44th Annual Middle Level Conference & Exhibits: Full Schedule

8:30am EDT

Creating Culturally Proficient Educators

Monday March 24, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Grand Ballroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Attendees will understand the definition and theory of cultural proficiency and learn practical classroom applications for identifying and addressing microaggressions. This is a high-energy, interactive keynote where participants will be able to raise questions, discuss challenges in real-time, and discuss the next steps for their school.

Speakers

Dr. Kalise Wornum

KW Diversity Co.

Monday March 24, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

General Session

Company KW Diversity

9:30am EDT

Coffee Break with the Exhibitors

Monday March 24, 2025 9:30am - 10:00am EDT

Grand Ballroom Foyer (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Thank you to the American College of Education for sponsoring our Monday Coffee Break! Also, please take time to visit with our exhibitors.

Monday March 24, 2025 9:30am - 10:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Foyer (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

9:30am EDT

Graduate Credit Meeting

Monday March 24, 2025 9:30am - 10:00am EDT

Executive Boardroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Interested in earning Graduate Credit for attending the conference, come to this session and learn more!

Monday March 24, 2025 9:30am - 10:00am EDT
Executive Boardroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

10:00am EDT

11 - Empowering Students to Explore STEM Careers with Learning Blade's Free Resources

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

King George North (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

Students can't be what they can't see. This session discusses the reasons students do not pursue STEM careers and provides strategies to foster career exploration. Using Learning Blade's classroom enrichment tools (funded for MA schools), students learn about CTE & STEM pathways while applying Math, Science, Social Studies, and ELA skills.

Speakers

Taylor True

State Manager - Massachusetts, Learning Blade

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
King George North (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

Strand A

Company Learning Blade

10:00am EDT

12 - Multidisciplinary Lessons for a Sustainable World

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

King George South (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

Environmental themes can build content knowledge and skills across the curriculum. In this hands-on session, engage in 3D modeling, simulations relevant to life sciences, geography, and real-world math. Help students explore timely topics including climate, biodiversity, land and water use, population trends, and paths to a sustainable future.

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
King George South (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

Strand A

Company Nature's Classroom

10:00am EDT

2 - Building an Interconnectedness of Ideas and Real-World Connections in the Math Class

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Highland (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

How do you make concepts relatable and relevant for students? Participants in this session will develop a living tool to use with students that breaks down units into interconnected ideas, reinforces their learning daily, and bridges the gap between classroom instruction and real-world applications.

Speakers

Lee Leon

Instructional Coach, Noble Middle School

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Highland (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

Company Noble Middle School

10:00am EDT

9 - Igniting Student Motivation

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

King Edward East (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Explore strategies to help all students experience motivation in your class. These strategies include speaking motivationally about academic work; incorporating reflection and goal-setting; supporting students to connect the academic work to their own experiences, interests and goals; and engaging in effective teacher-student coaching conversations.

Speakers

James Simons

Co-Director, cor creative partners

James Simons loves school. Prior to co-founding cor creative partners, James Simons served as a high school principal and dean of students, an instructional coach, a middle and high school English teacher, a visual storyteller, and a writer. In his current role, James coaches school... Read More →

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
King Edward East (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

Company cor creative partners

10:00am EDT

1 - Student Study Teams within MTSS (The Why to the How.)

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Charles (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Student Study Teams (SST) are collaborative groups within the MTSS framework that address students' academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. This session will explain how the SSTs work within West Springfield Middle School, from early development to full implementation, with tangible takeaways for those ready to create a SST at their building.

Speakers

Nicole Manning

Vice Principal (Grade 7), West Springfield Middle School

I have been a Vice Principal for 6 years at the Middle School, and prior to that was a middle level history teacher for 12 years. In my current position, I am responsible for Curriculum & Instruction at the building level.

Peter Lantaigne

Vice Principal (Grade 8), West Springfield Middle School

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Charles (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

Company West Springfield Middle School

10:00am EDT

13 - Level Up Your Summer: Integrating Experiential SEL into ESSA/ESY Programs

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Kilkenny (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Join The Browne Center as we explore our groundbreaking ESSA/ESY social-emotional learning initiative. Lead Facilitator Hannah and Program Designer Andrew will present what we've done, how we did it, and experientially explore how you can do this, too! Come with questions, and leave with tools and ideas!

Speakers

Andrew Wood

Youth Programs Coordinator, University of New Hampshire - Browne Center for Innovative Learning

Hannah Cashin

Lead Facilitator, University of New Hampshire - Browne Center for Innovative Learning

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Kilkenny (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

Company The Browne Center for Innovative Learning at The University of New Hampshire

10:00am EDT

6 - Middle School Advisory - How to Design a Whole-School SEL Program

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Worthy (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

A small group of staff from Walpole Elementary School, a grades 5-8 school in Walpole, NH, started their journey towards building their advisory program at NELMS a few years back. This is the story of what we have done to create an SEL based program for the entire school.

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Worthy (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

Company Walpole Schools

10:00am EDT

10 - Flipping the Planning Script: Using a Skill-forward Inquiry Approach in Social Studies

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

King Edward West (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Flip your planning script! Skills-based knowledge is essential to empower our learners today to take action in their worlds. Come to this session to learn how to prioritize skills through inquiry over content.

