Destination High Performance
Our Destination High Performance (DHP) conferences and events celebrate the incredible work of transformational leaders who are shaping the future of education. These events focus on how education leaders drive continuous improvement, foster innovation, and elevate education practices through ongoing leadership development and a steadfast commitment to excellence.
Destination High Peformance
Our Destination High Performance (DHP) events celebrate the incredible work of transformational leaders who are shaping the future of education. These events focus on how leaders drive continuous improvement, foster innovation, and elevate education practices through ongoing leadership development and a steadfast commitment to excellence.
Featured 2024 Speakers
Our aim for every student, employee, and family we serve.
Join us at Destination High Performance Chicago, where education leaders come together to learn, connect, and drive real results. High-performing schools succeed by delivering rigorous learning and exceptional service—but excellence isn’t achieved alone.
This event offers inspiring keynotes, interactive masterclasses, and networking with like-minded professionals, all focused on equipping you with the tools and strategies to elevate your impact.
Bring your team and gain fresh insights, practical solutions, and renewed inspiration to strengthen your commitment to students, staff, and families.
Don’t miss your chance to save! Register now for Destination High Performance Chicago and lock in exclusive early bird discounts. Bring your team and take advantage of special rates for groups and partners. But hurry—early bird pricing ends May 23, 2025!
Our aim for every student, employee, and family we serve.
Agenda at a Glance
This high-level overview highlights key sessions. There will also be networking breaks and ‘Connecting the Dots’ sessions to keep you engaged throughout the day.
DAY 1
8AM • Welcome & Opening Keynote
Reigniting Our Purpose: Leading to Improve
Dr. Janet Pilcher, Founder & President • Studer Education
8:30AM • Panel
Reigniting Our Purpose: Leading to Improve
Dr. Ryan Carpenter, Superintendent • Estacada School District, OR
Ms. Whitney Holton, Chief Improvement Officer • Campbell Union School District, CA
Dr. Ed Manansala, Superintendent • El Dorado County Office of Education, CA
Facilitator: Dr. Pat Greco, Senior Director of Thought Leadership • Studer Education
9:45AM • Accelerate Your Performance Live
Lead People with Purpose
Dr. Janet Pilcher, President and Founder • Studer Education
Dr. Cory Strasser, Superintendent • Rapid City Area Schools, SD
10:10AM • Leader Rounding Deep Dive
Connecting Conversations to What Matters Most
Dr. Janet Pilcher, President and Founder • Studer Education
Marty Lessmann, Chief Experience Officer • Studer Education
Sean Dorsey, Superintendent • Manitou Springs School District, CO
David Kline, Superintendent • Colton School District, OR
11:20AM • Mini Masterclass
Lead People with Purpose Through Effective Communication
KK Owen, Leader Coach • Studer Education
Mark Bielang, Superintendent • Portage Public Schools, MI
12:15PM • Networking
Networking Lunch
1:15PM • Accelerate Your Performance Live
Deliver Excellent Service
Janet Pilcher, President, Founder and Podcast Host • Studer Education
Casey Nye, Superintendent • D.C. Everest Area School District, WI
1:40PM • Panel
Deliver Excellent Service
Julie Giannini-Previde, Principal • McKinleyville School District, CA
Dustin Horras, Superintendent • Sand Creek Zone School District 49, CO
Kelly Krostag, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources • Escambia County Public Schools, FL
Dr. Reggie Todd, Leader Coach • Studer Education
2:55PM
Bringing Principal 9 to Life: Reward & Recognition
Kevin Case, Superintendent • Douglas School District, SD
Jeannie Clark, Elementary Principal • Douglas School District, SD
Dr. Janet Pilcher, President and Founder • Studer Education
3:45PM • Keynote
Excellent Service
Quint Studer, CEO • Studer Family of Companies
4:45PM • Awards
Difference Maker Awards
5:30PM • Networking
Networking Reception
DAY 2
8AM • Welcome Back
Reigniting Our Purpose: Leading to Improve
Dr. Janet Pilcher, Founder & President • Studer Education
8:30AM • Leader Conversation
Feedback Loops: Our Improvement Methodology
Dr. Catherine Wang, Superintendent • Glencoe School District 35, IL
Dr. Dana Smith, Superintendent • Flossmoor School District 161, IL
Dr. Pat Greco, Senior Director of Thought Leadership • Studer Education
9:30AM • Panel
Measure What Matters
Derrick Kunsman, Principal • Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District, WI
Al Betry, Agency Administrator • Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) 9, WI
Kathy Myles, Leader Coach • Studer Education
10:05AM • Mini Masterclass
Measure What Matters
Tina Posnanski, Leader Coach • Studer Education
11AM • Panel
Apply Feedback to Improve
Jan Draper, Director of Teaching and Learning • Casa Grande Elementary School District, AZ
Travis Bracht, Superintendent • Affton School District, MO
Amy Andersen, Associate Superintendent of Educational Services • El Dorado County Office of Education, CA
Dedi Somavia, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources • Tulare County Office of Education, CA
Dr. Casey Blochowiak, Vice President of Coaching • Studer Education
12PM • Networking
Networking Lunch
12:45PM • Mini Masterclass
Doubling Down on Short Cycles of Improvement
Tamara Clay, Executive Director of Special Services, SELPA and System Improvement • El Dorado County Office of Education, CA
Tammy Bradford, Assistant Superintendent of Special Services • Tulare County Office of Education, CA
Dr. Pat Greco, Senior Director of Thought Leadership • Studer Education
1:40PM • Accelerate Your Performance Live
Why Coaching and Improvement Work Never Ends
Dr. Heidi Eliopoulos, Superintendent • School District of Altoona, WI
Dr. Janet Pilcher, President, Founder, and Podcast Host • Studer Education
2:05PM • Reflections and Takeaways
Superintendents’ Reflections
Creating a Culture of Excellence from Leadership to the Classroom
The Destination High Performance Virtual Conference is now available on demand—through August 17, 2025!
