Breakout Sessions - Round 1 (choose one)
Managing Up: Supporting Administrators Effectively at the District Level
Dr. Emily Cross – Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Fort Osage R-I
Room: 60-61
District-level administrative assistants play a pivotal role in helping superintendents, assistant superintendents, and directors lead with clarity and purpose. In this focused breakout session, practical strategies for anticipating needs, communicating with confidence, navigating personalities, and building trust with senior leaders will be shared and discussed. Learn how to share your voice, align your daily work with the bigger picture, manage competing priorities, and become an indispensable partner in district leadership.
Inside the Badge: Understanding the Day-to-Day of Your SRO
Jacob Goetz – School Resource Officer, Cole County R-V
Room: 62-63
Your SRO is more than a first responder; they’re a teammate. Step into their world and see how their work intersects with yours. This session uses real scenarios to explore how SROs balance safety, student relationships, and campus presence, and how your support at the front office strengthens that impact. Learn how mutual understanding builds a school team that feels safe, seen, and supported.
The Front Line: Customer Service Essentials for the School Office
Marci Orr – Director of Communications, Mexico Public Schools
Room: 74-75
You set the tone for the building the moment someone walks in or calls the school. In this session, we’ll explore key behaviors and communication habits that turn even tough moments into opportunities for positive connection. From handling frustrated parents to defusing tense conversations, learn practical ways to stay calm, professional, and kind—even when others aren’t. Walk away with ready-to-use tools that help you lead with empathy and keep your office a welcoming space for all.
Hot Legal Topics for the 25-26 School Year
Emily Omohundro, Attorney – EdCounsel
Room: Nautical Wheeler
This session will cover changes in the law coming for school districts, current legal events, and provide a Q&A session for attendees on legal topics.
Technology vs Old-School Organization
Melinda Miller – Retired Elementary Principal
Room: Parasol II
Whether you’re a digital diva or still rocking paper planners, you’ll leave with time-saving tools and practical tips to get things done without losing your mind.
Breakout Sessions - Round 2 (choose one)
Managing Up: Supporting Building-Level Administrators
Stephanie Jackson - Elementary Principal, Sedalia 200
Room: 60-61
Building-level administrative assistants are essential in empowering principals, assistant principals, and other school leaders to focus on what matters most: student success. In this dynamic breakout session, discover practical strategies to anticipate needs, communicate effectively, navigate diverse personalities, and foster trust with building administrators. Explore how to amplify your impact, align your work with school-wide goals, manage competing demands, and become a vital partner in driving school leadership success.
FERPA, Custody, Subpoenas, and Orders of Protection: Can't We All Just Get Along?
Mandi Moutray, Attorney - Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan & Jackstadt P.C.
Room: 62-63
This presentation will discuss responding to requests for records while adhering to your school district's legal obligations under state and federal law and managing custody disputes and orders of protection.
Mastering the Clock: Time Management for the Heart and Hustle of the School Office
Marci Orr – Director of Communications, Mexico Public Schools
Room: 74-75
You juggle a lot—schedules, tasks, people, and surprises. This session helps you take control of your time instead of letting it control you. Learn simple routines and habits that bring order to chaos, improve office flow, and help you be effective with people and efficient with tasks. We'll also talk work/life balance—the real kind—where you’re fully present wherever you are. Because if you're thinking about work at home and home at work, you're missing both. Walk away with tools to manage your minutes and protect your peace.
Hot Legal Topics for the 25-26 School Year
Emily Omohundro, Attorney – EdCounsel
Room: Nautical Wheeler
This session will cover changes in the law coming for school districts, current legal events, and provide a Q&A session for attendees on legal topics.
Navigating Team Dynamics and Office Tensions
Melinda Miller – Retired Elementary Principal
Room: Parasol II
Let’s be real—school offices are the crossroads of everything, including conflict. Whether you're caught in the middle of team tensions, overhear gossip, or find yourself unfairly pulled into school drama, this session gives you smart strategies to navigate it all. We’ll talk about setting boundaries, reading team dynamics, and responding in ways that build trust without adding fuel to the fire. You’ll leave with clarity, confidence, and ways to protect your peace.
