Think Together 

Evolving Together: Building Brighter Futures through Connection, Courage, and Creativity

A collection of interactive workshops inviting participants to grow together through meaningful connection, courageous dialogue, and creative practice. Through reflection, collaboration, and hands-on activities, we explore how relationships, brave choices, and imagination build resilience, spark innovation, and empower individuals and teams to co-create brighter, student-centered futures. Participants leave with practical tools, renewed perspective, and shared momentum for positive change.

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

Wednesday, April 29

10:30AM-12:15PM

Don't Hate the Core - Partner With It! Turn the Afterschool Drag into an Academic Powerhouse!
Ayo Coker, M.Ed., Program Development & Training Specialist III, Think Together, Ontario, CA

Academic outcomes are what funders and districts are increasingly focused on, heightening the need to position programs as drivers of student success. In this workshop, participants will learn how to translate district and state academic priorities into engaging after-school practices through interactive activities, small group strategy building, and peer-to-peer sharing to further strengthen partnerships that boost student achievement.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Think Together Strand; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships

2:45PM-4:45PM

Attendance Recovery & Expanded Learning: A Profitable Partnership
Katie Brackenridge, MPP, Consultant, Think Together, Oakland, CA

Are you still a mix of confused and interested in how to leverage Attendance Recovery? School year 2025-26 was the first year that the state’s Attendance Recovery policy allowed districts to recoup lost attendance dollars and learning. Learn from a diverse mix of district leaders who are building school/expanded learning partnerships to implement this tricky policy in ways that benefit expanded learning, the district and most importantly, students.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB
Strand: Think Together Strand; Partnerships & Building Relationships

Thursday, April 30

10:00AM-12:00PM

PBIS After the Bell: Building Equitable Behavior Systems in Expanded Learning
Molly Stoeckel, MA, Director of Older Youth Programs, Think Together, Los Angeles, CA; Mallory Baquero, MBA, Director of Elementary and Early Learning Programs, Think Together, Whittier, CA

This session explores what it truly means to bring PBIS into Think Together’s expanded learning programs. Participants will examine how structured behavior systems advance equity, reduce punitive responses, and create consistent, supportive environments for students and staff after the bell. Through real-world scenarios and practical planning, teams will leave with concrete tools, site-level next steps, and a clear view of how this work connects to our ongoing PBIS training and support series.
E, M, MLA, DS
Strand: Think Together Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality

1:15PM-2:30PM 

Rooted in Connection: Restorative Practices in Our Everyday Actions
Vannary Jim, MS, Training and Development Specialist, Think Together, San Bernardino, CA

Restorative Justice isn't just for responding to conflict, this is a way of life. Restorative Justice believes a community is defined as a group of people deeply interconnected through relationships. When there is a healthy balance of relationships THAT enables the community to function well and thrive. In this interactive session, participants will explore practices including circle processes and restorative conversations as tools for community building.
E, M, MLA, CB, DS
Strand: Think Together Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships

3:45PM-5:15PM

Risky Business in Expanded Learning
Jeanette Cruz, MPA, Sr. Director of Risk Management, Think Together, Santa Ana, CA

This session will guide attendees through real-world methods to identify, analyze, and mitigate potential exposures, empowering organizations to create safer, more resilient environments. Participants will explore how data-driven insights can transform risk management in expanded learning programs through interactive discussion and practical application, and learn how intentional safety strategies and proactive risk mitigation can prevent incidents and strengthen organizational sustainability.
E, M, ULA, MLA, CB
Strand: Think Together Strand; Staff Leadership; Partnerships & Building Relationships; Sustainability

Friday, May 1

9:15AM-11:15AM 

Innovate Anyway: Creativity within Compliance in Expanded Learning
Alexis Prehm, Improvement Coach, Think Together, Huntington Beach, CA

This session tackles a growing challenge in out-of-school time programs: staying innovative and student-centered while meeting complex compliance requirements tied to state and federal funding. As California continues to invest in Expanded Learning, the expectations for both accountability and creativity are rising. This session supports BOOST’s mission to empower youth providers, offering strategies for designing high-quality, flexible programming that thrives within regulation, not despite it.
E, M, MLA, CB
Strand: Think Together Strand; Program Design, Development & Quality; Staff Leadership

thinktogether.org