📚 The Book Nook to feature Colorado-Based Authors and Charter Peers
Swing by the Spruce Room to browse The Book Nook, featuring curated titles written by your charter school peers. Plus, thirty-minute scheduled meet-and-greets will offer a casual opporunity to interact with the authors themselves.
Meet-and-Greets are offered between workshop and general sessions for your convenience:
Thursday, Feb. 27
9:00 - 9:30 AM
A respected voice in professional development, Diane is a trailblazer for student-centered coaching, putting students’ needs front-and-center. By focusing on goals for student learning — rather than on fixing teachers — she empowers instructional coaches to directly impact both instructional practice and student achievement. After teaching and coaching in Denver Public Schools, she served as a program officer at PEBC before founding her consulting firm.
- Student-Centered Coaching: The Moves
- The Essential Guide for Student-Centered Coaching
- Moves for Launching a New Year of Student-Centered Coaching
12:15 - 12:45 PM
A dedicated single mom and passionate public education leader, Dr. Meryl founded Hex 24 Press in 2024 to advocate for educational equity. Having held a variety of roles from paraprofessional and teacher to district department leader and charter school board member, these diverse experiences shaped her dedication to equitable education practices. She strives to empower families while inspiring educators.
- Max Effort’s Guide to the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT): Gifted and Talented Test Exposure for Level 8 - 2nd Grade
- Thinking Threads: Weaving Creative Thinking into Classroom Conversations - Second Grade Science and Social Studies
- How To Opt Out of Colorado's K-12 State Tests: Expert Tips and Surprising Insights from a Colorado Educator
- Measuring What Matters: A Framework for Board Members to Evaluate School Leaders
In addition to serving as Executive Director of Academics at Stargate School, Dr. Robin specializes in and lectures internationally about supporting culturally linguistically diverse gifted learners. Her insight helps educators better understand bias in gifted education, including that within underrepresented populations and twice exceptional learners. She is a proud recipient of the National Association for Gifted Children's Professional Learning award.
- Leading Culturally Responsive Gifted Programs: A Roadmap for Change
- Supporting Gifted ELLs in the Latinx Community: Practical Strategies, K-12
2:30-3:00 PM
Wendy, who serves as Senior Director of Content Development and Publications at PEBC, believes that math education is an important lever for civil rights activism. She designs professional development for teachers at all levels across curriculum, focusing on creating learning opportunities that honor students’ thinking. She is the co-creator of PEBC’s math and science institutes, as well as many of their online courses.
- Phenomenal Teaching
- Cultivating STEM Identities
- Minds on Mathematics
- Science as Thinking
- Developing Literate Mathematics
A resident of Guffey and member of the South Park County Fire Department since 1999, Lawrence also serves on the five-member Board of Directors at Guffey Community Charter School. He appreciates the close-knit, small-town atmosphere, considering it a privilege to watch this Colorado community change and grow.
- Stump & Toad Stools
- Stomping on Toad Stools
- Under the Toad Stool
4:30-5:00 PM (during happy hour)
Peggy is a seasoned educational consultant, having served in various roles, including charter school founder, teacher, director, and board member. She has helped to open five charter schools in two states, with a passion that extends to grant writing and fundraising. Her expertise in these areas helps schools secure the funding needed to support program development and school improvement goals.
- Charter School Grants 2.0
- Are You in the F.O.G. (Fear of Grants)?
- Donor Letters Made Easy for Your School
- Unlocking Corporate Sponsorships
- Grants Planning for Schools
Dr. Griffen boasts over 20 years of experience in charter schools — from middle school English teacher to high school principal — and currently serves as a Chief Equity Officer for DSST Public Schools. He is an experienced thought leader in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion, including multicultural curriculum; culturally responsive instructional leadership; and urban policy and analysis.
- R.A.C.E. Mentoring and P-12 Educators: Practitioners Contributing to Scholarship
Friday, Feb. 28
8:00 - 8:30 AM
Currently Director of Operations for Academica Mountain West, Dr. LeNeave previously served as a founding principal, principal and board chair for multiple public charter schools. A visionary leader with a passion for transforming education, she demonstrates a remarkable ability to navigate complex administrative and management responsibilities while incorporating a holistic approach to educational leadership.
- Charter School Blueprint: A Complete Guide to Developing & Opening a Charter School
Utilizing decades of experience in higher education, board leadership, and organizational communication, Ken helps nonprofit organizations eliminate boardroom drama to increase effectiveness. His proven Aligned InfluenceⓇ model helps charter schools across the country foster harmonious relationships between boards and executive leadership, enabling organizations to run more effectively.
- Aligned Influence
12:30-1:00 PM
A former high school math teacher and coach, Juliana founded CollaboratEd in 2018. Frustrated with the lack of resources and support for math teachers working with students below grade level, she set out to fill a void. Providing high-quality professional development and coaching for schools, districts and state departments of education, she strives to increase student engagement and outcomes in math.
- Teaching 6-12 Math Intervention: A Practical Framework to Engage Students Who Struggle
