Join fellow Tennessee school leaders for a practical, leadership-focused Principal Cohort Event centered on Strategies, Systems, and Successful Practices. This session is designed for principals, assistant principals, and district leaders who want to strengthen the daily systems that support excellent instruction, safe and productive learning environments, strong educator collaboration, and measurable student growth. Presenters Lana Luttrell from Greeneville City Schools, Patrick Spangler from Bradley County Schools, and Meredith Gilliland from Bedford County Schools are all Principal of the Year finalists and will share successful practices from their leadership work.

Their examples will help participants consider how effective school systems are built, monitored, adjusted, and communicated. Throughout the morning, participants will examine leadership routines connected to data use, teacher support, student behavior, scheduling, school culture, and continuous improvement. The session will emphasize strategies that principals can adapt immediately while also helping leaders think more deeply about the systems that make successful practices sustainable over time. Participants will leave with practical ideas, reflection points, and next steps for strengthening instructional leadership in their own schools. This event emphasizes the value of learning from current practicing leaders who are actively engaged in the work of school improvement.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

Join fellow school leaders for a focused Principal Cohort event, Building Systems and Schedules That Support Student Achievement 2026, designed for principals, assistant principals, and their supervisors. We hope to have a large group of attendees who are committed to strengthening school conditions that improve student outcomes.

This session features Tennessee Principal of the Year finalists who have demonstrated effective instructional leadership in their schools and who will share practical, replicable strategies from their own leadership work across all grade levels, from Kindergarten through high school. Presenters may discuss how they build systems and schedules that protect instructional time, use academic and schoolwide data to guide decisions, develop strong school culture and leadership teams, engage families and community partners, and apply lessons learned through both challenges and successes.

Attendees will leave with ideas, tools, and examples they can adapt to their own schools as they work to improve student achievement, support teachers, and lead with clarity, purpose, and confidence. Featured presenters include Heather Tinch, principal of Burks Elementary School in Putnam County Schools; Amber Ryan, principal of Lakewood School in Henry County Schools; and Mitchell Whaley, principal of Sevier County High School in Sevier County Schools, whose session will include a 9–12 perspective on building school culture and leadership teams. Together, their experience represents elementary, middle, and high school leadership perspectives.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

This high-impact professional learning session is designed to help Tennessee school leaders effectively understand, interpret, and apply TVAAS (Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System) data to support academic growth and instructional decision-making across their schools. Participants will explore how TVAAS provides a clear picture of student growth over time—beyond proficiency—and how this data can be used to shape school improvement plans, support teacher development, and ensure equitable learning opportunities for all students.

Through guided analysis, real-school case studies, and interactive sessions with data specialists, leaders will gain confidence in using TVAAS as a tool for collaborative leadership and strategic action.

Key Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the core principles of TVAAS, including growth vs. achievement, and its alignment with Tennessee’s accountability framework.

• Analyze school-level and teacher-level TVAAS reports to identify trends, gaps, and instructional strengths, Use TVAAS data to inform PLC conversations, target intervention supports and refine curriculum pacing.

• Leverage value-added insights to support educator evaluations, differentiated PD, and equity-focused leadership; and Integrate TVAAS with other data sources (e.g., benchmark assessments, RTI², and state assessments) for comprehensive decision-making. 

Who Should Attend this Asynchronous event?    Principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches, academic deans, data teams, and district instructional leaders. Although we originally planned this event for school leaders,  it is open to any ALI  subscriber who feels the need to improve their learning in their schools. By request, this event will feature school and system leaders who want to inspire confidence, create change, and support their leaders by modeling their use of data to coach the underperforming teacher and leader in our state’s schools, use data such as TVAAS reports to monitor growth over time, and to support the lead learner who may be less familiar with TVAAS than their peers or their teachers. When we change grade levels, begin to look at cohort data over grade spans, we often need support from leaders who have already made this data real to their staff members.

You will watch a minimum of 8 hours of training and then work with Dr. Wanda Shelton on your final assessments. These assessments must be received by end of business on October 30, 2026 but you may also reach out to her at wanda@tosstn.com at any time during your session videos to connect with your cohort attendees for more information.

*** 8 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

Please note: the link to the course will be sent to you in your confirmation email once you register. If you do not see this email reach out to Crysta Cox (crysta@tosstn.com) for assistance.

This professional learning event equips Tennessee school and district leaders with current legal knowledge and practical decision-making tools needed to lead confidently, ethically, and in compliance with state and federal requirements. Led by education attorney Chuck Cagle and his legal staff, the event connects timely Tennessee legal updates to the daily instructional leadership responsibilities of administrators, including policy implementation, risk management, personnel decisions, student discipline, special education and Section 504 compliance, school safety, and implementation of Tennessee law and local board policy.

The event will include legal updates, real-world leadership scenarios, case-based discussion, and interactive question-and-answer opportunities. It is designed for superintendents, principals, assistant principals, supervisors, and district leaders who are responsible for aligning school practices with law, policy, student supports, educator effectiveness, and safe learning environments.

