JCPS Leadership 2026: Full Schedule

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

9:45am EDT

Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:45am - 10:30am EDT

Limited Capacity filling up

This session equips educators with practical, high-impact de-escalation strategies to effectively respond to challenging behaviors while maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment. Participants will explore the root causes of escalation, recognize early warning signs, and learn proactive techniques to prevent situations from intensifying.

Speakers

Jill McKenna

Assistant Superintendent, Exceptional Children

As the Assistant Superintendent for Exceptional Children for Johnston County Public Schools, Jill brings over a decade of leadership experience as an EC Director across various district sizes. She holds degrees from Western Carolina University and NC State, having transitioned from... Read More →

Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:45am - 10:30am EDT
Room 219

3:00pm EDT

Every Learner, Every Classroom, Every Day: Strengthening Core Instruction Together

FULL

Tuesday July 14, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT

Room 219

Limited Capacity full

Explore how five Core Instructional Practices create powerful, daily learning experiences for every student. In this interactive session, participants will engage in a jigsaw-style exploration of each practice to identify its characteristics across grade levels, subjects, and instructional contexts. A map of Instructional Strategies PD for leveled teacher experience will align strategies and practices. You'll leave this session with practical strategies and a shared language to strengthen core instruction in every classroom, every day.

Speakers

Kevin Daughtry

Director of Multi-Tiered Supports and Advanced Learning

With over 30 years of experience, Kevin Daughtry began teaching high school English then moved into district leadership roles to support IB World Schools and AVID site teams. Focusing on practical ways to expand college access and academic opportunities, Mr. Daughtry is known for... Read More →

Tuesday July 14, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 219

10:45am EDT

Redesigning the Staff Meeting: Making Every Minute Count

FILLING

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:45am - 11:30am EDT

Room 219

Limited Capacity filling up

Aligned with Exemplary and Valued Personnel and Sustainable and Intentional Operations, this session supports school leaders in redesigning staff meetings to maximize time and impact. Participants will explore simple, tech-enabled strategies to deliver informational content in advance with built-in accountability, freeing up meeting time for professional learning and collaboration. Designed for busy administrators, the approach emphasizes easy implementation using tools already in place. Leaders will leave with practical structures to transform staff meetings into a powerful lever for building staff capacity.

Speakers

Michell McNeill

Executive Director of Instructional Technology

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:45am - 11:30am EDT
Room 219

2:00pm EDT

Your Digital Toolbox Is Deeper Than You Think: Tools to Support All Learners

LIMITED

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT

Room 219

Limited Capacity seats available

School leaders are often asked to support innovation while managing resources, yet many are unaware of the full range of digital tools already available in their district. This interactive session focuses on exploring existing district resources through the lens of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to better support all learners and reduce unnecessary duplication of tools. Participants will interact directly with district platforms, discover their capabilities, and consider how to better leverage existing resources to strengthen instruction.

Speakers

Michell McNeill

Executive Director of Instructional Technology

Wednesday July 15, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm EDT
Room 219

3:00pm EDT

Accelerating AIG Growth: From Data to Action

FILLING

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT

Room 219

Limited Capacity filling up

In this working session, administrators will take a deeper dive into EOG/EOC, EVAAS, & AIG Survey data in determining next steps for increasing AIG student growth and college and career readiness. Participants will leave with a clear, data-informed roadmap for elevating AIG student achievement and readiness.

Speakers

Rachel Kerstetter

Advanced Learning Coach, Johnston County Public Schools

Alison Brown

Advanced Learning Program Specialist, Johnston County Public Schools

A Johnston County native and proud product of Johnston County Public Schools, Alison Brown brings more than 20 years of experience and leadership in gifted and advanced learning education. Guided by the belief that all students can learn and that every child deserves to discover something... Read More →

Sue Miller

Advanced Learning Program Specialist

Sue Miller is a K-12 Advanced Learning Program Specialist for Johnston County Public Schools. She has served in her current role since August 2025 but has been with Johnston County Public Schools since 2010. Sue received her undergraduate degree in Middle Grades Education from the... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 219

9:00am EDT

Elevating Instruction for Multilingual Learners: What to Look For and What Works

LIMITED

Thursday July 16, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

Room 219

Limited Capacity seats available

How do you know if instruction truly meets the needs of multilingual learners while maintaining high expectations for all students? This session equips school administrators with clear “look-fors” grounded in high-leverage instructional practices for multilingual learners. Centered on practical SIOP® strategies, participants will explore how effective teachers build background knowledge, make academic language visible, and increase purposeful student interaction across content areas. Administrators will leave with a sharper lens for observing classrooms, actionable indicators of quality instruction, and strategies to support teachers in delivering rigorous, inclusive learning experiences.

Speakers