Keynote Speaker

Dr. Jon Eckert, Ed.D. is professor of Educational Leadership and the Lynda and Robert Copple Endowed Chair for Christians in School Leadership. Dr. Eckert provides academic leadership for the Baylor Center for School Leadership, serving as co-director, and is the program director of Baylor’s MA in School Leadership in the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership, where he is assistant department chair.

Guest Speaker

Jonathan “JP” Pokluda is the Lead Pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, TX. He was formerly the leader of The Porch in Dallas, TX, which grew to be the largest weekly young adult gathering of its kind in the country. JP didn’t come to understand the grace of the Gospel until his early twenties after being involved in different denominational churches his entire life. This ignited a desire in him to inspire young adults to radically follow Jesus Christ and unleash them to change the world. 

Breakout Session Speakers

Name: Meredith Frey 
Session Title: Teaching with JOY
Brief Description: Celebrating, challenging, and championing students in the classroom.

Name: Janet Gibson
Session Title: How to Communicate in Times of Chaos, Crisis and Conflict
Brief Description: This presentation will focus on providing way to approach challenging communication issues facing school districts and leaders.

Name: Michelle Cho
Session Title: Holistic Career Development: Serving the Whole Student
Description: Discover how addressing students' cognitive, emotional, and creative needs, backed by leading research-based theories, ensures effective career development.

Name: Marilyn Rhames
Session Title: Reclaim Your Joy: Using Personal Passions to Fuel Professional Power
Brief Description: Learn a common reason we lose our joy and how finding it can energize your work.

Name: Alquin Spencer:
Session Title: Maximizing Joy with Abundant Accommodations
Brief Description: Emphasizing the "S" in accommodations, this session explores the importance of offering a wide variety of accommodations to ensure every student experiences joy and success in their learning journey.

Name: Chris Everett
Session Title: Why educator upskilling is the answer!
Brief Description: Explore the concept of educator upskilling: why it is the answer to K12 performance and culture improvement and why it isn't the same as professional development.

Name: Dr. Wendi Zimmer 
Session Title: Developing Your Force to Impact Others
Description: Discover how recognizing and developing your belief in yourself (i.e., your force) will strengthen your capacity to impact others.

Name: Hannah Kapitaniuk
Session Title: The Lightmaker's Manifesto
Brief Description: This workshop will help you identify and prioritize your core values to create a personal purpose statement for your life and your work.

Name: Jolene Bruce
Session Title: Seen, Known, Loved: Systems of Joy
Brief Description: This session will help you develop systems to ensure each student is seen, known, and loved by fostering a joyful and thriving environment.

Name: Paul Putz
Session Title: Faith, Hope, and Love: Three Virtues for Sustained Joy in the Classroom 
Brief Description: Drawing on sports and theology, this workshop focuses on the meaning and practice of the three “theological virtues” and their connection to feedback, engagement, and well-being.

Name: Sandi Cooper 
Session Title: Finding Joy in STEM Education: Cultivating Curiosity for Future Innovation
Description: Explore how to create a vibrant and joyful STEM learning environment that not only enhances educational outcomes but also inspires the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.

Name: Jenny Brady
Session Title: Building Bridges: Navigating an Anti-Diversity Climate while Creating a Culture of Belonging 
Brief Description: In a world where the term 'diversity' has become polarizing, we will have an open discussion regarding what we might be losing in the debate. Join us for an engaging and interactive session where we will share experiences, best practices, and innovative solutions to continue progressing toward communities of belonging for each constituent.

Name: Sharina Hubbard
Session Title: Fostering a Culture of Belonging in the School Environment
Brief Description: Explore ways to foster open communication and inclusivity.

Names: MaKenzie Talbert + Andrea Lail
Session Title: “ACEing Student-Teacher Relationships” : Serving Students with Adverse Childhood Experiences through Relationships
Brief Description: An interactive look at Adverse Childhood Experiences and their effects on student well-being and the impact a positive teacher-student relationship has in restoring those experiences.  

Name: Wendi Singletary + Tammy Johnston
Session Title: Creating a Team that Flourishes
Brief Description: In this workshop come meet two teachers who will share tips on how to create a team that not only works together but flourishes together to impact each student. 

Name: Herb Cox
Session Title: Building a Positive and Powerful Culture
Brief Description: I will be sharing 8 things you can start doing at your campus tomorrow, and they are all free!

Name: Erik Ellefsen
Session Title: 5 Essential Relationships for Wellbeing and Engagement at Work
Brief Description: In this self-reflective workshop the desire is to cultivate joy in and through your work by connecting in 5 essential relationships.

Name: Bryan Goodwin
Session Title: Unleashing student curiosity in the classroom
Brief Description: Drawing on brain science and research, this workshop will show you how to reframe your lessons and units to unlock a powerful driver of learning in all students: their natural curiosity.

Schedule

Be on the lookout for more details!