Learning Center

We'll start our day with some words of inspiration. Then during our time we will cover:

• The power of resilience
• How to foster resilience in a field that we already know is hard
• Skills to develop resilience in the face of adversity

Break, Networking Session, Pre-event Survey

• Meeting other attendees
• Connecting with other attendees
• Responding on Padlet, in the chat, and in real-time with each other to create connection

Keynote Speaker: Adrianne Haslet

Adrianne Haslet refuses to be called a victim. A victim is defined by something that happened in their life. She is a survivor, defined by how she lives her life. Adrianne was a professional ballroom dancer taking a day off of work on April 15th, 2013, watching the runners near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, when terror struck. She lost her left leg, but not her spirit. 

Adrianne has risen to meet her daily challenges head-on, learning an entirely new normal. Her drive to inspire others facing adversity is relentless. She has spoken alongside President-elect Biden, the President of Nepal, former President Bill Clinton, and even inspired President Barack Obama to mention her in his own presidential addresses.

Adrianne is proud to pull from her unique perspective to fight for the rights of amputees on Capitol Hill and in the Medicare program. She has run multiple Boston Marathons and is looking forward to helping you navigate your own challenges in life.

• What do new teachers need to know about special education
• How can new teachers navigate student needs in the mainstream classroom?
• How can classroom teachers and Teachers of Record be a great team?

Speaker: Dr. Nancy Holsapple

I began my teaching career working with students who were mildly mentally handicapped, deaf or hard of hearing, or had emotional disabilities. Except for preschool, I have taught all grade levels. Before becoming a Director of Exceptional Learners, I taught special education for 15 years. I worked as a director for a rural Inter-Local district, where I was in charge of services for students with disabilities in five school districts. In 2018, I was appointed by the Governor as the State Director of Special Education on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Instruction. My husband and I live on a working farm in rural Putnam County, and we have two adult children and one precious grandson.

• Where does SEL fit into the regular classroom curriculum?
• How can we teach SEL in ways that are applicable and appropriate and that also address real issues?
• What do I do when someone questions the inclusion of SEL in my classroom plans?

Speaker: Dr. Amalio Nieves

Dr. Nieves serves as core faculty, Leadership and Administration, at American College of Education (ACE) and professional learning director for Panorama Education. Prior to joining ACE, his school district experiences spanned large urban school districts, including Chicago Public Schools, Broward County Public Schools, Boston Public Schools, and Baltimore County Public Schools, serving in roles including teacher, curriculum specialist, director, and executive director. Dr. Nieves was the first-ever assistant superintendent for SEL and Wellness in the nation. He has extensive experience in strategy, leadership, and professional development and has presented nationally on SEL and MTSS.

His academic credentials include undergraduate work in elementary and secondary education (Concordia University; B.A.), graduate work in educational leadership (Nova Southeastern University; M.S.), and organizational leadership (Nova Southeastern University; Ed.D.). Dr. Nieves also attended Harvard University School of Business where he obtained the Executive Education Program for Leadership Development certificate. Most recently, Dr. Nieves attended Florida Atlantic University where he obtained a certificate in human resource management.

• What are some quickly implementable strategies at every level that will help me TODAY?
• What is the core and backbone of classroom management?
• How can I deal with conflict in the classroom when, not if, it arises?

Featuring:

Jeremy Coleman, Ed.D, is the principal of an elementary school in Indianapolis, IN. Dr. Coleman has taught and led in public schools for nearly 20 years. He started his career of service as a youth mentor and has served as a correctional officer, coach, teacher, and administrator. Dr. Coleman has consulted for private and public schools on a range of topics, including: school climate and classroom culture, parent and community engagement, and school leadership. 

Dr. Coleman currently serves as the board liaison to new teachers for Kappa Delta Pi, a national education honor society. He has partnered with the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NoBBChe) to deliver cutting edge STEM programming to students in elementary, middle, and high school. He is the co-chair of a scholarship foundation for under-resourced undergraduate college students, Student Development Resources and Scholarships (SDRAS).

Dr. Coleman earned his Ed.D in Building Administration from Ball State University.  

