WASA/AWSP Summer Conference
Lighting the Way for Leadership
June 25–27, 2023 | Spokane

WASA and AWSP are excited to announce that the 2023 WASA/AWSP Summer Conference will be held in person in Spokane this June! Join us June 25–27 for an opportunity to network and learn with fellow school leaders. 

The 41st WASA/AWSP Summer Conference is a time to shine a light on the accomplishments of the 2022–23 school year and gain insights and ideas for smooth sailing in the year ahead! 

This year’s theme is “Lighting the Way for Leadership." Sessions will focus on innovation, inclusion belonging, effective teams, social emotional learning, culture, systems, operations, and academic success. 

Share your excitement with us! Use the hashtag #WASAAWSP2023



Summer Conference Golf Tournament

June 25 | 8:00 a.m. Shotgun Start | Liberty Lake Golf Course

Reserve your place now! The registration fee is $100 per golfer and includes green fees, cart, lunch, and prize contributions. To join the fun, register via email to Jeff Jurgensen at jjurgensen@oacsvcs.com and include any foursome requests. Payment will be made onsite at the registration table prior to the 8 a.m. shotgun start. The registration table opens at 7 a.m. at Liberty Lake Golf Course.

 

CONFERENCE DATES
Conference will occur June 25–27, 2023.
Pre-conference sessions will occur June 2425, 2023.

TARGET AUDIENCE
All WASA and AWSP members and interns

PRE-CONFERENCE TOPICS

  • Teacher Effectiveness
  • CEL-5D Framework 
  • Danielson Framework 
  • Marzano Framework  
  • Check back soon for additional pre-conference options! 
LOCATION
Spokane Convention Center



Spokane Convention Center

We’re holding the conference in the new section of the Spokane Convention Center.
334 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201


HOUSING

The Conference Housing Block is now CLOSED
Cancellations: Any previously made reservations are subject to a 30-day cancellation policy. Anything cancelled after 30 days will be subject to a fee of the first night’s room and tax.
Booking Housing: Please work with the hotels directly to secure a hotel room.

SCHEDULE AND APP
View the schedule and program here.

Register for the app by following these steps: 
1. Download the Cvent Events App

2. Search for WASA AWSP Summer Conference
3. Login with your first name, last name, and email address
4. A six-digit code will be sent to your email (Check your junk/spam folder!) Enter this into the app. 

If for whatever reason, the app is not working, you can access the information here. Contact Bella Troiani with any app questions. 

MEALS INCLUDED
 Sunday | June 25   Dinner
 Monday | June 26   Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall
  Lunch 
 Tuesday | June 27   Brunch
 Full-day Pre-conference sessions include lunch. 

REGISTRATION
Registration is now closed. Please contact Lisa Gehman (lgehman@wasa-oly.org) with questions.

REGISTRATION RATES
WASA/AWSP Active and Associate Members: $495
WASA/AWSP Students and Intern Members: $250
WASA/AWSP Life/Emeritus Members – Complimentary: Meals only
WASA/AWSP Conference Attendees: $595


CLOCK HOURS 
Complimentary Washington clock hours will be available.

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY
All cancellations must be received in writing by email. There is a $100 fee ($40 for intern/student members) for conference cancellations made after 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 1. (An additional $80 will be charged for cancellation of each pre-conference.) All cancellations made after 4 p.m. on Friday, June 16 will be charged the full amount. If you register for the conference or a preconference and do not attend, you will not receive a refund.

 

EXHIBITORS  
Exhibitor booths are SOLD OUT. 

LOCATION
Hall A of the beautiful Spokane Convention Center

All booths include: 

 

  • (1) 10x10 Exhibit Space 
  • (1) 6’ Black Skirted Table 
  • (2) Padded Chairs 
  • (1) Booth ID Sign 
  • (1) Basic Electrical Connection 

NEW! Additional time for visiting exhibitors has been included in the 2023 WASA/AWSP Summer Conference agenda. 

