Many school leaders step into leadership roles because they were great teachers, but teaching the "little people" and leading the "big people" require very different skill sets. In this conversation, we’ll unpack the leadership gap in education and why so many new leaders suddenly find themselves navigating staffing, culture, and business decisions they were never trained for. We’ll explore what actually helps them to make the leap from classroom expert to confident leader, and how intentional leadership development, mentorship, and peer support can make all the difference.

Melissa Blotter is a leadership development consultant and the founder of Directed Success, where she partners with education organizations to design impactful training experiences, leadership programs, and conferences. With more than two decades in early childhood education, she has led large-scale onboarding initiatives, leadership development programs, and national conferences focused on strengthening school culture and retention. Melissa is passionate about helping educators grow into confident leaders who create environments where both teachers and children thrive!

Teachers are rarely asked what they need. Providing a Needs Assessment for teachers to complete that includes their input for ideas and not just Likert-Scale type answers allows teachers to feel heard and administrators to review actual needs that can lead to academic achievement and professional development that is site-specific and relevant to school and community needs.

Dr. Clark is a retired teacher with 34+ years of experience in education at the elementary level and 18 years at the collegiate level. Currently serving as an education consultant for the Professional Association of GA Educators, she travels to various school districts to speak about legal represenation, scholarships, professional development and teacher growth opportunities for teachers who are PAGE members. When not consulting or teaching, Dr. Clark and her husband film travel destinatios, tips and tricks videos for their YouTube Travel Channel titled ~ The Traveling Clarks-Unpacked.

You do not want to miss this session with Dr. Chris Culver.

He blends neuroscience, psychology, and research to show how kindness transforms culture, engagement, and performance.

He uses real, personal stories and heartfelt vulnerable moments to create an atmosphere where people feel seen, valued, and inspired to take action.

He equips teams and leaders with practical, evidence-based strategies to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience.

Dr. Chris Culver is more than a keynote speaker; he’s a kindness advocate! With almost two decades of experience as an educator, leader, and researcher, he’s inspired thousands to reimagine success through the lens of kindness, belonging, and human connection.

As a former teacher and executive cabinet-level administrator turned kindness advocate and leadership consultant, Dr. Culver blends neuroscience, psychology, and the Science of Kindness to help individuals and teams create environments where compassion drives performance, collaboration fuels innovation, and everyone feels seen, valued, and supported.