Speakers

Brandie Burrows

Librarian, Frank H. Harrison Middle School

Meghan Haugevik

Grade 6, Frank H. Harrison Middle School

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
King Edward West (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand C

Company Frank H. Harrison Middle School

10:00am EDT

3 - Defining and Addressing Implicit Bias and Racial Microaggressions

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Mahogany (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

As educators, we must understand the impact racial microaggressions have on teaching and learning while developing an intellectual identity. Teachers must do the arduous personal work of addressing their own implicit bias while creating psychologically safe classrooms. This session is designed to allow participants to gain a clear understanding of how to interrupt microaggressions while preserving relationships.

Speakers

Dr. Kalise Wornum

KW Diversity Co.

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Mahogany (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand C

Company KW Diversity

10:00am EDT

21 - Young Adolescent Development Quiz: What You Wish You Knew, and Its Practical Implications

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Longford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

You’ve taught for years and know students well, but what’s the latest research on their physical, socioemotional, cognitive, and identity development? How might you treat students differently, change classroom instruction, or adjust school policies if you knew the latest about their growth? Take this quiz to learn about new strategies.

Speakers

Dave Brown

Educational Researcher, Vermont Association for Middle Level Education

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Longford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand D

Company Vermont Association for Middle Level Education

10:00am EDT

14 - Fostering Extraordinary Leadership Among Staff and Students: BARR at Mt. Blue Middle School

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Waterford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Embracing the value of leadership in education and empowering students and teachers to champion their own leadership promotes both student and school success. Through the implementation of BARR, involving both systemic and relationship-based approaches, one rural Maine school shares their experience enhancing outcomes and fostering new leaders in their community.

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Waterford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand E

Company Mt Blue Middle School & BARR Center/Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

10:00am EDT

5 - Teacher Retention: What's the Problem?

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Stonehaven (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Low teacher retention rates impact students everywhere. This session will highlight research regarding teacher job satisfaction, as well as leadership practices that contribute and detract from it. Participants will interact with the research and leave with leadership strategies that may effectively enhance teacher job satisfaction and increase teacher retention rates.

Speakers

Melissa Moultroup

Language Arts (6), Hillsboro-Deering Middle School

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Stonehaven (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand E

Company Hillsboro-Deering Middle School

10:00am EDT

8 - Discovering Student Leaders Through Communication Exercises: A Practical Approach

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Longford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

During our school’s “team week”, in physical education, students learn to put "we before me" in a series of tasks that demand teamwork and flawless communication. These cooperative games set the tone for the year as students learn to communicate, lead, and follow. Come and experience team week for yourself.

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Longford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand F

Company Athol-Royalston Middle School

10:00am EDT

4 - Inspire, Engage, and Connect: Experiential, Brain-Based Techniques to Integrate Community Building, Social and Emotional Learning, and Academics

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 12:15pm EDT

Monarch (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Join this interactive session and fill your toolbox with brain-based techniques to cultivate engagement, belonging, and empower student voice and ownership of learning. Build a connected and supportive community. Integrate academics with SEL. Take away creative inspiration and practical methods to enhance involvement and retention in academics, advisory, and groupwork.

Monday March 24, 2025 10:00am - 12:15pm EDT
Monarch (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

Company Experiential Tools

11:10am EDT

16 - Curriculum Connections for Out of School Excursions

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

Highland (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Would you like to explore engaging and educational approaches to creating excursions outside of your classroom that will create lifelong memories for students? We can show you how! Walk away with exciting and interactive activities to bring more content and curricular connections to your field trips! Come join us!

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
Highland (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

11:10am EDT

22 - Savvy Communicators: Teaching Students to Produce Quality Content

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

King Edward East (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Increasingly, educators share concerns regarding deficits in their students’ communication skills. In this session, we’ll explore a series of instructional practices designed to help students become critical consumers of media, quality producers of media, and savvy communicators.

Speakers

Alexandra Huggins

Lead Literacy Specialist, Savvas Learning Company

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
King Edward East (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

11:10am EDT

24 - Unforgettable, Customized & Unique Student Tours...Take your Classroom on the Road!

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

King George North (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

Taunya has built unique itineraries for students throughout New England, the nation and Globe for more than 22 years. Students and teachers alike walk away with unforgettable experiences that last a lifetime. Wolfe Tours' full service approach allows teachers and chaperones to focus on students and not logistics.

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
King George North (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

Strand A

11:10am EDT

27 - From Pages to Programming: Redesigning the Book Project

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

Waterford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Explore the intersection of ELA and Computer Science in middle school classrooms! This session showcases a project where students analyzed literary conflict and programed robots to depict key scenes. Attendees will have the chance to experiment with programming, discovering how coding can transform stories into dynamic, interactive experiences.

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
Waterford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

11:10am EDT

15 - Reaching the Child, Connecting the Staff, Enriching the Community

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

Charles (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Explore how innovative enrichment programming helps connect students to staff, increase attendance and boost morale. Follow the journey of one Maine middle school's mission to increase student attendance that lead to positive community through enrichment. This session allows educators to face scheduling roadblocks, create an action plan and share possibilities.

