Melissa Banks joined the Mississippi Department of Education in December 2015 and served first as an Instructional Technology Specialist, then as the Director of Digital Learning. In May of 2023, she transitioned to Director of Data Use and Professional Learning and works to provide meaningful and timely professional learning opportunities to users of the Mississippi Student Information System (MSIS), including updates to the system and analysis of the data provided by the system. Before joining the MDE, Melissa taught high school business and technology courses for eight years. In addition to teaching, Melissa also served in many leadership roles at her school and created and led multiple professional learning sessions regarding instructional technology in the classroom. Melissa completed her Master of Arts in Teaching in August 2010 and received her National Board Certification in 2013.
KEYNOTE PRESENTER
WELCOMING DR. ANDY PARKER
Dr. Andy Parker is an author and speaker whose story of loss and rebuilding transformed his personal life and his work in schools.
During the aftermath of a devastating hurricane and through introspection and determination, he created his highly successful and proven G.R.E.A.T. Leadership Philosophy for transforming classrooms, schools, and LIVES! His success led to his promotion to Assistant Superintendent for one of the largest school districts in Mississippi. Later, he assumed the role of a high school principal and led a transformation that included:
- The school’s rating moved from underperforming to high performing.
- Coaches and students secured seven state championships in five years, from one in the school’s history.
- The school’s dismal drop-out rate – one of the highest in Mississippi –dropped to one of the lowest in the state, coupled with one of the highest completion rates!
- His drive and inspiration compelled senior classes to jump from receiving under $700,000 in scholarship offerings to over $5 million.
- Andy’s team reduced physical altercations to almost zero during his five-year tenure as principal.
Later, Dr. Andy worked for a national educational non-profit that coached leaders and their teams to implement the core standards, led a group of charter schools in New Orleans, and currently coaches and trains leaders and teachers across the country.
An energizing, humorous, and frank speaker on issues about school leadership and cultural competence, Dr. Andy brings his passion for social justice, his sense of humor and positivity, and his love for people development to the workplace. He is an avid lover of animals, and he knows that life is too short for bad coffee and cheap wine.
Improving Outcomes for All Students Using the Pillars of the GREAT Leadership Philosophy
GET TO KNOW THIS YEAR'S SPEAKERS
MELISSA BANKS
SEAS > MSIS Data Transfer: What You Need to Know
Curious about the new nightly data transfer from SEAS to MSIS? While the new automated process brings efficiency, it also raises concerns about what data are being sent and how to ensure the data are accurate. Fear not – we’re here to guide you through this exciting transition! In this session, we will identify special education data elements being transferred to MSIS and explore how the data maps to specific fields in the SEAS platform. You’ll also learn about the data quality alerts MSIS provides, giving your team time to correct errors before certification. Join us to gain a better understanding of the data flow, learn how to ensure quality, and make the most of the new system features.
BARBARA YOUNG
Barbara Young joined the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) in 2015 in the Office of Technology and Strategic Services (OTSS) within the Project Management Office. In early 2020, Barbara transitioned to Customer Support and Training to develop training materials and deliver training content to internal users. Barbara is now a member of Data Use and Professional Development within OTSS. She is mainly responsible for creating and delivering training materials to external users especially for the new Mississippi Student Information System (MSIS 2.0), and other project management duties. Barbara has a Bachelor of Applied Science from Mississippi State University and an Associate of Applied Science from Hinds Community College. Prior to the MDE, Barbara worked in the private sector and has significant experience in Project Management, Software Testing, and Training.
SEAS > MSIS Data Transfer: What You Need to Know
Curious about the new nightly data transfer from SEAS to MSIS? While the new automated process brings efficiency, it also raises concerns about what data are being sent and how to ensure the data are accurate. Fear not – we’re here to guide you through this exciting transition! In this session, we will identify special education data elements being transferred to MSIS and explore how the data maps to specific fields in the SEAS platform. You’ll also learn about the data quality alerts MSIS provides, giving your team time to correct errors before certification. Join us to gain a better understanding of the data flow, learn how to ensure quality, and make the most of the new system features.
WENDY ROGERS
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- Wendy Rogers is a retired educator from Mississippi who joined SEAS Education as a Business Development/Customer Success Executive in 2019. Wendy served in the following positions over her 26 years of experience in education: a special education teacher in the Petal School District, and Perkinston Elementary Assistant Principal, Stone High School Principal, and Director of Special Services and Curriculum Coordinator in the Stone County School District. Wendy also worked for the Mississippi Department of Education as an Educator in Residence, mentoring new special education directors across the state, and she also served as the Superintendent for Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
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Wendy holds the following degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi: B. S. in Special Education; M. Ed. in Special Education; and a M. Ed. in Educational Leadership. Wendy is pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Mississippi State University.
Wendy has been an active member of CASE and MS-CASE having served on the national CASE Research Committee and the Policy and Legislative Committee. Wendy has also served as President-Elect, President, and Past President for MS-CASE. While serving in those roles, she has been the special education representative on the boards of Mississippi Association of School Administrators and the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents/Alliance. Wendy served on the MDE Special Education Task Force and the MTSS task force. Wendy continues to advocate for all students to receive an appropriate education and for all teachers to have the necessary resources and support to provide that education.
