STLinSTL 2025: Full Schedule

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9:15am CDT

The Power of Connection: Let's Chat

Thursday June 5, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

In this session, we will explore the crucial role of teacher-student connections in improving both academic and emotional growth and student engagement. You will learn how to engage your students in a way that they (and you!) get to know and respect each other. You will learn practical strategies such as using open-ended and personalized questions as check-ins, writing prompts, or group activities to promote interaction, communication, and understanding. You will start with simple, flexible techniques that lead to a better and more supportive classroom atmosphere and how to build on them. You will also gain insight on how to tailor them to fit individual teaching styles, topics, units, and student needs.

Speakers

Eric Richards

World Language Educator - German / Department Chair, Fort Zumwalt North High School - O'Fallon, MO

Eric Richards is an experienced high school German teacher, department chair, author, and presenter. Eric is a 2021 ACTFL Teacher of Year Finalist. He was selected as the FLAM Distinguished Educator in 2019, and went on to be named as the Central States Teacher of the Year in March... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

1-Hour Session

Category Knowing and Valuing Students

9:15am CDT

Justice in the Classroom: Co-creating and Sharing Language with Learners

Thursday June 5, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am CDT

This workshop empowers educators to introduce fairness and justice in their classrooms, focusing on developing shared language around critical topics. Participants will use updated language that reflects the realities of today’s world, ensuring their communication is accurate and inclusive. Tiffany will support participants through introducing complex ideas, honoring what learners already know, and co-creating with your classroom community. Together, we’ll create developmentally appropriate working definitions for words like “justice”, “privilege”, “freedom” (and more!) and work on fostering an environment where learners are truly included and affirmed. You will leave with a clearer sense on how to build and co-create with learners strategies. Our goal is to work together to ensure that the language we use is not only current but also reflective of students’ diverse backgrounds and experiences, promoting a more just, connected, and compassionate classroom and school community.

Featured Speakers

Tiffany Jewell

Author, ABAR Educator, Consultant

Tiffany Jewell is a Black biracial writer, twin sister, first-generation America, cisgender mama, anti-bias antiracist (ABAR) educator, and consultant. She is the author of the #1 New York Times and #1 Indie Bestseller, This Book is Anti-Racist (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am CDT

Workshop

Category Knowing and Valuing Students

9:15am CDT

The 5 A’s: A Systemic Approach to Cultivating Mental and Emotional Well-being in Schools

Thursday June 5, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am CDT

Explore a systemic model for promoting mental and emotional well-being in schools. The "5 A's Approach" offers educators and school leaders a comprehensive guide to embedding well-being into the educational landscape in the face of a pressing youth mental health crisis. Through five key principles, this approach provides tools to create supportive environments and foster a culture of wellness.

Featured Speakers

Diego Estrada

Director of Wellness, The John Cooper School

Diego Estrada was born and raised in Madrid, Spain. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Journalism. Passionate about holistic well-being, he trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. He is a certified teacher... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am CDT

Workshop

Category Knowing and Valuing Students

10:30am CDT

Empowering Future-Ready Learners: Building Resilience and Engagement Through Student-Centered Practices

Thursday June 5, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CDT

Participants will explore how resilience-building practices and student-centered strategies can transform learning environments. By focusing on emotional intelligence, growth mindset, and empowerment techniques, educators will learn how to engage students in meaningful ways and support their personal and academic development. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to create an inclusive, future-focused classroom culture where every student feels valued and equipped to succeed.

Speakers

Leila Lawson

Professional Life Coach, Gottabeme79 Leadership and Training

Leila is a certified life coach with over a decade of experience in personal and career transitions. She uses evidence-based techniques and a compassionate, client-centered approach, focusing on goal-setting, work-life balance, and self-confidence. Before coaching, Leila enjoyed a... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CDT

1-Hour Session

Category Knowing and Valuing Students

12:30pm CDT

Strengthening Conversations Around Mental Health

Thursday June 5, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT

How can we foster a school culture where students feel heard, supported, and empowered to help each other? In this interactive session, we'll explore a simple yet powerful communication strategy that helps students and educators navigate conversations about emotions and mental health with confidence and care.
You'll learn how to respond in a way that makes others feel truly heard and understood while also guiding them toward appropriate support—without feeling like you have to fix everything. Get ready to put these skills into action through interactive activities designed to make every conversation more meaningful.

Featured Speakers

Diego Estrada

Director of Wellness, The John Cooper School

Thursday June 5, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT

Spotlight Session

Category Knowing and Valuing Students

1:40pm CDT

Self-Discovery: Narrating the Learning Journey

Thursday June 5, 2025 1:40pm - 1:55pm CDT

In this session we will explore how the Habits of Mind provide a language for students to become the storyteller of their own learning experiences. There will be many examples of student artifacts, reflections, and prompts to inspire our thinking.

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Bena Kallick

Co-Founder and Co-Director; Author; Educational Consultant, The Institute for Habits of Mind

Dr. Bena Kallick is an internationally recognized author, award-winning educational consultant, and co-found of The Institute for Habits of Mind. Armed with a deep understanding of the structures of the mind and learning, Dr. Kallick has devoted her career to improving education... Read More →

Thursday June 5, 2025 1:40pm - 1:55pm CDT

Workshop