shared language to strengthen mathematical instruction, collaboration, and student learning across grade levels.

Don’t Stop Retrievin’: The Power of Participation & Practice

Dr. Katie Bienkowski, Instructional Design Coach at Garnet Valley SD, & Meg Hayes

Hit pause on passive learning and turn up the volume on thinking. This session hits all the right notes between retrieval practice and total participation. Learn how to turn your classroom into a greatest-hits tour of engagement, where every student thinks, responds, and remembers. You’ll leave with low-prep, research-backed strategies to help make learning stick.

Data-Informed, Not Data-Driven: Empowering Teachers to Make Instructional Decisions with Confidence

Sarah Rothermel, Elementary Principal at Whitehall Coplay SD

Drawing from my experience as a former Curriculum Director and current Elementary Principal, this session shares practical strategies for empowering teachers to make data-informed instructional decisions. Participants will explore how to transform assessment data into meaningful classroom practices that drive student growth, teacher confidence, and collaborative reflection within MTSS and instructional planning frameworks.

Building Star Systems

Leadership

Joyful Leadership: How Happy and Well Leaders Lead Differently

Dr. Amy Balsbaugh, Elementary Principal at Warwick SD

School leadership is demanding, and many leave under stress—but others are able to maintain joy, well-being, and satisfaction. This interactive session highlights current challenges and shares 10 evidence-based actions and mindsets to help leaders thrive despite challenging times. Attendees gain practical tools, resources, and action-planning strategies to sustain success, resilience, wellness, and fulfillment in their roles.

Sharing the Crown

Dr. Tamara Solometo, Director of Curriculum & Instruction K-12 at Southern Lehigh SD

Curriculum leadership shines brightest when it’s shared. In this session, leaders will learn to “share the crown” by recognizing and leveraging team strengths to address complex challenges in curriculum and instruction. Participants will explore strategies for building distributed leadership systems that foster trust, collaboration, and innovation—ultimately moving initiatives further and creating a constellation of learning where everyone’s light shines.

Building Teams to Drive Sustainable Change through the Use of Implementation Science

Bernadette Hannah, Supervisor of Elementary, Literacy K-12, and MTSS at Bristol Township School District

This session highlights how schools and districts can use the principles of Implementation Science to improve curriculum design, strengthen initiatives, and ensure long-term sustainability. Rather than working in isolation, leaders created implementation teams around key initiatives and empowered them to prepare for building-level rollout. This shift redefined how work on curriculum was approached—moving from theory into action, with clear systems for support and accountability.

Fostering a Learning Culture

Dr. Melissa Figueroa, Equity and Advancement Officer at Colonial SD & Tochukwu Okoye

This session examines the transformation of schools into learning organizations that leverage data collaboratively, prioritize best practices using research-based standards that promote a greater sense of belonging through teacher efficacy. Based on insights from the Colonial School District's implementation and Learning Forward standards, presenters will share strategies for shifting from compliance-driven professional development to cultivating environments that consistently enhance practices and drive meaningful impact through professional learning.

Navigating the Culture Compass

Classroom, school, or district culture and climate

From Extra to Essential: Integrating SEL with Purpose and Clarity

Dr. Krista Leh, Founder of Resonance Education

SEL is often treated as an add-on rather than an integrated part of learning. This interactive session demonstrates how to weave SEL skills into any classroom’s instruction and content through four practical strategies that foster personal growth and deepen academic learning. Participants will access a toolkit of ready-to-use, research-informed micro-moves that make SEL a natural part of every learning experience.

Adult Behavior Change First: Creating a Culture of Care

Houston Kraft, Co-Founder of Character Strong

Creating a thriving school culture starts with the adults. While students are often the focus, it’s the behavior and mindset of the staff that drive long-term, meaningful change. In this dynamic and hands-on session, we build a collective vision for more safe, compassionate schools. Culture is the sum of everyone’s actions - staff and students alike. Houston will share a practical framework for transforming your school’s culture through effective teaching strategies that promote positive culture change.

Cultivating a Culture of Belonging for Students and Staff

Dr. Susan Silver, Assistant Superintendent at Upper Merion Area SD

This transformative workshop is designed to equip educators and school staff with the essential tools and strategies to foster a learning environment where every student feels valued, respected, and deeply connected. Going beyond traditional diversity and inclusion efforts, this workshop delves into the core principles of belonging, exploring how to dismantle barriers, address unconscious biases, and implement equitable practices that empower student voices. Through interactive discussions, reflective exercises, and actionable frameworks, participants will learn to create spaces that prioritize psychological safety, promote collaboration, and cultivate a vibrant, inclusive school community where all students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Designing, Shaping, and Transforming School Culture

Tara Desiderio, Elementary Principal at East Penn SD & Dr. Dennis Williams

Every school has a culture; either you shape it, or it shapes you. This session explores three essential elements of a strong, positive school culture: student voice, teacher empowerment, and family/community engagement. Learn how intentionally cultivating these pillars can transform your school into a thriving, inclusive community.


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software