Dr. Demond “De” McKenzie is an expert in education and leadership development with over 20 years of experience. Currently he serves as an education consultant and leadership coach for RTI’s Education Services team, where he leads design and facilitation of professional development... Read More →
SEL is often limited in its potential for systemic implementation. Sometimes it is utilized to solely address student behavior or other singular facets of a students identity. In today's session, we will discuss how SEL supports student academic efficacy and how CASEL's schoolwide indicators of SEL can help your Early College develop whole-person-centered strategies to support students, staff and families and accomplish systemic SEL.
During this interactive session, participants will explore and consider an instructional framework and associated teaching practices to intentionally engage students in reading, writing, listening, thinking, and discourse for overall school improvement. By the end of the session participants will have access to the elements of a sound instructional framework and ancillary resources, insight on the impact of school improvement, and the support of peers for ongoing networking, implementation, and adaptation.
Todd Campbell has more than fifteen years of professional experience in K-12 education, working with teachers and administrators to build the essential knowledge and skill sets required to challenge and support students. As an expert in professional learning, he leads the customized... Read More →
Engage in activities and discussions focused on fostering relationships and creating a positive school culture. Participants will explore effective techniques for creating dynamic relationships among stakeholders, share best practices, and practice strategies that will lead to a positive school culture. Leave with practical tools and insights to enhance your educational environment and build stronger connections within your school community. Let's work together to create a brighter future for our students!
Counselor, Hertford County Early College High School
I am Melanie Vann, a native of Northampton County and I live in the area with my husband and two daughters. I attended East Carolina University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 2002. I taught for 5 1/2 years before transitioning into a school... Read More →
This 90 minute workshop targets educators, school counselors, and support staff on collaborative techniques, roles of stakeholders, and strategies for implementation. Participants will explore the significance of collaboration in enhancing student success and positive school culture. Activities involve brainstorming and sharing experiences to create actionable plans for fostering collaboration within schools. The session concludes with a Q&A and resources for further professional development. Participants are encouraged to maintain a collaboration network for ongoing support post-workshop.
Do you want to empower your staff to become the leaders they were made to be? Stuart and Kejuan, from Appointed to Lead, will share two leadership development activities perfect for engaging staff in conversations regarding their importance as leaders within the school and district. By participating in and reflecting on these activities, your staff members will develop a deeper sense of the unique leadership capacities they bring to the school community. These versatile 30-minute activities will be the perfect complement to your next whole staff P.D. Day or as a part of smaller workshops throughout the year.
After 10 years in the classroom, Stuart founded Appointed to Lead motivated by a passion for providing high quality leadership development instruction to high school students. Appointed to Lead seeks to help every student become the leader they were made to be by inspiring, equipping... Read More →
How can educators collaborate across disciplines to design learning experiences that reflect the real world? In this interactive session, participants will explore strategies for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teaching using a common driving question (DQ). Educators from diverse content areas will work together to begin designing engaging, student-centered lessons that integrate STEM principles. Through hands-on activities and collaborative brainstorming, attendees will leave with actionable strategies and ready-to-implement ideas for fostering deeper learning and authentic engagement in their classrooms.
This workshop targets educators, school counselors, and support staff on collaborative techniques, roles of stakeholders, and strategies for implementation. Participants will explore the significance of collaboration in enhancing student success and positive school culture. Activities involve brainstorming and sharing experiences to create actionable plans for fostering collaboration within schools. The session concludes with a Q&A and resources for further professional development. Participants are encouraged to maintain a collaboration network for ongoing support post-workshop.
Embark on a transformative journey exploring North Carolina's cutting-edge social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives aligned with the Next Generation Early College framework. This session delves into the collaborative efforts of state-level teams, district and school communities, and grassroots alliances in equipping educators and students with essential future-ready skills. Throughout the session, attendees will engage with practical tools and resources that can be immediately incorporated into their professional practice. Join us in this collaborative exploration of SEL's pivotal role in shaping the future of education in North Carolina.
Specialist for State Projects, SERVE at University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Beth understands social-emotional learning (SEL) and how SEL is foundational for organizations and learning. Beth is committed to systems change and organizational learning, where employees can access a culture and climate that promotes well-being and belonging. Beth is a Co-Founder... Read More →
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Statewide Consultant, NC Department of Public Instruction
Anne Nixon serves as a Statewide MTSS Consultant with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI). She helps lead the NC Social and Emotional Learning Implementation Team and provides systemic social and emotional and mental wellness supports for schools and districts... Read More →
Wednesday June 11, 2025 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Winston 3B
Consistent with Next Generation Early College principles to create an environment that supports the social and emotional learning of all students, this session will introduce participants to a framework for translating mindfulness into interactions with students in a manner that strengthens school climate, creates meaningful connections with students, and assists students in managing stress and regulating emotions. Practices will be drawn from the Be CALM program, developed in NC in partnership with several Early College High Schools, which is showing positive impact on both teachers and students. Resources and opportunities for research-based involvement with the program will be shared.
