BREAKOUT SESSIONS
60 and 90-minute session strands include Health and Wellness, Culture and Climate and Technology and Job Skills.
Culture & Climate
Building a School Community: Strategies for Cultivating Connections and Collaboration
Tanya Garcia and Stephanie Tuck, EducationPlus
Explore how support staff can create a positive and inclusive school environment that impacts student success and staff satisfaction. Grow a better understanding of how your role can have an impact and gain practical tools for building relationships and fostering collaboration.
DEIB and Me: Foundations for Success
Jen Tiller, JM Tiller Consulting
Most organizations recognize the importance of an intentional focus on DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging), creating long-range plans and embracing specific initiatives or strategies. While these are necessary first steps, we often fall short in helping individuals understand the significance of this focus, as well as opportunities to personally contribute. In this engaging session, we will explore WHY a focus on DEIB is critical and HOW we can create conditions to foster success.
Designing Your Work Life
Dawnette Wiskur, Rockwood School District
This session is based on the work of Bill Burnett and Dale Evans from Stanford University's Design School and their book, Designing Your Work Life. They use the design thinking process to help individuals "transform their work lives by designing and building a better and more meaningful job without having to quit and find a new one.” Engage in interactive activities that will allow for self-reflection and professional growth.
Escalations: Two Paths - Which Will You Take?
Bruce Hunter, EducationPlus
Explore the two paths to handling escalations and the impact each one makes on your ability to de-escalate volatile situations. Discover how your behavior can positively or negatively impact students' behavior in "heat of the moment" situations. Learn how to stay out of power struggles and take the path which is focused on bringing back peace.
Fantastic Strengths and Where to Find Them!
Erin Lawson, Orchard Farm School District
Attention all support staff! Join us for a magical journey of self-discovery as we delve into the mystical world of finding your strengths. Like the elusive creatures of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, our unique talents can be hidden within us, waiting to be discovered. With the help of the Sorting Hat, we will uncover our strengths and learn how to apply them to our daily lives. Come join us and unleash your inner wizard! Accio self-discovery!
Learn How to Pronounce International Names
Denise Mussman and Ron Klutho, University of Missouri – St. Louis
Students feel connection with those who can pronounce their names. However, international names are often tricky, and it can be embarrassing if you can’t say them clearly. By becoming familiar with how most languages spell consonant and vowel sounds, you will be better equipped to recognize and pronounce the names of your foreign-born students. At the end of this session, there will be an added overview of spelling and sounds of common languages of immigrants to the St. Louis area: Chinese, Bosnian, Russian, Arabic and more. Imagine how impressed your students will be!
Resolving Conflict with Radical Empathy
DeAun Blumberg, EducationPlus
In many cases, it is easy to be empathetic. We can see how another person is suffering and we just want to help. What do we do when it isn't so easy? What do we do when WE are feeling attacked? Learn how to activate radical empathy so that so that you can resolve conflicts more readily.
Tap into Your True Colors to Work Effectively as a Team
Natasha Fischer and Adam Gabris, Rockwood School District
Engage in activities to identify your personality style and how that impacts your work as a member of a team. Consider how to leverage the strengths of your personality style and how to recognize, accept and celebrate those on your team who have personality styles that do not match yours.
Useful Spanish Phrases for Everyday Interactions
Rob Greenhaw, EducationPlus and Anne Truran Together Language
Learn and practice several high-leverage Spanish phrases that can be used when greeting and interacting with Spanish-speaking students and parents. The phrases will be easy to learn, fun and prepare support staff to be welcoming and helpful to Spanish-speaking students and families.
Health & Wellness
Beginners Yoga
Linda Hoffey, Corporate Calm
Open your mind and body to the benefits of Yoga. Learn simple stretches with a touch of meditation to help relax after or before a long workday. Not only can Yoga increase muscle strength and reduce stress but can also improve energy and creativity.
Behavioral Health Awareness in the Workplace
Annie Merz, Personal Assistance Services EAP
This session will create awareness and provide information on mental health and mental illness. Learn how to support individuals who may be suicidal, distressed, or exhibiting erratic or aggressive behaviors.
Introduction to Mindfulness
Linda Hoffey, Corporate Calm
Learn how to take a breathwork break! Simple and easy breathing techniques to calm the mind, lessen anxiety, improve tranquility and ultimately improve your concentration. Learn how to slow your world down and concentrate on the power of breathing.
