School leaders from across Douglas County attended a two-day Oregon Instructional Leadership Conference .
Building student success
Student success is a priority for public school districts in Douglas County. To support this goal, Douglas Education Service District (ESD) provides ongoing training for educators. This complements the outstanding work already taking place within 48 schools across the county.
School leaders are thinking about the present and future by preparing today’s youth to make a lasting impact. This past summer, school leaders in Douglas County had the opportunity to attend the Oregon Instructional Leadership Conference. Hosted by Douglas ESD at Seven Feathers Convention Center, the two-day conference was offered at no cost to attendees, thanks to grant funding. The event attracted 50 school leaders, including principals and superintendents.
“When we talk about student success, teachers are a direct link. We need to support leaders who guide teachers,” said Douglas ESD Assistant Director of Education Services, Amy Rose. “OILC allowed us to create a space where school administrators are supported and inspired. The goal of previous conferences and this one has been to foster community among educational leaders. This year, we increased the instructional leadership focus.”
Douglas ESD Superintendent, Analicia Nicholson greeted conference attendees. “Instruction and relationships are what we do as leaders,” she said. “I’m excited for you to have a couple of days to learn from each other.”
To ensure the content was relevant and applicable, topics covered were based on the interests of school leaders. Attendees learned from industry experts, gaining strategies to build strong school communities. Topics included insights into Artificial Intelligence (AI), proactive storytelling and policy. Sessions focused on unlocking student potential, assessment and feedback, and fostering learning communities. A crucial theme of the conference was supporting every student, ensuring that all learners are given opportunities to succeed through tailored actions and inclusive practices.
The keynote address from national speaker Adam Welcome kicked off the event. This former teacher, assistant principal, director of innovation and author emphasized the contagious nature of leadership. “Everything you do is contagious,” he said. His presentation, like other conference speakers, underscored the importance of teamwork in education when he added, “Education is a team sport. Who is on your team? Everyone on your team is important.” This idea resonated throughout the event as leaders reflected on the importance of building supportive communities within their schools.
“It’s always a great thing to get caught up on all the new and trending legal issues schools across the state are seeing,” said North Douglas School District Superintendent, Jody Cyr. “The ESD does a great job of dispersing info to local districts ensuring we are aware of hot topics. A big Thank you to the Douglas ESD from your partners at North Douglas.”
Attendees also earned continuing education credits, further highlighting the importance of leaders who never stop learning. A highlight of the conference was the opportunity for one-on-one access to consultants. Additionally, attendees had time set aside to meet with their teams and meet with representatives from the Oregon Department of Education.
Roseburg High School Principal David Vickery also attended. “I appreciate the opportunity to connect with educational leaders in our region and dig into the strategies that best support student success,” Vickery said. “By continuing our own education, we can grow our ability to provide students with the care, support and instruction needed to graduate with plans for their most successful futures.”
Supporting every student and driving positive changes are at the heart of these efforts, ensuring that all learners have the chance to succeed. A special thank-you is extended to Douglas ESD’s Education Services team and Jennifer Kotting, LCC for planning the event.
“Participants gained new insights and practical tools to take back to their school communities. We’re already planning for next year’s conference,” said Rose.
Many moving parts help children learn and thrive. Douglas Education Service District is one of the moving pieces. The agency partners with school districts and organizations. The goal is to increase opportunities for all children, from birth to adulthood. This article is part of an ongoing series that features programs and people who help students succeed.