uLead2025 - The Summit of Educational Leadership

This session will present the findings of a study aimed at better understanding the impact of focused leadership education on personal and collective wellness and mindfulness for teachers and leaders in K-12 schools. By engaging in interviews with twenty-four teachers and leaders undertaking such leadership education and through the co-creation of an edited book of their experiences as teachers and leaders committed to wellbeing, the importance of these topics to leadership became critical. Four themes stood as the findings and have been structured around the work of Arrien (1993). These include the importance of vertical leadership growth, the criticality of voice in pedagogical leadership, the role of mindfulness in teacher and leader health and wellbeing, and the need for a resurgence in storytelling as a medium for leadership. Participants in this session will be encouraged to consider what new possibilities could be explored around leadership education in today's complex educational contexts.

In this session, we will share a case study on how a school designed, implemented, and iterated, a school-wide, multi-stakeholder Wellness/SEL program to support teachers, leaders, students and families using Fixen's Implementation Drivers to gauge and drive success. At the end of the session, participants will be able to identify the implementation drivers that impact program success in their own contexts and will leave with their own concept plan for "next steps".

This session will invite participants on a journey through the outdoors—not only as a space for physical exploration but as a profound source of emotional, mental, and communal grounding. Starting with reflections on the ways that nature has personally shaped and anchored me as an educational leader, I'll delve into how outdoor experiences can serve as a foundation for a more resilient and student-centered school community. Through compelling stories, data on the benefits of nature for mental well-being, and interactive activities, I will share strategies that empower leaders to bring the outdoors into the heart of their educational philosophy. Together, we will explore how a commitment to outdoor learning can make our schools more inclusive, resilient, and grounded in values that truly serve our students.

Do you start the week exhausted from a weekend filled with unfinished tasks and worries about the days ahead? This session introduces seven research-based practices designed to help school and district leaders begin each week feeling calm, connected, and confident. Acknowledging the challenges of balancing personal well-being with the responsibilities of leadership, the session offers an easy-to-implement framework for self-care, even during the busiest times. You'll also gain strategies that can double as wellness strategies for teachers, enhancing the well-being of your school community. Don't just survive—thrive and lead with renewed energy and focus!

What the heck! Why is it so difficult to keep learning at the forefront of education, educational leadership, and professional practice? Why is it that we understand what is meant by the "good fight in education" but that fight can seem like a losing battle. Attend as we explore the tongue in cheek and strangely hopeful metaphor of zombification. The session will illuminate the solutions to work with and lead for learning mindsets in schools.

As the K-12 educational landscape grows increasingly complex, principals often face overwhelming pressures that can lead to burnout and early departures. Many fall into negative "mindtraps"—unproductive thoughts that distort reality and limit effective leadership. This interactive workshop, a popular offering from BTS Spark, will address common mindtraps such as pessimism, worry, negativity, and judgment that hinder leadership effectiveness. Participants will: • Identify personal mindtraps • Understand the impact of self-talk on leadership effectiveness • Explore how these patterns affect their leadership and relationships • Discover strategies to enhance confidence and decision-making, leading to a more positive school climate By focusing on mindtraps in professional development, principals can develop as lead learners and community builders, reducing stress and moving beyond managing time-sapping relationships, freeing time for instructional leadership. Both new and experienced principals will gain valuable insights to elevate their leadership practice.