Keynote Speakers


Steve Pemberton Smiling with a suit on

Steve Pemberton Sunday Evening
Chief Human Resources Officer, Workhuman, and Best Selling Autho
r, A Chance in the World

Considered one of America’s most inspiring business and HR leaders, Steve Pemberton’s triumphant life story is about defying seemingly insurmountable beginnings as a child orphaned into foster care. Born to a mother who was in the middle of a losing battle with alcoholism, it was said about Steve that “this little boy doesn’t have a chance in the world.” His inherited circumstances, handed down from one generation to the next, was not the fault of Steve, but he still looked at it as his responsibility. That determination to better his life was met by the kindness of everyday citizens who affirmed that fight. As told in the major motion picture and acclaimed, best-selling memoir, A Chance in the World, adversity only fueled his desire to become a man of resilience, determination and vision. Steve went on to find success as a corporate executive, innovative diversity and inclusion thought leader, visionary youth advocate and acclaimed speaker devoted to inspiring and helping others. Steve’s keynotes, like his life story, amplify his highly motivational messages: Believe in your dreams, rise above obstacles, create opportunities for others, and most of all, persevere.

All these years later, as time and life has moved on, Steve has still not forgotten those human lighthouses or the lessons of service and integrity that mentors instilled in him. His most recent book, The Lighthouse Effect: How Ordinary People Can Have an Extraordinary Impact in the World, offers practical encouragement for how you can be a "human lighthouse" for others and through the inspiring stories Steve shares, he will renew your hope for humanity. A passionate human rights champion, Steve has made equality, access, and opportunity the foundation of his personal and professional life. Author of the USA Today best-selling memoir and subject of the film, A Chance in the World, Steve chronicled his extraordinary journey of his search for family. His tireless advocacy for the disenfranchised has earned him numerous accolades  including honorary doctorates from Winston-Salem State University, Mt. Ida College,and Boston College. He received the prestigious Horizon Award by the U.S. Congress, presented to private sector individuals who have expanded opportunities for all Americans through their own personal contributions, and who have set exceptional examples for young people through their successes in life.

Steve is the chief people officer of Workhuman. He champions and promotes the Workhuman movement to inspire HR leaders to embrace more humanity and foster a sense of purpose in the workplace. Steve is focused on building upon Workhuman’s award-winning culture, which has set a new industry standard through its own power usage of recognition and positivity. Before joining Workhuman, Steve served as the chief diversity officer for Walgreens Boots Alliance and Monster.com. A frequent presenter on Capitol Hill, in 2015, he was appointed by U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez to serve on the Advisory Committee for the Competitive Integrated Employment of People with Disabilities. Steve is also one of Recruiter.com Group, Inc.’s (OTCQB: RCRT) independent directors, which is a leading AI-powered and video hiring platform with the world's largest network of recruiters.


Man in suit smilingLuis F. Cruz, PhD | Monday Morning
Author, Time for Change; Educator

Luis F. Cruz, PhD, is former principal of Baldwin Park High School, located east of Los Angeles, California. He has been a teacher and administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Dr. Cruz presents on methods from the best-selling book Time for Change by Luis F. Cruz and Anthony Muhammad. In 2007, Dr. Cruz led a collective effort to secure a $250,000 grant for Baldwin Park from the California Academic Partnership Program for the purpose of effectively utilizing “courageous leadership” to promote a more equitable and effective organization.

Since becoming a public school educator, Dr. Cruz has won the New Teacher of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Administrator of the Year, and other community leadership awards. He and a committee of teacher leaders at Baldwin Park received California's prestigious Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association for significantly closing the achievement gap between the general student population and students learning English as a second language.

As a recipient of the Hispanic Border Leadership Institute's fellowship for doctoral studies, he earned a doctorate in institutional leadership and policy studies from the University of California Riverside. He earned an associate's degree from Mount San Antonio Community College, a bachelor's degree from California State University, Fullerton, and a master's degree from Claremont Graduate University.

Transforming School Culture
Transforming School Culture experts will help you examine the assumptions, beliefs, expectations, and habits that comprise your school’s culture, to ensure a productive and functional environment. Work with our experts to develop the ability to properly respond to challenges and adversity. 


