CAS Annual Conference 2025

Leading for equity is one of the most rewarding and difficult challenges leaders face today.  It requires time, dedication, persistence, and in many cases “unlearning”.  Prior to engaging in equity work with stakeholders leaders must build learning structures and routines that continuously develop racial consciousness in themselves and their staff.  In this session, we will provide a detailed analysis of a process for becoming leaders of a culture of self-reflection, distributive/shared leadership, and collective responsibility for equity while providing first hand accounts from staff members on how these changes are spreading throughout the school.  The goal of the session is to first understand what equity work is and how we, as educational leaders, can build a systemic culture of equity.  A secondary goal is to have session participants reflect on their own racial consciousness and how that can impact their leadership, in turn affect school transformation. 

In today’s evolving educational landscape, effective leadership is key to fostering a positive culture and climate. "Empower to Elevate" is designed for school and district leaders looking to clarify their leadership purpose and strengthen their skills. Through interactive activities, participants will reflect on their core "why" and connect personal values to leadership practices, enabling them to inspire meaningful change.

The session will explore strategies for building trust, promoting collaboration, and creating inclusive environments that support growth and innovation. Leaders will leave with actionable insights and practical tools to elevate their school communities.

Attendees will receive resources for reflective practice, activities for team collaboration, and strategies to address educational fatigue. These tools can be tailored to meet the unique needs of individual schools and districts. Participants will gain practical strategies ready for immediate implementation with leadership teams or faculty to create lasting, positive impacts.

"Transformative Discipline: Using Restorative Practices to Enhance Student Engagement and Responsibility" is a professional development session designed to equip administrators with practical strategies for implementing restorative practices in their buildings. Participants will explore how shifting from traditional disciplinary methods to restorative approaches can foster a more positive, inclusive school culture. Through collaborative activities and real-world examples, this session will demonstrate how restorative practices can improve student engagement, strengthen relationships, and promote personal accountability. Administrators will learn how to address conflicts constructively, build empathy, and encourage students to take ownership of their actions, ultimately supporting their academic and social-emotional growth. Learning Outcomes: 1.    Participants will be able to implement restorative circles and conferences to address student behavior and promote accountability. 2.    Participants will develop strategies to create a restorative school environment that encourages student engagement, collaboration, and responsibility.