STLinSTL 2025: Full Schedule

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

Category Knowing and Valuing Students

1:40pm CDT

Everything I Learned About Racism I Learned in School

Thursday June 5, 2025 1:40pm - 4:00pm CDT

Session details coming soon!

Featured Speakers

Tiffany Jewell

Author, ABAR Educator, Consultant

Thursday June 5, 2025 1:40pm - 4:00pm CDT

Workshop

Category Knowing and Valuing Students

9:15am CDT

Brain Moves

Friday June 6, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

Brain Moves is an innovative educational program designed to transform classrooms into spaces where students are actively engaged and empowered in their learning. Rooted in the Fundamental Movement Patterns of Total Body Connectivity developed by Irmgard Bartenieff and Peggy Hackney, the program equips teachers with effective strategies to integrate movement into their daily teaching, creating an environment that values the whole child. By incorporating dynamic movement activities, Brain Moves strengthens the body-mind connection, supporting not only physical health but also cognitive development, emotional regulation, and social-emotional growth in young learners. By incorporating movement into the classroom, Brain Moves helps improve focus, attention, presence, and self-awareness, while encouraging positive social interactions and relationships among students. Attendees will leave with practical ideas and movement activities that they can implement in the classroom right away.

Speakers

Summer Beasley

PE Faculty, MICDS

Summer Beasley received a BFA from Webster University and a MFA from Lindenwood University. She has performed and choreographed across the U.S. and she has performed internationally with Karlovsky & Company Dance. Summer completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training with Pam Schulte... Read More →

Friday June 6, 2025 9:15am - 10:15am CDT

1-Hour Session

Category Knowing and Valuing Students

9:15am CDT

Navigating the Complexities: Mastering Stakeholder Dynamics Through The Game of Education

Friday June 6, 2025 9:15am - 11:30am CDT

Educational leadership is rarely straightforward. Stakeholders – administrators, educators, parents, and community members – each bring distinct priorities, hidden motivations, and political pressures to the table. In this highly interactive session, participants will step into roles that reflect real-world educational dilemmas, experiencing firsthand the strategic thinking, negotiation, and collaboration necessary to drive meaningful change. Using The Game of Education, a unique game-theory-based simulation, you will explore scenarios demanding tough decisions, balance competing agendas, and practice authentic leadership skills in a safe, reflective environment. Walk away with deeper empathy, refined negotiation strategies, and actionable insights to address your district’s toughest challenges.

Featured Speakers

Dr. Howard Fields

Founder & Assistant Superintendent, InDepth & Kirkwood School District

Dr. Howard E. Fields III is an internationally recognized educational leader, researcher, and creator known for his innovative approaches to educational leadership.Dr. Fields earned his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2017. His groundbreaking doctoral... Read More →

Friday June 6, 2025 9:15am - 11:30am CDT

Workshop

Category Knowing and Valuing Students

9:15am CDT

On Awakening Knowledge of Self: Don’t Sleep During the Revolution

Friday June 6, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am CDT

On Awakening Knowledge of Self: Don’t Sleep During the Revolution explores the intersection of Hip Hop’s fifth element - Knowledge of Self - with themes of identity, voice, leadership, history, and culture. Attendees will be empowered to connect with their authentic selves and embrace their unique stories as critical elements of their educational practices. This engaging session features storytelling, original spoken word performances, lyrically written presentation slides, a creative writing activity, and a simulated open mic experience. Attendees are asked to reflect on the question: how does my knowledge of self inform how I structure conditions for equitable student learning and engagement?

Featured Speakers

Tony Keith Jr., PhD

Poet, Writer, and Hip-Hop Educator

Tony Keith Jr., PhD is an award-winning Black American gay poet, spoken word artist, and Hip-Hop educational leader from Washington, D.C. Or, you can just call him an “Ed Emcee”. He is the author of How the Boogeyman Became a Poet (2024) and Knucklehead (2025), both published... Read More →

Friday June 6, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am CDT

Workshop

Category Knowing and Valuing Students

10:30am CDT

Classroom- and School-based Strategies to Support the Whole Learner

Friday June 6, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CDT

Our district focuses on the WHOLE Learner. As leaders, educators embrace the opportunity to enrich our approach to bolster students’ academic and affective needs. Research has shown that since the COVID-10 Pandemic, students’ social-emotional needs have multiplied. While colleges and universities prepare general education teachers to facilitate academic learning, equipping educators to support students’ social-emotional needs is something that many pre-service programs do not fully address. This session will focus on adding effective strategies to classroom- and school-based instructional environments to better support students’ academic buoyancy and grow 21st century skills and dispositions.

