KHSD PD Summer Series (Group A)

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 706 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

Are you confident that your students are receiving the support they need during state testing? Join us for an informative, practical professional development session focused on designated supports and accessibility tools and domain exemptions available to students taking the CAST, CAASPP, Summative ELPAC, and Alternate state assessments. In this session, teachers will learn how to identify appropriate supports, understand eligibility guidelines, and explore available tools that promote equitable access for all learners—especially English learners, students with disabilities, and other students who may benefit from additional support.

Speakers

Libia Le

ELD Teacher on Special Assignment, Kern High School District

Jadene Watson

ELD Teacher on Special Assignment, Kern High School District

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 706 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

Achieve 3000 in Your Classroom

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 604 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

You have heard of Achieve 3000 and what it does, but how does it look in your classroom? In this session, you will see a model lesson and learn how you can implement it in your classroom. You will leave this session with ideas for fitting this Tier 1 literacy intervention into your pacing and resources for integrating it into your classroom.

Speakers

Eliza Pearsey

Teacher, West High School

Katrina Cramer

Teacher Librarian, West High School

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 604 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

Building a Belonging Classroom through Restorative Practices

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 703 [IHS]

Limited Capacity full

This professional development training helps teachers with simple, practical ways to build stronger relationships with students and create a more positive classroom environment while reviewing the ideology of Restorative Practices. It focuses on reflection of practice, giving students a voice, handling conflicts through open conversations, and helping students take responsibility for their actions. Teachers should leave with ready-to-use strategies they can apply right away, such as leading quick classroom circles, using simple conversation prompts to address both content and behavior, and building daily routines that strengthen trust and respect. The training includes real classroom examples and opportunities to practice these approaches, so teachers feel confident using them. By the end, teachers will have practical tools to improve classroom culture, respond to challenges more effectively, and support students in feeling heard, valued, and accountable.

Speakers

Kim Woolf

TOSA, Student Behavior & Supports

I am a 34 year veteran teacher and currently a TOSA (teacher on special assignment) overseeing the implementation of 15 student advocacy centers (SAC), 24 On Campus Intervention Programs (OCI), and 2 Restorative Practice Model school sites from our district office. I began my career... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 703 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

Building Thinking Classrooms

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 617 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will introduce key ideas from Building Thinking Classrooms and explore what they can look like in secondary math settings. Teachers will leave with practical entry points for fostering student thinking, increasing participation, and creating more collaborative and cognitively engaging classrooms.

Speakers

Blaine Hawkins

District Math TOSA, Kern High School District

I've been teaching for a while now and still don't have it all figured out. One of my favorite pastimes is sharing best practices with other teachers.
My current focuses (foci?) are: Systems Change, Academic MTSS models, curriculum adoption, BTC, and new teacher support.

Germán Robledo

Instructional Services Math TOSA, Kern High School District

Germán Robledo is passionate about mathematics and education and feels fortunate to have built a career that connects both.

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 617 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

Co-Teaching: Advanced (2 years+ experience)

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 607 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

Join us for an interactive session designed to help experienced co-teaching teams elevate their practice. Explore advanced instructional strategies, strengthen collaborative planning, and refine approaches that maximize student engagement and achievement. Learn practical tools for navigating common hurdles, problem-solving challenges, and sustaining a strong, effective partnership.

Speakers

Adriana Vasquez

Instructional Services Co-teaching TOSA, Kern High School District

Dedicated educator with 16 years of experience, including 9 years with KHSD, currently serving as a second-year Co-Teaching TOSA. I hold Education Specialist credentials in Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe. I’m passionate about collaboration, supporting educators and students... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 607 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

Cultivating Educator Wellness

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 614 [IHS]

Limited Capacity full

This session focuses on understanding and supporting teacher well-being. When teachers feel supported and balanced internally, they are better equipped to create connected and thriving learning environments for all students. It will give an overview of mental health, emphasize the importance of educator wellness, and offer practical strategies for self-care.

Speakers

Rebecca Banke

Student & Family Support Coordinator, Kern High School District

Rebecca Banke is a leader in school-based mental health and is passionate about breaking down barriers and building systems to ensure individuals have access to the resources they need to succeed.
As the first school social worker not only in the Kern High School District but Kern County; she helped lay the foundation for a now-growing workforce of over 120 school social workers across the county. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 10 years of mental health... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 614 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

Culture of Reading in the Secondary Setting

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 710 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

Students love reading! Just Kidding. How do we build a culture of reading and make reading time valuable? How do we get kids to pick up books on their own? Our session will provide strategies that have worked for us at East High, including working hand in hand with the librarian and teacher, book tasting activities, First Chapter Friday, and reading for the fun of it.

Speakers

Hana Ayoub

Teacher, East Bakersfield High School

Rosalie Fuentes

Teacher Librarian, East Bakersfield High School

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 710 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

ELA Interim Assessment and Data

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 602 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

This session is designed for ELA teachers 9-10. In this session teachers will use a protocol to analyze interim assessment data to better understand how this information can help teachers identify gaps in their curriculum and instruction.

