KHSD PD Summer Series (Group A): Full Schedule

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9:10am PDT

Beyond the Lesson Plan: The Power of Performance in Teaching

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT

Limited Capacity full

“Good teaching is ¼ preparation and ¾ pure theatre.” — Gail Godwin

Teaching isn’t just planning—it’s performance. Join us for a high-energy session where we will explore the “theatre” of teaching: presence, engagement, and connection. You’ll experiment, collaborate, and push beyond your comfort zone while discovering new ways to bring your classroom to life.
Come ready to move, reflect, and have fun!

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 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 605 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

Building a Belonging Classroom through Restorative Practices

FULL

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am 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 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 703 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

Building Research Skills 9-12

FILLING

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT

Room 710 [IHS]

Limited Capacity filling up

The senior research project is daunting for students and teachers alike! East High has decided to vertically align to best support all learners and teachers for every student’s experience. Here is our vertically aligned plan to prepare students for research, starting freshman year and building skills each year. See how the librarian and teachers collaborate to scaffold research skills leading to the district senior writing project.

Speakers

Kasey Graves

Teacher, East Bakersfield High School

Rosalie Fuentes

Teacher Librarian, East Bakersfield High School

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 710 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

Building Thinking Classrooms

FULL

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT

Room 617 [IHS]

Limited Capacity full

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 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 617 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

Campus Communication with Educational Partners

FILLING

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT

Room 711 [IHS]

Limited Capacity filling up

This session will focus on effective communication strategies for all school stakeholders—students, families, teachers, and administrators—related to counselor services and updates. Participants will learn practical approaches for sharing timely information, strengthening collaboration, and ensuring everyone stays informed and supported throughout the school year.

Speakers

Katheryne Monge

Counselor, West High School

Marci Pena

Counselor, North High School

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 711 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

Co-teaching: THE BEGINNING (0-2 years' experience)

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT

Room 607 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

Join us for an engaging session designed to help co-teaching partners start strong. Learn practical strategies for effective collaboration, establishing parity, building trust, and creating shared systems that support student success. Walk away with tools to strengthen communication and lay the foundation for a positive, productive partnership from day one.

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 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 607 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

Community Schools Basics 101

FILLING

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT

Room 613 [IHS]

Limited Capacity filling up

Discover how the Community Schools strategy creates the conditions for students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. This introductory session is designed for certificated staff across all roles—including teachers, counselors, program advisors, and activity leaders—and will explore practical ways to strengthen relationships, remove barriers to learning, and connect students and families with meaningful supports. Learn how Community Schools is not “one more thing,” but a framework that helps schools work smarter together in service of student success.

Speakers

Karen O'Mullan

Student Family and Community Engagement Teacher on Special Assignment, Kern High School District

I have spent the past 20 years in education, teaching English to a diverse range of students—from Special Education and English Language Learners to Advanced Placement. Throughout my career, I have taken on a variety of roles, including serving on committees, advising clubs and... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 613 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

Counseling Students with Support Services

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT

Room 708 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will share best practices and practical tips for working with students, families, and staff to support learners with IEPs or 504 plans.

Speakers

Lisa Schimnowski

Counselor, South High School

Alison Abrams

Counselor, West High School

My name is Alison Abrams, and I have been a counselor for the past four years. Before entering the counseling field, I spent 17 years as a Mild/Moderate Special Education teacher, an experience that deeply shaped my commitment to supporting diverse learners. I now serve as the Special... Read More →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 708 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

Cultivating Educator Wellness

FULL

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am 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 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 614 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

From Passive to Powerful: Making Notes Work for Students

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am 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 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 712 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

From Scores to Strategies: Navigating CERS with Purpose (Math, ELA, Sci)

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT

Room 619 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

In this session, teachers will learn the basics of accessing and navigating CERS in order to view student CAASPP results with confidence. Participants will be guided through the process of logging in, locating score reports, and exploring target descriptions to better understand what student performance data reveals. Together, we will discuss how this information can be used to identify strengths, address areas of need, and make purposeful instructional decisions. The goal is to help teachers move beyond simply viewing scores and toward using data strategically to support student learning.

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 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 619 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

Intro to Achieve 3000

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT

Room 604 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

Achieve 3000 is a tier 1 literacy intervention option in our district. In this session, you will learn more about it, how to use it, and most importantly, the why behind it. Participants will walk away with a working knowledge of how to use Achieve 3000, the research that supports it, and why it's worth the instructional time.

Speakers

Eliza Pearsey

Teacher, West High School

Katrina Cramer

Teacher Librarian, West High School

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 604 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

Math Language Routines Resources in KHSD

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am 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 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 603 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

New Evaluation Process - A System of Professional Growth

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am 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 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 706 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

One Team, One Standard: Defining Mastery and What We Grade

FULL

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT

Room 601 [IHS]

Limited Capacity full

What does an "A" mean on your team - and does everyone agree? This session brings professional learning teams together to tackle two critical questions:

What does success look like?
What is the true purpose of our grades?

Through focused, hands-on collaboration, teams will leave with clear, co-created agreements that bring consistency and meaning to their assessment practices.

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 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 601 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

Parent University

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am 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 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 615 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

Schoolinks 101 for Teachers

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am 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 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Library [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

SEL for Counselors

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT

Room 713 [IHS]

Limited Capacity seats available

This session introduces counselors to the CASEL 5 SEL competencies and explores how each domain can be intentionally integrated into counseling practices. Participants will engage in practical strategies, reflection, and discussion to strengthen students' social-emotional development and enhance schoolwide SEL support.

Speakers

Jackie Lilly

Intervention Counselor, South High School

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 713 [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

STEM for ALL: Not WHAT You Think…But HOW You Think

FULL

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT

Room 701 [IHS]

Limited Capacity full

Participants will explore how STEM (skepticism, tinkering, ethics, and making) are developed through productive struggle, student questioning, and collaborative discourse—strengthening not only academic thinking, but students’ ability to persevere, communicate, reflect, and make thoughtful decisions.

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 →

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 701 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

Supporting Foster Youth and McKinney Vento Students

FULL

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT

Room 707 [IHS]

Limited Capacity full

This session provides teachers simple and effective ways to support students in foster care or experiencing housing instability.

Speakers

Michelle Blalock

McKinney-Vento/Foster Youth Liaison, Kern High School District

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 707 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

Synergy for Counselors

LIMITED

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am 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 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Library Lab [IHS] 8001 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

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

FULL

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am 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 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 702 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

9:10am PDT

Tiered Supports to Success

FULL

Tuesday June 30, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am PDT

Room 618 [IHS]

Limited Capacity full

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 9:10am - 10:10am PDT
Room 618 [IHS] 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA

9:10-10:10am

KHSD PD Summer Series (Group A)

Success you have shared X tickets.

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