Conferences Menu

conference schedule

Pre-Conference Workshops

Thursday, February 20
Location: Fairmont San Francisco or Virtually via Zoom

Pre-Conference

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST

Pre-Conference Workshops

1) Better Learning Through Intentional Teaching

Pavilion

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST
A Framework for Engaged, Collaborative, and Independent Learning
John T. Almarode, PhD
(RP, All Grades)

2) Transforming Teaching

French

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST
Shaping and Strengthening Today's Classrooms Culturally, Emotionally, and Academically
MaryAnn Brittingham, MS; Kathleen M. Kryza, MA
(P, Grades K-12)

3) Teaching With AI

Terrace

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST
How Should Educators Respond to the AI Revolution?
John T. Spencer, EdD
(P, All Grades)

4) Hopeful Schools

Fountain

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST
Building Hope and Resilience in Ourselves and Our Students
Kevin D. Washburn, EdD
(P, All Grades)

5) Awe in Education

Crystal

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST
Creating Learning Environments That Inspire, Motivate, and Heal
Amy L. Eva, PhD; Victoria S. Zakrzewski, PhD
(RP, All Grades)

CONCURRENT SESSIONS GUIDE

  • (RP)=Brain Research & Practical Strategies/Interventions
  • (R)=Mostly Brain/Child Development Research
  • (P)=Mostly Brain-Based Practical Strategies and Interventions
  • (PREK=16)=Applicable Grade Levels

This schedule is preliminary and subject to change.

Conference Day 1

Thursday, February 20
Location: Fairmont San Francisco or Virtually via Zoom

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PST

Keynote Address I: The Science of Rewiring Our Brains for Compassion, Optimism, Gratitude, and Awe - Dacher J. Keltner, PhD

1:05 PM - 2:05 PM PST

Keynote Address II: Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness - Jamil Zaki, PhD

2:05 PM - 2:30 PM PST

Networking Coffee Break

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM PST

Keynote Address III: Conscience: The Social Brain and Social Learning - Patricia S. Churchland, BPhil

3:35 PM - 4:35 PM PST

Keynote Address IV: Autism and Education: Focusing on the Strengths of Neurodiverse Students - Temple Grandin, PhD

4:35 PM - 5:00 PM PST

Afternoon Break and Keynote Book Signings

CONCURRENT SESSION

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PST

CONCURRENT SESSION A

1) STRENGTH-BASED TEACHING

Venetian Ballroom

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PST
Teaching to Every Student’s Strengths: Liberating the Brain’s Hidden Assets and Talents
Layne M. Kalbfleisch, PhD, MEd
(RP, All Ages)

2) STRENGTHS IN NEURODIVERSITY

Terrace

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PST
A Strength-Based Model of Neurodiversity: The Strengths and Talents Neurodiverse Bring to Education and the Workforce
Lawrence K. Fung, MD
(RP, Grades 6-Adult)

3) STRONGER MINDS & INTELLECTUAL VIRTUES

French

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PST
Teaching for Intellectual Virtues: What, Why, and How
Jason S. Baehr, PhD
(RP, Grades 4-12)

4) STRONGER BRAINS & CHARACTER

Pavilion

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PST
The Character Gap: How Good Are We?
Christian B. Miller, PhD
(RP, Grades 6-College)

5) STRONGER TEACHERS & HOPE

Crown

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PST
Nurturing Hope and Self-Care: Strategies for Personal and Professional Well-Being
Cathleen G. Beachboard, MA
(RP, All Ages)

6) STRONGER LEARNERS & SELF-DIRECTION

Grand Ballroom

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PST
Building Student Ownership and Self-Direction
John T. Spencer, EdD
(P, Grades K-12)

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM PST

"Meeting of the Minds" Reception

CONCURRENT SESSIONS GUIDE

  • (RP)=Brain Research & Practical Strategies/Interventions
  • (R)=Mostly Brain/Child Development Research
  • (P)=Mostly Brain-Based Practical Strategies and Interventions
  • (PREK=16)=Applicable Grade Levels

This schedule is preliminary and subject to change.

