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Keynote Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Don Parker
DPCP Corporation
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Meghan O’Neil
Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning
West Leyden High School
Meghan O'Neil has been an assistant principal at West Leyden High School for 5 years. She taught in special education for 10 years before her first leadership role as a special education department chair. She is currently the AP Chair for the West Cook Region, leads a Women in Leadership group in her district, and is passionate about supporting aspiring leaders.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Arturo Senteno
Principal
West Leyden High School
Dr. Arturo Senteno’s education service began twenty-five years ago, passionately teaching biology to multilingual learners at Rolling Meadows High School. He served in the Illinois National Guard for about 10 years with a deployment in 2003. Upon his return to teaching, Arturo became Dean of Students at RMHS in 2010. In 2019, Arturo became Associate Principal of Instruction at Elk Grove High School, where he created a principal advisory program that engaged students in developing racial consciousness and decision-making skills. In 2022, Arturo became the principal of West Leyden High School, a school rich in culture. “Do What is Best For Kids” is the district’s motto.
Keynote Speaker
James Powers
Assistant Principal for Student Services
West Leyden High School
With a strong background in education, athletics, and student leadership, Jim has dedicated his career to supporting student growth and achievement at every level. He previously served as a Physical Education teacher and wrestling,baseball coach at Bogan High School as well as a Physical Educator, wrestling and football coach at H.L. Richards High School. He later transitioned into student services and administration, serving as Dean of Students at both H.L. Richards High School and West Leyden High School. He currently serves as the Assistant Principal for Student Services at West Leyden High School.
A lifelong learner and passionate advocate for student success, Jim is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for all learners to thrive. He believes in meeting students where they are and working collaboratively with students and families to define and achieve success based on individual strengths, goals, and needs. Drawing from his coaching and educational leadership experience, he embraces a student-centered approach that recognizes every learner is unique. He continually seeks innovative and inclusive ways to rethink traditional education in order to better serve all students and empower them to reach their fullest potential.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Eric Santos
Regional Ed Tech Coordinator, Chicagoland
Learning Technology Center
Eric Santos empowers educators through professional development in Artificial Intelligence, STEM, and educational technologies. He is a former National Board Certified Educator and current adjunct professor with two Master’s degrees, and serves as the Regional EdTech Coordinator for the LTC. Eric is a national speaker and equity advocate with two decades of teaching experience. He specializes in helping schools integrate emerging technologies to inspire student success. Got to LTC.site/Eric to learn more.
Breakout Session Presenters
Dr. Brett Bending
Principal
Central High School CUSD 301
Tamara Butler
Principal
SOAR Academy RPS205
Shannon Cremeens
Assistant Principal
Oregon Jr/Sr High School, Oregon CUSD #220
Associate Principal for Operations and Activities
Memorial Junior High School; Lansing School District #158
Jennifer Hartmann
Associate Principal for Operations and Activities
Memorial Junior High School; Lansing School District #158
Madilyn Henigman
Teacher, London Middle School
Principal Preparation Intern, Illinois State University
Madilyn Henigman is a 7th-grade educator currently completing her administration internship. After piloting student AI integration in her own classroom, she focuses on balancing instructional rigor with emerging technology. As an aspiring leader, she is dedicated to helping administrators develop practical frameworks that move beyond AI detection to prioritize authentic student thinking and high academic standards in the modern classroom.
Dr. Dave Kostopoulos
Executive Director of Curriculum and Assessment
Lansing School District #158
Alison Maley
Government & Public Relations Director
Illinois Principals Association
Dr. Abir Othman
Principal
Victor J. Andrew High School - D230
Brian Schwartz
Deputy Executive Director & General Counsel
Illinois Principals Association
Brian Schwartz has worked with school administrators for more than 25 years. He is a popular speaker at conferences and events in Illinois and nationally. Brian is the author of three books and has written dozens of journal articles. He is the past chair of the Illinois State Bar Association's Education Law Section Counsel and has served on the Board of Directors of the Education Law Association.
Agenda (click each item for details)
Registration, Check-In and Continental Breakfast (sponsored by Horace Mann)
Registration, Check-In and Continental Breakfast (sponsored by Horace Mann)
Welcome and Introductions
Welcome and Introductions
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Don Parker
When educators and students fall out of sync, discipline rises and connection disappears, but when relationships lead, everything changes. In this energizing keynote, discover how bridge-building leadership can turn conflict into connection and resistance into respect. Walk away inspired and equipped to help your staff reconnect with students and create a school culture where relationships, respect, and results are back NSYNC.
Breakout Session 1
Breakout Session 1
Various (click to view descriptions)
Self-Assessment & Feedback
Meghan O’Neil
Location: Room 203
This session will cover how to use the IPA School Leader Intelligences Self-Assessment. This tool can be used to reflect and monitor individual growth, and as a tool with principals and evaluators to ask for feedback.