Speakers

John Nye

Science/Social Studies (7), Loranger Memorial School

Tisha Kuchta

Language Arts/Social Studies (7), Loranger Memorial School

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
Charles (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

11:10am EDT

19 - Therapy Dogs in Schools

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

Worthy (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

This workshop focuses on the benefits of Animal Assisted Learning and the many benefits of having certified dogs and handlers available to students and staff. The focus is for staff partnered teams and addresses volunteer teams. Discussions include choosing the right partner, training, the certification process and insurance.

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
Worthy (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

11:10am EDT

26 - Ripple Effects: Fostering Self-Reflection and Collaboration with Trusted Adults

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

Kilkenny (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Ripple Effects explores activities and opportunities to foster self-reflection, strengthen connections with trusted adults, and build peer collaboration. Participants will gain practical strategies, hands-on activities, and take-home ideas to promote teamwork, emotional well-being, and inclusivity in their schools.

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
Kilkenny (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

11:10am EDT

17 - Invisible, Hypervisible, or simply Visible: Non-Binary Identities in Middle Schools

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

Mahogany (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

What should middle level educators and students know about non-binary identities? How can we make our schools safe for non-binary students and employees? This presentation/discussion will offer some answers and also create space for participants to share their knowledge and experiences as well.

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
Mahogany (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand C

11:10am EDT

23 - Navigating the Shifting Tides of DEI: Charting a Course for Success

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

King Edward West (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

In this engaging session, we embark on a journey to navigate the shifting discussion on DEI. Change is a constant, and as the tides shift, so do opportunities. This session is designed to equip participants to navigate the ocean of change, harnessing ideas to sail smoothly and chart clear pathways for our schools.

Speakers

Amy Kahn

President, William Howard Taft University

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
King Edward West (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand C

11:10am EDT

18 - Supporting New Teachers so They Don't Run Away!

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

Stonehaven (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Teachers are exiting the world of education at alarming rates. When they leave, they’re exhausted, frustrated, and angry. How do we stem this tide? How do we save our teachers in order to save our schools? This presentation will examine specific skills and mindsets that new teachers must develop in order to love their jobs, as well as ways that colleagues and leaders can help them in this development.

Speakers

Timothy Allen

Professor, School of Education, American International College

Exhibitors

Timothy Allen

Professor, School of Education, American International College

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
Stonehaven (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand E

11:10am EDT

20 - Aspiring to be a Middle Level Administrator

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

Executive Boardroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

"The Successful Middle School” states Effective Leadership is critical to a school's success. The question that needs to be addressed is, so what is effective “middle level” leadership? Interested in becoming an administrator? Join veteran administrators Bob Griffin, Scott Clayton, and Jeff Rodman for an in-depth discussion on middle level leadership.

Speakers

Robert Griffin

Principal, Haverhill Cooperative Middle School

Jeff Rodman

Executive Director, New England League of Middle Schools

Founded in 1974, the New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS) is a non-profit organization founded with the purpose of fostering general improvement of education for middle level students and educators. NELMS is committed to a concept of quality education for the pre and early... Read More →

Monday March 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
Executive Boardroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand E

12:10pm EDT

Lunch Pick-Up/Visit Exhibits

Monday March 24, 2025 12:10pm - 1:30pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Foyer (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

If you ordered lunch, your name badge will have your lunch ticket on it.

Monday March 24, 2025 12:10pm - 1:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Foyer (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

12:30pm EDT

The Struggle is Real: But it Doesn't Have to be so Hard

Monday March 24, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT

Grand Ballroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Our students have changed. Educators at every level are exhausted, spread too thin and in the burnout cycle of battling every day for cooperation, engagement and calm. This keynote will help educators feel reenergized and rediscover their enthusiasm and joy! They’ll smile, laugh (a lot) and walk out saying, “That’s exactly what I needed to hear today.” As a veteran educator, with 26 years working with students, Molly speaks to teachers’ hearts, so they feel seen, valued and celebrated. The ripple effect means even greater student success.

Speakers

Molly Kennedy

Speaker/Author/Educator, Molly Kennedy Productions, LLC

Molly Kennedy has dedicated the past 26 years to empowering people to have more resilience, confidence and learning to leverage their adversity into results.Challenges and trauma followed Molly throughout her life. She grew up in a dysfunctional family with addiction, divorce, neglect... Read More →

Monday March 24, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Luncheon Keynote

Company Molly Kennedy Speaks

1:40pm EDT

29 - Supporting Math in a Family and Consumer Sciences Intervention Block - A Flexible Hands-On Project.

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT

Highland (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

A pixel art project that meets FACS, Math, and other curriculum standards. Participants will create a sample during this session. Fun and interactive project, with phenomenal student “buy-in”/ positive response. Hint: math facts, FACS, graph paper, fuze beads, irons… piqued your interest?

