2026 Learn, Grow, Lead Professional Learning Conference: Full Schedule

9:15am EDT

Guest Consultant Session: Framing Every Student for Success

Tuesday June 23, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am EDT

Every classroom tells a story — and belonging is the moment students realize they are part of it. In this inspiring keynote, teachers step into the director’s chair to examine how daily choices, language, and leadership shape whether students feel seen, heard, and valued. Using the Me, See, Hear, Steer framework, educators will explore how to create classroom cultures where every student knows they belong, their voice matters, and their presence moves learning forward. Because when students feel they belong, they don’t just participate — they thrive.

Speakers

Dr. Kim Richardson

Coach, Leadership Strategist, Speaker, Keep Rising

Dr. Kim Richardson is a leadership strategist, ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC®), and founder of Keep Rising™. With a PhD in Educational Leadership and thirty years of experience as a teacher, coach, principal, and district administrator, she designs transformational learning... Read More →

Tuesday June 23, 2026 9:15am - 10:30am EDT
Chesapeake Room (1st Floor)

Belonging

Audience All Participants
Level All Levels

10:40am EDT

Stop Asking all the Questions: Let Your Students Lead With Reciprocal Teaching

LIMITED

Tuesday June 23, 2026 10:40am - 11:25am EDT

Empower Room (2nd Floor)

Limited Capacity seats available

In this interactive 45-minute session, you'll experience reciprocal teaching as a learner first then discover why it's one of the most powerful comprehension strategies you can bring back to your classroom. Instead of a lecture, you'll work in small groups using the four core roles of reciprocal teaching: Predictor, Questioner, Clarifier, and Summarizer. As you read together and rotate through roles, you'll feel firsthand how this strategy deepens understanding and gives every student a voice.

Speakers

Sarah Kohl

Tuesday June 23, 2026 10:40am - 11:25am EDT
Empower Room (2nd Floor)

Belonging

Audience All Participants
Level All Levels

1:30pm EDT

Guest Consultant Session: Supporting Student Identity With Belonging

LIMITED

Tuesday June 23, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Chesapeake Room (1st Floor)

Limited Capacity seats available

Students are constantly deciding whether to be themselves or to blend in. When classrooms prioritize fitting in, students comply— but often at the cost of identity, emotional energy, and engagement. When classrooms cultivate belonging, students feel safe enough to participate authentically and learn deeply. In this session, educators will explore the critical difference between belonging and fitting in, using identity development frameworks to understand student masking, stress, and disengagement. Teachers will learn how to shift from compliance-driven norms to co-created social contracts that honor identity, build emotional safety, and foster genuine inclusion.

Speakers

Dr. Kim Richardson

Coach, Leadership Strategist, Speaker, Keep Rising

Tuesday June 23, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Chesapeake Room (1st Floor)

Belonging

Audience All Participants
Level All Levels

1:30pm EDT

Positive Language, Positive Classrooms: Strategies for Student Belonging and Success

FILLING

Tuesday June 23, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Greenbrier Room (1st Floor)

Limited Capacity filling up

Classrooms today are filled with diverse learners, making it challenging for teachers to help every student feel supported and valued while maintaining patience and positivity. This professional development session, designed for all elementary teachers, will provide real, universal strategies you can implement immediately to foster a strong sense of belonging, community building, and student ownership.You will explore how positive language and daily structures set all learners up for success, and walk away with an actionable handout of strategies to create a safe, welcoming learning environment that opens the door to academic achievement for ALL students.

Speakers

Jacqueline Smyers

Tuesday June 23, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Greenbrier Room (1st Floor)

Belonging

Audience All Participants

2:25pm EDT

Engagement by Design: Building Student Ownership Through Goal Setting and Team Roles

FILLING

Tuesday June 23, 2026 2:25pm - 3:10pm EDT

Greenbrier Room (1st Floor)

Limited Capacity filling up

What happens when students truly understand where they are in their learning and feel empowered to take the next step? In this session, participants will explore practical strategies that help students set meaningful goals, reflect on their progress, and take greater ownership of their learning journey. Through collaborative activities, real classroom examples, and ready-to-use tools, participants will discover ways to build student confidence, increase engagement, and create classrooms where learners are more motivated, independent, and invested in their growth.

Speakers

Debbie Fry

Debbie Fry is a Health, Physical Education, and Driver Education teacher at Indian River High School in Chesapeake, Virginia. She earned her B.S. from Old Dominion University and a Master's Degree from Regent University. She is the current department chair at Indian River High School... Read More →

Tuesday June 23, 2026 2:25pm - 3:10pm EDT
Greenbrier Room (1st Floor)

Belonging