2026 SSTAGE Fall Conference
September 9, 2026 | Anderson Conference Center, Macon, GA | 8:00am – 4:00pm
MTSS Mastery: Advancing Literacy and Learning
Featuring:
Dr. Shaun Woodly
(Founder/Author/Speaker– Teach Hustle Inspire)
Dr. Gene Kerns
(Author of Literacy Reframed/Thought Leader/VP & Chief Academic Officer – Renaissance Learning)
Shawn Blanchard
( Mentor/Author/Speaker/VP of Learning & Development – Fullmind Learning)
Jeannie Morris
(Assistant Director GaMTSS — Office Whole Child Supports—Georgia Department of Education)
Colleen Jones
(2026 SSTAGE STAR Award Winner–Principal–Central Middle School–Carroll County School District)
Dr. Jeff Washington
(Principal—Eagle Springs Elementary—Houston County)
About the Conference:
The conference will feature presentations that explore MTSS and Whole Child approaches that meet students where they are balancing academic limits and expectations with student behavior and wellbeing. MTSS, when done with fidelity, sparks the desire to learn through evidence-based classroom management strategies that empower extraordinary educators and the students they serve. As educators, we delve into Georgia’s Early Literacy Act (HB 538) and the latest work of the Georgia LIteracy Council using the Science of Reading and Adolescent Literacy strategies and evidence-based instruction to empower our students in mind, body, and spirit to reach their full potential and to pursue their true purpose in life. Featured speakers, Dr. Shaun Woodly, Dr. Gene Kerns, and Shawn Blanchard will empower educators with discussions about modern classroom culture, high expectation, and state literacy mandates. (BONUS: All attendees will receive a copy of Dr. Woodly’s book, The League of Extraordinary Educators.
About the Presenters:
- Dr. Shaun Woodly is a nationally recognized educator, speaker, and creator of The Science of Modern Classroom Management, a science-based behavior management and student engagement framework that blends principles of behavior science with practical strategies to transform behavior and boost student success. A former Teacher of the Year and 15-year veteran educator, Dr. Woodly has dedicated his career to helping schools transform the way they approach classroom management and student engagement. He’s trained thousands of teachers across the country to understand the science of behavior and use it to design learning environments where students naturally thrive. By embracing this shift from management to design, he helps educators create classrooms where disruption isn’t just managed, it’s prevented, and where engagement isn’t just hoped for, it’s engineered. He is a two-time bestselling author and the founder of Teach Hustle Inspire, a movement empowering educators with the tools to break through traditional barriers, embrace proven approaches, and create classrooms where every learner thrives.
- Dr. Gene Kerns is a third-generation educator with teaching experience from elementary through the university level and K-12 administrative experience. He currently serves as Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of Renaissance Learning. With more than 20 years of experience in leading staff development and speaking at national and international conferences including South by Southwest (SxSW) EDU, London’s Westminster Education Forum, the ASU/Global Silicon Valley (SGV) Summit, the 42nd Annual Mexico TESOL Conference, and the Global Education Technology Forum of China. His former clients include administrators’ associations across the country and the Ministry of Education of Singapore. Gene received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Longwood College in Virginia and also holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from the University of Delaware with an emphasis in Education Leadership. His most recent work has been focused on assessment and literacy. His first book, inFormative Assessment: When It’s Not About a Grade is published by Corwin Press in both English and Arabic. His second book, Unlocking Student Talent, was released by Teachers College Press in December of 2017. His newest book, Literacy Reframed, was released in 2021 through Solution Tree.
- Shawn Blanchard From humble beginnings on Detroit's west side to earning multiple mathematics degrees, Shawn Blanchard's journey is one of remarkable achievement. He has not only adopted youth but also led a math department to rank in the top 5% in NYC, taught at prestigious colleges such as the University of Michigan, and served on the Mayoral Cabinet of Detroit as the Director of Youth Services. During his tenure, he secured over $7 million in funding to create jobs for more than 5,600 young people, launching the "Grow Detroit's Young Talent" youth employment initiative. Shawn also served as the Detroit Mayor's Office Liaison for President Barack Obama's "My Brother's Keeper" (MBK) initiative. In addition, he served on several boards, including the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings Little Caesars Arena Community Board. Dubbed the "Mentorship Specialist" by Forbes Magazine, Shawn is a best-selling, national award-winning author, and a highly sought-after speaker. From his personal success he has created a publishing company and taught thousands how to become author speakers. His compelling TEDx Talk and appearances on CNN, Essence Magazine, Black Enterprise, and other platforms have solidified his reputation as one of America's top millennial influencers. Shawn received the Presidential Community Service Award from President Barack Obama and in 2024, he was honored with the prestigious Educator of Excellence Award by the State of South Carolina and has recently become the Vice President of Learning & Development at the Ed Tech company, Fullmind Learning.
