ADE Summit 2024: Full Schedule

10:20am CDT

Budget Prep: Understanding the School Budget

Monday July 8, 2024 10:20am - 12:20pm CDT

This training equips superintendents with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a well-structured budget. Participants will learn how to allocate resources effectively, make informed decisions, and maintain solid fiscal health for their educational institutions.
Topics will include the key components of a budget, practical tools for budget development, navigating enrollment trends and state funding.
If you wish to attend, please RSVP so we can provide your specific district information to you at the session.

Presenters

Dr. Eric Saunders

Associate Deputy Commissioner, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Dr. Saunders serves as the Associate Deputy Commissioner for District Operations with the Arkansas Department of Education. Previously, he has been an assistant superintendent for Benton Public Schools in Benton, Arkansas. Additionally, he is the former assistant commissioner at the... Read More →

Jason Miller

OCSS: District Operations, Fiscal Support and Services, Arkansas Department of Education

Jason Miller is a member of the Office of Coordinated Support Services at the Arkansas Department of Education, where he provides professional development, technical assistance, training, and guidance on district operations, school finance, and resource management. Mr. Miller has... Read More →

Monday July 8, 2024 10:20am - 12:20pm CDT
Room 205 Hot Springs Convention Center

Operations, Finance

1:00pm CDT

How to start an infant and toddler program?

Monday July 8, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Room 205

Learn how to start up a quality early childhood program for infants and toddlers in your school. Infant and toddler programs are vital to communities.

Presenters

Dawn Jeffrey

Assistant Director, Office of Early Childhood

I have a Bachelor's degree in Speech Therapy and a Master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education. I am currently the Assistant Director for child care licensing and the background check unit. I have been serving children and families in Arkansas for over forty years. Before... Read More →

Monday July 8, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 205 Hot Springs Convention Center

Operations, Early Childhood

2:20pm CDT

CTE Funding

Monday July 8, 2024 2:20pm - 3:20pm CDT

Room 205

This session will identify the different avenues for funding Career and Technical Education programs with local, state, federal and partnership funds.

Presenters

Ross White

Director-Division of Career and Technical Education, Arkansas Department of Education

Ross White, Director of Career and Technical Education (CTE), brings a wealth of CTE experience and knowledge to the division. Before serving as vice principal at Siloam Springs High School, a position he has held since July 2019, White was the director of the school’s CTE program... Read More →

Monday July 8, 2024 2:20pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 205 Hot Springs Convention Center

Student Support, Pathways Beyond High School

3:40pm CDT

Accelerated Opportunities

Monday July 8, 2024 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT

Room 205

What is acceleration? How do I implement acceleration? What are considerations to ensure appropriateness of acceleration decisions? What long term planning needs to occur in order to provide acceleration? How do I develop flexible K-12 acceleration policy to support the learners in my district?

Acceleration can be a low or no cost option to utilize to ensure that students are receiving appropriate levels of instruction and experience growth in their learning. Many people think of grade skipping when they hear acceleration, and while that is one type of acceleration, options for implementation of accelerated learning are much broader. Join us to learn more about accelerated learning and ways you can implement these opportunities for the learners in your district.

Presenters

Kiffany Pride

Assistant Commissioner, Arkansas Department of Education

Kiffany Pride currently serves as the Assistant Commissioner of Learning Services for Arkansas’ Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). With 27 years of experience, Dr. Pride has recently served as the Director of Curriculum and Assessment and RISE Assessor for the... Read More →

Lupe Peña de Martínez

Director of Student Support Services, ADE-DESE

Lupe Peña de Martínez is a native of San Diego de Alejandria, Jalisco, México. Recently celebrating her 26-year anniversary as an Arkansan, having moved to the Natural State in July 1998, by way of California. Her husband, Adelso, is a native of Belize and they have a beautiful... Read More →

Amanda Peebles

Program Advisor, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Krystal Nail

Director, Office of GT & AP, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Monday July 8, 2024 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT
Room 205 Hot Springs Convention Center

Instruction

10:20am CDT

Co-Creating Educator Preparation Programs through Collaborative Partnerships

Tuesday July 9, 2024 10:20am - 11:20am CDT

Room 205

Building Partnerships and Capacity between Educator Preparation Programs and Districts to implement Aspiring Teacher Permits, Apprenticeships, and Yearlong Residency

Presenters

Melissa Jacks

Program Manager, Educator Licensure, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Karli Saracini

Assistant Commissioner of Educator Effectiveness & Licensure, Arkansas Department of Education

Matthew Sutherlin

Director of Educator Preparation and Licensure, Educator Effectiveness and Licensure

Tuesday July 9, 2024 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
Room 205 Hot Springs Convention Center

Human Capital, Recruitment & Retention

11:40am CDT

Improving School Safety and Security

Tuesday July 9, 2024 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT

Room 205

Presentation on lessons learned from prior Active Assailant events and how to better secure your schools. Discuss total buy-in from administration, faculty/staff, and students. Explain School Safety Commission’s safety recommendations and best policies.

