SDCOE K-12 Project Management Conference 2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to Fast Times at Project High! Join us online on Friday, June 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PST for SDCOE’s 5th annual K-12 Project Management Conference. Report to our virtual campus for a full day of practical project management tips and real stories from K-12 teams from California and beyond. Create your own 4-period schedule and get ready for an engaging, interactive day. Check out the conference brochure to map out your sessions...and don’t be late to class!

10:00am PDT

Sharpies Before Spreadsheets: Sketching Projects Before the Charter

Friday June 26, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Zoom Meeting (Virtual)

Before the project charter is written and the milestones are mapped, great projects start with conversations about why. Project teams often jump straight to solutions and linear plans, but complex problems need space for exploration and storytelling. This session introduces simple visual techniques to sketch ideas, clarify purpose, and align stakeholders before the formal planning begins. Participants will leave with a pencil box of practical visual tools for pre-planning conversations.

Speakers

Gini Mann-Deibert, PhD

Project Specialist, Innovation Division – College & Career Readiness, San Diego County Office of Education

Name: Gini Mann-Deibert, PhD
Organization: San Diego County Office of Education
Job Title: Project Specialist, Innovation Division – College & Career Readiness
# of Years in K-12 Education: 10
Areas of Expertise: Project management, Career & Technical Education (CTE), instructional... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Zoom Meeting (Virtual)

C - Electives

11:00am PDT

The Human Side of AI in Projects

Friday June 26, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT

Zoom Meeting (Virtual)

Don't let AI be the mysterious new kid in class. Learn how to make it your most productive project lab partner. While AI can accelerate planning and execution, the human element remains the heart of successful project delivery.

This session explores how to use AI across the entire project lifecycle while maintaining a focus on the people involved. You will practice the CRIT Framework to master the art of prompting and leave with a clear understanding of how to balance high-tech tools with high-touch leadership.

Speakers

Brad Bookser

Director of Information Technology, Sage Oak Charter Schools

Name: Brad Bookser
Organization: Sage Oak Charter Schools
Job Title: Director of IT
# of Years in K-12 Education: 20+
Areas of Expertise: Leadership, AI, IT System Design, ED Tech
Favorite Subject(s) in High School: AV Class 📺 🤓
Most Likely to Complete a Project On Time in High S... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Zoom Meeting (Virtual)

C - Electives

1:00pm PDT

The CALPADS School Bus: Using a Project Charter to Get Everyone on Board

Friday June 26, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Zoom Meeting (Virtual)

Stop treating CALPADS like an isolated IT homework assignment and start managing it as a coordinated district team effort. This session traces one district’s journey from siloed, manual planning to a mature, charter-led data governance model.

You will hear how a refined project charter serves as the vehicle for cross-departmental collaboration and improved data integrity. Leave with a practical roadmap to transition your data processes from a seasonal fire drill into a year-round, managed success story.

Speakers

Hanaa Abusalih

Database Specialist, Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District

Name: Hanaa Abusalih
Organization: Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District
Job Title: Database Specialist
# of Years in K-12 Education: 4
Areas of Expertise: Ed Tech Data Systems
Favorite Subject(s): Visual Arts
Most Likely to Complete a Project On Time in High School: Y
Current P... Read More →

Mauricio Ortega

Chief Technology Officer, Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District

Name: Mauricio Ortega
Organization: Valley Center-Pauma Unified School District
Job Title: Chief Technology Officer
# of Years Education: 26 years
Areas of Expertise: Systems Leadership, Educational Technology, Cybersecurity, Infrastructure, Data Systems, Professional Development
Favo... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Zoom Meeting (Virtual)

C - Electives

2:00pm PDT

Our PMP Journey: From Frustration to Framework

Friday June 26, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Zoom Meeting (Virtual)

Consider this your crash course in “Project Management High,” where we ditch the chaos and start running projects like total pros. We’ll break down what it takes to earn your PMP, a globally recognized certification that shows you understand core project management practices and approaches. You’ll see how it gets everyone speaking the same language instead of going totally bogus on group work, and why you don’t need a full PMO to make it all come together. The more you sharpen your skills, the sooner you’re rolling with a rad crew of PMs who already know there’s a better way to get things done.

Speakers

Jennifer Ortiz

Technology Training Facilitator, Sage Oak Charter Schools

Name: Jennifer Ortiz
Organization: Sage Oak Charter Schools
Job Title: Technology Training Facilitator
# of Years in K-12 Education: 10 years
Areas of Expertise: EdTech, K-12 Professional Learning & Growth, K-12 Teaching & Learning
Favorite Subject(s) in High School: Math, Fashion De... Read More →

Johné Johnson

Strategic Project and Governance Partner, West Coast Services

Name: Johné Johnson
Organization: West Coast Services
Job Title: Strategic Project and Governance Partner
# of Years in K-12 Education: 12
Areas of Expertise: Project Management and Systems Governance
Favorite Subject(s) in High School: Wood Shop
Most Likely to Complete a Project On ... Read More →

Jane Johnson

Senior Business Analyst, Moreno Valley City

Name: Jane Johnson
Organization: Moreno Valley City
Job Title: Senior Business Analyst
# of Years in K-12 Education: X
Areas of Expertise: Project Management Software Engineer Analytics
Favorite Subject(s) in High School: World History
Most Likely to Complete a Project On Time in Hig... Read More →

Friday June 26, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Zoom Meeting (Virtual)

C - Electives