Student Engagement

Students do not put up walls to avoid relationships, but to see who cares enough to break the walls down. Research shows that building relationships with students increases engagement, motivation, test scores, and grade point averages while decreasing absenteeism, dropout rates, and discipline issues.

Ted Goergen, EdD, is the director of student activities at the award-winning Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois. A practitioner for 20 years, he also served as a middle and high school science teacher and curriculum team leader.

Samantha K. Dykes is an instructional coach at Linn-Mar Community School District in Marion, Iowa, where she has been a driving force in inspiring innovation through professional development.

Effective assessment systems enable teachers and students to make informed decisions that drive learning forward. In this webinar, author Katie White outlines how to plan and implement self-assessment strategies that foster student growth across all grade levels. From setup to goal setting and celebration, participants will explore the link between thoughtful assessment design, evidence analysis, and responsive decision making, all through a Canadian perspective. Join us to reflect on your own assessment systems and discover ways to create equitable, meaningful learning for every student.

Rebecca Knighton is a senior consultant with the Colorado Department of Education. She supports schools and districts in system-wide change, humanistic leadership, and social-emotional wellness for both students and staff.

Maureen Chapman is a lifelong educator with over 15 years of experience in the field. As a curriculum director, she managed professional development, curriculum, resources, student data, coaching, new teacher induction, accountability, and career education initiatives.

Sheldon L. Eakins, PhD, is an author, speaker, and founder of the Purposeful Teaching Academy. He helps educators create student-centered learning environments where all students thrive, specializing in leadership development, school culture, and practical teaching strategies.

Dr. Pattie Noonan is an associate research professor at the University of Kansas, where she centers her work on providing and evaluating professional development related to social-emotional learning.

Glen Pearsall is a former teacher leader at Eltham High School in Victoria, Australia, and board member of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. His work specializes in engaging instructional practice, positive classrooms, and workload reduction for teachers.

Gwendolyn Battle Lavert, PhD, is an internationally recognized literacy specialist. She has been an educator since 1974 and has experience as a teacher, district literacy specialist, and district administrator in a variety of school settings.