Join KASA's general counsel for an important session on state and federal law changes and other issues that impact Kentucky schools and the administrators who lead them.

Come join Andrew in this early morning session to Master Your Mornings. What are the routines, structures, and habits you can put into place to jumpstart your day? Want to wake up earlier? Want to be more focused on your personal & professional life? Want to get that morning workout in? In this proactive, self-care session, Andrew dives into the following:

• Mastering the first 60-75 minutes of each day
• Making time to do the things you want to do
• Build a shut-down evening routine
• SAVERS: how to start your day by using SAVERS
• Books, distractions, zoning in, and more

It is challenging to lead if you are not filling your cup first. Make the important thing the important thing and get it done daily, and early. Keep Surviving & Thriving!

Every principal works to create a school where students feel welcomed, supported, and ready to learn each day. This session invites principals to rethink school nutrition as a powerful strategy that shapes attendance, behavior, and school culture. Through real-world examples, participants will learn how intentional partnerships with school nutrition leaders can increase participation and reinforce a sense of care and belonging—helping students arrive ready to learn and stay engaged.

We don’t have an alternative education problem—we have a design problem. Too often, students are placed into systems that were never built with them in mind. This session explores how to move beyond placement-driven practices and create flexible, student-centered programs grounded in connection, accountability, and purpose. Walk away with actionable strategies to redesign your program for stronger student outcomes.

Step into a playful, yet impactful exploration of innovative AI tools designed to spark creativity, boost productivity, and add a touch of fun to your leadership bag of tricks. Tailored for school leaders and district leaders, this session blends discovery with discussions as we drive into tools that are as practical as they are quirky. From solving real-world challenges to uncovering whimsical possibilities, you'll leave with fresh ideas ti implement in your district and maybe even a few tools you never knew you needed. Whether you're looking for serious solutions or just a bit of fun, this session is your recess for inspiration and discovery.

Conquering Confrontation gives school leaders a practical, high impact framework for handling tough conversations with confidence and precision. Grounded in self awareness, emotional regulation, active listening, and intentional planning. This fast paced session helps participants de-escalate conflict, build trust, and move people toward clear solutions. Leaders will leave with actionable tools and a ready to use conversation planner for their next high-stakes interaction.

In this session, a middle school principal shares how re-imagining the daily schedule can create space for what matters most: student connection, social-emotional learning, and targeted interventions. Learn how one school made strategic shifts to include daily advisory, intervention blocks, and community-building time without adding minutes to the school day. 

Want to have better, stronger relationships with your stakeholders? Tired of getting/feeling “beat-up?” Want to improve your public speaking and communication skills? Have people coming at you way too hard and unsure how to best handle it? Need some effective strategies? Feel like you are being too reactive instead of more proactive in your relationships? In this energy-filled workshop, Andrew will lead you through a variety of strategies, techniques, tips, and hacks that will help improve your overall communication and interactions with your stakeholders: staff, students, and parents. A few examples include difficult one-on-one conversations, body language, the ladder of active listening, how to own the large assembly setting, E + R = O, and your school and office energy, successful vs. significant, and more. The goal of this workshop is to become more confident, comfortable, and prepared to handle the many complex and challenging social situations that are rapidly coming at school leaders in today’s world.

In an era when complex challenges and divisive topics often dominate the conversation, leaders must find ways to bring their communities together - especially when stakes and emotions run high. In this interactive and practical session, Dr. Jill Siler - former superintendent and author of Thrive Through the Five - shares a framework for building trust, fostering open dialogue, and navigating difficult conversations with clarity and respect. Participants will explore how to design meaningful engagement experiences, communicate facts and context transparently, frame discussions in ways that invite collaboration, and keep the focus on what matters most: the success and well-being of students. You'll leave with strategies to facilitate productive conversations, acknowledge differing perspectives, and guide your community toward shared solutions - even when the topic is challenging and the room is divided.

Is your school truly safer because of the procedures and practices you have in place? This practical, results-focused training is designed for school administrators who want to move beyond compliance and ensure their safety efforts are making a real impact. Participants will examine current protocols, identify gaps between practice and effectiveness, and explore strategies to strengthen prevention, response, and recovery efforts. The session emphasizes actionable steps and real-world application so that every safety measure in your school contributes to better outcomes for students and staff.

Human trafficking is not a distant issue-it's happening in our communities, and our schools are on the front lines. This powerful session equips school administrators with the knowledge and tools to recognize, prevent, and respond to human trafficking affecting students. Participants will explore how traffickers target vulnerable youth, the warning signs that often go unnoticed, and the critical role schools play in early identification and intervention. Learn how to build staff awareness, strengthen reporting protocols, and collaborate effectively with law enforcement and community partners.

Learn the four essential steps to reduce chronic stress, prevent burnout, and balance the demands of life and work. By addressing stress at its root, you can live each day from a place of calm and confidence—more easily than you might think!

Learn the 4 key elements of a healthy foundation: de-stress, eat, move, and sleep your way to a healthier, happier you. Learn simple, practical ways to nourish your mind and body—without the overwhelm.

AI is already apart of school leadership-it even helped create this session! AI doesn't replace school leaders but it can help you get home on time. This session weaves practical, real-world applications administrators can immediately use for communication, planning, feedback, and daily efficiency. Participants will learn how to model responsible AI use, support teachers with meaningful time-saving strategies, and integrate AI ethically and professionally into daily leadership practice.

