PRE-CONFERENCE ACADEMY

Join us for our comprehensive Pre-Conference Academies, aimed at helping you create change both personally and professionally. These intensive sessions are designed to give participants an in-depth learning experience in specific areas. They are intended to rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit as well as build capacity by inspiring you to become an agent for change.

Pre-Conference Academy sessions are either half or full-day events (3-8 hours) and include lunch and workshop materials*. Pre-registration is mandatory. Please see individual academy descriptions below for exact times. You must be registered to attend the BOOST Conference in order to attend a Pre-Conference Academy.

NOTE: You cannot register on-site for Pre-Conference Academies. The deadline to register for all Pre-Conference Academy sessions is April 15, 2020. 

You cannot switch your Pre-Conference Academy registration on-site. You may only attend the Pre-Conference Academy you registered for online.

Tuesday, April 28

Framework for Understanding Poverty with Dr. Ruby Payne

9:00AM -  4:00PM 
*Lunch and materials included

Explore class differences and 10 actions you can implement in your classroom or program to improve the success of low-SES students. This workshop is based on Ruby Payne’s book A Framework for Understanding Poverty, which has sold more than 1.5 million copies. Educators who participate in this training will use concrete instructional strategies to help students from poverty, understand hidden rules of economic class and effects on behaviors and mindsets, develop stronger relationships with students to impact behavior, and reduce discipline referrals.

Growth Heartset® - A Culture of Caring

11:00AM - 5:00PM
*Lunch and materials included

It has been said, “whoever our students may be, whatever subject we teach, ultimately we teach who we are.” Enjoy learning EduCare’s 8 Skills for Heartset® Education and develop a personal "Growth Heartset”. A growth heartset becomes a way of being… a way of teaching that sparks our students’ own SEL. This highly interactive session focuses on creating communities of caring from the “inside out” with connection, empathy, and love, all based on EduCare’s field-tested ACE Program that has reached nearly 50,000 students in the U.S. and internationally. Participants learn strategies of self-awareness (mindfulness), emotional self-management (or self-care), relationship building, and empathic listening and ways for developing students.

Promoting Safety, Inclusion, and Well-Being for LGBTQ+ Youth

11:00AM - 3:00PM
*Lunch and materials included

We have seen tremendous strides toward LGBTQ equality and yet current data reveal serious challenges faced by LGBTQ youth, including rejection, bullying and a lack of support from educators. This pre-conference will cover the current state of LGBTQ youth, build cultural competency and review best-practices and resources that make a positive difference. Participants will hear directly from a national expert on school safety and inclusion for LGBTQ youth, a parent of a transgender child and a few LGBTQ students. Interactive activities, opportunities to practices new skills and time for small group discussion will be provided. If you desire to become an emerging expert and become a stronger advocate for change, this pre-conference is for you.

STEM Studio - TGR Foundation

11:00AM - 5:00PM
*Lunch and materials included

DESIGN. INNOVATE. COLLABORATE. Imagine a place where creativity and innovation are paramount. Where teachers take on the role of students, delving into hands-on STEM activities. A place where inquiry-based learning leads to real-world applications. Where like-minded educators gather to collaborate and take risks. This is STEM Studio: an immersive experience in STEM education based on a transformational educational philosophy facilitated by TGR EDU: Create. Join us in this pre-conference session to explore strategies that will enhance your curricula and prepare your students for careers in STEM.