Didn’t attend live? No problem. You can still register and get full access to every session.
This powerful virtual experience was designed for busy education leaders. With just 4–5 short sessions per day, including keynotes, panels, and masterclasses, you can dive into the content at your own pace—whether you have 20 minutes or an hour. Every session is focused, actionable, and easy to digest, making it simple to fit professional learning into your day.
Explore topics like:
Each day centers on a key theme—Organizational Excellence, Internal Service Excellence, and Leadership Excellence—giving you a complete toolkit for leading high-performing teams and schools.
Register today to access all sessions and start learning when it works for you.
Creating a Culture of Excellence from Leadership to the Classroom
The Destination High Performance virtual event is a dynamic three-day virtual event designed to inspire and empower education leaders at every level. With a robust agenda featuring thought-provoking keynotes, masterclasses, and interactive panels, attendees will explore critical topics such as driving student excellence through leadership influence, hardwiring daily practices for success, and applying the PDSA cycle to achieve high-performance outcomes. Each day focuses on a unique theme—Organizational Excellence, Internal Service Excellence, and Leadership Excellence—culminating in facilitated networking sessions to deepen connections and share insights. Join us to get actionable strategies for creating cultures of excellence, and leave equipped to elevate your organization and foster success for all.
Agenda at a Glance
DAY 1
10AM • Keynote
The Influence Leaders Have on Student Excellence
Dr. Charlotte Boling, Leader Coach • Studer Education
10:35AM • Mini Masterclass
Hardwiring Daily Huddles to Drive Student Success
Dr. Christi Barrett, Superintendent • Hemet Unified School District, CA
Learn how structured daily huddles can transform communication, alignment, and student achievement.
11:05AM • Mini Masterclass
PDSA Cycles Applied to Drive High Performing Math Achievement
Patches Calhoun, Elementary Principal • Oxford School District, MS
Kimberly Day, Elementary Teacher and PLC Leader • Oxford School District, MS
Discover how continuous improvement cycles can create sustainable student growth and performance.
11:35AM • Panel
Why Organizational Excellence is Key to Student Excellence
Dr. Jennifer Lowery, Superintendent • Tea Area School District, SD
Bradley Roberson, Superintendent • Oxford School District, MS
David Shimer, Superintendent • Burton School District, CA
12:15PM
Virtual Learning Community Conversations
DAY 2
2PM • Keynote
Serving Our People with “Customer Care”
Dr. Deanna Ashby, Leader Coach • Studer Education
2:30PM • Mini Masterclass
People First is Core to Hardwiring Service Excellence
Dr. Adam Leckie, Superintendent • Casa Grande Elementary School District, AZ
Explore how a people-first approach strengthens service excellence and drives organizational success.
3PM • Mini Masterclass
Making the Complex Simple: Process Improvement
Dr. Pat Greco, Senior Director of Thought Leadership • Studer Education
Dr. Jennifer Martin, Assistant Superintendent of Improvement and Analytics • Hemet Unified School District, CA
Learn how to streamline complex processes to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and impact.
3:30PM • Mini Masterclass
Rounding with Those We Serve to Achieve Outcomes
Dr. Shawn Tennenbaum, Superintendent • San Benito High School District, CA
Discover how leader rounding strengthens relationships, builds trust, and drives meaningful results.