Speakers

Charity Meyer

Director of Elementary Learning, School District of Greenfield

Charity Meyer serves as the Director of Elementary Learning in the School District of Greenfield. In her role, she works side by side with leaders and educators, delivering coaching and professional learning experiences, emphasizing deep implementation of modern curriculum, assessment... Read More →

Patrice Ball

Director of Secondary Learning, School District of Greenfield

Patrice Ball serves as the Director of Secondary Learning in the School District of Greenfield where she facilitates the professional learning, curriculum, assessment, and instruction in grades 6-12. Previous roles include instructor of assessment courses in the graduate program at... Read More →

Friday June 6, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am CDT

1-Hour Session

Category Knowing and Valuing Students

12:30pm CDT

5 Lessons That Transformed My Journey as an Educator and Leader

Friday June 6, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT

Effective educational leadership is deeply personal and shaped by critical moments, reflective practice, and meaningful relationships. In this reflective and empowering spotlight session, Dr. Howard Fields shares five transformative lessons gained from his 16-year journey as a coach, teacher, principal, and district leader. Drawing from his experiences navigating challenges such as systemic inequities and community crises, Dr. Fields will discuss the importance of authentic self-awareness, believing in every student’s potential, storytelling as advocacy, embracing thoughtful change, and prioritizing mental and emotional health. Attendees will leave inspired and equipped to lead authentically, advocate fiercely for equity, and thrive professionally and personally.

Featured Speakers

Dr. Howard Fields

Founder & Assistant Superintendent, InDepth & Kirkwood School District

Friday June 6, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT

Spotlight Session

Category Knowing and Valuing Students

12:30pm CDT

An Integrated & Mission-Aligned Approach to Student Well-being

Friday June 6, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT

During this workshop, you will learn about Ravenscroft school, a PK-12, coed, day, 1,250-student community, and our institutional structure centered on student well-being. We believe physical, psychological, and emotional development is deeply intertwined with intellectual growth. Guided by this value, the Associate Head of School for Student Affairs oversees a team of strategically placed clinicians and health providers throughout the organization. Rooted in early identification and prevention strategies, our model aims to leverage our school’s mission, current systems and programs, and works to equip all members within the community to support the well-being of students and guide them to appropriate resources. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in case study scenarios, review handbook policies, and learn about institutional procedures that showcase our clinical services. Participants will leave with an understanding of this framework and steps for implementation.

Speakers

Kendra Varnell

Associate Head of School for Student Affairs, Ravenscroft School

Kendra Varnell is the Associate Head of School for Student Affairs at Ravenscroft School, and is a licensed clinical psychologist with over a decade of experience working in educational and clinical settings. Kendra graduated from Wake Forest University with a bachelor’s degree... Read More →

Sam Borkovic

Director of Student Athlete Well-Being, Ravenscroft School

Samantha (Sam) Borkovic (she/her) is the Director of Student Athlete Well-being at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, North Carolina. She oversees the mental and emotional health of over 800 student athletes in grades 7-12 at Ravenscroft School. She partners with local clinicians, families... Read More →

Friday June 6, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm CDT

Spotlight Session

Category Knowing and Valuing Students

1:40pm CDT

On Awakening Knowledge of Self: Don’t Sleep During the Revolution

Friday June 6, 2025 1:40pm - 4:00pm CDT

Featured Speakers

Tony Keith Jr., PhD

Poet, Writer, and Hip-Hop Educator

Friday June 6, 2025 1:40pm - 4:00pm CDT

Workshop

Category Knowing and Valuing Students

1:45pm CDT

Practical, Effective Ways to Foster Connection in the Classroom

Friday June 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

Building strong, authentic connections in the classroom is essential for student engagement, well-being, and academic success. This session explores practical and effective strategies to cultivate meaningful relationships between students and educators. Participants will learn how to integrate restorative techniques into their academic rigor to create a classroom culture of trust, respect, and belonging.

Speakers

John Converse

Director of Restorative Practices, EducationPlus

John Converse is a restorative practitioner who brings 19 years of educational experience to life in his interactions with others. He has a set of skills that foster belonging and connection through the art of restorative practices. He is a certified trainer with the International... Read More →

Friday June 6, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT

1-Hour Session

Category Knowing and Valuing Students

STLinSTL 2025

From $250.00