We’re kicking off the Virtual School Leader Summit with an energizing opening session that highlights the power of unity in driving educational equity. In this session, we'll explore how innovation, collaboration, and leadership can create meaningful change in our schools. You’ll also get a sneak peek into the exciting agenda for the day ahead, where we’ll dive into workshops, panel discussions, and interactive sessions focused on fostering inclusive learning environments and developing actionable strategies for equity. This is your opportunity to connect with fellow leaders, get inspired, and set your intentions for the summit as we rise together toward a brighter, more equitable future for all students.
Wednesday April 2, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am CDT
VirtualVirtual
Goals: For participants to leave with understanding of the Cultivate survey and reporting site but also understand how Cultivate data can be used in partnership with students for improvement. To provide resources that support their work elevating student voice and student partnerships.
Desired outcome: Leaders return their school and collaborate with teachers, teacher teams, and students to understand the Cultivate system and data and decide on practices to center student experience.
Goals: Participants will be able to identify the data and goals that are most meaningful to their school/community. Participants will evaluate their own data infrastructure (time, people, technology) to analyze and respond to data.
Desired Outcome: Participants will have an opportunity to share and collaborate on how to advance their school's response to data.
Goals: To understand the outcomes of an EL Program Review by analyzing key insights and impacts, recognizing areas for improvement, and defining actionable next steps to support and enhance student success.
Desired outcome: By the end of this presentation, participants will have a clear understanding of the EL Program Review findings, including key insights and impacts. They will be able to identify areas for improvement and collaborate on actionable next steps to enhance student success
Goals: This presentation will be focused on understanding the importance of Tiered SEL Teaming structures, also known as Culture & Climate and Behavioral Health Teams. This session will introduce self-reflection tools on assessing the functioning of the systems and structures within your school buildings. Engaging in this activity is helpful for schools seeking support on how to promote student attendance, improve interpersonal relationships with staff, students and families, and support students with additional social-emotional and behavioral health needs.
Desired outcome: Participants will increase their understanding of…
The purpose and benefits of establishing Tiered SEL Teaming Structures
The importance of having a robust Menu of Interventions to help address specific needs of individuals or group within the school setting
How to engage in a self-assessment in order to determine team priorities for the school year using data
Policy Details:
Comprehensive Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Policy
Whole School Safety Policy
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Overview
Tier 1: Universal supports for all students (SEL curriculum, behavior strategies)
Tier 2: Targeted small-group or individual interventions
Tier 3: Intensive interventions for students with significant needs
Team Definitions:
Culture & Climate Team
Behavioral Health Team
Benefits of Tiered SEL Teaming Structures Teaming Process
Adam Mogilevsky is the School Climate Team Specialist on the Tiered SEL Teaming Structures Team in the Office of Social and Emotional Learning (OSEL) at Chicago Public Schools. With over ten years of experience as an educator, instructional coach, content developer, and administrator... Read More →
Veronica Kalokhe is a Behavioral Health Teaming Specialist with the Office of Social & Emotional Learning. She has a wealth of experience in fostering social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health programs within educational environments. With a focus on collaboration and professional... Read More →
Wednesday April 2, 2025 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
VirtualVirtual
Goals: Learn how counselor/principal distributive leadership supports student postsecondary aspirations and goals. Learn how to implement principal-counselor collaboration strategies and Identify areas of joint principal counselor work areas. Explore how the school counselor role supports the work of administrators to advance whole school transformation and increase schoolwide student achievement outcomes.
Desired outcomes: -Understand that school leadership must include every stakeholder in the educational ecosystem, especially school counselors. -Grasp the value of empowering school counselors with data to monitor graduation progress, support student aspirations and advance postsecondary outcomes. - Acknowledge the importance of including school counselors on the school leadership team and incorporating their voice to address items/issues facing the principal.