Join us for an insightful session on the essential steps and considerations for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into district policy. We will explore how to effectively introduce AI in educational setting, focusing on developing student and staff handbooks, acceptable-use policies, and obtaining parent consent. Our discussion will include setting grade-band expectations for when and how AI should be introduced or discussed in the classroom. We will address critical questions such as: When is it appropriate to rely on AI for cognitive tasks, and when should individuals retain the learning experience for themselves. Additionally, we will provide a comprehensive "Before You Buy" AI software checklist to guide decision-making prior to purchasing AI tools. Key aspects to consider will include data storage practices and the importance of reviewing software updates in a rapidly evolving AI landscape. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical strategies for navigating the integrations of AI in your district!

Join KASA's Rhonda Caldwell and Bob Rowland for timely update of the new federal K-12 tax credit program and its potential impact on public education systems, funding structures, and student services. Participants will explore the mechanics of Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), the emerging education marketplace, and the long-term implications for public schools, accountability, equity, and local governance. The session will also examine strategies districts, foundations, and education organizations can use to respond proactively, including considerations for forming SGOs, supporting student access, and adapting to a rapidly changing educational landscape. Designed specifically for education leaders, this session will offer practical insights, emerging trends, and critical questions school systems should be preparing to address now. The session will wrap up with discussion to hear from colleagues as to how their district is taking advantage of this dollar for dollar tax credit.

Every district has a story to tell. The question is: who do you want telling it? This session provides the firsthand perspective of a new superintendent leading a district through financial crisis, organizational instability, and community uncertainty while intentionally rebuilding trust, culture, and fiscal health. Participants will explore practical strategies for shaping public perception through transparent communication, intentional climate and culture leadership, and proactive community engagement. A major focus will be on leveraging social media, particularly Facebook, as a leadership tool to celebrate successes, communicate difficult realities, and reclaim the district narrative before others define it for you. This session is designed for leaders seeking actionable ideas for strengthening trust, managing community relations, and using storytelling as a strategic leadership practice.

Sextortion is a rapidly growing threat impacting students—and school leaders must be prepared to respond. This session equips administrators with the knowledge to recognize warning signs, understand how sextortion occurs, and take immediate, appropriate action. Participants will examine real-world scenarios, legal considerations, and the emotional impact on students and families. Learn how to strengthen reporting protocols, support victims, and partner effectively with law enforcement and digital safety experts. This session also highlights prevention strategies, including staff awareness and student education. Walk away with practical tools to respond with confidence and lead proactive efforts that protect students in an increasingly digital world.

Part 1 explores the research and warning patterns behind grooming and its connection to trauma, student mental health, and school safety. Grooming begins with trust, access, manipulation, and secrecy. This session examines child sexual abuse as one of the most damaging Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and shows why grooming is directly tied to school safety, student mental health, and long-term harm. Participants will explore how these patterns develop, how they are often missed, and why earlier recognition is essential to student safety and well-being. Part 2 provides practical guidance from law enforcement and mental health professionals, walking administrators step-by-step through how to recognize, document, and respond to grooming concerns with structured, defensible processes aligned with HB4. Awareness is not enough—schools need a plan. In the second installment, experts in law enforcement and mental health will walk attendees step by step through how to respond to grooming cases. Participants will leave with concrete, actionable, and defensible plans, hear the latest research, and learn next steps aligned with the language and intent of HB4. This session is built to help schools move from uncertainty and questions to confident action.

Join fellow administrators for an engaging, interactive session focused on the transformational power of the Capturing Kids’ Hearts process. Building a remarkable culture isn’t just about theory, it's about the intentional actions of leaders. In this workshop, you will hear from experienced leaders who’ve seen dramatic changes in their schools and districts. You will leave with a refreshed commitment to your vision and actionable tools to create and maintain a relationship driven culture.

This hands-on session moves beyond theory and into immediate application. Participants will explore AI tools they can begin using right away. Using Examples relevant to their own work, attendees will learn how to transform data into interactive webpages, create focused research notebooks with NotebooksLM, and even build a basic bot or agent, such as a contract review assistant or a school crisis scenario tool for response practice. This session is designed to empower leaders with practical skills, confidence, and personalized tools that enhance decision-making and day-to-day leadership work.

Too often, trauma-informed professional learning stops at the “why”—explaining trauma responses without giving leaders a clear path to build a whole-school culture that consistently supports students and staff. Hallways That Heal moves beyond theory to deliver a practical toolkit for creating a unified, trauma-informed school climate. Participants will leave with concrete strategies and real-life guidance grounded in the presenter’s dual perspectives as both an administrator and an adoptive mother.

What if the culture of your school is shaped less by your strategic plan and more by your daily actions? In this interactive session, Dr. Brian Lile explores how leaders build culture through the moments that matter most. Using the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, participants will reflect on their leadership habits, examine real-world scenarios, and leave with practical strategies to strengthen trust, inspire commitment, and positively influence school culture—starting on Day 1.

Grooming and sexual misconduct are critical risks that demand vigilant, informed leadership. This session equips school administrators with a clear understanding of relevant laws, policies, and reporting obligations that govern prevention and response. Participants will learn how grooming behaviors develop, the warning signs often missed, and how to distinguish appropriate from inappropriate adult-student interactions. The session also addresses boundaries, supervision practices, and staff conduct expectations. Walk away with practical strategies to strengthen prevention, improve reporting and documentation, and build a culture of accountability—ensuring schools remain safe, professional environments for every student.

Many educators plan for retirement by simply relying on their Teacher Retirement System benefit and do not realize that there is more they can and should do to prepare. It is critical for educators to understand the rules dictating their pension and how it interacts with Social Security and supplemental retirement plans, such as 457(b), 401(k), and 403(b) plans. Understanding these items provides people with a foundation of financial wellness that can help them plan and take the necessary steps to be financially secure.