25 ACSA North State PD Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome Back! Our conference committee has been working hard to bring you an opportunity for learning, networking and sharing with colleagues. We’ve introduced new processes and welcome your thoughts on what works and what needs improving. Thank you for supporting the North State’s premier administrator conference.

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8:15am PDT

The Neuroscience of Co-Regulation and Teacher Well-Being

Saturday May 3, 2025 8:15am - 9:15am PDT

Tuscany room 9

In this session, we will delve into the fascinating world of neuroscience to explore how co-regulation—when educators and students manage emotions together—can profoundly impact both student outcomes and adult well-being. Understanding the neural mechanisms behind co-regulation can empower educational leaders with tools to build stronger, more supportive relationships with students and teachers within systems, while simultaneously enhancing their own emotional resilience.

Participants will gain insights into how the brain responds to emotional interactions and how to foster a co-regulatory environment that nurtures both personal well-being and academic success. We will examine the latest research on the brain’s emotional systems, the role of mirror neurons, and how stress and emotion impact learning. Through practical strategies, educators will learn how to regulate their own emotional responses in challenging moments, how to support students’ emotional needs, and how to create an atmosphere that fosters mutual regulation.

Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how the brain operates and with strategies to enhance well-being, improve school & classroom climate, and ultimately support student growth through effective co-regulation.

Presenters

Kelly Rizzi

Director of School and District Support, Shasta COE

Kelly Rizzi is an educator of 30 years. She has taught everything from preschool through eighth grade. She was a literacy coach, a vice-principal at the middle school level, a principal at the K-5 level, and currently she is serving her tenth year as the Director of School and... Read More →

Saturday May 3, 2025 8:15am - 9:15am PDT
Tuscany room 9

Break Out Session

9:30am PDT

Moments That Matter: Creating a Culture of Appreciation and Purpose

Saturday May 3, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am PDT

Tuscany room 9

What if your school culture was defined by small, meaningful moments that left a lasting impact on staff, students, and families? In this interactive session, you’ll explore how intentional acts of appreciation and thoughtfully designed experiences can transform your leadership and your school community. Learn how to elevate everyday interactions, create a deeper sense of connection and belonging, and build a culture where people feel genuinely seen, valued, and celebrated. You’ll leave with actionable strategies and inspiration to create moments that matter—on purpose.

Presenters

Shana Henry

Elk Grove USD

Saturday May 3, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am PDT
Tuscany room 9

Break Out Session

10:45am PDT

Coaching for Performance: How to Elevate Your Team

Saturday May 3, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am PDT

Tuscany room 9

Great leaders don’t just manage—they coach. This session introduces essential coaching techniques that help leaders empower their teams, provide meaningful feedback, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Learning Objectives:
Implement the GROW Coaching Model (Goal, Reality, Options, Will)
Provide constructive feedback that drives improvement
Differentiate coaching from managing and know when to ask vs. tell

Presenters

Dr. Amanda Fernandez

Chief Fiscal Officer, Clarksville Charter School

Dr. Amanda Fernandez has had a diverse and extensive career in the field of education, serving in various roles in different types of educational institutions. Her experience spans both traditional District and County Office settings, as well as Charter schools, and Higher Education... Read More →

Saturday May 3, 2025 10:45am - 11:45am PDT
Tuscany room 9

Break Out Session

1:30pm PDT

The Power of Design Thinking for K-12 Educational Leadership

Saturday May 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Tuscany room 9

School leaders face complex challenges that require innovative, student-centered solutions. This session introduces K-12 leaders to Design Thinking, a structured problem-solving framework that fosters creativity and equity-driven decision-making. Participants will work collaboratively to develop solutions for real-world educational challenges.

Learning Objectives:
Understand the 5 Phases of Design Thinking (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test)
Apply Design Thinking to challenges such as school culture, equity, and instructional leadership
Foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within school teams

Presenters

Dr. Amanda Fernandez

Chief Fiscal Officer, Clarksville Charter School

Saturday May 3, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Tuscany room 9

Break Out Session