Make Time for Yourself: Self-Care & Wellness
Stephanie Madlinger, EducationPlus
In today's busy society, support staff are among the largest group of professionals who give OF themselves more than they provide FOR themselves. Learn how to balance your personal and professional self-care so you can increase wellness for all. Discover ideas for organizing time and space, set a self-care routine and identify techniques for staying focused in this interactive session.
Meal Prep for Work Lunches
Eric Erhard, Schnucks Cooking School
Learn a variety of recipes that are perfect for your workweek meal prep as well as weeknight meals for your family. With meal prep comes a variety of benefits from saving time to reducing stress and so much more. Gain techniques to use in your kitchen as well as recipes that you can recreate for yourself.
Medicare 101
Andrew Tyler, Senior Marketing Insurance Group Inc.
An overview of Medicare and the two main coverage options as well as what is and is not covered.
Mood, Mind and Food
Leah Gonzalez, Parkway Schools
Did you know that your food choices can contribute to how you are feeling regarding mood? Who doesn't need a mood boost? Join Leah Gonzalez, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. to explore how mood, mind and food intersect.
Stretching 101
Linda Hoffey, Corporate Calm
Learn gentle movements both seated and standing to improve flexibility and gain mental clarity in the middle of your workday. These stretches can improve carpal tunnel numbness, decrease neck strain, calm backaches from computer usage, and are designed to improve energy and vitality.
Wing Chun Kung Fu and Self Defense
Dennis Moreland, West County Wing Chun
Wing Chun is a traditional, effective martial art that helps develop your mind and body through discipline, relaxation and fitness. To achieve optimal execution of these principles, we’ll practice a complete system of forms, two person drills, applications and understanding of methods.
Technology & Job Skills
Developing Your Leadership Skills
Renee Trotier, Rockwood School District
Vince Lombardi said, “Leaders aren’t born, they are made.” Learn ways to develop your leadership skills to use in your current role or to give you the confidence to take on new responsibilities.
Everyone Can Be a Reading Teacher
Stephanie Tuck, EducationPlus
Learn about the Science of Reading and what it takes for students to learn to read. Learn about the new reading bill sweeping through our state and how EVERYONE can contribute to building readers.
Google Sites
Laura Warren, EducationPlus
Create professional looking websites quickly and easily with this tool. Learn how to add text, images, format and publish a website.
Google Slides for Flyers, Certificates and More
Laura Warren, EducationPlus
Google Slides isn't just for presentations. It can be used for flyers, social media banners, certificates, infographics and more. Learn to work with images, word art, text boxes and formatting.
G-Suite for Organized Productivity
Tanya Garcia and Stephanie Tuck, EducationPlus
Want to be more productive and organized within your G-Suite? You have probably heard of many of the tools we will discuss, but have you dug into all they can do? Learn tips and tricks for using G-Suite to be more productive and organized. Tools we will explore include: Gmail, Google Tasks, Google Keep and Google Drive.
I CANVA Do More!
Tina Lauer, City of St. Charles School District
Canva is an amazing tool for creating flyers and social media images, but did you know that you can also create presentations and promotional videos? Learn how to create eye-catching presentations and videos that you can use to promote school events and share information with staff members, students and families. Explore Canva templates and discover how to upload your school or district logo to create a brand kit that will enable you to easily use the same colors as your logo.
"Marie Kondo" Your Google Drive
Christy Brooks, EducationPlus
Spark joy in your workday by decluttering your digital life. Learn practical tips to declutter your digital space, streamline workflow, and improve productivity. Say goodbye to a messy Drive and hello to a happier, more efficient you!
Planning for Challenging Conversations
Matt Borzillo and Luke Thuston, Rockwood School District
Learn tools that can be used to have challenging conversations in the workplace. These tools will give you the confidence to initiate necessary conversations to move relationships forward without hurt feelings. These tools could also be helpful for difficult conversations in your personal life as well.
Quick Insights from Your Google Sheets Data
Laura Warren, EducationPlus
Learn how to use data validation, conditional formatting, filter views, and charts to easily and quickly gather insights from your data.
Turbo Texts: Fast, Fun Book Studies
Sherri Kulpa, EducationPlus
Book clubs can be a great way to collaborate with colleagues and stay up to date on the latest thinking in your field. Typical book studies can be long and boring, and in many cases, without people actually reading the book. Turbo Texts help you create a culture of learning with fun, fast ways to connect with the late thought leaders. Gain ideas for hosting a Turbo Text event at your own workplace.
Yes, I Canva
Kathy Dodge, Parkway Schools
Would you like to create a flyer that looks great to promote school events? Learn the basics of getting started with Canva, including sample templates and layouts. Create a flyer and social media graphic to promote a school event.
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