Conference Day 2

Friday, February 21
Location: Fairmont San Francisco or Virtually via Zoom

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM PST

Keynote Address I: Hacking Deficit Thinking: Strategies for Strength-Based Practices - Byron M. McClure, EdD, NCSP

9:00 AM - 9:25 AM PST

Networking Coffee Break

9:25 AM - 10:25 AM PST

Keynote Address II: How Every Brain Is Different: Understanding Our Student's Strengths in Schools - Chantel S. Prat, PhD

10:25 AM - 10:55 AM PST

Morning Break and Keynote Book Signing

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

10:55 AM - 12:25 PM PST

CONCURRENT SESSIONS B

1) STRENGTH-BASED TEACHING

Crown

10:55 AM - 12:25 PM PST
Teaching to Brain and Student Strengths
Timothy Kieran O'Mahony, PhD, FRGS, BcID
(RP, Grades K-12)

2) STRENGTHS IN NEURODIVERSITY

Pavilion

10:55 AM - 12:25 PM PST
Seeing the Hidden Strengths and Potential in Neurodiversity in an AI Age
John T. Spencer, EdD
(P, Grades 6-12)

3) STRONGER MINDS & GRATITUDE

Terrace

10:55 AM - 12:25 PM PST
Practicing Bold Gratitude to Optimize Happiness, Relationships, and Performance
Lainie J. Rowell, MA
(RP, All Ages)

4) STRONGER SCHOOLS & CHARACTER

Venetian Ballroom

10:55 AM - 12:25 PM PST
The Kindness Crisis: Solving Empathy in a Lonely World
Houston J. Kraft
(RP, Grades PreK-12)

5) STRONGER STUDENTS & HOPE

Gold

10:55 AM - 12:25 PM PST
The Power of Hope, Resilience, and Empathy During Challenging Times
MaryAnn Brittingham, MS; Kathleen M. Kryza, MA
(P, Grades K-12)

6) STRONGER LEARNERS & INDEPENDENCE

Grand Ballroom

10:55 AM - 12:25 PM PST
Teaching Students to Drive Their Learning
Douglas B. Fisher, PhD
(P, Grades K-12)

12:25 PM - 1:35 PM PST

Lunch Break (On your own)

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

1:35 PM - 3:45 PM PST

CONCURRENT SESSIONS C

1) STRENGTH-BASED TEACHING

Grand Ballroom

1:35 PM - 2:35 PM PST
Part I –  Using Cognitive Scaffolding to Strengthen and Support Student Learning
John T. Almarode, PhD
(RP, All Grades)

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM PST
Part II –  Building Students' Strengths and Self-Awareness
Nistha Dube, MS Candidate
(RP, All Grades)

2) STRENGTHS IN NEURODIVERSITY

Venetian Ballroom

1:35 PM - 2:35 PM PST
Part I –  Hidden Brilliance: Unlocking the Intelligence, Talents, and Strengths of Autism
Lynn K. Koegel, PhD, CCC-SLP
(RP, All Grades)

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM PST
Part II –  Character Strengths and Abilities Within Disabilities
Daniel J. Tomasulo, PhD
(RP, All Ages)

3) STRONGER MINDS & GRATITUDE

Pavilion

1:35 PM - 2:35 PM PST
Part I –  The Psychology of Gratitude and Well-Being
Michael E. McCullough, PhD
(RP, Grades 9-College)

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM PST
Part II –  Gratitude in Schools: The Science of Building Character
Giacomo Bono, PhD
(RP, Grades 6-College)

4) STRONGER SCHOOLS & HONESTY

Terrace

1:35 PM - 2:35 PM PST
Part I –  The Philosophy and Psychology of Honesty
Christian B. Miller, PhD
(RP, Grades 6-College)

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM PST
Part II –  Academic Integrity: From Threat to Opportunity With AI in Education
Denise C. Pope, PhD
(RP, Grades K-College)

