February 6–9, 2027 | Tampa, FL
People-First Leader
Trusted, tuned-in, together.
Meet your mini agenda
There are 100+ sessions on the NPC27 agenda, and these six are hand-picked for people-first leaders.
SUNDAY
8:30–9:30 am
01 Courageous Conversations: Leadership in Action
That conversation you keep rehearsing? It’s time. Get a repeatable framework for the hard talks with staff, parents, and students—one that strengthens trust instead of straining it.
Jennifer Halter, EdD, Director of Secondary Curriculum, Alachua County Public Schools (FL)
Kyle Dresback, EdD, Senior Director for Policy and Government Relations, St. Johns County School District (FL)
SUNDAY
3:30–4:30 pm
02 The Power of Story: Strengthening Collective Efficacy Through Leadership
Belief is contagious. Start telling the story. Learn how spotlighting everyday wins grows your team’s confidence that together, they can move the needle for students.
Anna Thoma, EdD, Assistant Principal, Millard North Middle School (NE)
Brandon Mowinkel, EdD, Principal, Milford Jr/Sr High School (NE)
MONDAY
10:00–11:00 am
03 It Takes a Village!
Behind every strong school is a whole village. Gain simple (and free!) relationship-building strategies that turn community support into buy-in and student success.
Kyle Nix, EdD, Principal, Christiana Middle School (TN)
Larry Creasy, EdS, High School Coordinator, Rutherford County Schools (TN)
MONDAY
2:15–4:15 pm
NEW 2-HOUR WORKSHOP
04 Leading Change That Lasts: Building Alignment Across Every Level of Your Organization
Change sticks when everyone’s in on it. Equip leaders at every level to carry change forward, so it moves through your whole school instead of stalling at the top.
Jimmy Casas, Former Principal, J Casas and Associates
TUESDAY
8:00–9:00 am
05 Your Communication Will Make or Break Your Leadership!
What you mean isn’t always what they hear. Outsmart the “curse of knowledge” (when what’s obvious to you isn’t obvious to anyone else) so your message lands with staff, students, and families.
Thomas C. Murray, Bestselling Author and Director of Innovation, Future Ready Schools
TUESDAY
9:15–10:15 am
06 School, Community, and Family Voice: Building a Culture of Shared Responsibility
Students spend 87% of their time outside your building. Find new ways to bring families and community into the decisions that shape the other 13%.
Sandra Misciasci, Supervisor of Family and Community Engagement, Hillsborough County Public Schools (FL)
Ginette Hoze, Principal, Witter Elementary School (FL)
*Session times are subject to change.
Find what else fits
Most leaders lead in more than one way. Start with the style that suits you best, then borrow from the rest to round out your time in Tampa.
Clear-Headed Leader
Calm, confident, collected.
You’re done spinning. You’re ready to steer your day (and your school).
Systems-Driven Leader
Sharp, steady, strategic.
You’re not building for this school year. You’re building for the next ten.
Whole-Child Leader
Hopeful, heart-led, hands-on.
You’re past the posters. You’re ready to make belonging part of everything.
