Fall Conference Agenda

Thursday, October 4, 2012

5:30-6:45pm
Educator Showcase

Showcase of Educators’ Research in the University Union Phoenix Rooms.

7:00-8:30pm
Creating a Climate and Culture for Learning: A Unique Perspective on What Educators Need to Address if They Want to Increase Test Scores and Improve Discipline

Presented by: Regenia Rawlinson
Three factors help create a climate and culture for learning that increase academic achievement and build relationships. Traditionally, educators have focused largely on changing student behavior to create an environment conducive for learning hoping to establish a climate of high expectations that foster academic achievement. Giving equal attention to the three factors can have a turn-around impact on student grades and the relationships educators have with students. Rawlinson will explore the three factors to help educators create a climate and culture for learning and build better relationships with students and members of the community.

Friday, October 5, 2012

8:00-9:15am
Show Me the Exit Door: An In-Depth Look at How to Guide Youth and Families Out of Poverty

Presented by: Regenia Rawlinson
Youth and families who live in poverty want the same things other people want - to be treated with respect and given equal opportunities. Unfortunately, many who live in poverty are faced with barriers that interfere with achieving these goals. Aspirations and dreams are often thwarted because of these barriers. The challenges for youth and families living in poverty can be overwhelming, but not hopeless. Rawlinson shares a unique perspective on what members of the community and educators can do to help guide youth and families out of poverty.

9:30am-10:30am
Stepping Out of Poverty: The Power of Belief

Presented by: Laurice Snyder
"Poverty" has been a longstanding scapegoat to "explain" why students can't learn, can't achieve and can't be successful in school or in life. Most educators can identify many factors that contribute to poverty but few can identify factors that increase resiliency. The cycle of poverty is bigger than a school or community and resiliency is truly the key to success. In this session, Laurice will share her experiences with poverty both personally and professionally in order to demonstrate that belief is the single most powerful tool educators can use in order to disrupt the cycle of poverty and provide students with the confidence that they can and will succeed.

10:45am-11:30am
The Hidden Homeless: Youth on the Street Video

Presented by: Eileen Littig
"The Hidden Homeless" video will be viewed. Eileen will discuss the video in her breakout session.

Breakout Sessions - 11:45am-1:00pm

A Mind Shaped by Poverty: Ten Things All Leaders Should Know

Presented by: Regenia Rawlinson
Rawlinson draws on thirty plus years of experience as a teacher, school counselor and district administrator as she explores ten phenomena that will help other educators appreciate the ways in which living in poverty has the potential to shape a child's mind. She will also offer strategies to assist students with overcoming the effects of a debilitating and indigent mindset. Rawlinson shares compelling details from her own poverty-stricken childhood and how her own experiences shaped her beliefs about herself and others.

The Hidden Homeless: Youth on the Street

Presented by: Eileen Littig
The Hidden Homeless, a 30 minute documentary about four homeless teens from Wisconsin and Michigan, was shown this morning. We will talk about strategies in reaching teens that are homeless. Many face the same challenges fulfilling basic needs: finding food, shelter, clothing and opportunities to bathe. Unlike the stereotypes of homeless adults, homeless teens make a strong effort to blend in and this determination to "fit in" makes them difficult to identify. The reason for homelessness among teens is many: parental instability or dependency issues, parental incarceration, abuse, rejection by parents and poverty. Some of the teens find temporary housing by staying with friends or relatives and are sometimes referred to as "couch surfers." This lack of stability also presents obstacles to school attendance and employment when they lack an address or a reliable contact phone number. In this breakout session, we will dialogue on the ways to reach teens that are homeless.

Poverty in Brown County

Presented by: Sarah Inman
This session will provide information about the challenges facing Brown County relating to poverty and the issues that stem from it, as well as ways in which community partners are addressing poverty in our schools and community. Participants will engage in a roundtable community conversation on the topic of poverty following the presentation of data.

Putting a Face on Poverty

Presented by: Lisa Merkel
This session will examine poverty and its impact on academic success. This session will also explore strategies for teaching students of poverty.

Pathways Out of Poverty: Workforce Development Information and Initiatives

Presented by: Jim Golembeski
This workshop will discuss what employers expect of job applicants and their employees in the 21st century. In addition, basic factors and reasons why many people do not get hired at all will be discussed. It will also cover why all individuals need a career, not just a job, and why having a career plan to earn to higher wage jobs and positions are important.

Poverty: It Is In Your Backyard

Presented by: Robyn Davis
So often, we believe that poverty happens to other people... the people who live on the other side of town or in another country, but not in our neighborhoods. However, based on the results of the 2011 LIFE Study, poverty is in our backyard. The future of our community, both socially and economically, is directly affected by some of the findings in the LIFE study. This workshop will help us gain an understanding of this growing challenge and explore ways that we can individually and collectively be a part of the solution!

A Call to Action: How to Provide Inspiration, Encouragement and Guidance to our Children and Families Who Need us the Most

Presented by: Laurice Snyder
This session will provide participants with practical ways to gain knowledge about the experience of children and families living in poverty as well as the intricacies of low-income neighborhoods. Suggestions will include steps that can be taken at the personal, professional and school-wide levels in order to establish and sustain trust with all students but particularly those who historically have been hard to reach. Session participants will walk away feeling renewed about continuing their work in supporting positive school change and equitable opportunities for all.

Meeting the Needs of Today's Changing Families

Presented by: DeAnn Lehman, Jane Delcore, Michelle Messenger
Are you struggling to increase parent/family involvement? Are you wondering why it seems that parent/family involvement is lacking? What do you and your school staff consider parent/family involvement? When do you offer opportunities? What variety of opportunities are you offering? Workshop participants will learn creative ways of communicating with parents and identifying and meeting parents' needs. They will also understand how to secure buy-in from parents and families as well as identify and measure success.

Rural Poverty: How Does It Differ From Urban Poverty

Presented by: Donald Rosin
This presentation will look at the similarities and distinct differences of poverty in rural communities versus urban communities. The presentation will focus on three key issues - RESOURCES, COMMUNITY, and ROLES. Family dynamics will be discussed and also how to engage families in the growth, education, and success of their children in these difficult times.