Overview of this training event:

Leaders and the Law with Chuck Cagle: Tennessee Legal Updates, Policy Implementation, and Risk Management 2026

Focus: Tennessee legal updates, policy implementation, and risk management for school and district leaders, with emphasis on aligning leadership practices with Tennessee statutes, local board policies, Tennessee Department of Education guidance, and evolving legal requirements.

Topics Include:

• Current legal updates impacting schools

• Compliance with state accountability, funding, and policy changes

• Risk management and leadership decision-making

• Aligning local policy with Tennessee Department of Education guidance and state law

Additional topics will be addressed as needed to prepare leaders for effective legal and policy implementation during the 2026–2027 school year.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

This professional learning session equips Tennessee school and district leaders with current legal knowledge and practical decision-making tools relatedto student discipline, Section 504, IDEA, and lawful search procedures. Led by education attorney Chuck Cagle and his legal staff, the session connects timely legal updates to daily instructional leadership responsibilities, including due process, manifestation determination reviews, disability protections, student rights, school safety, and implementation of Tennessee law and board policy. Although this event is part of our three-part Leaders and the Law series with Mr. Cagle, this session is submitted with its own title, date, focus area, and four-hour credit request.

The session is designed for Tennessee school and district leaders who are responsible for ensuring that student discipline, Section 504, IDEA, search procedures, investigations, and student interviews are implemented consistently, legally, and in ways that protect student access to instruction.

Overview of the day:

Leaders and the Law with Chuck Cagle: Student Discipline, Section 504, IDEA, and Search Procedures 2026

Focus: Legal expectations around student rights, disciplinary procedures, disability protections, and lawful investigations.

Topics include:

•        Suspension/expulsion policies and procedural safeguards

•       Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs)

•       Section 504/IDEA legal distinctions

•        Legal boundaries for searches, investigations, and student interviews

Additional discipline, Section 504, special education, and student-rights topics will be addressed through structured question-and-answer discussions during the session.

This Leaders and the Law session will help participants gain clarity on school law expectations and leadership responsibilities related to student discipline, Section 504, IDEA, manifestation determination reviews, lawful search procedures, investigations, student interviews, and student-rights issues. Learning will support administrators in aligning school practices with Tennessee law, federal requirements, local board policy, and procedures that preserve instructional time and protect student access to learning.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

AI use is expanding rapidly in K–12 education, yet many school and district leaders are still developing the guidance, training, and safeguards needed for responsible implementation. This training is planned for supervisors, principals, and assistant principals and will focus on how leaders can strategically use AI tools while also guiding safe, ethical, and effective use in schools and districts. Participants will examine practical leadership applications, including lesson-planning support, scheduling, educator feedback, evaluation support, professional learning, and stakeholder communication.

 The session will also address key risks leaders must manage, including privacy concerns, misinformation, inaccuracy, academic integrity, equity, and the limitations of poorly written prompts. Participants will begin with an overview of artificial intelligence use in K–12 public schools, learn how to create a five-step plan to encourage responsible AI use in their school or district, and hear from leaders who have used AI successfully to improve feedback, streamline scheduling, and support timely evaluation processes within Tennessee’s TEAM model. The session will include leadership examples from Cleveland City Schools and presentations from TETA leadership. Participants will also explore practical ways to improve leadership work with AI while identifying common AI governance challenges schools and districts should avoid.

Join us as we begin our 2026–2027 year-long focus on responsible AI leadership in Tennessee’s public schools. This virtual cohort session is designed for supervisors, principals, and assistant principals who are preparing to guide safe, ethical, and effective AI use in their schools and districts.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

This stand-alone professional learning event equips Tennessee school and district leaders with current legal knowledge and practical decision-making tools related to personnel decisions, human resources compliance, and educator licensure. Led by education attorney Chuck Cagle and his legal staff, the October 20, 2026 session connects timely legal updates to administrators’ instructional leadership responsibilities, including hiring, employee contracts, evaluations, non-renewals, tenure status, due process, personnel records, grievances, and licensure compliance under Tennessee law.

The session will include legal updates, real-world leadership scenarios, case-based discussion, and interactive question-and-answer opportunities. Itis designed for superintendents, principals, assistant principals, supervisors, and district leaders who are responsible for aligning personnel practices, educator supervision, HR procedures, licensure requirements, and local board policy with systems that support educator effectiveness and protect student access to instruction.

As the first legal learning event with Mr. Cagle for the 2026–2027 school year, the October 20 session will focus specifically on the legal guidance administrators need when making personnel decisions related to hiring, employee contracts, evaluations, non-renewals, tenure status, due process, and educator licensure compliance under Tennessee law.

Specific topics for this October 20 session include:

•         Tenure and non-tenure status

•        Dismissals and due process

•         Educator licensure standards and renewals

•         Navigating employee grievances and personnel records

Additional personnel, human resources, and licensure topics may be added as needed to address current Tennessee legal updates and participant questions.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

When supervisors, principals, and district leaders work well together, they are better able to understand the work at every level of the school system and create stronger conditions for student learning.

This cohort experience invites TOSS ALI subscribers to learn with accomplished school and district leaders, including Brandon Rainey, principal at Lexington High School in Henderson County and a finalist for Principal of the Year; Fred Hewitt, principal at DuPont Tyler Middle School with Metro Nashville Public Schools and a finalist for Principal of the Year; Frankie Skinner, Chief Academic Officer for Sumner County Schools and a Supervisor of the Year state finalist; and representatives from Parsec, who will share practical, evidence-informed strategies to support student learning.