Speakers

ELA Interim Assessment Summer Team

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 602 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

Family Engagement: Partnering with Families for Student Success

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 711 [IHS]

Limited Capacity full

Strong family partnerships are one of the most powerful drivers of student success. In this introductory session, certificated staff will explore research-based family engagement practices grounded in the work of Dr. Karen Mapp. Learn how to move beyond involvement to meaningful engagement by building trusting relationships, honoring family strengths, and creating authentic partnerships that support student learning, attendance, and well-being. Walk away with practical strategies you can use in any role or classroom.

Speakers

Martha Flores

Parent Education Liaison, Kern High School District

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 711 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

Lesson Planning: Design with Intention

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 605 [IHS]

Limited Capacity full

In this session, participants will move beyond the "daily agenda" to master the art of backwards design, ensuring every instructional choice serves a clear end goal. By focusing on intentional planning, we will explore how to balance academic rigor with cultural relevance to create lessons that do more than just deliver content. Participants will walk away with a framework for designing experiences that empower students to move toward deep meaning-making and the long-term transfer of skills to new contexts.

Speakers

Karen Bastain

KHTR TOSA, Kern High School District

For 23 years I taught various levels of high school English, including general, college preparatory, and Advanced Placement courses. Since 2024, I've been a TOSA with the Kern High Teacher Residency Program and an Adjunct Lecturer at California State University, Bakersfield's Teacher... Read More →

Rachel Harless

KHTR TOSA, Kern High School District

I am an experienced High School Math Teacher with over 18 years of classroom teaching. Now, I am a Teacher on Special Assignment for the Kern High School District and a Lecturer in the Teacher Education Department at California State University, Bakersfield. I specialize in Classroom... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 605 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

Math Lesson Design

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 603 [IHS]

Limited Capacity filling up

What makes a strong math lesson? In this session, we will examine core principles of effective lesson design, including clarity of purpose, task selection, opportunities for discourse, and alignment to learning goals, with an emphasis on creating lessons that promote both rigor and accessibility.

Speakers

Blaine Hawkins

District Math TOSA, Kern High School District

Germán Robledo

Instructional Services Math TOSA, Kern High School District

Germán Robledo is passionate about mathematics and education and feels fortunate to have built a career that connects both.

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 603 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

New Evaluation Process - A System of Professional Growth

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 706 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

An educator may undergo evaluation at least ten times during a 30-year career. If you've ever questioned the purpose or sought to increase the meaning of these evaluations, this session is for you. For the past two school years, a collaborative group of KHSTA members and KHSD administrators has been dedicated to redesigning our educator evaluation system to ensure the process is more meaningful. Attendees will gain insight into the revised California Standards for the Teaching Profession and how new evaluation instruments and documents will improve feedback and dialogue with evaluators.

Speakers

Mindy Montanio

Title 1/MLL Coordinator/English 9 Teacher/KHSTA Vice President, Highland High School

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 706 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

Parent University

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 615 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will introduce the Parent University framework developed over the summer and show staff how to implement it at their school sites. Participants will explore the districtwide modules, resources, and strategies designed to help families navigate the high school experience and support student success.

Speakers

Jennifer Jenkins

Counselor, Bakersfield High School

Jasper King

Supervising Administrator of Student, Family, and Community Engagement, Kern High School District

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 615 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

Safe Space Training

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 613 [IHS]

Limited Capacity filling up

This training is designed to empower educators to identify and assess the level of inclusivity in their classrooms and schools. Participants will leave with tools and resources to provide safe and inclusive spaces in their classrooms. Whether you’re beginning to explore what a safe space entails or looking to advance your existing inclusivity practices, all levels of knowledge are welcome.

Speakers

Olive Garrison

Teacher, Del Oro High School

Dr. Olive Garrison is currently teaching DE US History, PLUS, and Ethnic Studies at Del Oro High School. They co-advise the PRIDE Club and works along other educators in the PRISM program for the KHSD. Olive also serves as a co-chair of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues... Read More →

Elise Sotello

Teacher, Kern Learn

Elise has been teaching English in the Kern High School District since 2000. She has been an LGBTQ+ advocate at the local, state, and national levels since 2016 and is the outgoing two-term President of the Kern County Historical Society. (Profile photo is by Jake Tovar)

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 613 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

Schoolinks 101 for Counselors (Part 2/2)

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Library [IHS]

Limited Capacity filling up

SPECIAL SESSION-This two-hour session will introduce counselors to the Schoolinks platform and the skills to confidently use the platform for course planning, college exploration, and student support.

