Wednesday, June 11, 2025

STEAM Academy at McCluer South-Berkeley High School
201 Brotherton Lane, Ferguson, MO 63135

Our annual conference is designed to provide valuable professional development for support staff. With a variety of breakout sessions to choose from, attendees can personalize their learning experience to align with specific interests and professional goals. It also provides a forum to connect with others across the region who serve students behind the scenes fostering a stronger sense of community and the opportunity to exchange ideas.

Conference strands include:

• Culture and Climate – enabling the ability to create a positive work environment, supportive work culture and stronger communication skills
• Technology and Job Skills – strengthening practical skills on specific software, time management and other job-related skills
• Health and Wellness – emphasizing the importance of stress management, mindfulness and self-care to promote a healthy work-life balance

Support staff learn new skills that can be applied to their personal and professional life enabling them to be more effective and efficient in their everyday roles. They also leave inspired and energized knowing that they make a difference in the lives of students every day.

Keynote
The Irreplaceables: Role Players

Anyone who knows anything about how schools work knows that Support Staff are more than Support, they are Irreplaceable. They model hard work, commitment, selflessness and become the heroes in the story.  Jana Haywood, school administrator and author of Move Without the Ball - A Playbook for Success in Sports and Life will share valuable insights into the components that make up a high performing team and why every position matters, especially the one affectionately referred to as the “role player”. Gain tools and templates that can be implemented immediately when you return to your school district. By the end of this session, attendees will understand that no position is more important than the other and there is power in embracing the Leader Within us all.