Schools are being asked to provide high quality education that is relevant, engaging and has real world applications but yet given few resources. This is especially harder in community schools similar to our network. One of the best ways to do that is to create partnerships between schools and local organizations.
In this session, attendees will learn why community partnerships are essential for schools that need the resources the most. Then, they will learn where to begin. How do we know what’s out there? How to reach out to them? What are some strategies to communicate with them? How to create those connections that are sustainable? How to utilize those partnerships to increase student engagement, learning and transform school culture positively.
Assistant Principal of Academics, STEM, SOH - HSA Columbus High
Oktay Ince is the Assistant Principal of Academics responsible for STEM education at HSA Columbus High School. A recipient of numerous prestigious national and international educator fellowships, grants, and awards, Mr. Ince is passionate about bringing high-quality STEM education... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Wildrye
Shifting school culture from the traditional, teacher-centric model to a student-centric, project-based learning (PBL) approach is one of the most significant challenges educational leaders face.
In this session, educational leaders will learn how to implement project-based learning models across all classrooms using proven best practices that are relevant, timely, job-embedded, and ongoing. Additionally, participants will gain insights into how they can develop their own expertise in this area to better support their school communities.
This session aligns with one of Cognia’s four key characteristics—Leadership for Learning—and addresses standards #7 through #15.
Educational leaders will leave the session inspired and motivated to explore ways to enhance high-quality teaching and learning, as well as overall organizational effectiveness, within their schools.
Assistant Principal of Academics, STEM, SOH - HSA Columbus High
Oktay Ince is the Assistant Principal of Academics responsible for STEM education at HSA Columbus High School. A recipient of numerous prestigious national and international educator fellowships, grants, and awards, Mr. Ince is passionate about bringing high-quality STEM education... Read More →
Tuesday June 17, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CDT Wildrye
This presentation explores how to build a school-wide culture where students lead the way in science learning—shifting from passive receivers of information to active investigators. Rooted in research-based instructional design, this session blends inspirational leadership stories with practical strategies to foster classrooms where students drive learning from initial curiosity to evidence-based conclusions. Participants will engage with frameworks that emphasize phenomena-driven instruction, collaborative sensemaking, and iterative problem-solving, aligning with NGSS and STEM best practices. Leaders and instructional coaches will explore how to support and sustain these shifts using tools such as Danielson-aligned observations, instructional walkthroughs, and collaborative planning structures that promote consistency, rigor, and equity across classrooms. Emphasis is placed on how leadership can cultivate teacher mindsets that center student agency and deeper learning. Through real-world examples—like student-led investigations, research challenges, and community-based problem solving—participants will leave with both the inspiration and a clear roadmap to lead science instruction with purpose. This 90-minute session equips leaders with actionable techniques to cultivate an inquiry-driven, high-achievement science culture where students confidently take ownership of their learning journey.
Feriha Kazmi is an educator and instructional leader currently serving as a Regional Instructional Coach and Career & Technical Education (CTE) Coordinator for Concept Schools. In this role, she supports school leaders and teachers across the network in building high-quality, purpose-driven... Read More →
Esra Solmaz is the Assistant Principal of STEM & Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Horizon Science Academy McKinley Park in Chicago, Illinois. With over a decade oAf teaching experience spanning middle and high school levels, she has instructed subjects such as General Science... Read More →
Wednesday June 18, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT Wildrye