Presenters

Jerry Keefer

Arkansas Safe Schools Director, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Prior to joining ADE, Keefer worked as a special agent in charge of the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office since 2020. During that time, he supervised various units including the Executive Protection Unit, Internet Crimes Against Children Investigations Unit, and Digital Forensics... Read More →

Jason Weatherly

Safe School Coordinator, Arkansas Department of Education - DESE

Jason is an Arkansas native. He has over twenty-five years experience in construction, building inspections, and academic facilities. Before joining the Safe Schools Unit, Jason worked for ADE DPSAFT as a Facilities Project Manager where he reviewed and inspected construction projects... Read More →

Tuesday July 9, 2024 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
Room 205 Hot Springs Convention Center

Operations, School Safety

1:00pm CDT

The Goldilocks Effect: Pathways to Licensure

Tuesday July 9, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Room 205

PPTL, MAT, ArPEP and many, many more! If you or someone you know wants to become a teacher, this session explores the many traditional and alternative pathways to licensure. Come discover the option that is "Just Right" for you!

Presenters

Melissa Jacks

Program Manager, Educator Licensure, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Stephanie Hall

Capri Salaam

2023 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, North Little Rock School District

Capri Bell Salaam is a one-of-a-kind educator dedicated to developing the whole child. The 2023 Arkansas Teacher of the Year earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Central Arkansas before beginning her career as a third-grade teacher. After completing her... Read More →

Tuesday July 9, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 205 Hot Springs Convention Center

Human Capital, Licensure

2:20pm CDT

"Be Pro be Proud" Draft Day

Tuesday July 9, 2024 2:20pm - 3:20pm CDT

Room 205

Opportunities to engage your students with local, regional and state employers through career fairs and interview opportunities.

Presenters

Andrew Parker

Tuesday July 9, 2024 2:20pm - 3:20pm CDT
Room 205 Hot Springs Convention Center

Student Support, Pathways Beyond High School

3:40pm CDT

Why Do I Even Need a Master or Lead Designation???

Tuesday July 9, 2024 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT

Room 205

Building capacity to meet requirements outlined in the LEARNS Act. Explore the Master and Lead Licensure designation pathways, when they are needed and how to best utilize those designations.

Presenters

Bobette Ray

Educator Support Advisor, ADE-DESE - Office of Educator Effectiveness

If you are a teacher, ask me which micro-credential would be best for you. If you are an administrator, ask me which micro-credential would be best for grade-level teams or novice teachers. If you are a superintendent, ask me about the career continuum and how it can support your... Read More →

Melissa Jacks

Program Manager, Educator Licensure, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Karli Saracini

Assistant Commissioner of Educator Effectiveness & Licensure, Arkansas Department of Education

Tuesday July 9, 2024 3:40pm - 4:40pm CDT
Room 205 Hot Springs Convention Center

Human Capital, Recruitment & Retention

10:20am CDT

Why Do I Even Need a Master or Lead Designation???

Wednesday July 10, 2024 10:20am - 11:20am CDT

Room 205

Building capacity to meet requirements outlined in the LEARNS Act. Explore the Master and Lead Licensure designation pathways, when they are needed and how to best utilize those designations.

Presenters

Bobette Ray

Educator Support Advisor, ADE-DESE - Office of Educator Effectiveness

Melissa Jacks

Program Manager, Educator Licensure, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Karli Saracini

Assistant Commissioner of Educator Effectiveness & Licensure, Arkansas Department of Education

Wednesday July 10, 2024 10:20am - 11:20am CDT
Room 205 Hot Springs Convention Center

Human Capital, Recruitment & Retention

11:40am CDT

What's New in Licensure?

Wednesday July 10, 2024 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT

Room 205

Review of changes to educator licensure rules and their impact.

Presenters

Melissa Jacks

Program Manager, Educator Licensure, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Matthew Sutherlin

Director of Educator Preparation and Licensure, Educator Effectiveness and Licensure

Wednesday July 10, 2024 11:40am - 12:40pm CDT
Room 205 Hot Springs Convention Center

Human Capital, Licensure

1:00pm CDT

Who Done It? Now What?: 24 hour Rule and Background Check Reporting

Wednesday July 10, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Room 205

This session will focus on the PLSB's process for "24 Hour Standard 1 Mandated Reporting" by school districts. The session will also discuss new background check requirements for school districts' mandatory reporting of arrests or charges for disqualifying offenses, and new Early Childhood background check process.

Presenters

Human Capital, Data