Janel Keating | Tuesday Morning
Retired Superintendent, White River SD

Janel Keating is a recently-retired superintendent of the White River School District in Washington State. An educator with more than 30 years of experience, she is a former elementary and middle school teacher, elementary principal, director of student learning, and deputy superintendent. During her time as principal of Mountain Meadow Elementary, the school became one of the highest-performing elementary schools in the state. Janel is the recipient of the 2019 Robert J. Handy Most Effective Administrator Award in Washington.

She was also named Principal of the Year in Pierce County, Washington, and received the 2013 Carroll College Alumni Academic Achievement Award. Janel is past president of the Washington State Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. She earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Idaho and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Carroll College in Montana. Janel received a superintendent’s certificate from Seattle Pacific University.


PRE-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, JUNE 24

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
*Lunch Included
Stage I: Training in the Instructional Frameworks — Danielson
Mindy Meyer | Winston Benjamin 

Over the course of two days, participants will familiarize themselves with the Danielson Instructional Framework and how it is used in teacher evaluation for our state. The intended audience are principals, assistant principals, and central office staff who are either new to the role or have changed to a district using a different instructional framework than the one in which they were previously trained. This training fulfills the first part of the legislatively required training for teacher evaluators. 
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
*L
unch Included
Stage I: Training in the Instructional Frameworks — Marzano 
Mark Gardner | Annie Wolfley
Over the course of two days, participants will familiarize themselves with the Marzano Instructional Framework and how it is used in teacher evaluation for our state. The intended audience are principals, assistant principals, and central office staff who are either new to the role or have changed to a district using a different instructional framework than the one in which they were previously trained. This training fulfills the first part of the legislatively required training for teacher evaluators. 
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
*Lunch Included
Stage I: Training in the Instructional Frameworks — 5-D
Whitney Meisser
Over the course of two days, participants will familiarize themselves with the 5-D Instructional Framework and how it is used in teacher evaluation for our state. The intended audience are principals, assistant principals, and central office staff who are either new to the role or have changed to a district using a different instructional framework than the one in which they were previously trained. This training fulfills the first part of the legislatively required training for teacher evaluators. 

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
*Lunch Included
Increasing Teacher Effectiveness Through Conversation
Becky Lee | Anzara Miller
Teacher learning links directly to student learning, and as what we know about learning changes, how do you as an administrator support teacher growth through conversation? Come to this two-day session where you will learn strategies and skills to grow your skill set to improve your efficacy in supporting teacher growth. Participants will use tools and templates to learn and practice strategies and skills, view model conversations and leave with tangible resources to support conversations with teachers.
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
UDLize Your Leadership to Transform Teacher Practice
KC Knudson 
What are the best practices of UDL and how can we apply them to our leadership to ensure that the needs of both our educators and students are being met? During this session, we will dive into how to model UDL through our leadership practices, including how to universally design professional learning, integrate mastery-oriented feedback into our observation and evaluation system, set realistic and attainable goals with our teachers, provide them with tools for progress monitoring, and promote voice and choice into our everyday leadership.
   
– 4 p.m. Stage I: Training in the Instructional Frameworks  Continued Danielson 
– 4 p.m. Stage I: Training in the Instructional Frameworks — Continued  Marzano 
– 4 p.m. Stage I: Training in the Instructional Frameworks — Continued 5-D
– 4 p.m. Increasing Teacher Effectiveness Through Conversation Continued
– 4 p.m. Strategic Planning and Thinking
Tammy Campbell
Participants in this session will engage in learning that will focus on:
· Orienting the strategic plan around student-centered goals
· The Use of Strategies to significantly increase broad and diverse stakeholder engagement and input
· Leadership moves to ensure deep alignment between the strategic plan and school improvement planning

