Foundations for Excellence: Engaging, Growing & Retaining Great Teams |Sept. 22, 2025-Feb. 26, 2026
This four-part series from Studer Education is designed to equip district and school leaders with strategies, tools and mindset needed to strengthen staff retention, build trust and drive academic excellence. Each session offers practical, research-based approaches focused on what matters most - supporting your people and improving outcomes. This series will help you lead with clarity, consistency and purpose.
September 22, 2025 (Presented by Deanna D. Ashby, Ed.D., Leader Coach Director, Studer Education): Foundations for Excellence
Join us to focus on what matters most: attracting, developing and keeping valued staff. Learn proven strategies to strengthen staff retention through effective recruitment, re-recruitment, reward and recognition practices. Discover how to build strong connections with new employees using 30/90-day conversations, gather meaningful feedback through rounding and learn a survey rollout process that drives action and closes feedback loops. You’ll also apply Hardwiring Excellence in Education principles in daily leadership and communicate with clarity and purpose using key words at key times.
November 17, 2025 (Presented by Mary Hendricks-Harris, Ed.D., Process and Improvement Specialist): Psychological Safety & Relationships that Build Trust
Effective leadership begins with trust and connection. Explore the foundational role psychological safety plays in high-performing teams and employee retention. Learn how to build trust through vulnerability, model inclusive behaviors and foster a culture where every team member feels safe to contribute, challenge and grow. With practical strategies, reflection activities and collaborative problem-solving, this day will equip you to lead with empathy and intention.
January 29, 2026 (Presented by Deanna D. Ashby, Ed.D., Leader Coach Director, Studer Education): Scaling Bright Spots: Taking Success & Employee Retention to the Next Level
Building on the fall’s momentum, gain practical strategies to conduct critical and performance conversations that promote accountability and support staff retention. Learn how to analyze rounding and survey data to guide district decisions, scale bright spots in teaching, learning, and operations, and hardwire onboarding, rounding and communication practices that help keep your best people. The session will drive lasting results and help create a workplace where employees thrive.
February 26, 2026 (Presented by Mary Hendricks-Harris, Ed.D., Process and Improvement Specialist):
High-Leverage Areas in Academics
In this culminating session, we connect culture and retention efforts to academic excellence. Participants will explore high-leverage instructional practices and leadership strategies that impact student achievement and teacher efficacy. Learn how to monitor effective instruction, provide timely and specific feedback, and lead with clarity using instructional frameworks. Discover ways to find time for instructional leadership and apply process improvement models that build system coherence and sustainable success.
Dr. Deanna D. Ashby’s five years as a superintendent built a strong belief in education and her mission in the field. Working in public schools for 29 years, she has come to consider education a calling that has a positive impact on the community. That’s obvious through her emphasis on Team Hopkins – One Team, One Mission, One Community.Deanna (De De) has served as a high school business and marketing teacher, guidance counselor, elementary and high school principal and district administrator in Hopkins County Schools. She served as an educational consultant on the Kentucky Association of School Resource Officers board, member of the Commissioner of Education Superintendent Advisory Committee, a mentor for Kentucky Women in Educational Leadership and a member of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators New Superintendent Onboarding Program. Dr. Ashby currently serves alongside other nationally recognized leaders, and current and former superintendents as lead educator, content expert and mentor for the AASA National Superintendent Certification Program®.
Dr. Mary Hendricks-Harris brings over three decades of experience in public education, including roles as teacher, director, assistant superintendent and superintendent. She led a district that received five National Blue Ribbon School awards in just three years. Her leadership is grounded in research-based frameworks and a deep understanding of continuous improvement practices. Mary is a sought-after facilitator, coach and speaker on topics such as PLCs, psychological safety and leading through change. Known for her engaging style and practical tools, she empowers leaders to translate vision into action. Dr. Hendricks-Harris holds a doctorate in educational leadership and has a strong track record of helping teams improve both culture and academic outcomes.
For additional information about this event, please contact Brian Lankheit blankheit@edplus.org.
Cancellations made more than 10 business days before the event start date will incur a 20% cancellation fee.
Cancellations made 10 business days or less are not eligible for a refund.
If an event is cancelled due to inclement weather or low enrollment, a full refund will be issued.
No-shows will be billed in full.
The cancellation policy applies to all forms of payment including Learning Service Credits.