Desiree W. Murray, PhD, is a prevention scientist and licensed clinical psychologist whose research focuses on understanding the development of self-regulation from multidisciplinary perspectives and applying this knowledge to design and test interventions in schools and early care... Read More →
Artificial intelligence isn’t just a tool—it’s a teammate that can enhance productivity, innovation, and decision-making across roles in education. In this interactive session, Richard Boyd will guide participants through an AI-powered “Jobs to Be Done” framework, helping educators, administrators, and school leaders reimagine how AI can collaborate with them in their daily work.
Participants will explore role-specific AI applications, engage in hands-on activities, and leave with practical strategies to integrate AI into their workflows—not as a replacement, but as a trusted partner in problem-solving, efficiency, and innovation.
At Montgomery County Early College we provide a unique structure to guide students in the process of forming their own peer groups and managing time. Most early college students struggle with time management so join us for some helpful strategies to support students in bridging their ability to set clear goals, improve motivation, and increase accountability for successfully collaborating and communicating. We believe that by teaching students these tools they will be more successful as they navigate a bright future.
This session will introduce participants to the Experiential Science course, a dynamic and engaging approach to science education that emphasizes hands-on learning through direct application of science and engineering practices. The session will showcase how students can engage with local real-world problems, explore scientific concepts in meaningful ways, and build essential skills.
Colleges and districts can collaborate by integrating AI to enhance classroom engagement, streamline administrative tasks, and support individualized learning. This partnership equips students with critical AI skills, aligns education with workforce trends, and prepares learners for a future driven by innovation, fostering adaptability and success in higher education and careers.
Indiana’s Rural Early College Network (RECN) of 20 rural HS's have been networked by CELL to implement Early College programs. Using a variety of structures such as full Network meetings, Quads of mentor-partner schools, coaching, and role-alike convenings, RECN has met its goals with all schools now accredited as EC HS's. Participants will use Padlet during the presentation and meet in small groups to experience the Problems of Practice protocol used in RECN meetings. CELL will share the many lessons learned and how we have spun off two new programs and adopted practices from RECN in our other initiatives.
Director of Rural Early College Network, Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning
Janet serves as the director of the Rural Early College Network (RECN) at CELL. RECN is a federal EIR grant project that involves 20 rural Indiana high schools that are implementing the Early College model. Prior to this role, Janet served as CELL’s Director of Early College, Assistant... Read More →
Wednesday June 11, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Winston 3C
Indiana’s Rural Early College Network (RECN) of 20 rural HSs have been networked by CELL to implement Early College programs. Using a variety of structures such as full Network meetings, Quads of mentor-partner schools, coaching, and role-alike convenings, RECN has met its goals with all schools now accredited as EC HSs. Participants will use Padlet during the presentation and meet in small groups to experience the Problems of Practice protocol used in RECN meetings. CELL will share the many lessons learned and how we have spun off two new programs and adopted practices from RECN in our other initiatives.
Director of Rural Early College Network, Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning
Janet serves as the director of the Rural Early College Network (RECN) at CELL. RECN is a federal EIR grant project that involves 20 rural Indiana high schools that are implementing the Early College model. Prior to this role, Janet served as CELL’s Director of Early College, Assistant... Read More →
Wednesday June 11, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Winston 3C
Join us for an insightful session that highlights the powerful partnership between Craven Early College High School and Craven Community College Career Programs. Discover the strategies that have fueled this successful collaboration, boosted student enrollment, and paved the way for students to thrive after earning their certificates or degrees. We'll share best practices, real-world examples, and key takeaways for successful educational partnerships!
This session will present findings from comprehensive analyses on the Early College High School model, highlighting extracurricular participation and academic rigor outcomes. Using data from a longitudinal study conducted by SERVE Center at UNC-G, RTI International, and RAND, we will explore the unique impacts of ECHS programs on students' extracurricular engagement, classroom experiences, and homework. Participants will engage with the research findings through interactive discussions. These discussions will focus on understanding the differences between early colleges and traditional high school in these areas and the implications for program implementation and equity.
Senior Education Research Analyst, RTI International
Hi,I look forward to meeting you at the Early College Summit!Most of my research focuses on the educational progress of adolescents as they prepare for college. I am passionate about studying educational programs that help create opportunities for teens as they move into adulthood... Read More →
This session will share results related to academic college readiness and rigorous instruction gained from research and evaluation of early colleges in seven states, conducted by the Early College Research Center team. The session will start with participants’ discussion of what it means for instruction to be rigorous. The presentation will focus on the outcomes of implementing rigorous instruction in the early college classrooms in different states. Participants will also discuss the role of rigorous instruction and additional strategies in academic preparation of students for the college level courses they take while in high school and in their post-secondary institutions.
Senior Research Specialist, Early College Research Center at UNCG
Nina Arshavsky is a Senior Research Specialist at the Early College Research Center/SERVE Center at UNC-Greensboro. Dr. Arshavsky’s research and evaluation projects focus on STEM, dual credit, and early college model, which she has been studying for over 16 years. Dr. Arshavsky... Read More →
Wednesday June 11, 2025 12:45pm - 1:45pm EDT
Winston 1A
Dr. Demond “De” McKenzie is an expert in education and leadership development with over 20 years of experience. Currently he serves as an education consultant and leadership coach for RTI’s Education Services team, where he leads design and facilitation of professional development... Read More →
