More Than a Conference

As a former principal married to a retired superintendent, I've attended more conferences than I can count and, in more states than I can remember.

The Institute for Education Innovation (IEI) Summit was different.

While attendance may have been smaller than some national conferences, the opportunities to learn, connect, and engage in rich conversations were exceptional. Every part of the Summit felt intentional, bringing educational leaders together around a common goal: finding better ways to meet the needs of students and the educators who serve them.

For Boys Town, this was our first invitation to the Summit, and what an introduction it was.

Two Minutes That Changed the Room

One of the highlights of the event was watching John Etzell, Executive Director at Boys Town Nevada, introduce Reality Coach Boys Town's newest AI-powered innovation for educators.

To introduce Reality Coach, John stepped into the role of a frustrated student. Using the tone, language, and emotion educators often encounter in today's classrooms, he delivered the kind of response teachers hear all too often. Complete with a swear word or two, his portrayal reflected a reality familiar to educators across America. While unexpected in a professional setting, it immediately compelled even the most disconnected observer to look up and listen.

It was fascinating to watch. In fact, it was so fascinating that Tara forgot to hit record.

Then John shifted.

Leaning in with both his heart and deep understanding of education, delivered in his unmistakable radio voice, he focused on something every educator understands: knowing what to say is important, but knowing how to say it often determines whether a situation escalates or de-escalates, whether a student stays engaged or disconnects, and whether learning continues or is lost to conflict.

In just a few minutes, John connected a challenge every school faces with a solution educators immediately understood. By the time he finished, district leaders wanted to know more.

Practice Before the Pressure

Available openings for the 20-minute presentations filled quickly as superintendents, principals, HR leaders, and district administrators gathered to see Reality Coach in action.

As they experienced the platform firsthand, it became clear this wasn't simply another technology tool. It was an opportunity for educators to practice research-based teaching interactions in a private, supportive environment before applying them in real classrooms.

What resonated with many leaders was the concept of practice itself.

Surgeons practice in simulations and pilots train in flight simulators. Educators deserve the same. Too often, we expect teachers to learn difficult interactions in the moment, under pressure, with students sitting right in front of them.

Reality Coach provides something different.

Teachers can rehearse, reflect, receive feedback, and try again. They can strengthen their confidence and build efficacy in their own space and place.

Again and again, administrators nodded as they described a common challenge: helping teachers stay focused on instruction and relationships instead of becoming trapped in conflict cycles that result in lost learning and disconnected students.

Beyond the Classroom Teacher

The conversation naturally evolved into how Reality Coach complements Boys Town's Well-Managed Schools workshops.

For decades, Well-Managed Schools has provided educators with practical teaching interactions and strategies that build relationships, establish positive classroom cultures, and address behavioral concerns. Reality Coach provides opportunities to practice those skills until they become natural and automatic.

One conversation that particularly stood out was with an HR director attending the Summit.

While administrators appreciated the potential to support teacher growth without consuming valuable PLC time, this leader immediately recognized broader possibilities. The ability to assign specific interactions, receive immediate feedback, and repeat scenarios before taking those skills into the classroom generated significant interest.

The HR director discussed how Reality Coach could support educators on Plans of Assistance while documenting growth through targeted practice.

The conversation also turned to paraprofessionals.

Combining Well-Managed Schools training with Reality Coach creates powerful opportunities for para development. Many paraprofessionals regularly navigate difficult student interactions but have fewer opportunities to develop and practice those skills. The ability to strengthen effective language, relationship-building, redirection, and de-escalation skills in a safe environment was viewed as a tremendous advantage.

Leaders also appreciated that administrators and instructional coaches can review progress and support implementation through coaching conversations grounded in actual practice.

What Stayed With Me

Despite a full schedule of one-on-one meetings, our team quickly realized there wasn't enough time to connect with everyone interested in learning more.

For anyone who knows this former principal, these conversations were my wheelhouse. Talking about students, teacher growth, school culture, behavior, relationships, and outcomes isn't work to me. It's what I've loved throughout my career. Having the opportunity to learn alongside educational leaders from across the country was one of the most rewarding parts of the entire Summit.

The one-on-ones almost felt like speed dating. We listened to district challenges, explored possibilities, shared experiences, and built relationships in short but meaningful conversations. By that point, many leaders knew us beyond a presentation or demonstration. They saw people genuinely committed to helping schools succeed and representing Father Flanagan's vision with integrity.

As a former principal, I found myself reflecting on the journey many schools experience.

Some of the most meaningful change I witnessed occurred when educators shifted from focusing primarily on correcting behavior to recognizing growth, celebrating small wins within big behaviors, and using correction as information to guide future prevention. Those teaching interactions change classrooms. They strengthen relationships. They improve culture. Most importantly, they help students stay connected.

The research behind Collective Teacher Efficacy reminds us of the tremendous impact educators can have when they possess both the skills and confidence to positively influence student outcomes. Reality Coach generated genuine excitement because leaders could see its potential to help build that confidence through authentic practice and feedback.

We listened, learned, and returned home with a deeper understanding of what school leaders need today.

To the entire IEI team, thank you for creating an experience that felt less like a conference and more like a gathering of educational leaders committed to solving real challenges for kids.

Boys Town was honored to be included, grateful for every conversation, and energized by the relationships that continue today.

As I reflect on the Summit, what stays with me isn't the technology, the presentations, or even the packed schedule.

It's the shared commitment of leaders across the country searching for better ways to support educators and improve outcomes for students.

Those conversations mattered. Those relationships mattered.

And that's what made the IEI Summit so special.