This may be especially valuable for principals and assistant principals who attend together as a school leadership team and want to strengthen shared understanding, planning, and implementation. Attendees will learn from current Principal and Supervisor of the Year finalists representing school systems of different sizes, allowing participants to hear practical examples that can be adapted across a variety of local contexts.

These leaders will share what is working in their schools and districts to guide instructional improvement, support teachers, use multiple sources of data, strengthen classroom practice, and improve student outcomes over time. Depending on each leader’s area of experience and impact, presenters may share practices related to scheduling, data use, school culture, leadership teams, family engagement, and other best practices that support student learning. The session will connect these shared practices to practical data use, including how leaders review evidence, make instructional decisions, and use tools such as those offered by our platinum partner, Parsec, to support school and district improvement.

Participants will reflect with colleagues, connect the examples to their own local contexts, and identify specific practices they can use to strengthen standards mastery, student engagement, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

Curriculum adoption is one of the most important instructional leadership decisions a school system makes, but adoption alone does not ensure stronger teaching or improved student outcomes.

School and system leaders must be fully involved in both the adoption process and the ongoing implementation work that follows so they can help determine instructional priorities, communicate the purpose for change, align curriculum decisions to district goals, support educators, monitor classroom use, and respond to evidence of impact.

In this two-hour TASL event provided by Imagine Learning, district and school leaders will examine why curriculum implementation cannot be delegated solely to teachers or vendor representatives; instead, it requires active leadership from superintendents, supervisors, principals, assistant principals, and curriculum leaders who understand the instructional shifts, stakeholder needs, professional learning structures, and monitoring routines necessary for sustained change.

Participants will explore practical ways to lead before, during, and after curriculum adoption, including how to engage stakeholders, build educator ownership, support high-quality use of instructional materials, and use evidence of teacher practice and student learning to guide next steps.

As a result of this event, participants will know how to identify the leadership conditions necessary for successful curriculum implementation and will be able to apply change management, stakeholder engagement, and implementation planning strategies to support successful curriculum adoption and sustained instructional improvement.

*** 2 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

If you are new to your role, have new staff to train, and agree that learning from leaders who are doing the work is the best professional learning, then join us  for this 8-hour asynchronous training as we continue to look at school safety. During this training, we will hear from  leaders who have been where you are or who are now striving to do the work you do.

 All the presenters for this event are focused on creating a safe environment for students and teachers, building a school culture that supports learning and the entire school community, and creating meaningful and user-friendly safety plans. We will talk about all the things that matter to you as you plan for the 2026/2027 school year including school culture, PBIS, MTSS, cultures of supportive learning, safety planning, and team building to create a safe environment even in the most challenging locations.

Today’s presenters are highly recommended by both their peers and their teams, so come with us to meet your fellow leaders where they are and grow together. Each of the three presenters was asked to consider these three things and then to create and deliver a one-hour presentation around their own work.

• The importance of creating a culture that feels both safe and academically challenging for teachers, staff, and students.

• What does a safe school ‘look like’ in 2026 and how can leaders support that model?

• What can you as the principal/leader do to ‘turn around’ a less than safe school culture? What are PBIS, TMSS, Safe Room Training, De-escalation Strategies?

• Do you have an event safety plan?

• Do you know how to access your off-campus site in a crisis?

• Do you know your homeland security guidelines?

• Are you ready for weather, natural disasters, and floods? How can you best prepare for the unknown

You will watch a minimum of 8 hours of training and then work with Dr. Wanda Shelton on your final assessments. These assessments must be received by end of business on September 29, 2026 but you may also reach out to her at wanda@tosstn.com at any time during your session videos to connect with your cohort attendees for more information.

*** 8 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

Please note: the link to the course will be sent to you in your confirmation email once you register. If you do not see this email reach out to Crysta Cox (crysta@tosstn.com) for assistance.

Across Tennessee, school leaders are being asked to move beyond compliance-based improvement plans and identify the leadership practices that actually produce measurable growth for students. This virtual TASL event will examine what successful and improving schools are doing consistently to strengthen instruction, use data well, support educators, and sustain a culture of continuous improvement. Confirmed presenters Deanna Jones, Collierville Schools, and Terri Stevenson, Weakley County Schools, will share practical perspectives on school improvement and highlight leadership actions that support measurable growth.

Participants will explore how successful schools align vision, instructional expectations, educator collaboration, intervention systems, progress monitoring, and resource decisions around student achievement. Requested by TOSS ALI membership, this session frames school improvement as the daily work of instructional leaders who study evidence, identify high-leverage practices, support teachers, and adjust plans based on results. The session may also serve as a foundation for additional, less formal cohort conversations this fall as members continue exploring what successful schools are doing to grow.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

Effective master scheduling is one of the most important instructional leadership decisions a middle or high school leader makes. This virtual event will help grades 6–12 leaders examine how daily, weekly, semester, and annual scheduling decisions can either accelerate or limit student learning. Participants will consider how schedules can protect core instruction, expand access to advanced coursework and career pathways, provide intervention and enrichment, support collaborative planning, reduce loss of learning time, and create more equitable access to academic success for every student.

