2026 GOCSD Innovation Summit

Move beyond inspiration and into implementation with this practical, research-based breakout session focused on helping students take ownership of their learning journey. Grounded in the “Heroes Within” framework, this session provides educators with clear, actionable strategies they can apply immediately in their classrooms and schools. Participants will explore a six-step approach that brings clarity, purpose, and student agency to learning. From making goals transparent and building trusting relationships to selecting meaningful content and fostering metacognition, each component is designed to create deeper engagement and lasting impact. Attendees will also gain tools to shift assessment into the hands of students, empowering them to track progress, reflect on growth, and make informed decisions about their next steps. This session is ideal for educational leaders and teachers ready to create learner-centered environments where students feel safe to take risks, understand how they learn, and connect their efforts to a meaningful future.

Move beyond inspiration and into implementation with this practical, research-based breakout session focused on helping students take ownership of their learning journey. Grounded in the “Heroes Within” framework, this session provides educators with clear, actionable strategies they can apply immediately in their classrooms and schools. Participants will explore a six-step approach that brings clarity, purpose, and student agency to learning. From making goals transparent and building trusting relationships to selecting meaningful content and fostering metacognition, each component is designed to create deeper engagement and lasting impact. Attendees will also gain tools to shift assessment into the hands of students, empowering them to track progress, reflect on growth, and make informed decisions about their next steps. This session is ideal for educational leaders and teachers ready to create learner-centered environments where students feel safe to take risks, understand how they learn, and connect their efforts to a meaningful future.

This session will provide an overview of the brain and the central nervous system and how student behavior is shaped by the state and function of the CNS. Attendees will learn to recognize brain states and respond appropriately, using conscious presence and somatic techniques to guide the student toward regulation.

Students cannot access academic content when they are dysregulated. This session explores how self-regulation, coping skills, and executive functioning impact learning across K–12 settings. Participants will leave with practical, brain-based strategies they can implement immediately to support student behavior, increase engagement, and improve academic outcomes.