4PM
Virtual Learning Community Conversations
DAY 3
10AM • Keynote
Connecting the Dots & Answering Questions
Dr. Janet Pilcher, Founder & President • Studer Education
10:35AM • Mini Masterclass
How the Organizational Excellence Framework Guides Leadership Development
Dr. Ryan Carpenter, Superintendent • Estacada School District, OR
Uncover how a structured framework for excellence accelerates leadership growth and effectiveness.
11:05AM • Mini Masterclass
Addressing Misalignment of Leaders
Dr. Matt Hillmann, Superintendent • Northfield Public Schools, MN
Learn strategies to identify and correct leadership misalignment to improve team cohesion and performance.
11:35AM • Panel
Why Developing Leaders is Non-negotiable
Ira Porchia, Superintendent • Tulare City School District, CA
Dr. Catherine Wang, Superintendent • Glencoe School District 35, IL
Sean Dorsey, Superintendent • Manitou Springs School District, CO
Dr. Derek Bub, Superintendent • West Ada School District, ID
Rashon Hasan, Superintendent • Plainfield Public Schools, NJ
12:25PM • Keynote
Leadership Development is Non-negotiable
Quint Studer, CEO • Studer Family of Companies
Our aim for every student, employee, and family we serve.
Join us at Destination High Performance Chicago, where education leaders come together to learn, connect, and drive real results. High-performing schools succeed by delivering rigorous learning and exceptional service—but excellence isn’t achieved alone.
This event offers inspiring keynotes, interactive masterclasses, and networking with like-minded professionals, all focused on equipping you with the tools and strategies to elevate your impact.
Bring your team and gain fresh insights, practical solutions, and renewed inspiration to strengthen your commitment to students, staff, and families.
Don’t miss your chance to save! Register now for Destination High Performance Chicago and lock in exclusive early bird discounts. Bring your team and take advantage of special rates for groups and partners. But hurry—early bird pricing ends May 5, 2025!
Agenda at a Glance
This high-level overview highlights key sessions. There will also be networking breaks and ‘Connecting the Dots’ sessions to keep you engaged throughout the day.
DAY 1
8AM • Welcome & Opening Keynote
Reigniting Our Purpose: Leading to Improve
Dr. Janet Pilcher, Founder & President • Studer Education
8:30AM • Panel
Reigniting Our Purpose: Leading to Improve
Facilitator: Dr. Pat Greco, Senior Director of Thought Leadership • Studer Education
9:45AM • Accelerate Your Performance Live
Lead People with Purpose
Janet Pilcher, President, Founder and Podcast Host • Studer Education
10:10AM • Panel
Lead People with Purpose
11:20AM • Mini Masterclass
Lead People with Purpose Through Effective Communication
KK Owen, Leader Coach • Studer Education
12:15PM • Networking
Networking Lunch
1:15PM • Accelerate Your Performance Live
Deliver Excellent Service
Janet Pilcher, President, Founder and Podcast Host • Studer Education
1:40PM • Mini Masterclass
Deliver Excellent Service
2:35PM • Panel
Deliver Excellent Service
3:45PM • Keynote
Excellent Service
Quint Studer, CEO • Studer Family of Companies
4:45PM • Awards
Difference Maker Awards
5:30PM • Networking
Networking Reception
DAY 2
8AM • Welcome & Opening Keynote
Reigniting Our Purpose: Leading to Improve
Dr. Janet Pilcher, Founder & President • Studer Education
8:30AM • Leader Conversation
Feedback Loops: Our Improvement Methodology
Dr. Janet Pilcher, Founder & President • Studer Education
Dr. Pat Greco, Senior Director of Thought Leadership • Studer Education
9:30AM • Panel
Measure What Matters
10:35AM • Mini Masterclass
Measure What Matters
11:15AM • Panel
Improvement
12:15PM • Networking
Networking Lunch
1PM • Mini Masterclass
Doubling Down on Short Cycles of Improvement
Pat Greco, Senior Director of Thought Leadership • Studer Education
1:40PM • Reflections and Takeaways
Superintendents’ Reflections
2:15PM
Closing
Over a Decade of Actionable and Impactful Experience Shared from the Stage
Together we are creating great places to work, learn, and succeed.
Together we are creating great places to work, learn, and succeed.
Event Rewind
While you wait for the next DHP K12 event, take a look back at previous keynotes, featured breakout sessions, leader panels, and more from the stage.
Improving the Employee Experience in Schools:
Improving Strategic Alignment of the District:
Systematizing Improvement with Continuous Improvement Practices:
From the Stage to the Podcast
The Accelerate Your Performance podcast features interviews with leaders and educators who have shared the stories behind their success at our K12 leadership events. Listen as they discuss how their districts are improving workplace culture, retaining their people, and getting the best outcomes for all students.
