2025 ACSA Lead With Pride Summit

"But I don't feel like a girl." I can remember vividly the first time our beautiful twelve year old daughter shared those feelings with us. We didn't know what that meant or where to even begin. Over time, through a great deal of reading, having conversations with other parents, and collaborating with experts, my husband and I began to navigate through what can be a frightening process for so many. Over time and with a great team of supporters, our amazing child has grown into the happy, healthy, and thriving young man he is today. But the education system and familial challenges were immense at times, even for a veteran public school educator.

During this co-led session, Everett and Amanda will discuss highlights of what they have learned over the years as well as ways to navigate through the school and family hurdles in order to affirm and support young people in transition. They recognize and honor that every transition is incredibly personal and unique to that specific human, but they hope their story can shed a positive light on what can be a very scary and complex evolution for a family. Even through the difficulties, a great deal of beauty, awareness, and unconditional love have been discovered.

Learning Objectives: By the end of the presentation, attendees will have...
1. Tips and resources for navigating the public schools systems.
2. Ideas on working through challenges with family and friends.
3. Ways adults can support children including other kids in the family.

Through the slide deck, Everett and Amanda will combine their personal stories along with data, resources, and ways attendees can extend their learning. At the end of the presentation, there will be a question and answer period.Sharing their lessons learned, this mother and son will speak to challenges experienced inside and out of school, what they would have done differently, and how to support the other kids in a family during and after this unique experience.

Join us for an engaging and interactive session designed specifically for administrators and school leaders. This session will explore the progress, challenges, and strategies in fostering inclusive school environments for LGBTQ+ students and families. Through storytelling, data sharing, and collaborative problem-solving, participants will leave equipped with actionable tools and insights to support their school communities.

Key Takeaways:
- Building Community with family, student and teachers
- We must use Data to help schools commit to actions
- Soliciting student , family and staff voice through inquiry and fishbowl protocols will build collective efforts

Administrators rely on the important skill of building consensus across diverse perspectives. This workshop will give administrators specific tools to effectively build allyship for LGBTQ inclusive education among historically reluctant audience.

Join me for an enlightening lecture on allyship and the backlash against DEIB, illustrating how individuals can bring about change and education during opposition. Discover how to be a supportive ally in both your workplace and community, while recognizing and dismantling biases and discrimination. This discussion focuses on transcending hatred and embracing comprehension, diversity, and inclusivity, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Through captivating narratives, storytelling, and an interactive PowerPoint, you'll learn how to navigate differences to foster a positive atmosphere at work and in your community. The session also addresses diversity, inclusivity, and proper pronoun usage. Don't miss out on this opportunity to empower yourself to instigate personal, professional, and community changes.

Key Takeaways:
* Personal storytelling can change hearts and minds.
* How to be a support ally.
* Fostering positivity at work and in your community.

Recognizing a growing need to support LGBTQ inclusivity in education, Leading LGBTQ+ Supportive Education was added to the complement of professional development opportunities for school administrators offered by the Los Angeles Unified Human Resources Division. The series focused on critical topics such as transformational leadership, administrator wellness, human capital management, coaching, and leading computer science.
This session aimed to equip school site leaders with the knowledge and tools to foster affirming environments for LGBTQ+ students, staff, and families. Topics included foundational LGBTQ+ definitions and concepts, an overview of relevant LAUSD and state policies, and strategies for implementing visible support and inclusive language. The professional development also emphasized the importance of establishing LGBTQ+ liaisons, creating student groups like Genders & Sexualities Alliances, and embedding ongoing training for administrators to address real-world scenarios.
Participants noted several key takeaways:
• The critical role of inclusive language and visible allyship in fostering affirming school spaces.
• The need for sustained training to deepen understanding and tackle practical challenges.
• The value of scenario-based learning and access to dedicated resources to implement LGBTQ+ policies effectively.
This presentation will highlight the program's design, key learning outcomes, and participant feedback while sharing actionable strategies for attendees to replicate.

Leadership through Lyrics is an immersive multimedia experience of reflective practice. This session will provide the attendees with the opportunity to reflect on areas for improvement and take responsibility for change and growth. Through the lyrics and music of Alecia Moore (better known as P!NK) this experience will motivate you to bring your best self to your leadership position every day. Additionally, you will leave energized and committed to balancing your professional and personal responsibilities.

Key Audience Takeaways:    

1. You will increase your confidence to take on that next-level position
2. You will understand that we are all on the continuum of personal and professional improvement
3. You will learn skills to build on your leadership profile