SCOE Back To School Symposium: Full Schedule

9:00am PDT

Opening Session - Welcome and Keynote

Friday August 7, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT

Yreka High School Theater

Opening Session, Welcome Back from Allen Carver.

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Brown

Speakers

Allan Carver

County Superintendent, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Allan currently serves as the Superintendent of Schools for the Siskiyou County Office of Education. He has spent the past 17 years serving as a school principal, district Superintendent, and deputy county superintendent prior to his election as Superintendent of Schools. Allan spent... Read More →

Mr. Brown

Keynote Speaker, Consultant, The Choose Well Group

Mister Brown is the founder of The Choose Well Program, which helps schools build better cultures one choice at a time. His core message is simple and memorable: when you make better choices, you live a better life.
For more than 30 years, Mister Brown has worked with students, educators, families, and organizations to help people understand the power of their choices and the importance of connection. Through assemblies, professional development, family engagement events, and video-based resources... Read More →

Friday August 7, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am PDT
Yreka High School Theater

Key Notes

10:00am PDT

Break 1

Friday August 7, 2026 10:00am - 10:15am PDT

Vendor Village

Friday August 7, 2026 10:00am - 10:15am PDT
Vendor Village

Break/Vendor Fair

10:15am PDT

Leadership Lab for Superintendents: Solving Real Problems of Practice

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 10:30am PDT

Yreka High School, RM #13

Limited Capacity seats available

Superintendents are often expected to navigate complex challenges in real time, with limited space for honest peer feedback and reflection. In this facilitated Leadership Lab, participants will bring a real problem of practice, engage in a high-trust consultancy process with colleagues, and leave with sharper thinking, stronger next steps, and practical insight they can apply immediately. This...
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Speakers

Marco Taylor

Associate Superintendent District Support, Siskiyou Office of Education

Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 10:30am PDT
Yreka High School, RM #13

Breakout Session 1

10:15am PDT

From Barriers to Attendance: Practical Strategies to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism for Students Experiencing Homelessness

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Yreka High School, RM #9

Limited Capacity seats available

This workshop equips school staff with practical strategies to identify barriers, respond effectively, and improve attendance outcomes for students experiencing homelessness

Speakers

Sara Johnson

Director Homeless and Foster Youth, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Sara Johnson has been with the Siskiyou County Office of Education for the past five years, where she began as a Case Manager supporting foster and homeless youth. She is passionate about serving vulnerable student populations and works to remove barriers to improve educational outcomes... Read More →

Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Yreka High School, RM #9

Breakout Session 1

10:15am PDT

From Conflict to Connections: Navigating Difficult Conversations with Staff and Families

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Yreka High School, Room #11

Limited Capacity seats available

Conflict is inevitable, but how we respond defines the culture of our programs. This interactive session explores practical strategies for navigating challenging conversations with empathy, professionalism, and emotional safety. Participants will learn how to build a strong site climate by assuming positive intent, engaging in active listening, and asking open-ended, solution-focused questions....
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Speakers

Barry Barnhart

Deputy Superintendent Educational Services, Siskiyou County Office of Education

I am starting my second year as the assistant county superintendent at the Siskiyou County Office of Education. Prior to that, I built fourteen years of administrative experience across two districts in Modoc and Siskiyou Counties. I began my teaching career with the Sacramento... Read More →

Amanda Elsemore

Early Childhood Education Coordinator and CSPP Director Educational Services, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Yreka High School, Room #11

Breakout Session 1

10:15am PDT

High Quality Family Engagement Strategies

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Yreka High School, RM #14

Limited Capacity seats available

Overview: Reimagine family engagement through relationship-centered activities, home visits, & clear systems that build trust and partnership. In this session, participants will gain practical skills on implementing strategies that help from family involvement to partnership.