Straight Talk: Building an A-Team, not a B-Team
Dr. Arturo Senteno
Location: Room 205
Complementing the lunch keynote, this breakout session highlights the day-to-day practices that strengthen principal-assistant principal partnerships. We’ll explore practical tools for communication, structured check-ins, problem-solving conversations, and creating systems that support trust and collaboration over time.
Stronger Together: How Administrators Elevate Special Education PLCs
Tamara Butler
Location: Room 207
This session explores how administrators can effectively support and strengthen Special Education Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to improve outcomes for all learners. Participants will gain practical strategies for fostering collaboration, aligning resources, and creating structures that empower special education teams.
Calibrated Leadership: Building Consistency in Teacher Evaluation & Feedback Systems
Jennifer Hartmann and Dr. Dave Kostopoulous
Location: Room 209
Are all members of your leadership team evaluating consistently? This session will equip new deans and assistant principals with actionable strategies to norm expectations, align feedback, track teacher growth over time, and conduct effective building walks together. Learn how to build a system where ratings are consistently fair, reliable, rooted in actionable feedback, and are coherent across your team.
Legal & Legislative Update
Alison Maley and Brian Schwartz
Location: Room 211
Join us for a timely and informative legal and legislative update — the latest legal developments, legislative changes, and policy updates impacting schools and educational leadership. Gain insight into emerging issues, practical implications for day-to-day operations, and what school leaders should be watching as they plan. Designed to keep administrators informed and prepared, this session will also include opportunities for discussion, questions, and real-world application.
Leadership Realities: Embracing the Rewards and Realities of the Role
Shannon Cremeens, Dr. Abir Othman, and Dr. Brett Bending
Location: Room 213
This presentation bridges the gap between aspiring leadership and the lived reality of the role, stripping away misconceptions about the daily schedule and scope of authority. We provide a candid look at the intense time commitments and multifaceted responsibilities required to lead effectively, ensuring future principals are fully prepared for the weight of the office before day one.
Shifting the Standard: Leading Critical Thinking in AI-Integrated Classrooms
Madilyn Henigman
Location: Room 217
If AI can produce a passing essay in seconds, we must redefine what "rigor" looks like in the classroom. This session focuses on the shift from grading final products to assessing the student’s actual thinking process. We will explore how to use AI as a tool for deeper inquiry — requiring students to critique, edit, and defend their work rather than simply generating it.
Breakout Session 2
Breakout Session 2
Various (click to view descriptions)
Self-Assessment & Feedback
Meghan O’Neil
Location: Room 203
This session will cover how to use the IPA School Leader Intelligences Self-Assessment. This tool can be used to reflect and monitor individual growth, and as a tool with principals and evaluators to ask for feedback.
Straight Talk: Building an A-Team, not a B-Team
Dr. Arturo Senteno
Location: Room 205
Complementing the lunch keynote, this breakout session highlights the day-to-day practices that strengthen principal-assistant principal partnerships. We’ll explore practical tools for communication, structured check-ins, problem-solving conversations, and creating systems that support trust and collaboration over time.
Stronger Together: How Administrators Elevate Special Education PLCs
Tamara Butler
Location: Room 207
This session explores how administrators can effectively support and strengthen Special Education Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to improve outcomes for all learners. Participants will gain practical strategies for fostering collaboration, aligning resources, and creating structures that empower special education teams.
Calibrated Leadership: Building Consistency in Teacher Evaluation & Feedback Systems
Jennifer Hartmann and Dr. Dave Kostopoulous
Location: Room 209
Are all members of your leadership team evaluating consistently? This session will equip new deans and assistant principals with actionable strategies to norm expectations, align feedback, track teacher growth over time, and conduct effective building walks together. Learn how to build a system where ratings are consistently fair, reliable, rooted in actionable feedback, and are coherent across your team.
Legal & Legislative Update
Alison Maley and Brian Schwartz
Location: Room 211
Join us for a timely and informative legal and legislative update — the latest legal developments, legislative changes, and policy updates impacting schools and educational leadership. Gain insight into emerging issues, practical implications for day-to-day operations, and what school leaders should be watching as they plan. Designed to keep administrators informed and prepared, this session will also include opportunities for discussion, questions, and real-world application.
Leadership Realities: Embracing the Rewards and Realities of the Role
Shannon Cremeens, Dr. Abir Othman, and Dr. Brett Bending
Location: Room 213
This presentation bridges the gap between aspiring leadership and the lived reality of the role, stripping away misconceptions about the daily schedule and scope of authority. We provide a candid look at the intense time commitments and multifaceted responsibilities required to lead effectively, ensuring future principals are fully prepared for the weight of the office before day one.
