SCOE Back To School Symposium: Full Schedule

10:15am PDT

Leadership Lab for Superintendents: Solving Real Problems of Practice

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

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 session is designed as a two-part series to allow for depth, reflection, and meaningful peer learning.

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. We’ll explore how past experiences, cultural norms, and unspoken fears can shape communication—and how leaders and educators can respond with clarity, transparency, and compassion. The session will also examine the role of self-reflection in leadership: when to take ownership, how to model vulnerability, and how to coach others through growth without judgment. Whether supporting a family concern or addressing staff conflict, attendees will leave with tools to foster trust, repair relationships, and turn difficult moments into meaningful growth.

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 opportunities that can help offset tuition and program costs. This session is a great first step toward advancing your career in education and making a greater impact on students.

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 to identify students at risk, inform instruction, and support data-driven decision making at the classroom, site, and system levels.

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 empowers teachers to reimagine their teaching practice, embrace continuous improvement, and ultimately create a more dynamic and impactful learning environment for all students. Join us to reimagine what teaching can look like when guided by a supportive coaching framework.

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 education staff. In addition, it will explore approaches for understanding and managing sensory-related behaviors. Participants will leave with useful tools and strategies to apply in the classroom.

Speakers