


No school system has been immune to the need to continually adapt and change since 2020. Systems that have utilized recent challenges as opportunities may find that they can become stronger than ever before. This session’s presenters were leaders in an initiative of a complete school redesign in a Kansas high school just prior to the pandemic. They are now leading the same school in responding to the unprecedented challenges that have come since 2020, such as re-engaging students who found full-time employment during virtual learning, hiring and filling a staff in the midst of a severe teacher shortage, and addressing the significant increase of students with high-level social/emotional needs. The school leaders will share, though their trials, tribulations, training, and research, various mindsets and strategies that have been key to embracing and sustaining change to ensure students have experiences and opportunities that will prepare each student to become a successful adult.

Both Kappelmann and Kruger have not only been leaders throughout a school redesign and pandemic responses, they have successfully initiated and and led the implementation of systems, processes, and programs, such as Professional Learning Communities, Individual Plans of Study, and Work-Based Learning.
Both Kappelmann and Kruger have not only been leaders throughout a school redesign and pandemic responses, they have successfully initiated and and led the implementation of systems, processes, and programs, such as Professional Learning Communities, Individual Plans of Study, and Work-Based Learning.