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2026 Summer Symposium
Type: Breakout 1 clear filter
Tuesday, June 9
 

10:00am CDT

Hugging Porcupines: Practical Strategies for Building Relationships with Kids Who Struggle in School
Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Munthe Room
We know the power of relationships, and we're believers. But what about the kids who seem to push us away--who resist relationship building? Why do they do this? In this session, we'll dig into why some kids struggle so much in school. We'll then explore some practical strategies (such as student-centric praise and what to do instead of incentivizing them) for building connections with our most prickly students--so we can support their academic, social, and emotional development.
Speakers
avatar for Mike Anderson

Mike Anderson

Consultant, Leading Great Learning, LLC
Mike Anderson has been an educator for many years. A public school teacher for many years, he now works as a consultant providing professional learning for teachers throughout the US and beyond. While in the classroom, Mike was awarded a national Milken Educator Award and was a finalist... Read More →
Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Munthe Room
  Breakout 1

10:00am CDT

Joy is a Discipline: Leading with Light When the Work Feels Heavy
Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Nelson Room
Most educators don’t need another strategy. They need a way to keep showing up without losing themselves.


When the work feels heavy, joy is often treated as something we’ll get back later, after things calm down. But for educators leading in constant pressure, that day never comes.


In this session, Dan Cox reframes joy as a discipline, not a mood or mindset; one that protects identity, strengthens connection, and keeps educators in the work with purpose. Drawing from decades of school leadership, adult SEL practices, and the lessons of endurance training, Dan offers a grounded, honest look at what it means to lead with light when you’re running on empty.


If you’re exhausted but still expected to lead with presence, patience, and care, this session isn’t optional, it’s fuel.
Speakers
avatar for Dan Cox

Dan Cox

Founder | CEO, Endurance Edge
Dan Cox is a former superintendent turned leadership coach and speaker who works at the intersection of adult SEL, resilience, and real-world leadership, where the work is heavy and expectations never let up.
With more than 25 years in education, including 15 as a superintendent... Read More →
Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Nelson Room
  Breakout 1

10:00am CDT

Leading With, Not For: Elevating Student Voice to Strengthen School Communities
Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Ziock Ballroom A
Strong school communities are built when students are not only supported, but genuinely engaged as contributors to their learning environments. This session invites educators to explore what it means to lead with students rather than for them by intentionally elevating student voice, agency, and shared ownership.


Through reflection, discussion, and practical examples, participants will examine how everyday practices can strengthen relationships, deepen engagement, and foster a sense of belonging. Educators will leave with actionable strategies to create classroom and school environments where connection, collaboration, and collective responsibility drive meaningful learning.
Speakers
avatar for Kamrin Muhammad

Kamrin Muhammad

Founder & Chief Empowerment Officer, By Any Dreams Necessary LLC
Kamrin Muhammad is a non-traditional educator, leadership strategist, and founder of By Any Dreams Necessary LLC, a mission-driven consulting firm that partners with schools and community organizations to strengthen youth–adult relationships, belonging, and leadership development... Read More →
Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Ziock Ballroom A
  Breakout 1

10:00am CDT

The Power of Us in Action: Building Systems That Sustain Relationships
Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Talcott
Relationships are often cited as the heart of effective schools—but too often, relationship-building exists as isolated strategies rather than intentional, sustainable systems. This session explores how schools can move beyond individual practices to create cohesive, school-wide structures that prioritize connection, collective efficacy, and shared responsibility for student and staff well-being.


Grounded in evidence-based SEL and leadership research, participants will examine how relational practices can be embedded into existing systems such as behavior supports, instructional routines, professional learning communities, and staff collaboration structures. Through real-world scenarios and guided reflection, attendees will identify leverage points within their own schools to strengthen relational culture without adding “one more thing” to already full plates.


Participants will leave with practical tools to assess current systems, align relational practices across roles, and design next steps that elevate the collective impact of educators—because sustainable change happens when we lead together.
Speakers
avatar for Amanda Mathews

Amanda Mathews

5th Grade Teacher, Rockton School District 140 - Whitman Post Elementary School
Amanda Mathews is an experienced elementary educator and instructional leader with over 10 years of classroom teaching experience. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education as well as a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and brings a practitioner’s lens to... Read More →
Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Talcott 416 S Main St, Rockford, IL 61101
  Breakout 1

10:00am CDT

Whose Story Is This? Integrating SEL into Literacy Through Character Analysis
Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Ziock Ballroom B
Literacy instruction is one of the most powerful (and natural) spaces for social-emotional learning. This 60-minute session supports literacy educators and instructional coaches in intentionally integrating SEL into content instruction by leveraging Common Core character development standards to build empathy and perspective-taking.


Grounded in the CASEL competencies of Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Self-Awareness, participants will explore how read-alouds, close reading, and text-based discussions can help students analyze characters’ emotions, motivations, and decisions in ways that deepen both comprehension and social understanding. Educators will experience modeled strategies, three interactive discussion protocols (differentiated for elementary and secondary), and planning tools that align SEL outcomes with existing literacy goals, without adding new curriculum or instructional time.


Participants will leave with ready-to-use discussion prompts and a activity planning framework that empowers students to better understand themselves, others, and the collective “us” within stories and beyond.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Donohoe

Courtney Donohoe

Program Manager - High School ELA/Founder, Cleveland Metropolitan School District/WellSpace Collaborative
Courtney Donohoe is the High School ELA Program Manager for Cleveland Metro Schools and founder of The WellSpace Collaborative, where she supports educators and students through effective literacy instruction, mindfulness, SEL, and instructional leadership practices. With a maste... Read More →
Tuesday June 9, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Ziock Ballroom B
  Breakout 1
 
2026 Summer Symposium
From $128.36

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Tuesday, June 9
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Munthe Room
Nelson Room
Talcott
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Ziock Ballroom
Ziock Ballroom A
Ziock Ballroom B
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