Dr. Joyce V. Brown is a recognized school counseling leader, serving as a teacher, counselor and district director of School Counseling, within Chicago Public Schools from 2004 - 2008. She was the chief architect of the Chicago Public Schools district-wide four-week summer transition... Read More →
Wednesday April 2, 2025 9:20am - 10:20am CDT
VirtualVirtual
Goals: To equip educators with the knowledge and tools to develop and implement proactive systems that foster equity, access, and high expectations for all students
Desired Outcome: By the end of this professional development session, staff will be able to:
Establish and Implement Effective Systems – Design and apply structured, sustainable systems that support diverse student groups, ensuring equitable access to learning opportunities.
Foster an Inclusive and High-Performing Learning Environment – Cultivate a school culture where all students feel valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their highest potential through strong relationships, clear expectations, and collaborative practices.
Goals: Learn how counselor/principal distributive leadership supports student postsecondary aspirations and goals. Learn how to implement principal-counselor collaboration strategies and Identify areas of joint principal counselor work areas. Explore how the school counselor role supports the work of administrators to advance whole school transformation and increase schoolwide student achievement outcomes.
Desired outcome: -Understand that school leadership must include every stakeholder in the educational ecosystem, especially school counselors. -Grasp the value of empowering school counselors with data to monitor graduation progress, support student aspirations and advance postsecondary outcomes. - Acknowledge the importance of including school counselors on the school leadership team and incorporating their voice to address items/issues facing the principal.
Dr. Joyce V. Brown is a recognized school counseling leader, serving as a teacher, counselor and district director of School Counseling, within Chicago Public Schools from 2004 - 2008. She was the chief architect of the Chicago Public Schools district-wide four-week summer transition... Read More →
Wednesday April 2, 2025 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
VirtualVirtual
Goals: Be practiced and ready to write a high quality SY26 Implementation Plan in the Unified CI platform (UCI).
Desired outcome: 1. Navigate and input using the UCI platform for the SY26 Implementation Plan 2. Write effective Milestones and Action Steps (and distinguish between them) 3. Evaluate the strength of Milestones and Action Steps
Dr. Ari Frede is CPS' School CIWP Specialist, supporting schools in wise implementation of Continuous Improvement practices. He earned a BA in children's literature and education, a MA in Southern Studies (blues and education), and earned an Ed.D. from UIC's Urban Education Leadership... Read More →
Wednesday April 2, 2025 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
VirtualVirtual
Goals: Participants will become familiar with the Rightful Presence Indicators and understand the significance of keeping them top of mind in developing strong special education programming for students with disabilities.
Desired outcome: Participants will identify a focus indicator to commit to at their school (Ex: CIWP, ILT, etc.) moving into SY26.
Special Education Administrator (SEA)-N13 Elem, OSD
In this role, I provide expertise and support for instructional quality for diverse learner education to the full instructional team, which includes DL & GenEd teachers, SECAs, RSPs, school staff, networks, and other departments and offices throughout the district. The core function... Read More →
Wednesday April 2, 2025 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
VirtualVirtual
Goals: Learn how to use available data tools, and tiered systems of support to plan strategically to mitigate barriers that result in chronic absenteeism
Desired outcome: Schools will have identified areas to focus their attention to address chronic absenteeism more strategically
Goals: Identifying how we can affect change by finding a common denominator together— the denominator being adult mindset— so we can accomplish our individual and collective goals synonymously.
Desired outcome: To move in the same direction together utilizing collaboration, inclusive and supportive learning environments, leadership and development
Goals: This session will introduce Cultivating Creativity: The CPS Arts Education Plan 2.0, a visionary roadmap for arts education in Chicago. Designed to ensure equitable access to high-quality arts learning for all students, the plan outlines key strategies, priorities, and partnership opportunities for schools. This session aims to engage non-district managed school leaders in a collaborative conversation about the role of arts education in student success and how their schools can align with and benefit from the citywide arts education vision. This session also aims to:
Increase Awareness of the Arts Education Plan 2.0
Provide an overview of Cultivating Creativity and its significance for arts learning in Chicago.
Highlight the strategic priorities and goals outlined in the plan.
Engage Non-District Managed School Leaders in the Vision
Demonstrate how the plan supports arts education expansion, quality improvement, and equity across all schools.
Offer school leaders insights into how they can align with and contribute to the citywide effort.