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT
Highland (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

1:40pm EDT

30 - Bring Learning to Life with Meaningful and Engaging Reflection Tools and Techniques

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT

Mahogany (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Join this interactive workshop and take advantage of teachable moments with engaging student-centered reflection techniques. Enliven the traditional sharing circle with active, brain-based methods including movement, metaphor, art, and “warm-welcome” and “optimistic-closing” activities to increase emotional connection, relevancy, and depth-of-understanding. Create lasting lessons and help students become lifelong reflective learners.

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT
Mahogany (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

1:40pm EDT

36 - Respectful Foundational Literacy Skills Instruction for Adolescent Learners

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT

King Edward East (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

All adolescents deserve the chance to learn to read and spell proficiently. Some struggle with foundational skills, but adolescence offers opportunities for growth. This session introduces a structured literacy approach, focusing on word study to improve decoding and spelling. The goal is to build independence and master grade-level standards.

Speakers

Elizabeth Schaper

Literacy Advisor, Wilson Language Training

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT
King Edward East (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

1:40pm EDT

38 - Reading Games For Every Learner

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT

King George North (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

In this session, teachers will participate in a series of hands-on activities to engage learners in the four areas of reading: phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Come ready to move and play as you practice ways to incorporate reading games in your classroom.

Speakers

Christina Ziegler

Reading Consultant, Captain Nathan Hale Middle School

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT
King George North (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

Strand A

1:40pm EDT

39 - The American Identity: A Study of Self and Society

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT

King George South (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

In the age of selfies, we constantly construct and reconstruct our images - how can educators tap into that so students think more deeply about our shared past and their place in the present? We created a cross-curricular unit on portraiture in colonial America and modern self-portraiture to explore this question.

Speakers

Deidre Whall

Library Media Specialist, Cooperative Middle School

Amy McEnaney

Art, Cooperative Middle School

Caroline Siecke

Social Studies, Cooperative Middle School

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT
King George South (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

Strand A

1:40pm EDT

28 - Trauma-Informed Practices: Strategies for Educators and Support Staff

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT

Charles (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Educators play a pivotal role supporting children through a trauma-informed lens. This presentation will provide an overview of trauma, focusing on the latest research. Strengths-based practices are highlighted as a school-based intervention to foster resiliency and post-traumatic growth. Participants will leave with a strong understanding of the components of trauma-informed care within school systems.

Speakers

Stephanie Kadden

School Counselor, Oyster River Middle School

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT
Charles (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

1:40pm EDT

33 - Hive Time: An Interactive Approach to Social, Emotional Lessons.

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT

Worthy (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Hive Time is an alternative approach to teaching social emotional lessons (SEL). This group provides our seventh grade students with skills that go beyond academic knowledge, on topics such as emotional regulation, relationship building, and coping skills. We lead SEL curriculum through a variety of activities, games and interactive lectures.

Speakers

Shannon McGrane

Social Worker, The Gilbert School

Michaela Cutarelli

Social Worker, The Gilbert School

Jason Cerbone

Social Worker, The Gilbert School

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT
Worthy (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

1:40pm EDT

37 - Using Portfolios and Student-Led Conferences to Increase Student Voice and Choice

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT

King Edward West (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Participants in this workshop will learn about the process MCCPS uses to develop student portfolios beginning in grade 4, and using through grade 8. Using Google Sites, students are supported as they develop their portfolios and provided with many opportunities for personalization, reflection and growth. Each portfolio shows their growth over time and incorporates goal setting, then with support of a member of the faculty, students present their learning to important people in their life.

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT
King Edward West (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand C

1:40pm EDT

32 - Ditching Divide and Conquer: Embracing the Most Effective, Reflective, and Fun Approach to Collaboration!

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT

Stonehaven (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

We will share our collaborative approach to professional learning, building capacity, organizational strategies & structures, and leadership. We will help all educators in all roles show how Ditching Divide & Conquer will help tackle challenges & yield better outcomes for kids, less teacher burnout, and create more fun!

Speakers

Katie Laird

Assistant Principal, Hillcrest Middle School

Bryan Rickert

Principal, Hillcrest Middle School

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT
Stonehaven (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand E

1:40pm EDT

41 - Restorative Practices: Students as Mentors

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT

Waterford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Middle level students are tremendous leaders and their talents can help shift and shape school culture; in this session, participants will learn how to create a ready-to-launch restorative mentoring program that focuses on building social and academic culture in school.

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT
Waterford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand E

1:40pm EDT

35 - Parent University: Bridging School and Home

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT

Longford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Discover how Austin Prep developed a robust parent education series for middle school families. Learn about their approach to planning, promoting, delivering, and assessing "Parent University," which offered sessions on relevant adolescent development topics. Gain insights into strengthening school-home connections and empowering families with valuable information to support their children's growth.

Speakers

Michael McLaughlin

Head of Middle School, Austin Preparatory School

Michael McLaughlin is the Head of Middle School at Austin Preparatory School, a 6-12 Catholic independent school in the tradition of Saint Augustine located in Reading, Massachusetts. McLaughlin serves on the Board of Directors of the New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS... Read More →

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm EDT
Longford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand F

1:40pm EDT

34 - More than a Lecture: Bringing History to Life

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 4:30pm EDT

Executive Boardroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Reading, writing, lectures…teaching History can feel redundant. “More than a Lecture…Bringing History to Life” focuses on providing practical ideas and resources for your classroom! The session includes an interactive presentation to provide audience members an opportunity to collaborate and put new ideas into practice for their own classroom. (This is a two-part session.)