Rather than treating scheduling as an operational task, this session frames scheduling as an instructional leadership practice directly connected to student achievement, educator effectiveness, graduation readiness, and continuous improvement. Dr. Justin Perry, Superintendent of Marshall County Schools and former Principal of Marshall County High School, will bring a grade 6–12 leadership perspective grounded in school operations, instructional support, course access, student supports, and career-connected pathways. His educational leadership background includes experience leading at both the school and district levels, supporting instructional practice, strengthening leadership systems, and aligning resources to improve student outcomes. The Dickson County team—Dr. Southerland, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Marvin, and Dr. Norman—will share practical examples of how leaders can use student data, staffing patterns, course sequencing, intervention needs, collaborative planning structures, and progress-monitoring routines to build schedules that improve academic outcomes in grades 6–12.

Participants will leave with a leadership lens for evaluating whether their current master schedules protect instructional priorities, provide timely academic supports, expand student opportunity, and align school resources with the learning needs of middle and high school students. The event is designed for administrators who are responsible for creating the conditions that allow teachers and students to succeed in grades 6–12.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

Strengthen leadership where instruction matters most: the Tier 1 classroom. Instructional Leadership and Principal Support for Tier 1 Classrooms 2026 is a 4-hour virtual professional learning opportunity designed for Tennessee school and district leaders who want to strengthen the daily systems of support that help teachers and students succeed.

Participants will explore how principals and instructional leaders can more intentionally support academic coaches, conduct meaningful classroom walkthroughs, participate in PLCs, and create schedules that protect time for collaboration, coaching, intervention, and instructional follow-up. The focus is on helping leaders build supportive routines and structures that make strong Tier 1 instruction more consistent across classrooms.

This event is appropriate for principals, assistant principals, instructional supervisors, academic deans, instructional coaches who support schoolwide improvement, district instructional leaders, and leadership teams. Through curated sessions, facilitated assessments, and applied reflection, participants will consider how leadership decisions about coaching roles, walkthrough practices, PLC expectations, and master scheduling can strengthen the instructional support teachers receive.

Leaders who complete the training will be better prepared to support principals, academic coaches, and school leadership teams as they clarify coaching responsibilities, strengthen walkthrough feedback cycles, participate meaningfully in PLCs, and design schedules that allow time for collaboration and support. This practical learning experience is designed for leaders who want to create the conditions for stronger instruction, not simply monitor compliance.

The 2026/2027 needs assessment identified a need to examine potential gaps in Tier 1 instruction and share effective strategies for creating a more cohesive learning experience for all students.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

Effective master scheduling is one of the most important instructional leadership decisions a school leader makes. This virtual event will help K–5 leaders examine how the daily, weekly, and annual use of instructional time can either accelerate or limit student learning. Participants will consider how schedules can protect core instruction, provide consistent intervention and enrichment time, support collaborative planning, reduce loss of learning time, and create more equitable access to grade-level academic success for every student.

Rather than treating scheduling as an operational task, this session frames scheduling as an instructional leadership practice directly connected to student achievement, educator effectiveness, and continuous improvement. Team Tipton County, including Heather Crowson and Amber Wiley, and the Collierville Team, including Kristie Murin, will share practical examples of how leaders can use student data, staffing patterns, intervention needs, collaborative planning structures, and progress monitoring routines to build schedules that improve academic outcomes in grades K–5.

Participants will leave with a leadership lens for evaluating whether their current schedules protect instructional priorities, provide timely academic supports, and align school resources with the learning needs of students. The event is designed for administrators who are responsible for creating the conditions that allow teachers and students to succeed.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

Tennessee school and system leaders are entering the 2026–2027 school year with new legal requirements, updated guidance, and important compliance responsibilities that directly affect daily leadership decisions. Join TOSS ALI on August 20, 2026, for a timely, interactive virtual session designed to help leaders understand what has changed, what requires immediate attention, and how to implement new and existing mandates with clarity and confidence. This session will help participants move beyond awareness to practical leadership action so that districts can reduce compliance risks, strengthen communication, and support safe, effective learning environments for all students.

Presenters will review highlights from the most recent legislative session and focus on requirements that school and district leaders need to understand, communicate, and implement at the beginning of the school year. Topics will include human resources, curriculum, accountability, school environment, school safety, legal updates, and the TOSS ALI top five strands of work for 2026–2027.

A rotation of presenters and invited guests will connect new legislation, updated guidance, and practical resources to the real decisions leaders make in schools and districts. The session intentionally connects legal, safety, and compliance updates to instructional leadership by helping administrators protect instructional time, strengthen school culture, support educators, and make implementation decisions that improve conditions for student learning. Throughout the session, the emphasis will remain on doing what is “Best for ALL students” by helping leaders create safe, informed, compliant, and instructionally supportive learning environments across Tennessee.

