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Sponsored by: 
AGENDA:
Wednesday, January 21, 2026 | | 8:15 - 11:15 | New Superintendent Session - Shaping Your Superintendency: Mindset, Messaging, and Meaningful Leadership Presenters: Dr. Tony Thurman, Superintendent, Lake Hamilton School District; and Jane Balgavy, Director of Educator Effectiveness, Lake Hamilton School District Stepping into the superintendent’s chair is both exciting and overwhelming. This session will help new superintendents successfully navigate the critical first stages of leadership. Participants will explore strategies for building strong communication with staff, the board, and the community; developing a resilient and focused leadership mindset; and addressing “purpose anxiety” that often accompanies the role. Practical guidance will also be shared on moving from survival mode in the early months to establishing credibility, confidence, and effectiveness as a district leader. | Pre-Conference Sessions - Coffee and Snacks Sponsored by Solution Tree | | 10:15 - 11:15 | Fight, Flight or Facilitate: Navigating Conflict as a Leader Room: Riverside West Presenter: Ron Fox, Executive Strategist, Capturing Kids’ Hearts Conflict is inevitable, but how we respond determines whether culture thrives or deteriorates. In this interactive session, school leaders will explore the instinctive fight-or-flight response—and why it often leads to regrets instead of results. Using vivid stories, practical strategies, and neuroscience insights, we’ll uncover the third option: facilitation. Learn how to manage yourself in moments of tension, address “mosquito-sized” behaviors before they become moose-sized crises and use proven practices to turn conflict into a catalyst for connection. Leave with tools you can apply immediately to protect, strengthen, and sustain a positive school culture—even when conversations get hard. | | | | Main Conference:
| | 11:45 - 12:30 | Opening Lunch Session - Sponsored by ABCover | | 12:30 - 1:30 | Finish Empty Leadership Presenter: Jason Curry, Founder, Finish Empty® | | 1:30 | Break - Sponsored by Coryell Roofing | | 1:45 - 2:45 | Fiscal Solutions for Leading Change Presenters: Dr. Jared Cleveland, Jim Ford, Dr. Jeremy Owoh, Dr. Lee Smith, Heidi Wilson | | 2:45 - 3:45 | Financial Options through Funding Simulations Presenter: Dr. Josh McGee, University of Arkansas, Education Reform Professor | | 3:45 | Announcements and Adjourn | Thursday, January 22, 2026 | | 7:30 - 8:00 | Breakfast Served - Sponsored by NABHOLZ || Entegrity Energy Partners | | 8:00 - 8:45 | Unification of Teams Working Together Presenter: Alan Wilbourn, Executive Director of Communications and Public Relations, Fayetteville School District | | 8:45 - 9:35 | Innovation Superintendent Transformation | | 9:35 - 9:45 | Break - Sponsored by Economics Arkansas | | 9:45 - 10:35 | Third Grade Promotion Presenters: Dr. Kiffany Pride, Assistant Commissioner of Learning Services; Stacy Smith, ADE Deputy Commissioner | | 10:35 - 11:35 | Legislative Changes and Partnerships Through a Coordinated Effort Presenters: Legislative Panel | | 11:35-11:40 | Closing Remarks and Adjourn |
REGISTRATION: ONSITE PARTICIPANTS: $185 for AAEA Members & $230 AAEA Non-Members LATE REGISTRATION: $260 for AAEA Members & $280 AAEA Non-Members Online Registration Deadline: January 13, 2026 LODGING: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Little Rock
424 West Markham St.
Little Rock, AR 72201 $146 for Standard King or Double Queen Click here to reserve a room or call 1-800-HILTONS and reference the AAEA Superintendent Symposium room block. *Conference rate is valid through December 20, 2025. Step by Step Directions: - Go to doubletreelr.com
- Enter arrival/departure dates
- Click the "Special Rates" box
- Enter "91Z" in the Group Code box
- Click the "Check Rooms & Rates" box.
AAEA Contact Information: Lana Webb Membership & Certification Coordinator l.webb@theaaea.org Lenett Thrasher Consultant l.thrasher@theaaea.org
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