WestEd, in partnership with Whittier Union High School District, is hosting the Leading Through Change: Sustaining Growth Conference on April 5, 2025, at Pioneer High School in Whittier, California.
Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025
Time: 7:30 AM – 12:30 PM (PT)
This half-day event is designed for administrators from Pre-K through 12, district office leaders, and higher education professionals to collaborate, share expertise, and strengthen leadership practices.
Location
Pioneer High School
10800 Ben Avon St., Whittier, CA 90606
When
Saturday, April 5, 2025 (Breakfast and lunch provided)
7:30 AM – 12:30 PM (PT)
Price
Participant: $129.99/person
Presenter: Free
Co-Presenter: $65.00/person
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Dr. Teresa Alonzo at [email protected].
Keynote Presentations
Breakfast Keynote:
Discover how transformative leadership has driven academic excellence at Pioneer High School from Dr. Monica Oviedo, the Superintendent of Whittier Union High School District, and Mary Chapman, the Principal of Pioneer High School, as they share insights and strategies for success.
Lunch Keynote:
Join Dr. Brad Mason, Superintendent of Whittier City School District, as he highlights the importance of leader self-care and explores how engaging in creative outlets can sustain passion and prevent burnout, inspired by The Giving Tree.
Sessions
Session: Vertical Articulation: Crossing Zip Codes
Explore the Implementation Matrix to support systems-level coherence.
Presenter: Dr. Ayele Dodoo, Director, WestEd
Session: Finding Balance During Innovation
Discover leadership strategies to assess organizational strengths and balance initiatives.
Presenter: Dr. Richie Romero, Deputy Superintendent, California Online Public Schools
Session: Stay the Course: Your Work Matters
Explore research-based strategies to create inspirational learning spaces that support adult learners and children.
Presenter: Dr. Alysia Odipo, Assistant Superintendent, Los Nietos School District
Session: Collaborative Curriculum Reviews to Support Instructional Coherence
Engage in curriculum analysis to assess alignment, rigor, and student/teacher experience.
Presenter: Dr. Erica Silva, School Improvement Specialist, WestEd
Session: Elevate Teaching: VITAL PLCs for Multilingual Excellence
Learn how structured PLCs enhance teaching and learning outcomes for multilingual learners.
Presenter: Dr. Krystal Diaz, School Improvement Facilitator, WestEd
Session: Elevating Secondary Literacy Outcomes with Reading and Writers’ Apprenticeship
Enhance disciplinary literacy instruction through evidence-based models.
Presenters: Stephanie Patterson, Partnership Development Director, WestEd; Heather Conklin, Senior Program Associate, WestEd; Menya Cole, Program Associate, WestEd
Session: Empowering Data-Driven Decision-Making by Teachers
Maximize teacher effectiveness and foster collaboration through data-driven strategies.
Presenter: Timothy Liggett, Director of Assessment & Accountability, Whittier Union High School District
Session: Facilitating PLC Collaboration Sessions Through a SCNN Approach
Utilize the SCNN framework (Successes, Challenges, Needs, Next Steps) to structure collaboration sessions.
Presenter: Dr. Michael Williams, Principal, Rio Hondo Elementary School, Downey Unified School District
Session: Leading SBAC Math Success: Strategic Leadership for Instructional Excellence
Equip instructional leaders with tools to drive systemic improvement in Math SBAC outcomes.
Presenter: Erin Walker, CEO, Next Gen Math, LLC
Session: Leveraging AI Tools to Support the Whole Child
Explore how AI tools can aid data analysis, student interventions, and resource development.
Presenter: Dr. Marcela Valadez, Assistant Principal, Marshall Fundamental School
Session: Hard Conversations: How to Stay on Message and Build Rapport
Apply a structured framework to navigate difficult conversations while maintaining focus and understanding.
Presenter: Stephen Feng, Principal, Coolidge Elementary School, San Gabriel Unified School District
Session: How to Handle Hard-to-Handle Parents: Turning Challenges into Champions
Refine skills to engage, understand, and collaborate effectively with parents.
Presenter: Michele C. Krantz, Principal, Pico Canyon Elementary School, Newhall School District
Session: Trauma-Responsive Leadership: Cultivating Healing and Resilience
Develop strategies to create a culture of safety, empowerment, and well-being.
Presenters: Maria Christina Fernandez, Principal, Elm Street Elementary School, Oxnard School District; Dr. Sonia Wilson, Executive Director of Secondary Education, Santa Barbara Unified School District