This will not be a passive information session. Participants will be asked to engage in discussion, consider local implications, ask questions, and identify next steps they can take immediately in their own leadership roles. To support meaningful interaction, participants should plan to join with a working camera and microphone and be prepared to be actively involved in the learning community.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT APPROVED ***

This high-impact professional learning session is designed to help Tennessee school leaders effectively understand, interpret, and apply TVAAS (Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System) data to support academic growth and instructional decision-making across their schools. Participants will explore how TVAAS provides a clear picture of student growth over time—beyond proficiency—and how this data can be used to shape school improvement plans, support teacher development, and ensure equitable learning opportunities for all students.

Through guided analysis, real-school case studies, and interactive sessions with data specialists, leaders will gain confidence in using TVAAS as a tool for collaborative leadership and strategic action. Key Learning Outcomes: Understand the core principles of TVAAS, including growth vs. achievement, and its alignment with Tennessee’s accountability framework. Analyze school-level and teacher-level TVAAS reports to identify trends, gaps, and instructional strengths, Use TVAAS data to inform PLC conversations, target intervention supports and refine curriculum pacing. Leverage value-added insights to support educator evaluations, differentiated PD, and equity-focused leadership; and Integrate TVAAS with other data sources (e.g., benchmark assessments, RTI², and state assessments) for comprehensive decision-making. These things will all be presented to you by your peers currently doing this work.

Who Should Attend this Asynchronous event? Principals, assistant principals, instructional coaches, academic deans, data teams, and district instructional leaders. Although we originally planned this event for school leaders, it is open to any ALI subscriber who feels the need to improve their learning in their schools. By request, this event will feature school and system leaders who want to inspire confidence, create change, and support their leaders by modeling their use of data to coach the underperforming teacher and leader in our state’s schools, use data such as TVAAS reports to monitor growth over time, and to support the lead learner who may be less familiar with TVAAS than their peers or their teachers. When we change grade levels, begin to look at cohort data over grade spans, we often need support from leaders who have already made this data real to their staff members.

This event videos feature for example, Chris George, the Coordinator of Assessment and Data for Murfreesboro City schools and Jessica Novak an Instructional Coach in that system. We will collaborate with these leaders as we respond to the requests to dig more deeply into the work of leaders who use the data to affect change. They are leaders who are willing to both share their work and to embrace data as a tool for student and teacher success. Join us as we learn from this team and a panel of leaders from across state who will discuss how TVAAS data can be used to support learning across grade levels. There will be 9 different presenter’s videos to select from for your own personalized professional learning experience.

Here is what is required of our subscribers to receive full TASL credit:

• You will register for this event. Once you are registered, you will receive a link to 4-5 facilitated videos on this topic.

• You may select to view them all or select your top three choices and only view those. Each video will be marked so that you can view and select the correct assessment easily.

• You will then need to finish the evaluation and the short assessment on each viewed recording and submit that to Dr. Shelton no later than midnight on June 5, 2026.

• Your work will be verified, feedback submitted to your email, and the TASL certificate will be issued to you by June 15, 2026.

All directions needed to open the videos, complete and submit the assessment, handouts, quizzes, and evaluations will be sent to you soon after you register, but credit will only be given after the materials are collected by Dr. Shelton. These documents must be completed and submitted to her no later than midnight on June 5, 2026. The TASL approval date for this event is June 5, 2026 and that is what will be listed on your official certificate of attendance. If you have leaders that need TASL credit near the end of the year, but who do not want to leave their schools to attend, they may register for this event and complete the videos in their own time, but they must be ALI subscribers to register.

*** 8 HOURS TASL CREDIT **

This professional learning event is designed for school and district leaders who are committed to creating safe, inclusive, and academically supportive environments. The session will focus on practical strategies and leadership practices that align with Tennessee Instructional Leadership Standards (TILS), particularly Standard B: Culture for Teaching and Learning. Participants will explore how to collaborate with stakeholders to sustain a respectful and secure school culture conducive to learning and growth.

Each of the videos available during this training will help the attendees gain knowledge from their peers, people who are doing this work every day. This is an 8-hour asynchronous event that ends with assessments and feedback on or before June 4, 2026. This event is for the new to the role leader and the seasoned leader who wants to be more confident in the safety planning process. These videos were selected to allow the learner time to work with a problem of practice either alone or with your team in an asynchronous format.

Through a combination of expert-led presentations, small group discussions, and collaborative planning, administrators will gain actionable insights into topics such as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), transportation and facility safety, and proactive approaches to prevent crisis situations. Homeland Security guidelines, threat assessment protocols, and emergency planning will also be addressed to ensure leaders are equipped to respond effectively to evolving safety challenges.

This event is part of an ongoing series aligned with the Tennessee Department of Education’s Best for ALL strategic plan, emphasizing student well-being, character development, and strong school-community partnerships. By the end of the session, participants will leave with a renewed sense of urgency and ownership, ready to update and implement comprehensive safety plans that enhance both actual and perceived safety for students and staff. When schools feel safe, academic performance and engagement thrive—this training ensures leaders have the tools to make that happen.

Each attendee will complete an assessment to share their insights from the 8 hours of video they watched on this topic.

Here is what is required of our subscribers to receive full TASL credit:

• You will register for this event. Once you are registered, you will receive a link to 4-5 facilitated videos on this topic.

• You may select to view them all or select your top three choices and only view those. Each video will be marked so that you can view and select the correct assessment easily.