SUNDAY, JUNE 25
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
*Lunch Included
Stage I: Training in the Instructional Frameworks  Continued Danielson
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
*L
unch Included
Stage I: Training in the Instructional Frameworks — Continued Marzano 
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
*Lunch Included
Stage I: Training in the Instructional Frameworks  Continued 5-D
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
*Lunch Included
Increasing Teacher Effectiveness Through Conversation
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Everything I Wish My Administrators Knew About Brilliant Teaching
Yemi Stembridge
In this session, the argument will be made that the teaching necessary for closing Equity gaps in public schools requires teaching that is culturally responsive, rigorous, and designed with the local needs and assets of students and also the contexts for learning in mind. This kind of teaching can be called "brilliant" because it illuminates and projects light on the possibilities for engaged learning and life-changing understandings. This is an easy argument to make to teachers, and many administrators agree in principle to this statement, as well. But too many teachers see the systems (i.e. policy environment) to be restrictive of the very types of pedagogy to which brilliant teaching aspires. This session will highlight some of the issues that teachers face in their efforts to do the work necessary to provide more equitable and meaningful opportunities to all of their students in the classroom.
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
*Lunch Included
Fostering Collective Efficacy to Maximize Impact
Peter DeWitt | Jenni Donohoo
Schools face many barriers in their pursuit to foster student growth. What is needed to overcome those barriers is the collaborative effort of leaders and teachers. Success in schools lies in the strength of believing that through their combined efforts, principals and their faculty can accomplish great things for the learning lives of students. Collective efficacy is the shared conviction that educators make a significant contribution in raising student achievement. During this full day session, we will learn about the collective efficacy research and demonstrate practical ways leaders and teachers can strengthen efficacy in their schools and classrooms.
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Culturally Relevant and Sustaining Formative Assessment for English Learners
Paul Bloomberg | Rachel Carrillo Fairchild 
This session will challenge educators to give voice to the students and families they serve and guide them on a path towards providing all students with access to Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education (CRSE) and Formative Assessment. When it comes to advancing CRS formative assessment, it is important to recognize that we have historically failed to partner with English Learners and their families to formatively assess language acquisition, identify language acquisition levels, set goals around language acquisition, and celebrate gains. We will explore strategies to begin this process as well as to build the critical consciousness of our ELs so that they are empowered to own their learning and create change in their lives, thereby disrupting the status quo. It is time to "Amplify the Voice" of all students and families through CRS formative assessment.

– 4 p.m.
Stage I: Training in the Instructional Frameworks  Continued Danielson 
– 4 p.m. Stage I: Training in the Instructional Frameworks  Continued  Marzano 
– 4 p.m. Stage I: Training in the Instructional Frameworks  Continued 5-D
– 4 p.m. Increasing Teacher Effectiveness Through Conversation Continued
– 4 p.m. Fostering Collective Efficacy to Maximize Impact  Continued
Peter DeWitt | Jenni Donohoo 
– 4 p.m. Advancing Student Agency through Teacher Collaboration
Paul Bloomberg | Rachel Carrillo Fairchild
Join us for this highly engaging session where participants will learn how to build student agency, advance equity, and accelerate learning through a proven process that leverages the power of self and peer- assessment and goal setting. Learn strategies that empower educators and learners to drive their own learning through gathering and analyzing evidence and taking collective actions,
thereby building collective efficacy. Join us and learn how teacher collaboration can increase student
ownership and agency and build efficacy for both students and teachers!

Pre-Conference Speakers

Jenni Donohoo smiling.
Jenni Donohoo

Jenni Donohoo, PhD, is a five-time best-selling author and professional learning facilitator with more than 25 years’ experience in leading school change. In addition to her writing, Jenni has multi-year partnerships with numerous organizations where she works alongside system and school leaders to improve the quality of professional learning and collaboration in schools and districts. Jenni has designed and taught Experienced Principals’ Courses for the Ontario Principals’ Council and Additional Qualification courses for the University of Windsor.

Jenni has been a keynote speaker at conferences including WorldEduLead, Raising Student Achievement, Annual Visible Learning, Corwin’s Women in Education, and the LEAP Conference in Australia. She has also presented breakout sessions at numerous conferences and in school districts across the United States and Canada.




