WACA 2025

Launch - Professional Growth, building our collective knowledge

In this session, we’ll dive into the why behind interactive journals and how they can help students build confidence, decision-making skills, and self-awareness. You’ll learn how to set them up, what they can look like in daily practice, and even how to grade them—without adding to your workload! Walk away with creative prompts, easy-to-use strategies, and a fresh approach to leadership development in your classroom. Let’s turn blank pages into a space for growth, goal-setting, and student success!

Need more ideas for leadership curriculum? Do you have students who struggle to manage their emotions? Come learn about the brain and emotions and see how we've used this knowledge to teach our students about emotions, self-care, and coping strategies. At the end of this session you'll walk away with an entire unit of curriculum!

John’s childhood was one of extreme adversity. Growing up surrounded by drugs and violence, facing personal struggles, and being bullied for his differences, he had every reason to give up, but he pushed through thanks to a caring adult. In this speech, he shares how educators and caring adults can make a life-changing impact in the life of a kid.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Why educating the WHOLE CHILD matters
How to integrate practical, relational tools
How to connect with empathy