Presented by Todd Hartman, Principal, Creekside Early Childhood School (OH); Jessica Skelton, Assistant Principal, Creekside Early Childhood School (OH); with Special Guest Deana Moss, Director of MTSS, Lakota Local School District (OH); and Ashlie Cox, Customer Success Manager, Branching Minds
Sponsored by Branching Minds
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Attendance habits start early. In fact, intentional support for consistent attendance in the early years of school helps ensure long-term academic and personal success. Join us for an inspiring session where we spotlight Lakota Local School District’s innovative approach to improving attendance and engagement by focusing on their youngest learners, kindergarten through second grade.
Viewers will:
Watch this session to discover how strong attendance habits pave the way for lifelong student success! This recorded edLeader Panel is of interest to K-2 teachers, school leaders, and district leaders.
About the Presenters
Todd Hartman is currently serving as the Principal of Creekside Early Childhood School for Lakota Local Schools in southwest Ohio. Prior to this position, he served as an MTSS Supervisor in Lakota and for eight years as a Principal/Assistant Principal for schools with students in Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade, as well as ten years as a teacher. Mr. Hartman has a passion for supporting teams of teachers as they work collaboratively to help each Lakota student grow academically, socially, and behaviorally.
Jessica Skelton has been a dedicated member of the Lakota community since 2015 and has served at Creekside Early Childhood School since 2019. As Assistant Principal, her favorite part of the role is collaborating with teachers and families to support student success every day. Jessica is committed to fostering a positive and nurturing environment where every child can thrive both academically and personally.
Deana Moss is an experienced educator with 28 years of service in roles including classroom teacher, reading specialist, dean of students, adjunct university instructor, and district curriculum coordinator. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati and holds an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction with a focus on differentiated instruction. As Director of Assessment and Accountability, Deana leads the MTSS department at Lakota Local School District, focusing on data-driven decision making and systemic problem solving to support district and building frameworks.
Known for her curiosity and collaborative mindset, she asks the right questions to inspire growth and innovation. Deana’s passion for teaching and learning drives her commitment to students as her North Star. An active member of the education community, she connects with local educators on Twitter (@moss_deana) and draws inspiration from the incredible talent in southwest Ohio. Her mission is to make a lasting impact on students’ success.
Ashlie Cox is a skilled Customer Success Manager at Branching Minds with a master’s in educational technology and a background as an educator. She specializes in guiding district and school partners through the customer lifecycle, from onboarding to renewal, ensuring successful outcomes through data-driven strategies and personalized support. With expertise in project management, relationship building, and cross-functional collaboration, Ashlie drives increased usage and sustainable growth for her clients.
Her experience in social media and digital marketing further enhances her ability to connect technology with practical solutions, benefiting both education and business sectors. Ashlie is passionate about leveraging technology to improve processes and outcomes. Known for her problem-solving skills and commitment to learning, she fosters strong partnerships that deliver lasting value for organizations and the communities they serve.
Learn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording, earning your CE certificate, and using our new accessibility features.
Join the Creating a Positive School Climate community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.
Branching Minds is a leading K-12 educational technology platform designed to streamline the work of MTSS and make personalized learning sustainable. By integrating data and providing actionable insights, our platform empowers teachers to meet the unique needs, strengths, and challenges of every student. Branching Minds simplifies the MTSS process, giving teachers the tools and guidance needed to personalize support, freeing up their time to focus on building meaningful, positive relationships with students.