Shifting the Standard: Leading Critical Thinking in AI-Integrated Classrooms
Madilyn Henigman
Location: Room 217
If AI can produce a passing essay in seconds, we must redefine what "rigor" looks like in the classroom. This session focuses on the shift from grading final products to assessing the student’s actual thinking process. We will explore how to use AI as a tool for deeper inquiry — requiring students to critique, edit, and defend their work rather than simply generating it.
Lunch and Keynote
Lunch and Keynote
Meghan O’Neil, Dr. Arturo Senteno, and James Powers
Leading in Sync
Meghan O’Neil, Dr. Arturo Senteno, James Powers
Location: Café
In this keynote, learn about the importance of communication between the principal and the assistant principal in the different stages of working together. We will focus relationship-building (entry plan), facilitated check-ins, and problem-solving along the way. The presentation will be light in nature with plenty of crowd participation.
Breakout Session 3
Breakout Session 3
Self-Assessment & Feedback
Meghan O’Neil
Location: Room 203
This session will cover how to use the IPA School Leader Intelligences Self-Assessment. This tool can be used to reflect and monitor individual growth, and as a tool with principals and evaluators to ask for feedback.
Straight Talk: Building an A-Team, not a B-Team
Dr. Arturo Senteno
Location: Room 205
Complementing the lunch keynote, this breakout session highlights the day-to-day practices that strengthen principal-assistant principal partnerships. We’ll explore practical tools for communication, structured check-ins, problem-solving conversations, and creating systems that support trust and collaboration over time.
Stronger Together: How Administrators Elevate Special Education PLCs
Tamara Butler
Location: Room 207
This session explores how administrators can effectively support and strengthen Special Education Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to improve outcomes for all learners. Participants will gain practical strategies for fostering collaboration, aligning resources, and creating structures that empower special education teams.
Calibrated Leadership: Building Consistency in Teacher Evaluation & Feedback Systems
Jennifer Hartmann and Dr. Dave Kostopoulous
Location: Room 209
Are all members of your leadership team evaluating consistently? This session will equip new deans and assistant principals with actionable strategies to norm expectations, align feedback, track teacher growth over time, and conduct effective building walks together. Learn how to build a system where ratings are consistently fair, reliable, rooted in actionable feedback, and are coherent across your team.
Legal & Legislative Update
Alison Maley and Brian Schwartz
Location: Room 211
Join us for a timely and informative legal and legislative update — the latest legal developments, legislative changes, and policy updates impacting schools and educational leadership. Gain insight into emerging issues, practical implications for day-to-day operations, and what school leaders should be watching as they plan. Designed to keep administrators informed and prepared, this session will also include opportunities for discussion, questions, and real-world application.
Leadership Realities: Embracing the Rewards and Realities of the Role
Shannon Cremeens, Dr. Abir Othman, and Dr. Brett Bending
Location: Room 213
This presentation bridges the gap between aspiring leadership and the lived reality of the role, stripping away misconceptions about the daily schedule and scope of authority. We provide a candid look at the intense time commitments and multifaceted responsibilities required to lead effectively, ensuring future principals are fully prepared for the weight of the office before day one.
Shifting the Standard: Leading Critical Thinking in AI-Integrated Classrooms
Madilyn Henigman
Location: Room 217
If AI can produce a passing essay in seconds, we must redefine what "rigor" looks like in the classroom. This session focuses on the shift from grading final products to assessing the student’s actual thinking process. We will explore how to use AI as a tool for deeper inquiry — requiring students to critique, edit, and defend their work rather than simply generating it.
Roundtables
Roundtables
Elementary School Roundtable, Room 203
Middle School Roundtable,
High School Roundtable,
Deans Roundtable,
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
Eric Santos
Leading in the Age of AI: Opportunities and Challenges
Eric Santos
Location: Auditorium
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept; it's a present-day reality transforming K-12 education before our eyes. This keynote moves beyond the hype to provide a clear-eyed look at AI's practical applications for enhancing student learning, supporting teachers, and streamlining operations. We will also confront the critical challenges of equity, data privacy, and implementation, providing a framework for the pivotal role school leaders play in crafting thoughtful policy and shaping the future of learning in their communities. The talk is framed around the concept of planning for an uncertain future.
Closing and Raffle Prizes
Closing and Raffle Prizes
Karen Triezenberg and Kim Zinman
Join IPA Field Service Specialists Karen Triezenberg and Kim Zinman as they close out this year's session and announce the raffle prize winners!
Location: Auditorium
Download Full Agenda
Sponsors
Founded in 1945, Horace Mann Insurance Companies offer auto, home, and life insurance, along with retirement strategies and financial wellness education for educators. We understand the educational community and are committed to providing practical solutions to help address the challenges members face every day.
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Springfield, IL 62715-0001
Contact: Rob Curtis
association.relations@horacemann.com
855-393-7508
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Springfield, IL 62703
Contact: Sydnee Sturdivant
sydnee.sturdivant@ilprincipals.org
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