5) STRONGER STUDENTS & HOPE

Crown

1:35 PM - 2:35 PM PST
Part I –  The Power of Hope in Education
Crystal I. Bryce, PhD
(RP, Grades 4-12)

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM PST
Part II –  The Hopeful Brain: Building Schools and Classrooms of Hope
Cathleen G. Beachboard, MA
(RP, Grades K-12)

6) STRONGER LEARNERS, AGENCY & AUTONOMY

Gold

1:35 PM - 2:35 PM PST
Part I –  Evolving Learners: Inquiry-Based Strategies to Cultivate Strengths, Compassion, and Autonomy
Lainie J. Rowell, MA
(RP, All Grades)

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM PST
Part II –  Locating and Growing Student Agency in the Science of Reading and in Classrooms
Margaret Vaughn, PhD
(RP, Grades 1-8)

3:45 PM - 4:15 PM PST

Afternoon Break

Afternoon Keynote

4:15 PM - 5:15 PM PST

Afternoon Keynote Addresses

1) OPTION A

Grand Ballroom

4:15 PM - 5:15 PM PST
Divergent Minds: The Power of Nuance and Neurodiversity in a World Desperate for Critical Thinking
Jenara Nerenberg, MS
(P, All Ages)

2) OPTION B

Venetian Ballroom

4:15 PM - 5:15 PM PST
The Science and Power of Hope
Chan M. Hellman, PhD
(RP, Grades PreK-College)

CONCURRENT SESSIONS GUIDE

  • (RP)=Brain Research & Practical Strategies/Interventions
  • (R)=Mostly Brain/Child Development Research
  • (P)=Mostly Brain-Based Practical Strategies and Interventions
  • (PREK=16)=Applicable Grade Levels

This schedule is preliminary and subject to change.

Conference Day 3

Saturday, February 22
Location: Fairmont San Francisco or Virtually via Zoom

Morning Keynote

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST

Morning Keynote Addresses

1) OPTION A

Grand Ballroom

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST
The Power of Student Agency: Create the Conditions for All Students to Thrive
Anindya Kundu, PhD
(RP, All Ages)

2) OPTION B

Venetian Ballroom

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST
The Science of Character: PRIMED for Changing the Character of Schools
Marvin W. Berkowitz, PhD
(RP, All Grades)

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM PST

Networking Coffee Break and Keynote Book Signings

CONCURRENT SESSIONS

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST

CONCURRENT SESSIONS D

1) STRENGTH-BASED TEACHING

Venetian Ballroom

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST
Strength-Based Mircohabits to Thrive as an Educator
Rebecca A. Branstetter, PhD
(RP, Grades K-12)

2) DIVERSE BRAINS & ATTENTION

Grand Ballroom

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST
Don't Blame the Students: The Surprising Science of Classroom Attention
Andrew C. Watson, MEd
(RP, Grades PreK-College)

3) STRONGER TEENS & COMPASSION

Gold

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST
Measuring Concern for Others Among Adolescents: Connecting Compassion, Empathy, and Prosocial Behavior
Aakash A. Chowkase, PhD
(RP, Grades 6-12)

4) STRONGER STUDENTS & HOPEFULNESS

Pavilion

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST
Learned Hopefulness
Daniel J. Tomasulo, PhD
(RP, All Ages)

5) STRONGER LEADERS & HOPE

Terrace

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST
Leading With Hope: Strategies for Empowering Educators and Students
Cathleen G. Beachboard, MA
(RP, Grades K-12)

12:00 PM - 1:15 PM PST

Lunch Break (On your own)

1:15 PM - 2:45 PM PST

Final Keynote: Building Educator Agency and Optimism: How a Strength-Based Approach Can Help Educators Unleash Their Own and Their Students' Full Potential - Douglas B. Fisher, PhD

CONCURRENT SESSIONS GUIDE

  • (RP)=Brain Research & Practical Strategies/Interventions
  • (R)=Mostly Brain/Child Development Research
  • (P)=Mostly Brain-Based Practical Strategies and Interventions
  • (PREK=16)=Applicable Grade Levels

This schedule is preliminary and subject to change.