Professional Development Calendar – POWER HOURS

The PA Principals Association develops a Professional Development Calendar during the course of the year with new professional learning offerings for members. There is no cost associated with the Power Hour sessions, but registration is required to have access to the Zoom webinars.
This is a great opportunity to network and share with other principals and school leaders!
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CALENDAR
Winter/Spring 2026
February:
- 2/9/2026 at 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
- Building Teams of Leaders
- Presenters: Darren McLaurin, Central III Regional Service Specialist and Other Central III Region Principals and State Directors
- Session Description: This one-hour interactive Zoom session will engage K-12 principals in exploring how to build and empower teams of leaders within their schools and build trust and collaboration among the staff. Through whole group and breakout discussions, participants will share strategies and identify actionable steps to strengthen distributed leadership within a building or district.
- 2/19/2026 at 3:00 PM- 4:00 PM
- Intentional Support for 8th-9th Grade Transition
- Presenters: Dr. Dan Beck and the administrative team from Upper St. Clair School District
- Session Description: Upper St. Clair High School Assistant Principals, Dr. Dan Beck and Dr. Cara Senger, highlight practices used to support students navigating the transition from middle to high school. Through initiatives like targeted administrative structures, specialized freshman seminars, and peer mentoring, the school prioritizes building authentic relationships and a strong sense of belonging. These intentional systems balance structure with autonomy, ultimately empowering incoming ninth graders to flourish both academically and socially – with this year’s iteration focusing on the intentionality of providing additional structures for students and staff new to the district.
- 2/25/2026 at 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Principals’ Lunch and Learn: How do we get math intervention to work?
- Presenter: Rob Baier, Pennsylvania Lead, Innovamat
- Session Description: Math intervention can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Join us for a powerful hour where we’ll explore how to make math intervention truly effective for your students. We’ll dive into the concept of math learning trajectories, a powerful tool for understanding how students’ mathematical thinking develops. Most importantly, we’ll focus on how to get teachers, the “magic makers,” to use their expertise and understanding of these trajectories to transform their students’ learning journeys.
- 3/12/2026 at 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Principals’ Lunch and Learn: The next generation curriculum platform
- Presenter: Amit Parihar, Vice President of Growth, Toddle App
- Session Description: In this Power Hour, participants will explore what it takes to bring curriculum to life in ways that both meet state requirements and support the needs of students and teachers. Attendees will learn practical strategies to translate curriculum into daily instruction, discover approaches for aligning curriculum with district priorities and learning standards, and gain insights on sustaining momentum and coherence across schools. By the end of the Power Hour, participants will leave with tools and ideas to strengthen curriculum implementation and create a more connected learning experience for students.
- Principals’ Lunch and Learn: The next generation curriculum platform
- 3/31/2026 at 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Principals’ Lunch and Learn: Global Education for Future Readiness: Immersion Learning for Skill Development
- Presenter: Meghan Schafer, EF Educational Tours
- Session Description: In an increasingly interconnected world, preparing students to solve problems on a global scale is paramount. We will delve into the importance of immersion learning in bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world careers, unlocking student potential and equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in a globalized career landscape. Acquire strategies to implement in your school to cultivate essential future ready skills, including cultural awareness, growth mindset, collaboration, self-awareness, communication, agency, critical thinking and problem solving, preparing them for global success.
- 4/7/2026 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- Staff Appreciation Week Idea Exchange
- Presenter: Beth Haldeman, Director of Professional Development, PA Principals Association
- Session Description: In preparation for staff appreciation week, join PA principals for a one-hour virtual session focused on sharing, learning, and walking away with new ideas to support and celebrate school staff. Join this interactive conversation where principals will have the opportunity to share their best strategies and successful practices—from building staff culture to strengthening systems that support teachers and students. Just as importantly, participants will be able to learn from one another, swap practical tips, and hear fresh approaches from colleagues across schools. By the end of the hour, principals will leave with new ideas they can apply right away, along with renewed momentum and inspiration to continue uplifting the staff who make their schools strong every day.
- 4/15/2026 at 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
- Principals’ Lunch and Learn: Retirement 101 for Principals: Because You Can’t Stay in the Building Forever!
- Presenter: Kimberly Keel, VP Employer Plans, Kades-Margolis Corporation
- Session Description: Retirement planning is usually the last thing on an Act 93 administrator’s mind when you’re busy handling student discipline, staffing challenges, parent emails, state reports, and the occasional crisis that pops up at 7:59 AM. This practical session is designed to help Act 93 Administratorsunderstand how PSERS, Social Security, and supplemental savings plans like the 403(b) and 457(b) fit together. We’ll break down the numbers, cut through the jargon, and share smart strategies to help you retire confidently! Whether retirement is 2 years away or 20, understanding how all the retirement pieces work together can make a significant difference in your long-term financial picture.
For further information or any questions, please contact Dr. Beth Haldeman, Director of Professional Development, PA Principals Association, at haldeman@paprincipals.org