• You will then need to finish the evaluation and the short assessment on each viewed recording and submit that to Dr. Shelton no later than midnight on June 4, 2026.

• Your work will be verified, feedback submitted to your email, and the TASL certificate will be issued to you by June 15, 2026.

All directions needed to open the videos, complete and submit the assessment, handouts, quizzes, and evaluations will be sent to you soon after you register, but credit will only be given after the materials are collected by Dr. Shelton. These documents must be completed and submitted to her no later than midnight on June 4, 2026. The TASL approval date for this event is June 4, 2026 and that is what will be listed on your official certificate of attendance. If you have leaders that need TASL credit near the end of the year, but who do not want to leave their schools to attend, they may register for this event and complete the videos in their own time, but they must be ALI subscribers to register.

*** 8 HOURS TASL CREDIT **

Are you new to your leadership role, new to your school or grade level, or do you just need innovative ideas around using formative and summative data to drive instruction and track student growth? Do you need more information on stakeholder involvement? Can creating a PLC, tutoring, and strategic intervention plan improve your student’s performance over time? Are you waiting for someone else to send you your school’s data and its analysis? Do you want to own your data and make it work for you?

We will look at real programs created by school and system leaders just like you-programs that work in schools, support teachers as they grow in the profession, and help you see your data as a tool that leads your work instead of a stick used to punish after it is magically transformed into an annual spreadsheet. This is an event your newest leaders MUST attend…before you begin your summer planning schedule, it is an event our most seasoned leaders will want to attend to gain ideas to make their summer work far less time consuming, and it is an event every subscriber can benefit from in the spring of 2026.

This training will allow our subscribers to view a series of videos, complete an assessment, work sheet, and questionnaire on each series, and then submit that work by June 2, 2026 for 8 hours of TASL credit.

Here is what is required of our subscribers to receive full TASL credit:

• You will register for this event. Once you are registered, you will receive a link to 4-5 facilitated videos on this topic.

• You may select to view them all or select your top three choices and only view those. Each video will be marked so that you can view and select the correct assessment easily.

• You will then need to finish the evaluation and the short assessment on each viewed recording and submit that to Dr. Shelton no later than midnight on June 3, 2026.

• Your work will be verified, feedback submitted to your email, and the TASL certificate will be issued to you by June 15, 2026.

All directions needed to open the videos, complete and submit the assessment, handouts, quizzes, and evaluations will be sent to you soon after you register, but credit will only be given after the materials are collected by Dr. Shelton. These documents must be completed and submitted to her no later than midnight on June 3, 2026. The TASL approval date for this event is June 3, 2026 and that is what will be listed on your official certificate of attendance. If you have leaders that need TASL credit near the end of the year, but who do not want to leave their schools to attend, they may register for this event and complete the videos in their own time, but they must be ALI subscribers to register.

*** 8 HOURS TASL CREDIT **

After several years of planning, facilitating, and evaluating the needs and desires of school leaders annually for professional learning experiences, our programming has seen the number one priority that rises to the top of our needs assessment annually to be the implementation, policy, and procedures that are required under our state rules, regulations, and those that are mandated under state and federal law.

With that need in mind and knowing that one of the requirements for system and school leadership is compliance with those laws and regulations, we are offering an asynchronous training titled Education Law in Practice: Compliance, Rights, and Responsibilities 2026 featuring Chuck Cagle. This training will allow our subscribers to view a series of videos, complete an assessment, work sheet, and questionnaire on each series, and then submit that work by June 2, 2026 for 8 hours of TASL credit.

You will be working with Dr. Wanda Shelton as your facilitator to view, dissect, evaluate, and process the information you view in each video up to and including a live question and answer time for each attendee that wants to clarify and have peer input on their work on June 2, 2026 if needed.

Here is what is required of our subscribers to receive full TASL credit:

• You will register for this event. Once you are registered, you will receive a link to 4-5 facilitated videos on this topic.

• You may select to view them all or select your top three choices and only view those. Each video will be marked so that you can view and select the correct assessment easily.

• You will then need to finish the evaluation and the short assessment on each viewed recording and submit that to Dr. Shelton no later than midnight on June 2, 2026.

• Your work will be verified, feedback submitted to your email, and the TASL certificate will be issued to you by June 15, 2026.

All directions needed to open the videos, complete and submit the assessment, handouts, quizzes, and evaluations will be sent to you soon after you register, but credit will only be given after the materials are collected by Dr. Shelton. These documents must be completed and submitted to her no later than midnight on June 2, 2026. The TASL approval date for this event is June 2, 2026 and that is what will be listed on your official certificate of attendance. If you have leaders that need TASL credit near the end of the year, but who do not want to leave their schools to attend, they may register for this event and complete the videos in their own time, but they must be ALI subscribers to register.

We will be hosting four asynchronous 8-hour events in the first week of June, 2026. A subscriber may earn a total of 32 hours of TASL credit using this process. Education Law in Practice, Making Data Work, School Safety Essentials, and Understanding TVAAS will each be offered in this asynchronous format and available to you for registration on or before March 16, 2026.