Speakers

Michelle Line

Community Schools Director, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Yreka High School, RM #14

Breakout Session 1

10:15am PDT

Ignite Your Impact: Start Your Teaching Career Today

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Yreka High School, RM #10

Limited Capacity seats available

Do you have the desire to become a teacher, but feel it is out of reach? Join us for an informational recruitment session designed for classified staff interested in becoming credentialed teachers. Learn about available pathways, program requirements, and how your current experience can support your transition into the classroom. We will share details about financial support, including grant...
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Speakers

Erica Mitchel

Educational Services Director Social Studies, Career Technical Education (CTE), and Workforce Pathways, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Yreka High School, RM #10

Breakout Session 1

10:15am PDT

Making Screening Meaningful: Using the Reading Difficulty Risk Screener to Inform Instruction

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Yreka High School, RM #15

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will provide a clear and practical introduction to the Reading Difficulty Risk Screener, with a focus on how screening fits within a comprehensive literacy system. Participants will build a shared understanding of what screening is—and is not—and how it differs from diagnostic and progress monitoring assessments. The session will also explore how to use screening data effectively...
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Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Yreka High School, RM #15

Breakout Session 1

10:15am PDT

Reimagining Teaching: How Instructional Coaching Supports Teacher and Student Success

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Yreka High School, RM #15

Limited Capacity seats available

In this interactive session, we will explore how instructional coaching can transform teaching practices and elevate student outcomes. Participants will delve into how personalized coaching can help teachers refine their practice, foster professional growth, and enhance their ability to engage students. Through practical examples, reflective exercises, and collaborative discussions, this workshop...
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Speakers

Pam Ward

Educational Services Director, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Pamela is the Director of Instructional Coaching for Siskiyou COE. She is committed to delivering coaching support that builds teacher capacity & strengthens content knowledge & support. Pamela is also currently developing a county-wide Instructional Coaching program for Siskiyou... Read More →

Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Yreka High School, RM #15

Breakout Session 1

10:15am PDT

School-Based Occupational Therapy

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT

Yreka High School, RM #8

Limited Capacity seats available

The county office occupational therapy department will provide an overview of their role in school settings. The presentation will highlight how they support student participation and success throughout the school day. Attendees will learn practical strategies for implementing classroom accommodations and modifications. The session will also address how occupational therapy can support general...
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Speakers

Amy Sems, Kayla George, Caitlin Gorss

Siskiyou County Office of Education

Friday August 7, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am PDT
Yreka High School, RM #8

Breakout Session 1

11:15am PDT

Break 2

Friday August 7, 2026 11:15am - 11:30am PDT

Vendor Village

Friday August 7, 2026 11:15am - 11:30am PDT
Vendor Village

Break/Vendor Fair

11:30am PDT

"Do More With What You Have: Maximizing Tier 1, 2, and 3 Mental Health Supports in Your School.

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Yreka High School, RM #8

Limited Capacity seats available

In this interactive session, participants will gain practical tools and strategies to strengthen universal and targeted supports while improving access to intensive services. Walk away with a clear, actionable approach to using existing resources more effectively to connect more students to the help they need."

Speakers

Melisa Jessee

School Based Mental Health & Wellness Director, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Yreka High School, RM #8

Breakout Session 2

11:30am PDT

Bringing the CA Math Framework to Life

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Yreka High School, Room #11

Limited Capacity seats available

Curious what the 2023 California Mathematics Framework actually looks like in practice? In this session, you’ll get a clear, practical overview of key ideas and experience an engaging, framework-aligned math task as a learner. We’ll focus on what this means for your classroom, not just the theory. You’ll also explore free, ready-to-use resources to support implementation right away. Walk...
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Speakers

Martini Machado

Educational Services Director; Math, Science, and Computer Science, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Yreka High School, Room #11

Breakout Session 2

11:30am PDT

ELO-P Q&A Roundtable with CDE

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Yreka High School, RM #10

Limited Capacity seats available

Learn the latest information directly from the Source. Daniela Soley and Joe Purcel will present ELO-P. Kerry Criss will present Take your Summer ELO-P and Intersession programs to the next level. using Recommended Practices for Success Tools.

