As World Cup 2026 gets underway, education leaders are also navigating a fast changing AI landscape that calls for clear rules, smart coaching, and a strong game plan. This session uses a World Cup metaphor to highlight the five most important things administrators need to know about AI right now, focusing on leadership decisions, guardrails, equity, and strategy rather than tools or hype. Participants will leave with a playbook for leading thoughtfully and confidently with AI.
Drawing from Dublin Elementary School, a 2025 PLC Model School, presenters share examples and leadership practices that have maintained clarity and coherence over time. Through research, authentic school site examples, and structured collaboration, participants will explore how clearly defined PLC foundations empower leaders at every level, center decisions on students, and unite staff around shared commitments. Leaders will leave with practical tools and next steps to sustain meaningful impact in their school communities. This session aligns with ACSA’s 2025–2026 theme, Empowered to Lead, Inspired by Heart, United for Impact, showing how mission, vision, and values guide purposeful leadership and collective action.
Lauren McGovern brings extensive experience as an educator, including 13 years as a classroom teacher and 12.5 years as a principal. She holds a Master’s degree in Instruction and has deep expertise in Professional Learning Communities, Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports, and data... Read More →
This session explores how storytelling strengthens advocacy for public education. Participants will learn how powerful narratives influence policy, build community trust, and highlight the transformative impact of schools, educators, and student experiences. Featuring ACSA resources and focusing on ACSA's "One Voice Platform", participants explore how story‑driven strategies to elevate educator voices and clearly communicate the value of public education to stakeholders—from legislators to families. Attendees will craft compelling stories that inspire action, foster partnerships, and support equitable opportunities for all students.
Director, College and Career Readiness, Contra Costa County Office of Education
Hilary Dito serves as the Director of College and Career Readiness at the Contra Costa County Office of Education, where she leads regional initiatives that expand equitable access to high‑quality Regional Occupational Program (ROP) pathways.
Hilary represents ACSA Region 6 on the Legislative Policy Committee, lending her voice to statewide policy discussions and advocating for students, educators, and public education. She also works closely with CAROCP and the California CTE Coalition, contributing to statewide advoca... Read More →
Thursday June 11, 2026 12:50pm - 1:40pm PDT Silver Room
Rather than relying on short-term staffing fixes, OUESD launched a bold, equity-centered, multi-year strategy to grow, prepare, and retain educators from within the community. This session tells the story of OUESD’s Strategic Educator Pathways initiative—an integrated continuum that includes teacher and counselor residency programs, classified-to-certificated pathways, a forthcoming apprenticeship model, and district-led induction for teachers and administrators. Participants will learn how OUESD leveraged state grants, higher education partnerships, and Board-aligned vision to move from planning to implementation—launching teacher and counselor residencies, creating robust mentoring structures, and embedding residents in classrooms through co-teaching and substitute models. The session will highlight early outcomes, including improved classroom stability, high resident and mentor satisfaction, and a growing pipeline of educators prepared to stay and serve.
Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, Oakley Union ESD
Erin Roberts serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources for the Oakley Union Elementary School District. Throughout her career, she has been an active member of ACSA, holding various administrative roles including Principal, Curriculum Director, and Human Resources... Read More →
Director of Educator Development, Oakley Union Elementary School District
Brandy Byers is a passionate educational leader committed to inspiring educators and transforming school cultures. Specializing in developing educators, Brandy empowers teams to thrive through celebrating successes, modeling affirmations, and fostering supportive environments.
Thursday June 11, 2026 12:50pm - 1:40pm PDT Gold Room
The H.E.A.L’ing Meditation Method™ (Have Everything Align to Love™) is a trauma-aware, healing-centered meditation practice designed for leaders who are ready to restore themselves while transforming the cultures they steward. This method offers the profound physiological and psychological benefits associated with deep rest practices—improved sleep quality, nervous system regulation, mental clarity, emotional resilience, and reduced burnout—while remaining fully accessible, secular, and culturally responsive. At its core, the H.E.A.L’ing Meditation Method™ is rooted in love consciousness—the intentional practice of aligning one’s inner state with compassion, belonging, and shared humanity. When leaders rest well, they lead differently. They listen more deeply, respond with greater care, and create environments where people feel seen, valued, and safe. This is especially critical in schools and organizations that serve Black students and families, where leadership presence directly impacts belonging, trust, and community well-being.