Peter DeWitt wearing a collared shirt and smiling. Peter DeWitt
Peter DeWitt (Ed.D) was fortunate enough to have been a K-5 teacher for 11 years and a principal for eight years where he grew as a learner and leader. For more than 8 years now, he has been facilitating professional learning nationally, and internationally, based on the content of many of his best-selling educational books. That professional learning includes workshops, monthly (hybrid) professional learning relationships, and keynotes.

DeWitt's areas of expertise are instructional leadership, developing collective efficacy among leadership teams, and fostering inclusive school climates. Additionally, Peter coaches school-based leaders, directors, instructional coaches and teacher leaders as well as school-based leadership teams both in-person and remotely. In the Summer of 2021, DeWitt created a year long on-demand, asynchronous coaching course through Thinkific where he has created a community of learners that include k-12 educators in leadership positions. DeWitt's work has been adopted at the state level, university level, and he works with numerous school districts, school boards, regional networks, ministries of education around North America, Australia, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the U.K.
    
Peter writes the Finding Common Ground column for Education Week, which has been in circulation since 2011. In 2020, DeWitt co-created Education Week's A Seat At the Table where he moderates conversations with experts around the topics of race, gender, sexual orientation, research, trauma and many other educational topics. Additionally, DeWitt is the Series Editor for the Connected Educator Series (Corwin Press) and the Impact Series (Corwin Press) that include books by Viviane Robinson, Andy Hargreaves, Pasi Sahlberg, Yong Zhao and Michael Fullan. He is the 2013 School Administrators Association of New York State's (SAANYS) Outstanding Educator of the Year, and the 2015 Education Blogger of the Year (Academy of Education Arts & Sciences), and sits on numerous advisory boards. Peter is the author, co-author or contributor of numerous books. His articles have appeared in educational research journals at the state, national and international level. His books have been translated into numerous languages.

Photo from the shoulders up of KC Knudson smiling in a suit
K.C. Knudson
K.C. Knudson is an equity-driven educator with over 26 years of experience as a leader, teacher, trainer, and presenter. K.C. specializes in leveraging deep knowledge of the learning process and leadership theory to create inclusive schools and classrooms that work for all learners. Before joining Novak, K.C. Knudson was the Director of Teaching and Learning in the Lake Chelan School District in Chelan, Washington, and formerly served as Anacortes School District Assistant Superintendent and as Executive Director of Teaching and Learning for the Burlington Edison School District. 








Dr Tammy Cambpell from the chest up, smiling.Tammy Campbell
After 27 years serving in public education, Dr. Tammy Campbell is now offering her expertise and expanding her reach to school districts across the United States. An award winning and nationally recognized former superintendent and educational leader, Dr. Campbell launched The Scholar First Inc. (TSF) to help other district and school leadership learn best practices and evidence-based approaches to achieve greater student achievement in the areas of academics, social emotional learning, and belonging. The Scholar First Inc. continues to be rooted in the belief that every scholar can succeed!
 
Dr. Tammy Campbell has held many roles including educator, classroom teacher, math staff developer, principal, area principal supervisor, assistant superintendent , superintendent, and mentor superintendent. Using her successes in each of these roles, Dr. Campbell founded The Scholar First and is currently partnering with school districts and for-profit companies on visioning, theory of action and goal alignment. The Scholar First's mission is to inspire and empower leaders to create systems and structures that position every scholar to achieve their limitless potential. Dr. Campbell has seen first-hand the impact of the strategies she models with partner districts.

While serving as Superintendent of Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS), the district realized both regional and state level accolades. For example, the FWPS’ School Board of Directors were named as the Large District Board of the Year by the Washington State School Directors’ Association. Additionally, Dr. Campbell was recognized as one of the 25 Most Influential Leaders in the Seattle Region by Seattle Magazine.

Close up headshot of Adeyemi Stembridge talking with a microphone headset on.Adeyemi Stembridge
Adeyemi Stembridge is an educational consultant specializing in equity-focused school improvement. He works with districts around the country to identify root causes of achievement gaps and formulate pedagogy- and policy-based efforts to redress the under performance of vulnerable student populations.
 
