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Cultivating Connections: Improving Student Outcomes


  • Alyeska Resort, Girdwood, AK - 40 miles South of Anchorage 1000 Arlberg Avenue Girdwood, AK, 99587 United States (map)

Cultivating Connections: Improving Student Outcomes

REGISTER NOW!

November 2-3, 2024 | Alyeska Resort
Girdwood, Alaska

A conference dedicated to providing tools and strategies to foster caring youth-adult connections, enhance instructional techniques, and improve student outcomes. Administrators, educators, school counselors, school board members, community youth workers, tribal members, and high school youth are all encouraged to attend!


Tracks

Choose one of two concurrent tracks. See below for details.

  • Who should attend: Anyone working in or with schools/after-school programs, youth-serving organizations, faith-based organizations, juvenile justice/school resource officers, parents/guardians, and college students. High school students are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

    Join us for an inspiring session dedicated to empowering our youth by helping them build strong, resilient support systems. In today's rapidly changing world, young people face unique challenges and experiences that impact their interactions, connections, and overall well-being.

    Participants will delve into strategies to walk alongside youth as they build their own support network.

    Participants will gain new insights to:

    • Understanding the diverse experiences and challenges faced by today's youth.

    • Fostering positive interactions among youth, peers, and adults.

    • Creating safe spaces where youth voice is honored.

    • Encouraging healthy youth and adult relationships.

    This session is an opportunity for educators, parents, mentors, community/tribal leaders, and youth themselves to collaborate, share knowledge, and develop strategies to support growth. Working together, we can ensure that every young person has access to the support they need to thrive and succeed.

    Join us in making a difference in the lives of our youth and building a brighter, more connected future for all!

  • Brightways Learning professional development incorporating Spence Rogers' and Renée Brice’s PEAK Teaching for Excellence tools, strategies, and concepts

    Who should attend: K-12 educators and college students who plan to become educators.

    Reaching excellence with all learners has always been challenging, but in the post-COVID world, these challenges often feel insurmountable. Beth Buchanan with Brightways Learning is providing highly praised professional development with follow-up support, helping educators achieve outstanding successes that once seemed out of reach.

    Learn ways to:

    • Increase learning

    • Boost motivation in school

    • Improve achievement and positively impact attendance, behavior, and attitudes

    Specifically, explore and take with you…

    • How to give clear and effective directions and instructions so students follow them correctly

    • Ways to engage practically all learners in answering questions and learning correct or better responses in the process

    • Ways to increase memory and retention

    • Powerful keys, tools, and strategies to reduce resistant behaviors

    • Approaches that improve assessment results

    • How to engage students in deeper learning through self-generated feedback and adjustment

    • Ways to capture and focus student attention

    • Strategies and tools for managing a broad range of classroom situations

    • How to use lighting, classroom arrangement, space, and seating for maximized performance

    • Ways to effectively use walls to increase learning

    • An exploration of the 3 Keys to fostering and sustaining high levels of motivation, good behavior, and a focus on learning

    • Engaging activities for diverse learners 

    • Approaches that increase the likelihood students will come to class 

    In our professional development, we walk our talk. We continually monitor and adjust for the needs of the time and circumstances to provide greater engagement. You will benefit from over 50 years of monitoring the best, research-supported, and evidence-based findings and practices, as we proudly incorporate the outstanding contributions and continued support from Spence Rogers and Renée Brice with their PEAK Teaching for Excellence work.


Meet the Facilitators

 

Track 1: From Silos to Synergy: Fostering Meaningful Youth-Adult Connections

Amy Killian dedicated more than 30 years to education and held various positions including school counselor, teacher, and administrator. She recently retired from Southeast Island School District in Alaska and is now a Resiliency Director and certified facilitator for Brightways Learning. Amy is passionate about advocating for students and educators. She understands that the well-being of teachers and administrators is crucial in modeling self-regulation for students and providing healthy support systems for them. Her experience, knowledge, and skills in neuroscience, trauma-responsiveness, and resilience-building strategies are essential in her support for students and educators, both individually and through the school and community systems. Amy has a bachelor’s degree in linguistics, a K-8 teaching certification, and a master’s in K-12 school counseling.

 

Track 1: From Silos to Synergy: Fostering Meaningful Youth-Adult Connections

David Pavish, with 20 years of experience in youth development across direct care and administration, offers a unique perspective on supporting youth. Raised in Anchorage, AK and experienced in both rural and large communities, David leverages training from some of the top youth and experiential educational professionals in the U.S. and Canada to understand what youth need to succeed. A certified Brightways Learning facilitator and Resiliency Director, David provides a fresh approach, guiding youth on their life journeys with an emphasis on lifelong growth and learning.

 

Track 2: Teaching for Excellence: Overcoming the Post-Covid Challenges in School

Beth Buchanan has dedicated nearly three decades to empowering youth and those who support them. A former teacher, principal, and coach, Beth's passion for building trauma-resilient environments grew from her journey as a parent to biological children, as well as adopted and foster children who have experienced trauma. Motivated by her personal experience, Beth immersed herself in the neuroscience of mental health to improve student and educator outcomes. As an experienced and engaging presenter and facilitator, Beth connects with her audience through her interactive, dynamic approach to professional development. While working as a teacher and administrator in two districts, Beth began her journey with Spence Rogers' PEAK Teaching for Excellence. She experienced significant gains through her efforts, engaged in every opportunity to re-engage in PEAK professional development, and ultimately became one of PEAK's focus session facilitators during their summer, week-long professional development. Beth is continuing her journey with Spence Rogers, Renée Brice, and PEAK and is passionate about sharing these methods to help other educators achieve similar outcomes. Beth holds degrees in secondary education, curriculum & instruction, and leadership education.


Pricing, Lodging, and Airfare Discounts

The registration fee covers two full days of hands-on sessions, materials, and lunch. Register before October 15th and save. Contact us for group pricing, discounts and to learn how an administrator can attend for free!

  • Early Bird: Save up to $75 off the cost of registration until October 15, 2024.

  • Discounted airfare to Anchorage on Alaska/Horizon Airlines:

    Use code ECMK464 to receive 7% off of Alaska airfare for the dates of October 30th thru Nov.12th

  • Discounted room rate for Alyeska Resort:

    Use code BWL1124 to secure $189.00/night plus fees for the group block room rate. 

  • Group discounts:

    Please contact us at connect@brightwayslearning.org for group pricing, discounts and to learn how an administrator can attend for free!


Continuing Education

One 500 level continuing education credit from UAA. Cost: $79.00


Thank you to our featured sponsor!

Interested in sponsoring this event? Please contact Megan Brown at megan@brightwayslearning.org to inquire about the benefits included in a sponsorship.


Questions? CONTACT US


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Earlier Event: October 17
MT PLU Virtual Sessions