Leana Malinowsky has been a practicing educator in NJ since 2008. Leana is a proud three-time graduate of Kean University, where she received her B.A. in Special Education, English, and a minor in Psychology. Her M.A. is in Instruction and Curriculum K-5. Ms. Malinowsky is also a certified Reading Specialist. She has taught first and second grade general education, special education, and ESL students. She serves as the Associate Counselor for the Delta Rho, Kean University’s chapter of Kappa Delta Pi. Ms. Malinowsky has articles published in The Teacher Advocate journal and the book The New Teacher’s Guide to Overcoming Common Challenges: Curated Advice from Award Winning Teachers. She also has co-authored articles for Scholastic Parents. Ms. Malinowsky has been a featured presenter for various educational groups and organizations. Ms. Malinowsky received the Governor’s Educator of the Year Award from her colleagues at Pvt. Nicholas Minue School in Carteret, and is the 2022-2023 Middlesex County Teacher of the Year. She was also a State Teacher of the Year Finalist.

Ms. Malinowsky is currently completing her reading practicum this year with IMSE to become certified to teach Orton-Gillingham and work with students with Dyslexia. She is passionate about special education, teaching reading, and reading intervention, working with pre-service teachers, and teacher leadership. Ms. Malinowsky believes teaching is life-long learning and embraces this journey to continue to grow as an educator, serve as a role model for her students and their families, and demonstrate to others that teaching makes all other professions possible.

Karmen V. Bell, M.Ed. is an instructor of Childhood Education and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Arkansas, where she teaches an array of undergraduate courses and supervises clinical experiences. Karmen was a public-school teacher for 10 years before accepting her first higher education appointment. She is a 15-year teacher educator with a focus on strengthening candidates’ teaching acumen and an emphasis on developing cultural competency and equity-mindedness in planning and preparation, instruction, and establishing the classroom environment.

Karmen is a member of multiple professional organizations where she holds leadership and service roles by reviewing conference proposals, classroom grants and scholarships, and participating in conference committees, presentations, and special interest groups. She sustains a broad array of institutional service, including leading a teacher education Continuous Improvement Team, chairing multiple university DEI-focused workgroups, and being the faculty counselor for two student organizations, Kappa Delta Pi and the D.O.P.E.! Resource Group (Diversifying Our Public Educators). Additionally, Mrs. Bell mentors and advises Honors College students through her work with the First Generation mentor program and offering research guidance through her committee membership on undergraduate theses.

Through her teaching and service, she has demonstrated commitment to improving teaching and teacher education along the P-20 pipeline.

• Breakout #1: School Safety
  • What do new teachers need to know about school safety?
  • What are some of the most important ways that both teachers and students stay safe in school?
  • How can I contribute to a positive, safe, school culture?
• Breakout #2: How to avoid burnout
  • What are some ways I can care for myself?
  • How do I set boundaries in both my personal and professional life so that I maintain a reasonable balance?
  • How can I be the teacher I want to be and also care for myself the way I deserve to be cared for?
• Breakout #3: Students recovering from trauma
  • What can I do when I know a student is bringing significant trauma to my classroom?
  • How can I support students through trauma without compromising my own boundaries and emotions?
  • What can I learn about trauma RIGHT NOW that will help me better understand and support my students?
• Breakout #4: AI Tools in the Classroom and what you need to know
  • What is AI and how is it changing the landscape of education?
  • What AI tools are readily available to my students and what do I need to know about them?
  • How can AI be used to my advantage as a teacher?

Featuring:

Stephen Balko serves as the Director of School Building Physical Security and Safety with the Indiana Department of Education.  In this role, Stephen oversees the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy, conducts school visits, and provides technical assistance on school safety and school safety planning for all schools in the state. Stephen also oversees Student Health Services and the State Attendance Office roles. Previously, he served as Assistant Director of Indiana University Emergency Management and Continuity – Bloomington campus, where he worked with university and community partners to develop policy, strategy, plans, and capabilities across the scope of emergency management and continuity. Stephen graduated from Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and a M.S. in Criminal Justice and Public Safety.

Dr. Calvalyn Day