Think Together 

Empower, Engage, Elevate: A Collaborative Path to Success

Think Together logo

The true strength of Out-of-School-Time (OST) organizations lies in their most valuable asset: their people. By empowering, engaging, and elevating OST professionals, we not only strengthen partnerships but also foster the success and growth of our students. Join us as we explore a people-centered approach to leadership, uncovering strategies to drive innovation, cultivate success, and create sustainable growth for everyone involved in OST work.

The Think Together Strand will take place in the Mesquite E/F room. 


Wednesday, April 30

10:30AM-12:15PM

Leading with Purpose: How Empowered Staff Drive Student Success
Ayodele Coker, M.Ed., Training and Development Specialists III, Think Together, Santa Ana, CA

Research highlights a powerful link between educator efficacy and student achievement. This session explores how staff empowerment fosters student success by creating an environment where staff feel purpose, ownership, and autonomy. Participants will gain practical strategies to inspire and support their teams, boosting motivation and helping students reach their full potential.
PK, E, M, H, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Think Together; Staff Leadership 

2:45PM-4:45PM

It Takes Two: Partners Who Innovate Together, Succeed Together
Jaclyn Aviles, Senior Strategist, Think Together, Santa Ana, CA; Brian Stevens, MFA, Director of Community Engagement, Orange County School of the Arts, Santa Ana, CA 

This session equips leaders with tools to collaborate with community partners, developing innovative experiences for youth. With increased funding for expanded learning, organizations may find it challenging to maximize resources and provide dynamic activities. Participants will learn strategies to build meaningful partnerships, ensuring they don't have to manage alone. The session offers examples and best practices for effective communication, organizational alignment, and collaboration.
PK, E, M, H, HE ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Think Together; Program Design, Development & Quality; Partnerships & Building Relationships

Thursday, May 1

10:00AM-12:00PM

Dust Off Your Data! Building Capacity to Use Data to Make an Impact
Haley Umans, Ph.D., Senior Director of Evaluation & Insights, Think Together, Santa Ana, CA

Expanded learning programs invest significant time collecting data from students, families, and partners. Once the data is in, what can we do with it to make an impact? This session explores practical strategies to maximize your data's impact—improving program quality, elevating youth voice, showcasing outcomes, and more. Don’t let your data gather dust - learn how to turn it into actionable insights that drive meaningful change.
PK, E, M, H, HE, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Think Together; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership

1:15PM-2:30PM 

Sourcing and Partnership for Retention
Allison Lyon, Director of Talent Acquisition; Jessica Trujillo, Director of Talent Acquisition Strategic Initiatives, Think Together, Santa Ana, CA; Ruben Acevedo, Ph.D., Director of Strategic Operations, California Schools Talent Collaborative, Santa Ana, CA

Engaged, reliable employees are vital to OST program success. Identifying and hiring such candidates is challenging in a competitive market, and ensuring their job satisfaction early on is crucial for retention. This session reviews the candidate lifecycle, offering strategies for sourcing and screening that enhance retention. We'll also discuss post offer actions to ensure new hires are aware of resources, partners, and feedback platforms.
PK, E, M, H, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Think Together; Program Design, Development & Quality; Sustainability

3:45PM-5:15PM

Unlocking Intrinsic Motivation: A Coaching Approach for OST Leaders
Taylor Mayer, MA, Talent Development & Learning Manager; Raelin Tran, Quality Assurance Coach, Think Together, Santa Ana, CA

Are you ready to transform your team into self-motivated, proactive problem-solvers? Coaching is a powerful approach that fosters growth, autonomy, and engagement. Join us for an exploration of coaching fundamentals tailored to Out-of-School-Time (OST) settings. Discover the purpose of effective coaching, learn practical techniques for various levels, and build a culture where everyone can reach their full potential.
PK, E, M, H, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Think Together; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership

Friday, May 2

9:15AM-11:15AM 

Amplifying Employee Engagement: People-Centered Approaches to Boost Retention and Performance
Taylor Mayer, MA, Talent Development & Learning Manager; Lindsey Bynum, MA, Learning & Development Facilitator, Think Together, Santa Ana, CA

Retention in out-of-school time is a prevalent challenge for many. In this landscape how we amplify employee engagement is critical to retention, job satisfaction, and performance. Learn how to take a people-centered approach to improve your employee’s experience and create a culture where employees thrive. In this session, we will look at how to assess employee engagement, craft strategies for improvement, and help you create an action plan to boost your employee’s experience for retention.
PK, E, M, H, HE, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Think Together; Staff Leadership


thinktogether.org

 

Please note: Name badges are required to attend all BOOST Conference events including all meals and all workshops.

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