Promoting the improvement of the education & training of educational leaders through teaching, research, and service
Promoting the improvement of the education & training of educational leaders through teaching, research, and service
FAPEL SPRING 2026 MEETING AGENDA
Navigating shifting policy and informational environments and their impact on educational leadership preparation.
Awards Banquet March 1st, 2026, 6pm – 9pm, location TBD
Conference March 2nd, 2026, 9:00AM – 4:00PM
9:00 a.m.
President’s Welcome- Dr. Zorka Karanxha, FAPEL President
USF College of Education Dean’s Welcome
Pearson Welcome: Dr. Heather S. Klesch, VP Educator Solutions for Licensing and Learning
FASA Welcome: Michelle White, FASA Executive Director
9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
FAPEL Business Meeting:
· Presidents’ Report: Zorka Karanxha
· Treasurer’s Report: Daniel Reyes-Guerra
· Constitutional Changes: Vote Required
· FAPEL Research Initiative: Michelle White, Bill Black, Dan Eadens
10:15 am – 10:25 am
BREAK
10:25 am – 11:00 am
Keynote Speaker on Research on Policy Issues in Florida
Dr. Jose Castillo, Professor of School Psychology, USF (https://www.usf.edu/education/faculty-staff/faculty-directory/castillo-jose.asp) MTSS Implementation in Florida and Family Engagement
11:00 am - 12:45 pm
FLDOE Updates and Reports
Dr. Josey McDaniels, Deputy Chancellor for Educator Quality
Dr. Sarah Hall, Ashley Harvey, Marsha Dixon
Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development and Retention
Phil Canto, Suleyman Olgar, Hope Bryant
Office of Post-Secondary Assessment
11:45 am - 1:00 pm
LUNCH –TECO Room
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Dr. Jason LaFrance (https://mcl.appstate.edu/p/lafrance)
From overload to Optimization: How Generative AI Can Redefine Faculty Workflows
2:00 pm - 2:45
Panel: Discussion on Issues and Policies On Improving Higher Education and K12 Collaboration
2:45- 3:00
Break
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Session
Practicing Art with Dr. Laura Boilini
3:30 pm - 3:45 pm
Discussion
Pressing issues moving forward
3:45 - 4:00
Closing Remarks
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The annual registration fee for the Conference and Banquet is $60.00. Attendance at the Banquet or the Conference or both requires payment of the $60.00 registration fee. This fee is non-refundable after February 15, 2026. The Spring Conference is open only to those with current Individual memberships or Institutional memberships, so be sure to also update your annual membership, if you have not already done so.
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Here’s the link for the FAPEL Conference and Awards Banquet Registration:
https://forms.gle/V28S1wUvir8zkndx6
Here is the link to pay this Registration Fee: https://connect.intuit.com/pay/FloridaAssociationOfProfes/scs-v1-a74ce76003834036aeb8f8d63c808c74679e6ac806e6443cb8490661574992bc525c698076234be7a35fffb32cadc607?locale=EN_US
Here is the link for the Hotel: Embassy Suites, by Hilton:
BOOKING LINK: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/fapel-meeting-at-usf/
Book before: February 16, 2026
Hotel Location: 3705 Spectrum Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612
(813)-977-7066
Rooms & Rates
FAPEL BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025-2026
President, Zorka Karanxha , University of South Florida (Karanxha@usf.edu)
President-Elect, William R. Black, University of South Florida University of South Florida (wrBlack@usf.edu)
Past President, Sheila Moore, University of Central Florida (Sheila.Moore@ucf.edu)
Secretary & Website Editor, Daniel Eadens, University of Central Florida (Daniel.Eadens@ucf.edu)
Treasurer, Daniel Reyes-Guerra, Florida Atlantic University (DReyes@fau.edu)
FAPEL is a non-profit organization that promotes the improvement of the education and training of educational leaders in the state of Florida through teaching, research, and service. Membership is open to all Florida educational leadership faculty, educational leaders, and graduate students.
$50.00 - Individual Membership
CLICK HERE:
$200.00 - Institutional Membership
CLICK HERE:
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Florida Association of Professors of Educational Leadership
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