*** 8 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

Each spring, as we navigate the end of the year, issues can arise that require our best legal knowledge. Once again, Chuck Cagle will be with us for an event that helps us all focus on the issues of student discipline, personnel management, and the education laws that help us prepare both for the end of this school year and the beginning of the 2026/2027 school year.

As always, Chuck will lead the attendees through all things ‘law,’ and may at any time add policy, mandates, and legal issues that are both important to you as school and system leaders, but also important to your community and your staff. If you have any questions about how to manage student discipline, personnel issues, or legal policy, this is the event for you.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT***

Join us on April 30, 2026 for a collaborative learning session where  we will all learn more about the use of qualitative and quantitative data in our work with schools and with our students. In our training titled, “The Data Gap Nobody's Talking About,” we will point out how educators rely on one type of data, but the real insight lives in the space between the two. In this session, we'll take a deep dive into both quantitative and qualitative data, what each one does well, where each one falls short, and why the gap between them is where real insight lives.

We'll explore how our brains naturally process information and why that can lead us to over-trust one type of data over the other. Through real-world examples and an interactive breakout session, you'll see exactly what gets missed when the two aren't used together.

You'll walk away with a practical framework for applying both data types to your specific school or district context, a hands-on tool you can fill out and take back to your team, and a clear next step for putting it all into practice. 

This session hosted by Parsec Education will give you the language, the lens, and the roadmap to start telling the whole story.

*** 2 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

Understanding school funding is no longer optional—it is essential. We invite you to join us for a timely and informative virtual event designed to empower school and district leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to effectively navigate the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) in 2026 and beyond. This session will focus on strengthening data entry processes and building capacity at both the school and district levels.

This event serves as a follow-up to our December 10, 2025 training on the TISA formula. In response to member feedback, we have designed this session to be open to SLI and ALI members, with the opportunity to invite district and school data entry teams as guests. Participants will gain valuable insight into how early and accurate entry of schedules, Special Education (SPED), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Career and Technical Education (CTE) data into student management systems (SMS) can positively impact funding, planning, and operations throughout the school year.

We strongly encourage leaders to attend alongside their data teams. This collaborative approach will help ensure shared understanding, improved workflows, and stronger systemwide outcomes.

In December, TOSS hosted “TISA and the School Leader 2025,” which brought together finance experts and school leaders to examine the continued evolution of Tennessee’s student-based funding formula. The event emphasized leadership, transparency, and strategic planning in budgeting. Maryanne Durski, Chief Financial Officer for the Tennessee Department of Education and a leading voice in school finance reform, provided a clear and accessible overview of TISA and anticipated updates for 2025/2026. That session remains available to TOSS ALI subscribers at www.tosstn.com.

We are pleased to welcome Ms. Durski back to open this session. She will be joined by two experienced chief financial officers and their data teams: Amy Sapinsley of Arlington and Whit Helton of Sevier County. Together, they will provide practical, system- and school-level perspectives on effective implementation and data management.

This event represents a “Phase Two” training opportunity, building on previous learning, and focusing on practical application. Participants will gain deeper insight into how proactive data management supports accuracy, efficiency, and long-term success.

We encourage all members to register and invite their district or school data entry teams to participate. By working together, leaders and staff can strengthen systems, improve outcomes, and ensure their schools are well-positioned for the future.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

One of the challenges of leading from the district level is thinking outside your silo. Join us on April 21, 2026 for an event that allows Assistant Superintendents, Supervisors (and of course other ALI members) to learn together to think about Raising standards, Safe and Secure schools, and the behavioral health of students and staff.

We will open the day with Lisa Walker, Executive Director HR and Compliance with Arlington Community Schools. Her presentation is titled “Raising the Standard: A Districtwide Approach to Safe, Compliant Coach Hiring,” something we are all anxious to learn more about, followed by Mason Bellamy from Metropolitan Nashville ( Davidson County). Mason will share his work in a large urban system around safe schools, academic growth, and instructional supports. We will finish the day strong with a team of presenters from White County.

They will share their work around behavioral supports in schools and systems. There will be time for you to meet and greet other Assistant Superintendents and Supervisors as we select our small discussion groups throughout the day. I think this will be one of our best Supervisor and Assistant Superintendent events ever and I encourage you to join us on April 21, 2026.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

Today, it takes a team to lead a school successfully. We have to focus both on school management and  leading learning. To do that well, we need the leadership team to use  trust based relational interventions, PBIS, Discipline that is immediate and effective, and behavioral support that can be implemented by all staff over time.

Today’s event will feature Deana Jones from Collierville, Kevin Sanders from Lakeland, Kyle Cepeda from Bedford, and a spotlight from our partners at Class Link. ALI members should register as usual, but if you have non-members that you wish to have at your table that day, you may share your link. They will be welcomed as your guests for this event. This date is an opportunity for your entire leadership team to build and to plan a strong and supportive team.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

Sustained literacy improvement requires more than strong instruction. It requires a deliberate system design that aligns curriculum, assessment, professional learning, and accountability around the Science of Reading. This session supports district and system leaders in operationalizing evidence-based literacy practices across schools while maintaining clarity, consistency, and trust. In January, when our ALI subscribers looked deeply into the work we have been doing since 2026, one of the first things we noticed was the urgency we all feel to revisit strong Tier 1 instruction. It is so easy to follow the newest, shiny thing and lose site of the importance of strong and consistent Tier 1 programming, so we reached out to our partners at Lexia Learning and started our ‘new’ science of reading work with this session.

