Destination High Performance: Our aim for every student, employee, and family we serve.
High-performing schools excel by delivering rigorous learning and exceptional service to students, staff, and families. As a leader, you demonstrate courage, patience, and an unwavering commitment to achieving high performance for all. But true excellence isn’t accomplished alone.
Bring your team and join a community of dedicated leaders—those who learn together, share insights, and achieve real results. At Destination High Performance, you’ll gain the tools, strategies, and renewed inspiration to elevate your impact. You deserve this opportunity to grow, connect, and strengthen your commitment to the students and communities you serve.
Event Highlights
• Inspiring keynotes and panels featuring top K12 education leaders from across the nation, sharing innovative solutions to today’s education challenges.
• Interactive masterclasses and sessions focused on tactics you can use tomorrow to drive high performance in your organization.
• Networking opportunities with like-minded education professionals.
Early Bird Registration
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!
Agenda at a Glance
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UNTIL DHP CHICAGO!
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.
*All session times are listed in Central Time (CT) and are subject to change.
Tuesday • July 22, 2025
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
Learn how leaders are reigniting purpose by driving continuous improvement across their districts—from the boardroom to the classroom. Panelists will share real examples of what improvement looks like in action, along with the results they’re seeing in their district, followed by an engaging Q&A.
9:45AM • Accelerate Your Performance Live
Lead People with Purpose
Dr. Janet Pilcher, President, Founder, and Podcast Host • Studer Education
Dr. Tremayne Clardy, Superintendent • Verona Area School District, WI
In this live podcast interview, education leaders will share how they lead with purpose by putting people first. Through real stories and practical strategies, the conversation will explore how to build strong teams, navigate challenges, and foster a culture of trust and accountability.
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
In this session, education leaders explore how leader rounding—when done with purpose and consistency—drives real improvement across schools and districts. Dive into practical strategies for aligning rounding to scorecard goals, integrating technology with the new K12 Rounding App, and using rounding insights to enhance survey rollouts. Learn from leaders who are embedding rounding into their systems to improve experiences and outcomes for students, staff, and families.
11:20AM • Mini Masterclass
Lead People with Purpose Through Effective Communication
KK Owen, Leader Coach • Studer Education
Mark Bielang, Superintendent • Portage Public Schools, MI
In this interactive session, you will learn how to lead with purpose through effective, people-centered communication. Through mini-lessons, role plays, and table activities, leaders will explore how to start with why, ask meaningful questions, and communicate clearly—even in tough situations.
12:15PM • Networking
Networking Lunch
1:15PM • Accelerate Your Performance Live
Deliver Excellent Service
Casey Nye, Superintendent • D.C. Everest Area School District, WI
Janet Pilcher, President, Founder, and Podcast Host • Studer Education
In this live podcast interview, education leaders will explore how to deliver excellent service by strengthening relationships with families and communities. The conversation will focus on practical strategies for using feedback, navigating tough situations, and building a culture of responsiveness and trust.
1:40PM • Panel
Deliver Excellent Service
Julie Giannini-Previde, Principal • McKinleyville School District, CA
Dustin Horras, Superintendent • Sand Creek Zone School District 49, CO
In this interactive panel session, district leaders share how they’re building cultures of service excellence that positively impact students, families, and staff. From rounding practices with key stakeholder groups to developing clear standards of excellence and training service teams, each panelist will highlight real strategies that elevate everyday interactions. Walk away with practical insights you can apply to strengthen your systems and ensure exceptional service at every level.
2:55PM
Bringing Principal 9 to Life: Reward & Recognition
Janet Pilcher, President and Founder • Studer Education
Hear from leaders who intentionally celebrate wins, reinforce desired behaviors, and motivate their teams in meaningful ways. Learn how consistent recognition strengthens culture, builds trust, and inspires people to do their best work every day.
3:45PM • Keynote
Excellent Service
Quint Studer, CEO • Studer Family of Companies
4:45PM • Awards
Difference Maker Awards
5:30PM • Networking
Networking Reception
*All session times are listed in Central Time (CT) and are subject to change.
Wednesday • July 23, 2025
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. 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
In this thought-provoking conversation, Studer Education leader coach experts will explore how effective feedback loops drive continuous improvement. They’ll discuss practical ways to build systems that connect input to action—creating momentum, accountability, and lasting change across school districts.
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
Learn how school district leaders are using meaningful data to drive strategic decisions and improve outcomes. Panelists will highlight how aligning scorecards across schools and departments—and focusing on the right measures—helps keep teams focused, accountable, and moving in the same direction.
10:05AM • Mini Masterclass
Measure What Matters
In this interactive session, you will explore how to identify meaningful measures that lead to real improvement alongside a Studer Education Leader Coach and district partner. You will also engage in case-based activities to practice analyzing data, selecting the right measures, and using team huddles to track progress and drive results.
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
Explore practical strategies for applying feedback to drive improvement at various levels. Panelists will share their experiences and solutions on topics such as solving complex problems, mapping new processes, and implementing short cycles of improvement in schools and classrooms.
12PM • Networking
Networking Lunch
12:45PM • Mini Masterclass
Doubling Down on Short Cycles of Improvement
Tami Clay, Executive Director • El Dorado County Office of Education, CA
Tammy Bradford, Assistant Superintendent • Tulare County Office of Education, CA
Pat Greco, Senior Director of Thought Leadership • Studer Education
In this hands-on session, participants will learn how to strengthen efforts on short cycles of improvement by mapping and refining key processes to drive continuous growth. Through real-world examples, partner insights, and interactive table activities, leaders will explore how quick feedback loops and iterative testing can transform processes and improve results. Participants will gain practical skills in process mapping, identifying inefficiencies, and applying short cycles to improve systems within their organizations.
1:40PM • Accelerate Your Performance Live
Why Coaching and Improvement Work Never Ends
Dr. Heidi Eliopoulos, Superintendent • School District of Altoona, WI
Janet Pilcher, President, Founder, and Podcast Host • Studer Education
In this live podcast interview, education leaders discuss how ongoing coaching and an unwavering commitment to improvement drive growth across all levels of a school system. Through real-world stories, they’ll highlight how a coaching mindset strengthens systems, deepens team engagement, and sustains progress—even in the face of challenges. Leave inspired to stay the course in the work of continuous improvement.
2:05PM • Reflections and Takeaways
Superintendents’ Reflections
Reflect on your experiences and key takeaways from DHP Chicago as education leaders and superintendents share strategies and insights to drive ongoing district improvement. Leave with actionable ideas and inspiration to accelerate your team’s progress toward sustaining excellence in education.
2:35PM • Reflections and Takeaways
Conference Closing
Janet Pilcher, President and Founder • Studer Education
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Hotel and Conference Venue
DHP Chicago will take place at The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago: 909 Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611.
Special conference room rates are available. The reservation cut-off date for the conference discount is Monday, June 30, 2025.
Discounted rates are subject to availability and space is limited. We recommend you reserve your hotel room early to guarantee the lowest rate.
Conference Rates
Conference rates vary, with discounts for teams and partners. Register early to save—early bird pricing is available through May 23, 2025.
| Early Bird | Standard Invoice | Standard Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partner Presenter | waived | waived | waived |
| Team of 3 or more from the same organization |
$250 per person | $300 per person | $325 per person |
| Studer Education Partner Individual Registrant |
$300 | $350 | $375 |
| Non-partner Individual (general attendee) Registrant |
$350 | $400 | $425 |
Register for Destination High Performance
July 22-23, 2025 • Chicago, IL