- Jeannie Morris is Assistant Director for the Office of Whole Child Supports at the Georgia Department of Education. In this role, she manages the Georgia Multi-Tiered System of Supports (GaMTSS) team and has been charged with leading efforts to integrate the academic, behavioral and wellbeing supports within a multi-tiered system of supports. Prior to this position, Jeannie served as the School Climate Program Manager for a short time and served as a School Climate Program Specialist supporting FDRESA, HGRESA and OKRESA. Before joining the GaDOE, she was a long-time employee of FDRESA serving as a GLRS director, GNETS director, and GNETS site coordinator. Prior to her experience at GNETS, Jeannie taught special education and also served as a teacher of gifted and talented students.
- Colleen Jones has been an educator for 20 years and currently serves as Central Middle School Principal. While serving as an elementary principal, Mrs. Jones found a deep love for Ed. Tech, supporting struggling learners, and data analysis to support students in setting goals for their own success. Mrs. Jones is passionate about student achievement. As the lead learner of Central Middle School, Mrs. Jones is committed to seeking ways to energize teachers and motivate students to grow and reach their personal goals. Mrs. Jones believes that every student has more potential than they realize, and through goal setting, hard work and consistent adult coaching and support, students can reach their full potential in life. Her mottos are hustle hope and sling dopamine everyday. Your energy is the thermostat to your school. Central Middle school was recently named a AMLE national school of distinction. This is an honor that only 84 schools internationally hold.
- Dr. Jeff Washington, Principal, Eagle Springs Elementary School in Houston County, brings over 20 years of experience across multiple facets of education, including educator, instructor, coach, assistant principal, principal, and mentor. His diverse background has equipped him with a deep understanding of student achievement, school leadership, and community engagement. His work has been recognized by prestigious awards, including the School Bell Award, the Jimmy Stokes Distinguished Service Award, and most recently, Dr. Washington is honored to be named the 2026 NAESP Georgia’s National Distinguished Principal. Driven by passion for student success and a dedication to empowering future leaders, Dr. Washington continues to make a lasting impact both within his school and throughout the greater educational community.
Registration Will Include:
Access to presenter-provided resources, continental Breakfast, catered Lunch and Morning and Afternoon Snacks, SSTAGE Membership for Non-Members ($100-Annual Membership), & a copy of The League of Extraordinary Educators by Dr. Shaun Woodly
Lodging Link (coming soon)
Agenda Link (coming soon)
Questions? Email Joan Whitehead-Freeman at jwhitehead@gael.org.
Cancellation Policy for the 2026 SSTAGE Fall Conference is as follows and acknowledgement is required during registration:
To cancel participation for an event, SSTAGE must receive written notice (email jwhitehead@gael.org) seven calendar days prior to the scheduled workshop/conference. An administrative fee of $25.00 will be charged for cancellations. Requests for a refund must be received in writing at least seven calendar days prior to the start of the conference and must be addressed to jwhitehead@gael.org. SSTAGE encourages participants to find a substitute. Replacements will be welcome, and there will be no charge to transfer a registration to a colleague for the event. Advance notice of replacements is preferred. If an individual registers and does not attend the event, he/she will be marked as a "no show" and the full conference fees shall apply. Registrants are responsible for payment. Refunds will not be made for “no shows”. Refunds and reimbursements will not be transferable to other workshops or conferences. In the event of inclement weather which may impede or prevent conference attendance, or which may give cause to fully cancel the conference, a credit will be provided to the registrant or school/system. Refunds will not be made for conference cancellations due to COVID-19, severe weather or weather events which may cause the conference to cancel. SSTAGE is not responsible for United States Postal Service mail or electronic mail failures.