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 4:30pm EDT
Executive Boardroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

1:40pm EDT

31 - Culture Building by Design: Practices to Build and Maintain Positive School Climate

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 4:30pm EDT

Monarch (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

In this interactive workshop we will create shared understanding of school/organizational culture. Attendees will ideate and share their experiences with workplace rituals and culture (healthy as well as not) and begin to develop a tool kit to enhance and increase positive culture in their schools/districts.

Speakers

Josina Garnham

Executive Director, University of New Hampshire - Browne Center for Innovative Learning

Jeff Frigon

Youth Programs Coordinator, University of New Hampshire - Browne Center for Innovative Learning

Jeff Frigon is the Youth & Student Programs Coordinator for The Browne Center for Innovative Learning and an Adjunct Instructor at UNH in the Departments of Kinesiology & Rec Management & Policy and delivers adventure-based experiential programming & training to youth and adults... Read More →

Monday March 24, 2025 1:40pm - 4:30pm EDT
Monarch (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

2:50pm EDT

Ice Cream Social/Meet & Greet with Exhibitors

Monday March 24, 2025 2:50pm - 3:20pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Foyer (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

A Special Thank You to our Ice Cream Social Sponsor SubZero for making and serving their amazing ice cream made with the help of nitrogen! And please take time to visit with our exhibitors who have joined us!

Monday March 24, 2025 2:50pm - 3:20pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Foyer (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

3:30pm EDT

43 - Fun in School: Brain Science and Student Engagement

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

Highland (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

What is the connection between fun and learning? It's brain science! This session will review the way our brains learn and how fun enhances that process. Participants will share, borrow, and steal brain-based strategies for having fun while learning that can be applied to classrooms and schools.

Speakers

Melissa Moultroup

Language Arts (6), Hillsboro-Deering Middle School

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Highland (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

3:30pm EDT

44 - 'Why me?' vs. 'WATCH ME!'

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

Mahogany (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

This interactive session will be a deeper dive from Molly's keynote to help you manage all of the things on your plate. You will have time to plan how you will apply those skills and strategies and feel empowered when you return to your students. It will be a relaxed, fun and meaningful work and social session.

Speakers

Molly Kennedy

Speaker/Author/Educator, Molly Kennedy Productions, LLC

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Mahogany (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

3:30pm EDT

47 - Unlocking the Potential in ALL Students - 30 strategies You Can Use Tomorrow

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

Longford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

This fast-paced presentation covers 30 instructional strategies designed to boost student engagement, support differentiation, encourage collaboration and communication, and foster an inclusive learning environment, ensuring all students are motivated, challenged, and actively involved in their educational journey.

Speakers

Susanna Sharpe

Instructional Coach, Biddeford Middle School

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Longford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

3:30pm EDT

48 - Teaching Collaboration Skills to Middle School Students

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

King Edward East (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Participants engage in collaborative group work with the goal of preparing to support students to do the same. Participants adopt group roles, co-construct a group contract, share about their experiences facilitating student collaboration, and then work together to strategize and make plans for successful student collaboration in their classrooms.

Speakers

Maureen Chapman

Co-Director, cor creative partners

I love school. At cor creative partners, we provide joyful professional development to support integrating SEL + Academics, developing leadership, curriculum and pedagogy, and the Investigating History curriculum.

James Simons

Co-Director, cor creative partners

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
King Edward East (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

3:30pm EDT

51 - AI Tools for Teachers

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

King George South (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

We will learn about the most popular tools and applications for AI in the classroom environment, including tools for both teachers and students to use to enhance the learning experience and prepare for the Brave New World of artificial intelligence and large language models.

Speakers

Deidre Whall

Library Media Specialist, Cooperative Middle School

Daniel Stowell

Language Arts (8), Cooperative Middle School

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
King George South (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

Strand A

3:30pm EDT

53 - Actively Implementing and Assessing the Vision of the Graduate with Personal Interest Projects

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

Waterford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

As Visions of the Graduate have taken root across CT, there’s been a greater emphasis on learning transferable skills over content standards, however assessing student progress with these skills remains challenging. Portland Middle is using a Middle School Capstone and Student Success Plans as student benchmarks along the VoG continuum.

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Waterford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

3:30pm EDT

42 - Moving Away from Homerooms: Building Community through Advisory

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

Charles (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

One of the best changes we have made at Gilford Middle School was transitioning from homerooms to advisories. The benefits of advisories at the middle school have been a highlight for all of us and we would love to share our best practices so they can be utilized in your school.

Speakers

Jessica Bishop

Assistant Principal, Gilford Middle School

Tara Brosius

Principal, Gilford Middle School

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Charles (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

3:30pm EDT

46 - Dogs in Schools and How to Start a Therapy Dog Program in Your School

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

Worthy (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Students benefit from spending time with dogs, who love unconditionally and help break down social barriers, provide comfort for emotional dis-regulation, and offer breaks from the stressors of a typical school day. Meet Therapy Dog Betty and learn how one district has implemented a Therapy Dog Program and how to start one at your school.

