Lecture Room, Laros (2nd Floor) - Educator & Parenting Track 10am – 1pm
Distinguishing between Rude, Mean & Bullying Behavior, 10 am
Learn the key difference between rude, mean & bullying behaviors and gain specific strategies for responding effectively to each one. This presentation is highly interactive and uses realistic scenarios and small group work to help understand and relate to the key concepts.
-Signe Whitson is an author and educator on bullying, crisis intervention, and child and adolescent emotional and behavioral health. In her articles, books, and training workshops, Signe provides down-to-earth, practical advice for professionals and parents on navigating the daily challenges of living and working with children, tweens and teens. She is the Chief Operating Officer of the Life Space Crisis Intervention Institute, an international training and certification program for turning crisis situations into learning opportunities for children and youth with chronic patterns of self-defeating behaviors. Signe is also the Director of Counseling at the Swain School in Allentown, PA. and the author of 7 books.
11 a.m. Mindfulness - for Educators, Parents - for Everyone!
We live in stressful, hectic times. It’s easy to lose your center amid jam-packed schedules and the weighty privilege of caring for others. Author and psychotherapist Shonda Moralis, MSW, LCSW, and mindfulness instructor and poet Matthew Wolf share simple strategies to pause, breather and inject calm into our busy lives. 30-minute session.
11:30 a.m. Creative Ways to Raise a Reader
Valerie Deneen, the founder of Inner Child Fun, will share unique and memorable experiences to bring books to life in your home or classroom. From a dream potion lab from The BFGto a book tasting party introducing kids to new authors and genres, Valerie will share strategies to foster creative ways to raise a reader. 30-minute session.
12 p.m. Books as Bridges: Community Book Discussions and Real Conversations
It can be difficult and emotional to discuss topics such as race, gender identity, poverty, and world issues with young people, but when we don't speak about these things, our silence speaks for us. Join middle school librarian Molly Magro to explore how a Community Book Club has helped to build bridges between the community and the school, and the changes that have taken place as a result of these discussions. Examine how fiction can build empathy, and leave with book recommendations, as well as strategies for reading and having "real" conversations with your own students or children.
