The Key to Moving Students Beyond Risk to Resiliency
Tim Burns, Director, Educare Institute, NM

Research clearly supports the view that when educators move from a perception of students at risk to one of students “at promise,” their students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being can be significantly enhanced. How is this accomplished, and what is the single most important protective factor ensuring positive outcomes for students? Come to the workshop and find out!

Strand: Resiliency
Grade Level: K–12

The Resilient Educator: Survival and Success in Today’s Classroom
Jeff Goelitz, Program Director, Institute of HeartMath, CA

To stay the course in today’s complex school environments, educators need stamina and vision to remain effective and healthy over the long run. Over the last decade, neuroscientists and educators have identified some of the practical tools that have been developed and field-tested to help educators better respond to stressful or challenging circumstances—key factors in health, career longevity, and overall performance. Handouts included.

Strand: Resiliency, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Skills for Bridging the Emotional and Academic Connection
Brian Kabaker, Associate Director, Institute of HeartMath, CA

There are direct links between a student's ability to self-manage emotions and academic performance. In this visually rich presentation, participants will learn scientifically validated techniques and specific strategies that can be used to boost students’ learning capacity. Participants will learn about neuroscience research findings that have new implications for educators who are seeking to reduce student at- risk behavior, improve higher-order thinking skills, and foster emotional health. Handouts included.

Strand: Resiliency, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Brain Gain: Priming the Brain for Engaged, Enlivened Learning
Tim Burns, Director, Educare Institute, NM

Change the state of the brain and everything changes in its wake: perception, concentration, learning, achievement, and health. This workshop covers several of the most significant and scientifically supported ways to enhance learning while building a better brain. Come prepared for an enjoyable and engaging romp through some great research and several fun, practical activities. Be prepared to leave with things you can use immediately for your own well-being and in your classroom!

Strand: Resiliency
Grade Level: K–12

Behind Closed Doors: Secrets to Effectively Facilitating Classroom Learning Activities
Cristal McGill, Ph.D., Education Consultant, Impact Learning, Inc., CO

Participants will leave with one of the biggest secrets to lead any group to the most productive mental viewpoint from which to maximize learning. Effective instruction means finding ways to keep students physically and emotionally engaged in the learning process. This fast-paced, innovative, and dynamic session explains why, while demonstrating how to put these ideas into practice.

Strand: Resiliency, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Moving Schools Beyond Risk to Resiliency: A Practical Approach to Protective Factor Enhancement for the School Community
Tim Burns, Director, Educare Institute, NM

This workshop brings the latest research on resiliency building and protective factors to a proven action-training format through which participants become more resourceful in creating the best possible environment for healthy development and learning. Staff and community come together to learn to reduce risks, build community, and foster greater social and academic well-being for students. The workshop framework is based on the premise that risk factors can be starting points for deep change.

Strand: Resiliency, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

The Importance of Humor in Education
Cristal McGill, Ph.D., Education Consultant, Impact Learning, Inc., CO

Humor strengthens the relationship between students, teachers, and staff, enhances communication, reduces stress, makes a course more interesting, increases retention of subject material, and could raise test scores. This interactive workshop will help you see, hear, and feel what effective strategies are all about. Combine these techniques to create a blast of positive energy that propels learners quickly and easily toward achieving the desired instructional objectives.

Strand: Resiliency, NEW!
Grade Level: K–12

Developing Responsible Learners: Sharing Responsibility with Parents for Character Development, Student Success, and Academic Achievement
Janie Hamilton-Marchini and Marla Loew, Teachers, Pearson Elementary School, Modesto City Elementary Schools, CA

This interactive workshop links school, home, and community for student success and increased academic achievement. The Character Connection becomes a bridge to success, focusing on strategies for achievement where socioeconomic and cultural differences create challenges. It models how underperforming schools motivate and engage parents in the education of their children to meet state standards. Portfolios highlight diversity, patriotism, conflict resolution, and citizen projects. Activities are translated into Spanish.

Strand: Resiliency, NEW!
Grade Level: K–6

The Missing Piece: The Parent Component
Janie Hamilton-Marchini and Marla Loew, Teachers, Pearson Elementary School, Modesto City Elementary Schools, CA

Awarded the Promising Practices Citation from CEP and the Golden Ruler Award from ICCE, this interactive presentation includes parent- child activities to develop meaningful dialogues supporting character education, social skills, and curriculum. Parent-student sample assignments focus on developing character traits such as responsibility, respect, compassion, and service learning. These topics, translated into Spanish, validate how parent participation builds a strong relationship between home and school, as well as embracing the community as a learning tool.

Strand: Resiliency
Grade Level: K–6

Brain Drain: The Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs on the Maturing Brain
Tim Burns, Director, Educare Institute, NM

Alcohol and other drugs have a powerful effect on the brain, especially when it is immature. Since the brain isn’t fully mature until at least age 25, any use of these powerful and toxic substances has a greatly magnified effect on teens. This workshop takes a step-by-step approach to understanding brain growth and development, and the potentially devastating effects of drugs. The workshop is designed to help teachers confidently teach the content to students. Handouts are provided.

Strand: Resiliency
Grade Level: K–12