Speakers

Michelle Karb

Principal, Robert E. Melican Middle School

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Worthy (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

3:30pm EDT

52 - 15 Minutes to Thrive: Build Your School's Culture and Climate!

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

Kilkenny (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Join us for an insightful conversation on the new Middle School Advisory model, designed to foster student growth and engagement. Explore its structure, implementation strategies, and sample lessons. We’ll also share data demonstrating its positive impact on student outcomes. Discover how this model can transform middle school education!

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Kilkenny (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

3:30pm EDT

49 - Building Relationships that Motivate Students of ALL Backgrounds

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

King Edward West (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Many schools are focused on equity, yet they struggle to form relationships with their students of color. They know the buzzwords, they’ve increased representation in curriculum, and they’ve had professional development, yet minute-to-minute they struggle to connect with diverse students. This presentation will help schools and educators move past this point. A framework for supporting students of color at all age levels will be discussed, including a progression of support which helps students becoming independent learners.

Exhibitors

Timothy Allen

Professor, School of Education, American International College

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
King Edward West (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand C

3:30pm EDT

45 - Peer Mentor/Tutor Programming

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

Stonehaven (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Discover how high school National Honor Society students mentor middle school students to enhance academic success, build connections, and inspire motivation. This program fosters collaboration, emotional support, and leadership development. Learn how mentorship boosts student confidence, strengthens school community ties, and creates meaningful opportunities for personal growth and academic achievement.

Speakers

Joe Rider

School Counselor, Bow Memorial School

Monday March 24, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Stonehaven (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand E

5:30pm EDT

NELMS 50th Anniversary Party

Monday March 24, 2025 5:30pm - 9:30pm EDT

White Lion Brewing Company

Monday March 24, 2025 5:30pm - 9:30pm EDT
White Lion Brewing Company 1500 Main St, Springfield, MA 01103, USA

8:30am EDT

The Literacy Lessons I Learned from Hamilton

Tuesday March 25, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Grand Ballroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

The Pulitzer Prize winning play by Lin-Manuel Miranda has lessons to teach us all about passion, creativity, genre, and the process of writing. Each year we can help students construct identities of power and opportunity, to challenge themselves as readers and writers, and to act with agency in our classrooms. We will unpack the classroom conditions and practices that are grounded in key principles for motivation: relevance, engagement, and community.

Speakers

Penny Kittle

Speaker, Heinemann

Tuesday March 25, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Grand Ballroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

General Session

Company Heinemann

9:30am EDT

Coffee Break with the Exhibitors

Tuesday March 25, 2025 9:30am - 10:00am EDT

Grand Ballroom Foyer (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Thank you to the Milton Hershey School for sponsoring our Monday Coffee Break! Also, please take time to visit with our exhibitors.

Tuesday March 25, 2025 9:30am - 10:00am EDT
Grand Ballroom Foyer (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

10:00am EDT

55 - Meaningful Math RTI - Data Collection is Key!

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Highland (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Do you have students who are one or more years behind in math? Do you struggle with how to meaningfully remediate math skills for these students? We will discuss: “mastery” math content, identifying gaps/holes in learning, collection/management of student data, parent communication, scheduling, progress monitoring, and much more.

Speakers

Keli Greene

Math (8), Indian River School

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Highland (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

10:00am EDT

56 - Micro Mentor Texts: Using Short Passages from Great Books to Teach Writer’s Craft

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Mahogany (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

We all want students who write clearly and powerfully. We can teach this through daily practice with passages from books and a close look at the decisions authors make to craft those texts. We lead students to see a book as a treasure chest of writing craft moves—the moves that skilled writers use. Students will learn and practice a wide range of writing skills from grammar in context, varied sentence patterns—both the art and feel of cohesion and style—as well as all the ways a writer is an artist of words. We have the power to fundamentally change the way students understand writing. Come to study and write together.

Speakers

Penny Kittle

Speaker, Heinemann

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Mahogany (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

10:00am EDT

58 - (Some) AI Is Your Friend

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Stonehaven (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Now that the hype is over, it is time to figure out how generative AI can support teaching and learning. This session presents several strategies for integrating generative AI as a cognitive tool into lessons and your work as an educator.

Speakers

Gary Ackerman

Director, Teaching & Learning Innovation, Greenfield Community College

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Stonehaven (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

10:00am EDT

61 - Physics and Chemistry are -321 Degrees COOL!

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Longford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

A STEM enrichment program we can bring to your classroom! Includes an in-depth look at the States of Matter, the relationship between volume, pressure, and temperature, explain what a "Dewar" is, discuss wavelength, and even the Leidenfrost Effect using interactive visual experiments using liquid nitrogen! SO COOL! End the workshop with a delicious treat!

Speakers

Rita McCabe

Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream

Mark McCabe

Co-Owner, Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Longford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

10:00am EDT

64 - Mapping the Future: Building Career-Focused Pathways in Middle Schools

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

King George North (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

Join our dynamic workshop to explore the middle school Career and Technical Education (CTE) landscape in your state. Discover proven strategies for career-focused programs, create personalized roadmaps, and leave with actionable steps to implement future-ready courses that equip students for success in high school, college, and beyond.

