"Beyond the Building Budget: Understanding Wyoming’s School Finance Model for Principals" Wyoming’s school finance model drives staffing, class sizes, program offerings, and building-level budgets—yet many principals have never been taught how the model actually works.
"Data Rich & Results Driven- Streamlining Results with TACA and AI" This presentation outline is designed for administrators and instructional leaders. It leverages the Team Analysis of Common Assessments (TACA) process to demonstrate how data-driven decision-making can be streamlined, collaborative, and enhanced by AI.
"Principal Self Care/ Special Education for Principals" I've been a principal in Wyoming for over 20 years- now admin. Mostly in schools serving high risk students. I've helped alot of principals in my years. The list of folks on that list that have stuck with the profession for more than a few years is short. For special education - coming into the sped dir role after 20 years of principal experience really enlightened me real quick as to the key things principals really need to know about sped. I came into a situation where I was hit with 8 state complaints and a due process hearing over the course of two years- all from one parent. I managed to help the district come out ahead with all of these. What I learned from them all could really help principals and sped directors.
"Implementing the Wyoming Language and Literacy Program: A Roadmap for K-12 Success" SF 0059 became Wyoming law this past legislative session. How will schools and districts know what to do and implement the mandate with effectiveness and efficiency? I will provide a breakdown of the components of SF 0059 and provide timelines and requirements that the bill mandates. I will also provide an overview to give clarity on universal screeners and the MTSS to form collective efficacy and give administrators a toolkit of ways they can start off on the right step beginning July 1, 2026 when the bill takes effect.
Curriculum Director for Carbon County School District #2 in Saratoga, Wyoming, Ryan Searle brings over 15 years of K–12 administrative leadership to the field. Most recently, as Principal of Rawlins Middle School, Ryan and his team achieved national recognition for their commitment... Read More →
Monday August 3, 2026 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT Jackson B
"From Bill Draft to School Impact: A Principal’s Guide to Navigating the Wyoming Legislature" Wyoming’s legislative session directly impacts funding, accountability, staffing, and daily operations in our schools—yet many principals feel unprepared to navigate the state legislative website, read bills, or advocate effectively during and between sessions.
"Explicit Instruction- A Guide to Supporting Your Staff" This session is designed for administrative leaders and instructional coaches to provide their staff with a systemic framework for Explicit Instruction to bridge the gap between intent and achievement.
What really happens when a reporter calls your school? What does “off the record” actually mean? And how can principals build positive, professional relationships with local media?
This unique session will be co-led by a practicing principal and a local education reporter, offering perspectives from both sides of the conversation. Together, they will provide practical guidance on communicating with reporters, understanding on-the-record expectations, and proactively telling your school’s story to strengthen community trust.
Participants will learn how newsrooms operate, how to clarify communication boundaries, and how to approach media relationships with professionalism and assumption of positive intent. The session will include real-world examples, scenario discussions, and candid dialogue between school leadership and media perspectives.
Principals will leave with greater confidence, clearer boundaries, and practical tools to put their school in its best light—before, during, and after challenging situations.
"Freshman Transition, Ensuring Every Student is ready for the change and challenge of high school!" The freshmen transition can be one of the most difficult and is definitely one of the most critical transitions of their life. In this session participants will see a system, not just a single event, that starts early in the spring, builds through the summer and welcomes freshmen in the fall when they walk in on day feeling like they belong and knowing how to succeed.
"Cultivating Excellence: A Leadership Blueprint for Mentorship and Teacher Retention" Wyoming is facing a teacher attrition crisis, with 65% of educators reporting they would leave the classroom if given the opportunity. Retention is not about "happiness"—it is about efficacy. CCSD#1 has transformed this reality, achieving a 77% first-year retention rate through a structured mentorship ecosystem. Attendees will go beyond the "buddy system" to learn how to operationalize a mentorship program that treats the mentor/mentee pair as a critical Professional Learning Community (PLC) team.
Brad Neuendorf is starting his 12th year as principal at Lander Valley High School where he also served as the assistant principal for four years. He took over at LVHS during a transition to a new block schedule that was created to build in intervention time for students. In an... Read More →
"The Principal's Secret Sauce: Effective Leadership Teams" This session demonstrates the effectiveness of shared school leadership in action. This session demonstrates the effectiveness of shared school leadership in actionK-12 School leaders will understand the following: 1. Why use leadership teams in your school? 2. What areas of responsibilities can leadership teams take on? 3. Selection of your leadership team personnel. 4. Avoiding pitfalls. 5. What's the principal's role in the leadership team process? This will not be a sit and get session but rather a discussion led session that will capitalize on my 18 years of experience in school leadership as well as the experience in the room (other school leaders that use effective leadership teams).
"Wyoming Women Principals, the Weight of Role Demands, and the Search for Balance" What would 38 women principals tell you about surviving and sustaining leadership in Wyoming schools? A lot. And most of it won't surprise you.
This session will quickly highlight key considerations to build or refine a data and intervention system that ensures no students in your building can fail without a multi-tiered response. See how with no purchase necessary you can ensure that every student, meets every standard and have a response for how to intervene when they are not.
Brad Neuendorf is starting his 12th year as principal at Lander Valley High School where he also served as the assistant principal for four years. He took over at LVHS during a transition to a new block schedule that was created to build in intervention time for students. In an... Read More →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm MDT Jackson B
Leadership never stops, and neither do the demands on your energy. This session helps educators and leaders identify what truly refuels them, recognize hidden drains, and build practical strategies to stay grounded, clear, and resilient, so you can lead effectively without burning out. Educators and school leaders are often told to “practice self-care,” yet many popular strategies like journaling, gratitude lists, or mindfulness routines can feel like just another task added to an already full plate. This session takes a different approach by helping leaders identify what truly refuels them rather than relying on one-size-fits-all solutions. Participants will explore the difference between activities that genuinely restore their energy and those that quietly drain it, even when they appear productive or positive. This session stands out because it moves beyond quick fixes and focuses on sustainable leadership practices that support long-term effectiveness. Educators who attend will leave with practical insights and a renewed understanding of how to lead with energy, clarity, and resilience, even when the work never stops.
