February 6–9, 2027 | Tampa, FL
Systems-Driven Leader
Sharp, steady, strategic.
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 Cultivating a Sustainable Legacy
What will still be standing when you leave? Shape the people, systems, and culture that outlast your tenure, alongside fellow veteran principals.
Jerry Anderson, PhD, Principal, Bloom High School (IL)
Mary Pat Cumming, Principal, The FAIR School for Arts (MN)
Tom Brenner, Former Principal, Cloquet Middle School (MN)
SUNDAY
2:15–3:15 pm
02 Shifting the Conversation From Evaluation to Ongoing Reflection and Growth
Trade end-of-year evaluation for year-round growth. Adopt a common leadership language that keeps APs, principals, and central office leaders growing—and staying.
Scott Seaman, EdD, Executive Director, Association of Washington School Principals
MONDAY
10:00–12:00 pm
NEW 2-HOUR WORKSHOP
03 Leading Teacher Clarity
Turn this high-impact move into a schoolwide system. Master the shared language, walkthroughs, and feedback cycles that take teacher clarity to every classroom.uy-in and student success.
Douglas Fisher, Professor and Chair of Educational Leadership, San Diego State University (CA)
Nancy Frey, Professor of Educational Leadership, San Diego State University (CA)
MONDAY
2:15–3:15 pm
04 School Climate and Culture By Design
Culture, crafted with intention. Hear from the founder of a public high school housed inside a skate park on using design thinking to shape your school.
Mike Smith, Motivational Speaker and Founder, The Bay and Skate For Change
MONDAY
3:30–4:30 am
05 How to Get All Teachers to Become Like the Best Teachers
Your blueprint is already down the hall. Get proven strategies from a bestselling author on making what your standout teachers do every day the norm.
Todd Whitaker, Professor of Educational Leadership, University of Missouri
TUESDAY
9:15–10:15 am
06 From Compliance to Confidence: How Feedback Systems Transform Teacher Retention in Rural Schools
Your best retention strategy might be your feedback. Create specific, sustainable feedback loops that boost confidence and reduce turnover.
Anthonya Kahrs, EdD, Director of Instruction, Accountability, and Learning, Northeast Colorado BOCES
Rhonda Palic, MEd, Principal, Julesburg Elementary School (CO)
*Session times are subject to change.
Find more of what 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.
People-First Leader
Trusted, tuned-in, together.
You’re not pushing change through. You’re bringing everyone along.
Clear-Headed Leader
Calm, confident, collected.
You’re done spinning. You’re ready to steer your day (and your school).
Whole-Child Leader
Hopeful, heart-led, hands-on.
You’re past the posters. You’re ready to make belonging part of everything.