Speakers

Will Wilson

Director of Educational Partnerships, Virtual Enterprises International, Inc.

Nothing is more satisfying to me than talking to teachers, parents, and business professionals who say, “I wish I had VE when I was in school!” Before joining VE, I was a classroom teacher and curriculum facilitator in the Career and Technical Education Department at Broward County... Read More →

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
King George North (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

Strand A

10:00am EDT

65 - Collaborative Connections Across Curriculums!

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

King George South (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

Do you struggle to collaborate successfully across content areas? Come to our workshop-style presentation to hear and experience effective collaboration strategies, sample lessons across content areas, and build your confidence in networking yourself with your colleagues!

Speakers

Brandie Burrows

Librarian, Frank H. Harrison Middle School

Meghan Haugevik

Grade 6, Frank H. Harrison Middle School

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
King George South (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

Strand A

10:00am EDT

54 - Empowerment in Action: The Dynamic Duo of Mediated Learning, & Restorative Practices

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Charles (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Unlocking Potential: The Fusion of Mediated Learning, Executive Functioning, and Restorative Practices- Illustrates the connection between mediated learning, executive functioning, and restorative behavior practices, emphasizing their combined benefits in building trust, supporting self-regulation, and fostering community and independent learners.

Speakers

Christina Lamphere

Education Director, Ben Bronz Academy

Cynthia Fries

Assistant Education Director, Ben Bronz Academy

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Charles (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

10:00am EDT

66 - Building Empathy with Staff/Colleagues: Activities and Tactics to Build Community

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Kilkenny (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Community building with staff and colleagues usually elicits overt eye-rolling worthy of many of our students. This active workshop session will model and experientially reinforce an intentional sequence of engaging activities specifically designed to be easily accessible, fun, relevant, scalable, and replicable.

Speakers

Jeff Frigon

Youth Programs Coordinator, University of New Hampshire - Browne Center for Innovative Learning

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Kilkenny (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

10:00am EDT

62 - I’m Confused About How to Talk About Race: Strategies for Holding Essential Conversations

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

King Edward East (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Remember all those conversations you had about race as a teen? Me neither! Students with dark skin are the majority and need race conversations. Attend this session to learn strategies that promote critical race discussions leading to healthier development of Students of the Global Majority and all other students.

Speakers

Dave Brown

Educational Researcher, Vermont Association for Middle Level Education

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
King Edward East (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand C

10:00am EDT

63 - School-Based Mentoring Interventions and Supports

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

King Edward West (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

The Academic Leadership Association’s award-winning program empowers youth to create positive change within themselves and their communities through mentoring, literacy, and self-advocacy, while addressing their social-emotional needs. We provide tiered interventions, support staff, students, and families, and foster connections through home visits, community outings, and vacation camps, bridging school, family, and community.

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
King Edward West (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand C

10:00am EDT

59 - Inspired Educational Leader, Engaged and Connected Teams: Experiential, Brain-Based Approaches to Building Community, Enlivening Meetings, and Facilitating Meaningful Professional Learning

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Worthy (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Join this interactive session and take away practical brain-based techniques to inspire, engage, connect and empower your faculty and professional learning teams. Explore experiential engagement, reflection, and community-building strategies to enliven meetings and inspire meaningful dialogue, involvement, and collaboration with adult learners. Create lasting lessons and cultivate a shared positive and collaborative vision for your teams. Gain inspiration, new perspectives, and connections with other leaders.

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Worthy (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand E

10:00am EDT

57 - Social Emotional Learning in Action

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 12:10pm EDT

Monarch (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Join The Browne Center for two hours of play and learning, as we walk through a series of intentionally-sequenced experiential SEL activities which you can transfer directly to your classroom. Inspired by our full-day professional development workshop, part of the University of New Hampshire's SEL Certificate program.

Speakers

Andrew Wood

Youth Programs Coordinator, University of New Hampshire - Browne Center for Innovative Learning

Tuesday March 25, 2025 10:00am - 12:10pm EDT
Monarch (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

11:10am EDT

71 - Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Perseverance Activities (Classroom Openers)

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

Stonehaven (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Discover engaging activities to launch your class with a focus on critical thinking, problem solving, and perseverance. Learn strategies to inspire curiosity, foster resilience, and build a strong foundation for student success from minute one. You will come away with ready to use activities.

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
Stonehaven (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand A

11:10am EDT

78 - Banish Boring Personal Narratives with Tiny Books!

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

King George South (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

Personal narratives are a cornerstone of LA scope and sequences; yet, these units do not drive deep student thinking. Learn how to utilize a mentor text, tiny books, and various art mediums to create an innovative narrative unit! Leave with ideas on to increase student empathy and passion around storytelling, as well as how visuals and graphics can showcase learning.

Speakers

Meghan Haugevik

Grade 6, Frank H. Harrison Middle School

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
King George South (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Plac

Strand A

11:10am EDT

68 - Using Neuroscience to Empower Complex Learners, Increase Teacher Agency & Reduce Special Ed Costs

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

Charles (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Learn about a research-backed approach that is proving successful at reducing or even removing learning disabilities, and transforming social learners into social leaders. Participants will learn a new, neuroscience-based framework for re-understanding student behaviors, school refusal and differentiation in bright and gifted kids.

