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On Thursday, August 7, 2025, OCCS brought together school leaders, educators, and partners from across Ohio for a full day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration at our Annual Convocation. This year’s theme, Ignite the Future: Empower. Inspire. Transform., reflected our shared commitment to preparing students for success in an ever-changing world.
Sal Khan, the founder and CEO of Khan Academy, was our esteemed keynote speaker. Khan Academy, a nonprofit educational organization, offers free lessons in math, science, and humanities to more than 160 million registered users in 190 countries and is available in over 50 languages. Sal shared his vision for the future of learning, highlighting Khanmigo, an AI-powered tutor and teaching assistant that is transforming how students and teachers interact with content. His keynote inspired attendees to embrace innovation and think boldly about the next chapter of education.
This year’s breakout sessions delivered practical strategies and fresh ideas for educators to bring back to their schools:
Cultivate Community: Emotional Engagement and Belonging Lab – Strategies to create emotionally supportive environments that foster belonging and deepen relationships with students and colleagues.
ETR and IEP Compliance – A detailed overview of the IDEA Special Education Monitoring Review process, along with updates from the 2025–2026 monitoring cycle.
Beyond “Blah”: Leading Engaging Professional Development Sessions – These strategies are fast-paced and ready to use, designed to boost engagement, promote deeper thinking, and lead to professional learning that leaves a lasting impact.
The 2025 Convocation was a celebration of collaboration, innovation, and the unwavering commitment our schools have to student success. The energy, engagement, and ideas shared throughout the day will continue to shape the work we do together in the months ahead.
Thank you to our keynote speaker, breakout presenters, attendees, and partners for making this year’s event such a success. Together, we are igniting the future—empowering, inspiring, and transforming education for every student we serve.