He was the Director of the Center for Strategic Solutions at the Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools (Metro Center) in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University, USA.








Paul Bloomberg smiling. Paul Bloomberg
Dr. Paul Bloomberg is the founder and Chief Learning Officer of The Core Collaborative (TCC), a professional learning network that specializes in learner-centered approaches to learning. The Core Collaborative supports over 2,000 schools globally with a mission of expanding student ownership and agency. Paul is the co-author of the best-selling book and professional learning pathway, Leading Impact Teams: Building a Culture of Efficacy published by Corwin Press and is the lead author of, Peer Power! Unite, Learn and Prosper: Activate an Assessment Revolution, published by Mimi & Todd Press. Prior to founding The Core Collaborative, Paul was the former director of TIDES (Transformative Inquiry Design for Effective Schools & Systems), a nonprofit in San Diego focusing on problem-project based learning. Prior to TIDES, Paul served as the principal of a high poverty, elementary school in San Diego County. His team beat the odds by significantly turning around achievement over a three-year timeframe through an intense focus on formative assessment and goal setting. Since that time, Paul has used his expertise to support multiple, successful school turn-around and school innovation efforts. Paul has also served as a Distinguished Professional Development Associate for the Leadership & Learning Center, founded by Douglas Reeves and has served as a Visible Learning Consultant for Professor John Hattie.

Paul is grateful to educators globally who have worked on the front lines during the pandemic of 2020; they are true heroes. With this tremendous respect, TCC assembled over 100 principals, teachers, parents and students to discuss the problems of practice they were encountering daily and weekly with hybrid and remote teaching. Starting in April 2020, in partnership with pilot schools, TCC began their “remote teaching” design and piloting process. The Clarity for Virtual Teaching and Learning Framework was released in May of 2020 and TCC began supporting schools immediately. Over the summer it became clear that the planning and execution of engaging, evidence based, high impact, remote instruction took more time than teacher teams had. This challenge was met with collective action. TCC began collaborating with teacher leaders and formative assessment experts on the creation of The EmpowerED Learner eToolkit that will be released in January 2021 for grades 3-8. The toolkit integrates G-Suite and Pear Deck through transferable, formative tasks that can be easily customized to support a high level of differentiation while expanding student ownership and agency through classroom clarity, self-assessment, feedback and goal setting.

Paul’s passion is partnering with systems to build a culture of efficacy by strengthening teacher and student agency in developing assessment capable, emotionally capable and socially capable learners. He is deeply committed to enhancing learner success and believes that we all share the responsibility for social justice, equity and inclusion. Paul resides in Palm Springs, California with his husband, Tony. They have two sons, Alex and Taylor, who live in California.

Rachel Fairfield smiling. Frame is form neck up.Rachel Fairchild
Rachel Carrillo Fairchild is a Partner Consultant with The Core Collaborative. Rachel brings with her 19 years of education experience, she has been a classroom teacher, mathematics coach and resource teacher as well as a school leader. Rachel has designed and implemented district-wide staff learning in the areas of English Language Development, working with struggling learners, standards-based education and Assessment IS learning. She has presented at national conferences such as ASCD and is the author of How to Reach and Teach English language Learners. Rachel’s 19 years in education and ability to engage and lead education professionals, makes her a perfect fit as Partner Consultant with The Core Collaborative. 

Rachel earned her bachelor's from Occidental College in Los Angeles, California and her Masters in Educational Administration and Administrative Services Credential from Point Loma University in San Diego, California.
QUESTIONS
Contact Lisa Gehman at lgehman@wasa-oly.org with registration questions.                                             
Contact Kim Fry at 360-239-6225 or kfry@wasa-oly.org with exhibitor or breakout session questions. 
Contact Mike Nelson at 253.508.0192 or mnelson@wasa-oly.org with questions about the program. 

Upcoming Conferences

Interested in attending an upcoming conference? Check out the WASA Conference Calendar.

View Upcoming Conferences