Provide Actionable Strategies for Implementation
Share tools, resources, and best practices to help school leaders enhance arts programming in their schools.
Walk through the CPS Arts Education Roadmaps to support school-level implementation of the plan’s recommendations.
Foster Collaboration & Partnership
Invite schools to participate in ongoing initiatives and professional learning opportunities tied to the plan.
Facilitate discussions on challenges, needs, and opportunities for strengthening arts education in non-district managed schools.
Desired Outcomes:
Broader Understanding & Buy-In: Non-district managed school leaders will leave with a deep understanding of Cultivating Creativity and its implications for their schools.
Commitment to Strengthening Arts Education: Schools will recognize their role in expanding access to the arts and be motivated to take actionable steps.
Clear Implementation Pathways: Leaders will walk away with tangible strategies for integrating arts education priorities into their school improvement plans.
Stronger Partnerships: Schools will identify opportunities to collaborate with CPS, Ingenuity, arts organizations, and funders to support arts education.
Goals: To understand the outcomes of an EL Program Review by analyzing key insights and impacts, recognizing areas for improvement, and defining actionable next steps to support and enhance student success.
Desired outcome: By the end of this presentation, participants will have a clear understanding of the EL Program Review findings, including key insights and impacts. They will be able to identify areas for improvement and collaborate on actionable next steps to enhance student success
Goals: This presentation will be focused on understanding the importance of Tiered SEL Teaming structures, also known as Culture & Climate and Behavioral Health Teams. This session will introduce self-reflection tools on assessing the functioning of the systems and structures within your school buildings. Engaging in this activity is helpful for schools seeking support on how to promote student attendance, improve interpersonal relationships with staff, students and families, and support students with additional social-emotional and behavioral health needs.
Desired outcome: Participants will increase their understanding of…
The purpose and benefits of establishing Tiered SEL Teaming Structures
The importance of having a robust Menu of Interventions to help address specific needs of individuals or group within the school setting
How to engage in a self-assessment in order to determine team priorities for the school year using data
Policy Details:
Comprehensive Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Policy
Whole School Safety Policy
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Overview
Tier 1: Universal supports for all students (SEL curriculum, behavior strategies)
Tier 2: Targeted small-group or individual interventions
Tier 3: Intensive interventions for students with significant needs
Team Definitions:
Culture & Climate Team
Behavioral Health Team
Benefits of Tiered SEL Teaming Structures Teaming Process
Veronica Kalokhe is a Behavioral Health Teaming Specialist with the Office of Social & Emotional Learning. She has a wealth of experience in fostering social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health programs within educational environments. With a focus on collaboration and professional... Read More →
Adam Mogilevsky is the School Climate Team Specialist on the Tiered SEL Teaming Structures Team in the Office of Social and Emotional Learning (OSEL) at Chicago Public Schools. With over ten years of experience as an educator, instructional coach, content developer, and administrator... Read More →
Wednesday April 2, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm CDT
VirtualVirtual
Goals: Elevate a comprehensive and integrated interpretation of MTSS beyond interventions. Apply MTSS as a school improvement framework to address system-wide structures, staff roles, and student outcomes. Clarify the relationship between implementation, fidelity, data-driven decisions, supportive structures, and student impact. Consider four layers of implementation to guide effective and equitable MTSS execution.
Desires outcome: Participants will understand MTSS as a school improvement framework Participants will understand how to audit their system-wide structures and identify opportunities for improvement Participants will understand the impact of implementing MTSS for Staff and Students Participants will understand how MTSS addresses systemic disparities and equitable outcomes
Professional Learning Specialist, Chief Equity Office
Previous to his work in Chicago Public Schools, Joshua Johnson (he/him) served as an equity champion and instrumental music teacher in both Missouri and Illinois. Currently, he serves as an Equity Professional Learning Specialist in the Chief Equity Office of Chicago Public Schools. In... Read More →
Rebecca Davis-Dobson brings more than two decades of teaching and administrative leadership experience in urban education and assessment to the Chief Equity Office, continuing her commitment to removing barriers to success for students and families in Chicago, by championing instructional... Read More →
Wednesday April 2, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm CDT
VirtualVirtual