Speakers

Kerry Criss

Director of Expanded Learning, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Kerry Criss is the Director Of Expanded Learning. She oversees the SAFE and ASSETs afterschool programs for Siskiyou County. She worked for Butte Valley USD teaching High School English and Culinary, and ran the Community School program for the district. Kerry also has over 20 years... Read More →

Daniela Soley

Consultant, California Department of Education

Daniela Solley is an Education Programs Consultant with the California Department of Education, specializing in expanded learning and literacy. Her work is grounded in the belief that policy and student outcomes are only as connected as the people and systems between them. A former... Read More →

Joe Purcell

Financial Analyst, California Department of Education

Joe Purcell has been serving Regions 1 and 2 for 6 years. I am happy to be your Grant Manager, and make myself available as a resource and thought partner for all things Expenditure, Payment, Attendance and GAN related. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, getting... Read More →

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Yreka High School, RM #10

Breakout Session 2

11:30am PDT

LCAP AI

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Yreka High School, RM #8

Limited Capacity seats available

This training provides district leaders with a practical introduction to using LCAPgpt to streamline Local Control and Accountability Plan development, alignment, and monitoring. Participants will learn how to organize needs assessments, develop compliant goals and actions, and track progress using aligned metrics grounded in state priorities and local data.

Speakers

Mark Lewin

Federal Programs Director, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Mark Lewin is in his 3rd year as Siskiyou COE's State and Federal Program Director. He assists districts with compliance reporting, program planning, LCAPs, Con Apps, and restrictive funding.

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Yreka High School, RM #8

Breakout Session 2

11:30am PDT

Leadership Lab for Superintendents: Solving Real Problems of Practice

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Yreka High School, RM #13

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Marco Taylor

Associate Superintendent District Support, Siskiyou Office of Education

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Yreka High School, RM #13

Breakout Session 2

11:30am PDT

Student Engagement with Difficult Behaviors

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Yreka High School, RM #15

Limited Capacity seats available

Come join me as we unlock the mysteries of behavior management and learn some highly effective strategies to minimize disruptive behaviors. In this session, we will focus on the Single, most powerful tool for managing troublesome behaviors, that is, engagement! Come see for yourself!

Speakers

Diana Reed

Retired Director of Expanded Learning

Diana Reed and isa retired Director of Expanded Learning Programs for a county office of education. She has over 25 years experience in the field of education. Her degrees are in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She has been a preschool teacher, a classroom teacher, Frontline... Read More →

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Yreka High School, RM #15

Breakout Session 2

11:30am PDT

Substances at School: What Staff Should Know and Do

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Yreka High School, RM #16

Limited Capacity seats available

This session equips educators with essential knowledge about student medications and responding to substance-related incidents on campus. Participants will learn how to handle prescriptions & medications, as well as best practices for addressing vapes, cannabis, and alcohol. Emphasis is placed on safety, legal considerations, and clear, consistent school responses.

Speakers

Anna Hanisko, MPH

Director of Health Services, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Yreka High School, RM #16

Breakout Session 2

11:30am PDT

Supporting Students from Difficult Beginnings: Zones of Regulation, Attachment, and Practical Strategies

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Yreka High School, RM #8

Limited Capacity seats available

Ce brings deep expertise in attachment, trauma‑informed practices, and the emotional regulation tools that help children and youth thrive. This session would offer concrete, compassionate strategies for supporting students who have experienced early adversity.

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Yreka High School, RM #8

Breakout Session 2

11:30am PDT

Title: Executive Function Through Play: The P-3 Progressions in Action

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Yreka High School, Room # 7

Limited Capacity seats available

If executive function is the "engine" of learning, play is the fuel. This workshop explores how to use the P-3 Learning Progressions to turn everyday play into a powerhouse for brain development. We will map specific play behaviors to executive function milestones, helping you see how "just playing" builds working memory, impulse control, and cognitive flexibility. Come ready to play, learn, and...
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Speakers

Amanda Elsemore

Early Childhood Education Coordinator and CSPP Director Educational Services, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Yreka High School, Room # 7 431 Knapp Street, Yreka, CA 96097

Breakout Session 2

11:30am PDT

Using Data to Inform Small School Interventions

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Limited Capacity seats available

This presentation explores how small schools can use meaningful data to identify student needs, strengthen systems of support, and guide targeted interventions. Participants will examine practical strategies for collecting and interpreting academic, attendance, behavior, and engagement data in ways that are manageable and actionable within small school settings. The session will emphasize...
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Speakers