Training Session: Attain 3.0 Admin/User
This product training session is focused on Administrators and Users operating our 3.0 technology solution, Attain. The focus of this session will be cleaning the districts’ data as part of MSIS 2.0 preparations.
Training Session: Behavior Plus
This product training session is focused on the Behavior Plus Product. Behavior Plus automates the process of creating, managing and tracking behavior plans for Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 behavior interventions.
Training Session: CLASS
This session will provide the product training session focused on the CLASS Product. CLASS provides unprecedented student skill gap analysis to drill down and produce thorough objectives for IEPs. IEPs based on CLASS assessments lead to improved student performance.
Training Session: Attain MTSS
This product training session is focused on the Attain MTSS technology solution.
These Sessions will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024
KRIS SHINN
Kris Shinn is President and CEO of Willing Ways. Kris worked several years in the business field after graduating from Ouachita University, and more than a decade ago, he began working with students, teachers, and parents. This journey into helping students really began over 23 years ago with the birth of his beloved son Will who has Autism. He loves to share the strategies that he began learning while working with his son and now helps others to apply those strategies in situations both in homes or in schools. As Kris found ways that helped Will, he discovered strategies that would help others. Kris is the author of two books, with a third set for release later this year. Two programs that Kris is certified to teach that have been very helpful are Everyday Behavior Tools and Professional Crisis Management. Kris is also available for consulting, professional development, and public speaking.
Yes WE Can!
At times, we have all wondered “how” or “why”! Are we going to be able to go on, or can we actually do this? Through life experiences, Kris has gained a much better grasp on the hows and whys that often come up every day in the world of education. Kris offers educators the unique perspective of a Father whose oldest son was diagnosed at two and a half with severe autism. Through that experience, he has had the privilege of visiting countless schools and places to talk and inspire others to believe “YES WE CAN!” Bring some tissue, and maybe even a laugh or two, but you will leave believing you can make a difference!
SABRINA HALL
After 30 years in education, Sabrina Hall recently retired from New Albany School District. Sabrina taught grades Pre-K-4th grade in both general and special education. She was also a Literacy Coach and District Assistant Special Education Director/Case Manager. Sabrina was a dedicated SEAS user for over 15 years. She is now a Customer Success Executive at SEAS Education. She is married and has four beautiful children and four amazing grandchildren with another due in January.
Training Session: Attain 3.0 Admin/User
This product training session is focused on Administrators and Users operating our 3.0 technology solution, Attain. The focus of this session will be cleaning the districts’ data as part of MSIS 2.0 preparations.
Training Session: Behavior Plus
This product training session is focused on the Behavior Plus Product. Behavior Plus automates the process of creating, managing and tracking behavior plans for Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 behavior interventions.
Training Session: CLASS
This session will provide the product training session focused on the CLASS Product. CLASS provides unprecedented student skill gap analysis to drill down and produce thorough objectives for IEPs. IEPs based on CLASS assessments lead to improved student performance.
Training Session: Attain MTSS
This product training session is focused on the Attain MTSS technology solution.
These Sessions will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024
BUDDY HALL
Buddy Hall is a trained presenter for the Jason Foundation, Inc.(JFI). He has been presenting for JFI since 2016. He also serves on the State Suicide Workgroup within the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Following a successful 26 year career in Mississippi Public School system, he retired in 2011. He now serves as the Superintendent of Education for Millcreek of Pontotoc Schools which is owned by Acadia Healthcare.
“I Won’t Be Silent” – Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention
This presentation introduces the scope and magnitude of the problem of youth suicide on both a National and State level, the signs of concern, risk factors, how to recognize young people who may be struggling, how to approach the student and help an at-risk youth find resources for assistance. It is important for educators, as a major influence in the lives of young people, to join in the battle against youth suicide. Educators, youth workers and coaches can do this by getting themselves and their schools educated on the warning signs associated with youth suicide and how to help.
MARK YEAGER
Dr. Yeager began his career with exceptional people in has been in service to people in 1975. His experiences range from being a classroom teacher to program developer creating new and innovative community-based programs. He has dedicated his professional career to advocacy and leadership in the field of autism.
Dr. Yeager developed and taught the first classes solely dedicated to the topic of autism spectrum disorders at any Mississippi institution of higher learning. He has spoken on that topic teaching in England, Ireland, South Korea and to professions in India. In addition to his many lecture offerings and presentations and is well published in several languages and consults autism programs across the United States.
Dr. Yeager is currently the Chair for Exceptional Education at William Carey University. He also serves as the Executive Director of TEAAM Autism. He is the founder of TEAAM Autism’s main offices at The Center Ridge Outpost, the organizations adventure base camp.
Being an Amazing Educator is All About Perspective
Perspective. This is the one simple consideration that is often overlooked by educators. Great educators understand the fact that perspectives are critical, even when they do not alight with their own. This presentation will investigate the role which perspective plays in the educational milieu and how it can be used to your advantage or contribute to chaos.