Speakers

Theresa Rubio

District Resource Counselor, Kern High School District

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Library [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

Tiered Supports to Success

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 618 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

Students often need additional support beyond Tier 1 universal practices. Even with strong Tier 1 structures in place, some students may require extra behavioral or social-emotional support. Tier 2 targeted interventions provide the next level of assistance for students who need more help, while Tier 3 offers individualized, intensive support for those with the greatest needs. This session provides a clear overview of Tier 2 and Tier 3 services within a PBIS–MTSS framework, focusing on how these supports are structured, implemented, and monitored to improve student outcomes

Speakers

Ben Amey

School Social Worker Lead Substance Abuse Specialist, Kern High School District

About Me
I serve as the Lead Substance Abuse Specialist within the Student Behavior and Supports department at Kern High School District, one of the largest high school districts in California. I hold a Master of Social Work (MSW), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and am a certified... Read More →

Ashly Latunde

Lead Interventionist, Kern High School District

About Me
I bring over 17 years experience working with youth in a variety of impactful roles, including Mentor, Coach, Juvenile Corrections Officer, and Interventionist. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology. Throughout my career, I maintained a strong... Read More →

Kimberly Reynolds

Lead School Social Worker, Kern High School District

About Me

I currently serve as the Lead School Social Worker for the Kern High School District, supporting a dedicated team of 29 school social workers through case consultation, Tier 3 systems development, and improving how we support students navigating social, emotional, and behavioral challenges... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 618 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

Time to Thrive (PART 2/2)

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Cafeteria [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

SPECIAL SESSION-Time to Thrive is an interactive professional development session designed to help educators rethink how we support, motivate, and connect with learners through intentional, inclusive design that anticipates learner variability.

Please sign up for Time to Thrive (PART 1/2) as well.

Speakers

Tiffany Bledsoe

MTSS PBIS TOSA, Kern High School District

Tiffany Bledsoe is a dynamic and visionary educator committed to transforming learning experiences for students while empowering educators. With over 13 years of experience in the education sector, she has emerged as a leader in educational innovation, professional developments, and... Read More →

Patricia Santamaria

MTSS/PBIS TOSA, Kern High School District

Paty is a special education teacher with a Master’s Degree in Teaching and seven years of experience in the district. She currently serves as a Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA), where she supports educators in strengthening instructional practice, building meaningful relationships... Read More →

Nicole Cameron

TOSA, Kern High School District

Nicole Cameron brings over 30 years of experience in education, serving in both classified and certificated roles across K–12 and adult education. She began her career as a classified employee before becoming a Special Education teacher, with an emphasis in behavior modification... Read More →

Nicole Powell

MTSS PBIS TOSA, Kern High School District

Nicole Powell is an educator with eight years of experience in the Kern High School District, where she has built a strong background in student leadership, engagement, and school culture. Throughout her career, she has coached multiple sports with success, helping student-athletes... Read More →

Alaine Amey

MTSS/PBIS TOSA, Kern High School District

Alaine Amey brings a dynamic and multifaceted perspective to the field of education, grounded in both academic expertise and real-world application. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master’s degree in Special Education, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology... Read More →

Jenna Odlin

Kern High School District

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Cafeteria [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

Tune In to Success: Strengthening CAASPP Listening Skills (All Subjects)

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 619 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

In this session, teachers will explore ways to strengthen students’ listening skills that directly support success on the CAASPP. Participants will examine the CAASPP blueprint to better understand the types of listening tasks and questions students encounter, while also considering the skills students need to listen with purpose, process information, and respond effectively. Using tools such as Listenwise and TED Talks, teachers will discuss practical strategies to build active listening habits, increase student engagement, and create opportunities for meaningful practice. The goal is to help teachers connect everyday classroom instruction to the assessment's listening demands in clear, intentional ways.

Speakers

Courtney Villasenor

ELA Teacher and Testing Coordinator, Independence High School

Courtney Villaseñor is an English teacher, instructional coach, literacy advocate, and unapologetic nerd who believes students learn best when rigor, creativity, and connection all share the same table. She teaches eleventh-grade English at Independence High School, where she works... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 619 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

What's Next in the PLT Process? Data Protocols, Interventions, Enrichments

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT

Room 601 [IHS]

Limited Capacity full

You built the assessment. Now use it. This session is about closing the loop. In this session, you will dig into real CFA data as a team, moving through a structured data protocol that pushes past "most kids got it" to the specific learning targets where students are stuck and why. Content-alike teachers will:

Use a data protocol to analyze CFA results at the learning target level, identifying patterns across classrooms and student groups.
Distinguish between students who need additional time and support and those who are ready to go deeper.
Practice the team conversation that turns data into action, moving from what does this tell us to what do we do about it and how ill we know it worked

Speakers

Yvette Heasley

English Language Arts TOSA, Kern High School District

Yvette Heasley is a 30+ year educator and an ELA TOSA with KHSD. She is an advocate for assessment literacy, the PLC process, an avid podcast listener, and lover of mountain biking and dogs.

Preston Robison

Teacher, Shafter High School

Tuesday June 30, 2026 1:50pm - 2:50pm PDT
Room 601 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

1:50-2:50pm

1:50pm PDT

WICOR in Action: Elevating Student Engagement with Socratic Seminars