Breakout Sessions - Round 3 (choose one)
Building Inclusive Communities: Crafting an Onboarding Process for English Learners and Refugees in Schools
Stephanie Jackson - Elementary Principal, Sedalia 200
Room: 60-61
In today's diverse educational landscape, fostering inclusive environments is paramount. This presentation delves into the crucial aspects of designing an effective onboarding process tailored specifically for English Learners (EL) and refugees within school settings. Attendees will explore strategies, best practices, and resources to facilitate smooth transitions and ensure equitable access to education for these vulnerable populations. Participants will gain practical resources and processes to ensure a welcoming atmosphere that embraces diversity and promotes academic success for all students.
FERPA, Custody, Subpoenas, and Orders of Protection: Can't We All Just Get Along?
Mandi Moutray, Attorney - Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan & Jackstadt P.C.
Room: 62-63
This presentation will discuss responding to requests for records while adhering to your school district's legal obligations under state and federal law and managing custody disputes and orders of protection.
Supporting Others Starts with You: Mental Health Strategies for Office Professionals
Monique Young – CEO and School Counselor Coach, Young Minds Creations and Student Services Coordinator, Brookside Charter School
Room: 74-75
You’re the steady voice, the calming presence, and often the first to notice when someone’s having a hard day. But who checks in on you? This session focuses on practical ways school office staff can support their own mental well-being while creating a safe, welcoming environment for others. Learn how to manage stress, set healthy boundaries, and recognize signs of burnout—in yourself and those around you. Because when you care for you, you’re better equipped to care for others.
The Sunshine Law
Penney Rector – Partner, Mickes O’Toole
Room: Nautical Wheeler
This session will focus on legislative updates and best practices when responding to records requests.
PSRS/PEERS RetireSmart – Education Essentials
Amanda Wooten - Member Education Supervisor, PSRS/PEERS
Room: Parasol II
The PSRS/PEERS Education Essentials presentation is designed to educate and inform you of the advantages your membership provides you and your loved ones right now and during the remainder of your lifetime. Important information you should be aware of when considering retirement includes retirement eligibility, calculating benefits, the types of benefit plans PSRS/PEERS offers, purchasing service and how to plan ahead for retirement will be covered in this presentation.
Breakout Sessions - Round 4 (choose one)
KIDaccount - Helping you to Calm the Chaos
Dr. Brad Owings – Account Executive, KIDaccount and Retired Elementary Principal
Room: 60-61
As your school’s Chief Chaos Coordinator, you know what a big job managing all of your students and teachers can be, not to mention staying on top of your “fearless leader”. KIDaccount helps you to keep the chaos in order by streamlining communication and simplifying daily tasks. In this session we will offer solutions for student dismissal, visitor management, and event registration. Door prizes will be awarded to some lucky attendees.
Stop by and see how KIDaccount can help you coordinate the chaos at your school.
Inside the Badge: Understanding the Day-to-Day of Your SRO
Jacob Goetz – School Resource Office, Cole County R-V
Room: 62-63
Your SRO is more than a first responder, they’re a teammate. Step into their world and see how their work intersects with yours. This session uses real scenarios to explore how SROs balance safety, student relationships, and campus presence, and how your support at the front office strengthens that impact. Learn how mutual understanding builds a school team that feels safe, seen, and supported.
Technology vs Old-School Organization
Melinda Miller – Retired Elementary Principal
Room: 74-75
Whether you’re a digital diva or still rocking paper planners, you’ll leave with time-saving tools and practical tips to get things done without losing your mind.
The Sunshine Law
Penney Rector – Partner, Mickes O’Toole
Room: Nautical Wheeler
This session will focus on legislative updates and best practices when responding to records requests.
PSRS/PEERS RetireSmart – Education Essentials
Amanda Wooten - Member Education Supervisor - PSRS/PEERS
Room: Parasol II
The PSRS/PEERS Education Essentials presentation is designed to educate and inform you of the advantages your membership provides you and your loved ones right now and during the remainder of your lifetime. Important information you should be aware of when considering retirement includes retirement eligibility, calculating benefits, the types of benefit plans PSRS/PEERS offers, purchasing service and how to plan ahead for retirement will be covered in this presentation.
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