KHSD PD Summer Series (Group A): Full Schedule

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10:20am PDT

A-G 101: Understanding CA University Requirements

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Limited Capacity full

This session provides an overview of A–G requirements, helping counselors and teachers understand the coursework, criteria, and monitoring practices needed to keep students on track for college eligibility.

Speakers

Whitney Pascual

Counselor, Frontier High School

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 711 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Achieve 3000 in Your Classroom

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am 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 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 604 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Alternative Ed/Credit Recovery

FULL

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Room 708 [IHS]

Limited Capacity full

This session will outline the various credit recovery options available to students and provide an overview of the programs and supports offered at our alternative education sites.

Speakers

Marcela Gamino

School Counselor, South High School, Workforce Academy

Irene Ramey

Counselor/Workforce Coordinator, South High School/Workforce

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 708 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Building a Belonging Classroom through Restorative Practices

FULL

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am 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 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 703 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Building Thinking Classrooms

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am 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 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 617 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Co-Teaching: Advanced (2 years+ experience)

FILLING

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Room 607 [IHS]

Limited Capacity filling up

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 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 607 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Cultivating Educator Wellness

FULL

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am 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 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 614 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Culture of Reading in the Secondary Setting

FILLING

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Room 710 [IHS]

Limited Capacity filling up

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 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 710 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Dual Enrollment Counseling

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Room 707 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will highlight how counselors support dual‑enrollment students and families with enrollment, eligibility, college coursework, academic planning, and outreach to expand early college participation.

Speakers

Tiffani Alvidrez

Counselor, Bakersfield High School

Kelley Beauchamp

School Counselor, Kern High School District

I L🤎VE my role as a high school counselor! It integrates academics, social/emotional topics, college- & career-readiness, problem-solving, credits and data tracking, and so much more varieties...let's just say, it's never a dull moment in Viking office 5.
I also enjoy decorat... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 707 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Feedback That Hits: Say Less, Mean More

FULL

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Room 701 [IHS]

Limited Capacity full

Designed to strengthen educator practice around effective, high-impact feedback. The session uses a balanced model of direct instruction and interactive application to ensure both meaningful seat time and active engagement.
Grounded in best practices from instructional research, the PD focuses on shifting feedback from general comments and grading toward specific, actionable, and student-centered communication that promotes growth. Educators will explore practical strategies such as using strengths-based feedback, providing clear next steps, and creating opportunities for students to respond, revise, and reflect.

Participants will engage in collaborative activities, analyze examples of effective and ineffective feedback, and develop a ready-to-use feedback approach tailored to their classroom context. The overall goal is to enhance student learning, increase engagement, and support consistent, effective instructional practices across classrooms.

Speakers

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 →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 701 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

From Passive to Powerful: Making Notes Work for Students

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Room 712 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

Most students have notes. Few know what to do with them.When teachers assign note-taking or have students copy notes in class, the assumption is often that the act of writing something down is enough; that students will review, internalize, and somehow arrive at deeper understanding on their own. But without structured guidance on what to do after the pen goes down, notes become a passive artifact rather than an active learning tool. In this hands-on professional development session, teachers will examine the AVID note-taking framework and rather than focus on teaching students merely how to format their notes, will investigate note-taking as complete study cycle. You'll leave with practical, low-lift adjustments you can make immediately to transform note-taking from a compliance task into a genuine comprehension strategy. This session is for any subject and any level. No AVID experience needed..

Speakers

Kacie Martinez

English & AVID Teacher

I'm an English and AVID teacher at Del Oro High School with 18 years in education.

My current obsessions: literacy across content areas, building cultures of wide reading, Universal Design for Learning, and helping students build college ready habits and skills.

Talk to me about: A... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 712 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

From Prompt to Proficient: Navigating ELA CAT Responses

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Room 619 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

In this session, teachers will unpack the expectations of the ELA Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) with a focused look at free-response questions. Participants will explore scoring rubrics, analyze sample student responses, and identify what distinguishes developing work from proficient performance. Through collaborative discussion and practical strategies, teachers will learn how to clearly communicate expectations, scaffold student thinking, and support students in crafting strong, evidence-based responses. The goal is to equip educators with tools to help students move confidently from understanding the prompt to producing proficient, standards-aligned writing.

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 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 619 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Lesson Planning: Design with Intention

FULL

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am 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 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 605 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Math Language Routines Resources in KHSD

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Room 603 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

Learn about the Math Language Routine resources available through KHSD and how they can support access, discourse, and meaning-making in math classrooms. This session will highlight ready-to-use tools, examples, and implementation ideas to help teachers strengthen both mathematical understanding and academic language development.

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 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 603 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

New Evaluation Process - A System of Professional Growth

FILLING

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Room 706 [IHS]

Limited Capacity filling up

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 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 706 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Parent University

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am 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 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 615 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Safe Space Training

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Room 613 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

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 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 613 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

School Counseling Leadership and Identity

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Room 713 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

This interactive session invites counselors to engage in guided self‑reflection to identify and celebrate their personal strengths. Through hands‑on activities and meaningful discussion, participants will gain deeper insight into their counseling style and how to leverage their unique strengths to better support students and school communities.

Speakers

Lydia Caceres

Counselor, Arvin High School

An Academic and Intervention Counselor at KHSD since 2008, Lydia previously served as a Spanish Teacher and holds a Master's degree along with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling. She is an alumna of The University of Texas at Austin, CSUB, and Point Loma University... Read More →

Kim Hobbs

Head Counselor, North High School

Kim is a school counselor with a Masters and Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Counseling. As an educator in the California public high school system since 1999, she enjoys partnering with parents and connecting with students. Her Bachelor of Arts and Secondary... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 713 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Schoolinks 101 for Teachers

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Library [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

This session introduces teachers to the Schoolinks college and career platform, providing a quick overview of the tools they can use to support students with course planning and post‑secondary exploration.

Speakers

Theresa Rubio

District Resource Counselor, Kern High School District

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Library [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Synergy for Counselors

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Library Lab [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

This session explores Common Reports in Synergy and shares practical tips and tricks to streamline your workflow, helping you access data quickly and support students more efficiently.

Speakers

Jennifer Randel

Synergy Application Specialist, Kern High School District

I've worked for the Kern High School District since 2001 and I've been supporting Synergy since it came online in the District in 2012.

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Library Lab [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Teaching in the NOW: Byte-Sized Moves, Super-Sized Impact

FULL

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am PDT

Room 702 [IHS]

Limited Capacity full

What if the small shifts you make tomorrow could give you hours back next week?
In this fast-paced, hands-on session, you’ll explore simple, high-impact strategies that streamline grading, simplify planning, and strengthen communication without adding more to your plate! Designed for real classrooms and real-time constraints, this session focuses on practical moves you can implement immediately.

We’ll also tackle one of today’s biggest classroom challenges—student cell phone use—and reframe it from a distraction into a tool for engagement, voice, and connection.

Expect quick wins, creative ideas, and time to collaborate with others as you design ready-to-use strategies for your own classroom.

Come for the ideas. Leave with a plan. We can't wait to see you!

Speakers

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 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 702 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

Tiered Supports to Success

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am 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 10:20am - 11:20am PDT
Room 618 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

10:20-11:20am

10:20am PDT

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

FULL

Tuesday June 30, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am 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.