Aligned to Tennessee literacy priorities and early grade reading goals, participants will examine how coherent system structures reduce fragmentation, support school leaders through change, and enable consistent implementation across classrooms. Leaders will explore how evidence is used to set direction, guide course correction, and sustain literacy improvement at scale. You know how often teachers change schools, classrooms, and systems. This training will help you remember what is important and what should be featured in our professional learning every year.

Key Outcomes for Leaders

• Identify system-level actions from successful Science of Reading implementations that enable scale

• Design aligned approaches to curriculum, assessment, and professional learning that strengthen coherence across schools

• Apply system-level evidence to align stakeholders, build trust, and monitor implementation

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

As spring brings sporting events, field days, graduations, and large school celebrations, ensuring safety becomes a shared responsibility. Join Dr. Wanda Shelton, ALI Facilitator for the Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents, for a collaborative virtual session focused on proactive planning and practical strategies to support safe, successful school events.

This interactive Zoom event will feature Dr. Wanda Shelton, who will lead the conversation on effective event planning, coordination, and preparation for large-scale school activities.

Mark Reeves, Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA), sharing guidance and best practices for spring sports safety, including supervision, venue readiness, and risk management, and

a panel of experienced School Resource Officers (SROs) offering practical insight to help schools strengthen safety planning for field days, graduations, and high-attendance celebrations.

Participants will engage in discussion around crowd management, communication, supervision, emergency readiness, and collaboration with community partners. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies and planning tools to help their schools endure safety throughout the busy spring season—because the little things truly matter. We will discuss facility walks, heat index, communication with sports officials, and more.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

Not so many years ago, many elementary schools had a principal, but they did not have an assistant principal partner. Today, most of our subscribers do have that leadership team in their school across all grade levels. This session focuses on how we can best unite that team into an effective and cohesive force. We will talk about building relationships, leading learning, and creating trust based relational interventions.

Tara Churchwell from Washington County will talk about team building, followed by a spotlight from our partners at The College Board, who will share ideas around data and data analysis, learning goals, and access for ALL, and finally we will hear from Elizabeth Kaylor from Bradley County, and she will share their work around Truth-Based Relational Interventions. Please tap all the members of your leadership team on the shoulder and invite them to place this event on their calendar. ALI members should register as usual, but if you have non-members that you wish to have at your table that day, you may share your link. They will be welcomed as your guests for this event. 

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

Join us on March 26, 2026, for a collaborative learning session with our partners from Pearson Assessment focused on supporting student learning across Tennessee. Participants will hear from Lisa Sisk and Lou Ellen Marlatt and engage in hands-on navigation of AimsWeb Plus, exploring best practices for generating reports and identifying core instructional areas for targeted support and scaffolding.

Attendees will work together to analyze reports highlighting students in intervention and determine how to implement the most effective, targeted instructional approaches. The session will then transition to SchoolNet, where participants will view a demonstration on identifying resources for creating daily exit tickets and weekly CRAs—tools designed to inform instruction and support MTSS implementation over time.

This session will also include small-group collaboration, allowing participants to share strategies and develop actionable plans to support both teachers and students. This virtual Zoom experience offers direct learning from professionals who work with these platforms and data daily.

ALI and SLI members are encouraged to attend so that they can deepen their understanding of how data can be used at both the system and school levels to promote student growth. This is a valuable opportunity to learn directly from the Pearson team, don’t miss it!

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

This event is planned for ALI members and their invited guests. We will open with ALICE training discussions, move to Homeland Security and School Safety Assessments, and end the day with a panel of principals and school leaders who will address the topic ‘The little things matter’, sharing how things like tardies and event safety can build a safer community of learners. All attendees will also receive some time to review the list of training we have required for students and adults in Tennessee and in small groups, share how those requirements can be successfully completed each year.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***

One of our most often requested topics for the 2025-2026 professional learning calendar has been Managing Behavior and Healthy Habits in our schools, Management of behaviors and community engagement issues abound and take up so much of the time and energy that we want to be spending on learning and growing our students each day.

This event is planned for school leaders, and we will focus on learning from behavioral specialists, Family Resource Center Directors, and Counselors nominated by their superintendents and representing each of our regional areas.

We may not answer all of your questions in this two-part series of meetings, but we will give each attendee new information to consider. I asked our nominated presenters to think about what student and behavioral challenges they have been seeing since Covid 19 in their schools and classrooms, and to share some strategies with our subscribers that they use successfully or as successfully as possible to support the students in their schools and in their classrooms.

I also asked the presenters to share a bit about how they were supporting families and engaging them in the on-going work with children. This specific training may be most beneficial to the school leaders in our state across all grade levels, K-8 and 9-12. Leaders who attend with their r counselors could benefit as well from some of the strategies. I know systems with behavioral coordinators will want to invite those leaders to attend. We plan to focus too on the ways that Family Resources Centers are being utilized to support engaged learning.

*** 4 HOURS TASL CREDIT ***