Kristian Stremberg

Continuous Improvement & District Support, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Friday August 7, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Breakout Session 2

12:30pm PDT

Lunch Break and Outdoor Fun

Friday August 7, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT

Vendor Village

Friday August 7, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Vendor Village

Break/Vendor Fair

1:30pm PDT

Bringing Students together through Active Learning

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Yreka High School, Cafeteria

ZTAG is an active learning platform that brings students together through movement, play, and meaningful face-to-face connection. Using wearable technology and interactive games, we transform traditional environments into high-energy experiences where every child participates, collaborates, and belongs. Originally rooted in immersive entertainment, ZTAG was designed to spark joy first—then...
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Speakers

Kristin Neal

Partner Relations Director, Ztag

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Yreka High School, Cafeteria

Breakout Session 3

1:30pm PDT

Building Thinking Classrooms in Action

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Yreka High School, Room #11

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Martini Machado

Educational Services Director; Math, Science, and Computer Science, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Yreka High School, Room #11

Breakout Session 3

1:30pm PDT

Hoops, Loops, and Big, Big Moves: Using Movement to Boost Learning and Literacy

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Yreka High School

Limited Capacity seats available

Hula hoops and other playful materials to demonstrate how movement supports brain development, focus, and literacy and numeracy skills. Pinto brings hundreds of hula hoops for a lively, hands on experience that gets everyone moving and learning together.

Speakers

Pinto

Consultant, Hoops

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Yreka High School Theater

Breakout Session 3

1:30pm PDT

Stirring Up Success: Hands-On Cooking Activities for Afterschool Programs

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Join us for a fun and engaging hands-on cooking enrichment session where you will learn simple, easy-to-replicate recipes and activities that can be used with students from TK through high school. This training will provide practical ideas to help you build cooking skills, promote teamwork, and create memorable learning experiences for students of all ages.

Speakers

Lupe Valdez

Program Specialist, Siskiyou County Office of Education

My name is Lupe Valdez, and I am a Program Specialist for Siskiyou County, supporting Expanded Learning SAFE Afterschool Programs. I began working in education in 2016 at Montague Elementary School and have truly enjoyed supporting students and school communities ever since.Originally... Read More →

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Breakout Session 3

1:30pm PDT

Supporting Students from Difficult Beginnings: Zones of Regulation, Attachment, and Practical Strategies

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Library

Ce Eshelman, a beloved adult educator, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and published author. Ce brings deep expertise in attachment, trauma‑informed practices, and the emotional regulation tools that help children and youth thrive. This session would offer concrete, compassionate strategies for supporting students who have experienced early

Speakers

Ce Eshelman

Consultant, First 5 Siskiyou County

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Library

Breakout Session 3

about <br>

1:30pm PDT

The Crayon Workshop: A Creative Approach to Wellness & Connection

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Yreka High School, RM #9

An interactive workshop that uses crayons as a playful metaphor to explore how mental health and wellness are an important part of what we do as school leaders and educators. Participants will reflect on how we create a school climate of wellness for ourselves and for the people we support - whether students, colleagues, or leaders. Through guided reflection and a hands-on activity centered on...
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Speakers

Melissa Blackinton

Community Schools, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Yreka High School, RM #9

Breakout Session 3

1:30pm PDT

The Executive Function Learning Lab: Purposeful Play from P-3

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Yreka High School, RM #10

Limited Capacity seats available

Executive function isn't built with worksheets; it’s built through play. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll use the P-3 Learning Progressions to explore how "mental muscles" like focus and self-control develop from preschool through 3rd grade. Come ready to play, explore, and discover as we rotate through interactive stations. You’ll experience firsthand how everyday classroom materials, from...
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Speakers

Amanda Elsemore

Early Childhood Education Coordinator and CSPP Director Educational Services, Siskiyou County Office of Education

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Yreka High School, RM #10

Breakout Session 3

1:30pm PDT

Transform your activites into innovative, hands-on fun.

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Yreka High School, RM #16

Limited Capacity seats available

Learn how to transform a "regular" activity into an innovative activity that supports kids to develop creative problem-solving skills, courage to try new things and persistence in the face of challenges.

Speakers