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
Charles (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

11:10am EDT

76 - Team Building and SEL Through Outdoor Education

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

King Edward West (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Outdoor classroom will discuss how the four Cs: communication, cooperation, commitment, and care are the backbone of an outdoor education program that promotes enrichment through team building, SEL, and hands-on experiences.

Speakers

Bill Larson

Sales and Outreach Team Member, Outdoor Classroom

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
King Edward West (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

11:10am EDT

79 - Build a Thriving Advisory

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

Kilkenny (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

The need for a thriving advisory program is more necessary than ever. Students need to feel a connection with their school, and they need to be part of a supportive community. Advisory programs offer the structure to meet students' developmental needs. Come and see model advisory programs and discuss the key components of a program to bring back to your school.

Speakers

Christopher Pollet

Add junk Professor for SNHU, individual consultant, and member of the NELMS board

Robert Griffin

Principal, Haverhill Cooperative Middle School

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
Kilkenny (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand B

11:10am EDT

75 - A Critical Health Crisis: What Are You Doing to Protect Your Students?

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

King Edward East (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

How would you respond as an educator if you discovered that 10% of your students are experiencing daily bullying; from teachers? How can you positively impact a group of marginalized students of which almost half experience suicide ideation? Learn effective strategies you can use to help this population.

Speakers

Dave Brown

Educational Researcher, Vermont Association for Middle Level Education

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
King Edward East (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand C

11:10am EDT

74 - Understanding the Unique Needs of Young Adolescents: Empowerment through Mindfulness and Self-Awareness

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

Longford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Explore research-backed strategies to support young adolescents through mindfulness and empowerment. This interactive session equips educators with practical tools for understanding and meeting students' developmental needs, enhancing self-awareness, and fostering resilience and goal-setting skills that positively impact the classroom.

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
Longford (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand D

11:10am EDT

72 - When Every Path Leads to Leadership

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

Worthy (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Participants learn about the four conditions and practices that lead to a culture in which every educator and student acts as a leader. Participants unpack the skills of leadership and engage in an interactive “Spider Web” discussion to co-construct strategies for fostering leadership conditions and practices in their setting.

Speakers

Maureen Chapman

Co-Director, cor creative partners

James Simons

Co-Director, cor creative partners

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
Worthy (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand E

11:10am EDT

70 - High Performance Under Pressure: Tales from the Hardwood

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT

Mahogany (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Meet Andrew Marotta, leader of the Surviving & Thriving movement. He lives the words on his logo & strives to positively #IMPACT all he meets. Andrew dives deep into powerful stories and experiences from his time as a Division One men’s college basketball official. He will take you through the ups and downs, successes and failures, and the journey of trying to be the best you can be under the spotlight and intense scrutiny.

Speakers

Andrew Marotta

Keynote Speaker, Andrew Marotta, LLC

Join Andrew in this follow up to the 2023 Annual Conference keynote presentation. Andrew Marotta is a principal & former Men's Division 1 college basketball referee. He officiated in several major Division 1 conferences including the ACC, Atlantic 10, CAA, IVY & Patriot Leagues, and... Read More →

Tuesday March 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:10pm EDT
Mahogany (2nd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Strand F

12:10pm EDT

Lunch Pick-Up/Visit Exhibits

Tuesday March 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:30pm EDT

Grand Ballroom Foyer (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

If you ordered lunch, your name badge will have your lunch ticket on it.

Tuesday March 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom Foyer (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

12:30pm EDT

Be The ONE, Surviving & Thriving: Be the ONE that everyone wants to work with at school, at your business, and more.

Tuesday March 25, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT

Grand Ballroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Why do some people just stand out? Some just have that glow? Oh, they’re just born with that magnetic personality or that special talent. They’re so lucky that they can just ____(fill in the blank.) NO-they work at! They practice their skills. They learn from others. They work at bringing value and positive impact to others.

Join Andrew on this fun journey of exploring, dissecting, and diving deep into the strategies and intentional actions of being THAT one that people want to work with & be around. Andrew breaks down these topics and more in this session:

Connecting through stories.
Bring positive energy to the workplace.
Capitalizing on simple moments that can become important breakthroughs.
Taking care of yourself to bring your best self to your family and work.
Listening and being present for others.

Speakers

Andrew Marotta

Keynote Speaker, Andrew Marotta, LLC

Tuesday March 25, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Luncheon Keynote

Company Andrew Marotta, LLC

1:35pm EDT

Ignitors: Fast-Paced Strategies for Transforming Education

Tuesday March 25, 2025 1:35pm - 2:30pm EDT

Grand Ballroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

We saved the best for last! Our conference closes with a fast-paced, high-energy presentation that will give you several quick, easy, tangible takeaways for your classroom, school, or district. Our Board proudly presents our Ignitors! You won't want to miss this!

Tuesday March 25, 2025 1:35pm - 2:30pm EDT
Grand Ballroom (3rd floor) - Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place

Closing Session