About the Symposium
The Symposium on Educational Leadership focuses on topics pertinent to educational leadership in PK-12 schools and how school and district leaders can meet the needs of diverse learners. The 2026 Symposium will feature a keynote address and sessions surrounding research and recommended practices.
Click HERE to view a previous program
Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Danielle Miles, Ed.D.
Director of Networks and Supports
School District of the City of York
SCHEDULE OF SESSIONS
9:00 a.m.-9:30a.m. WELCOME & KEYNOTE
Room A:
Dr. Gaudino, Moderator
The Unmasking Equity:
How Your Personal Truth Shapes Our Collective Progress
Dr. Danielle Miles, Project Director, School District of the City of York
9:30a.m. - 9:40 a.m. BREAK
9:40 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS 1
Room A:
Dr. Gaudino, Moderator
Jason Rawls, Principal, Harrisburg School District
School Entry Age and Black Students' Special Education Qualification
Riley Baer, Principal, Mechanicsburg Area School District
Dissertation
Eugene Spells, Director of Schools, Harrisburg School District
Impact of PBIS Implementation on Student Attendance and Academic Performance
Room B:
Dr. Kubasko, Moderator
Mark Herb, Assistant Principal at Conewago Valley Intermediate School, Conewago Valley School District
Qualitative Examination of STEELS Implementation in a Rural PA School District
Christine Miller, Math Teacher, Lebanon School District
Exploring the Relationship Between IXL Usage Patterns and Middle School Mathematics Achievement: A Mixed-Methods Study
Room C:
Dr. Brooks, Moderator
Chantell Howard, Teacher, Carroll County Public Schools
What is the lived experience of math teachers using IXL in their classroom?
Douglas A. Knepp, Assistant Principal, West Shore School District
Teacher Experiences with Adaptive Online Math Programming
Clarissa Nace, Middle School Principal, Big Spring School District
How middle school learning support math teachers use iReady with students in pull-out classrooms?
Room D:
Dr. Dreon, Moderator
April Freeman, Director of Special Education, Palmyra Area School District
Exploring Technology and AI Integration in a Fourth-Grade Classroom: A Qualitative Study
Erica Fabie, Assistant Principal, Central York School District
From Paper to Screen: Teacher Strategies for Preparing Third Grade Students for Online PSSA Testing
Joe Bucher, Elementary Principal, Cumberland Valley School District
A Qualitative Study of Teachers' Experiences with Teaching Digital Citizenship
10:30 a.m. - 10:40 a.m. BREAK
10:40 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS 2
Room A:
Dr. Gaudino, Moderator
Tracy Williams, Director of Human Resources, Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12
Traditional vs. Alternative Teacher Pathways
Cara J. Klinger, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Susquehanna Township School District
Understanding Mentorship: A Qualitative Inquiry into Mentor Perceptions and Experiences in an Urban Fringe Induction Program
Summers, (information not provided)
Room B:
Dr. Kubasko, Moderator
Durrell Burns, Principal, IU13
Undergraduate Students’ Experiences with Virtual Work-Related Simulations
Marquis Jones, Assistant Principal, Palmyra Area School District
A Sense of Belonging: African American Principals’ Experiences and Retention in Suburban School Communities
Tamira Howard, Middle School Principal, West Shore School District
Who Teaches Matters: Recruiting and Retaining Teachers of Color
Room C:
Dr. Brooks, Moderator
Sarah Wenger, High School Chemistry Teacher, Eastern York School District
A Qualitative Study of Educators' Experiences Supporting Nonspeaking Students Who Use AAC
Karen Ward, Principal, Big Spring School District
Two Perspectives, One Voice: A Speech Clinician and Teacher’s Experience with Assistive Communication Devices
Room D:
Dr. Dreon Moderator
Victoria Kerr, Executive Director, Career Center, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Undergraduate Students’ Experiences with Virtual Work-Related Simulations
Josh Barnas, Assistant Principal at Warwick High School, Warwick School District
Teachers' Experiences with Instructional Strategies in a High School Virtual Academy: A Qualitative Study
Mike Rashid, Director of Instructional Technology and Online Learning, Palmyra Area School District
An Examination of Teachers’ Experiences with Synchronous Wellness Checks in Fully Virtual Settings
11:30 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. BREAK
11:40. - 12:30 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS 3
Room A:
Dr. Gaudino, Moderator
Cynthia Lehman, Mathematics Faculty & Assistant Chair CMP Department, Messiah University
The Guest Already Present: How a Structured Workshop Series Supports Older Adults in Learning to Live with AI in Everyday Life
Matthew Stern, Principal, East Pennsboro Area School District
Examining the Potential Relationships Between Superintendent and Local Association President and District Achievement
Room B:
Dr. Kubasko, Moderator
Emma Melhorn, Assistant Principal, Eastern York High School
A Mixed Methods Study: Supporting Ninth-Grade Students During the Transition to High School
Sarah Iachini, Assistant Director of Special Education, York Suburban School District
Transition Supports and Services: Their Impact on Success for Students with Individualized Education Plans After Graduation
Joyce Cal, Principal, Northern York County School District
Student Voice in PBIS Tier 1
Room C:
Dr. Brooks, Moderator
Domineak Commodore, Assistant Principal, John Harris Campus, Harrisburg High School, Harrisburg School District
ELL Educators Experiences with Online Access Testing: Navigating Preparation and Administering in an Urban High School Setting
Lindsay Kint, Assistant Business Manager, South Middleton School District
Digital Currency as PBIS Incentives: Middle School Staff Implementation and Perceptions
Meg Rishel, Title I Reading Specialist, Eastern York School District
A Qualitative Study of Elementary Computer Science Teachers
Room D:
Dr. Dreon, Moderator
Danielle Alric, Learning Solutions Specialist & English Adjunct, McDaniel College
Professional Judgment in the Age of the Prompt: A Qualitative Study of ELA Teachers and Chatbot Adoption
Ryan Cuevas, High School Science Teacher, Warwick High School
AI Chatbots in Secondary Social Studies: A Qualitative Study of Teacher Practice and Perception
12:30 p.m. END OF SYMPOSIUM
Symposium Photo Gallery
