Teacher Leadership & Wellness

Presenter: Deborah Shapiro

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

Joy, like happiness, is something that can be cultivated and has the capacity to engender wellness, resilience, and success in teachers and students. Unlike happiness, though, which is measured over time, joy is something that can be recognized and experienced in the moment, while having an impact that extends beyond the moment of joy itself. In this workshop, participants will learn researched ways to work with both the mind and the environment to bring joy to themselves and, because feelings are contagious, to others. Participants will also focus on how to transfer this practice to the classroom to awaken joy in students.

Presenter: Virginia Senande

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

Engaging, relevant, transferable, and challenging are adjectives describing effective professional learning. For those who are currently providing training for peers or hope to do so in the future, this workshop is a great opportunity to increase effectiveness for teaching adult learners. Participants will examine guidelines for developing and implementing powerful professional learning strategies that honor the learners’ expertise, experiences and skills. Opportunities will be provided to apply these skills and enhance current approaches/materials, or create a plan which includes well-designed content, collaborative aspects, balanced participation, and presentation jazz.

*Note: Recommended for first-time workshop facilitators.

Presenters: Katharine Meyers & Virginia Senande

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

Successful implementation of related knowledge, attitudes, and skills for school, work, and life can result in positive behaviors, increased academic success, and caring communities. This workshop will explore the five competencies developed by CASEL and adopted by the NJ DOE: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. After examining the five competencies, participants will explore areas in their curriculum where they can be infused and will plan learning for their students on this topic.

*Note: Registration for ASHA CEUs TBA

Presenter: Lydia Greco

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

This workshop will explore three key aspects of wellness in schools: connection, coping, and culture. Participants will engage in discussions on the importance of building meaningful relationships to foster emotional connection, effective strategies for helping students regulate their emotions, and approaches to cultivating a positive school culture. The session will also highlight the benefits of wellness spaces and related activities as supportive spaces for student well-being.

Presenter: Kathleen O'Flynn

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

Susan Scott, author of "Fierce Conversations," purports, “The conversation is the relationship!” This engaging interactive session will introduce participants to three transformational ideas and seven principles that will shift basic understandings of conversations and the power they hold, achieving results, and building leadership. Participants will learn how to tackle their toughest challenges while building an open, direct, and respectful culture. Fierce Conversations will demonstrate how to transform everyday conversations into effective and powerful tools to deliver the important messages. The goal of Fierce Conversations is to develop more dynamic and more effective interactions “one conversation at a time.”

Presenter: Virginia Senande

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

In order to create positive learning environments for their students, educators must also stay healthy and optimistic. This workshop will examine practices designed to encourage educator wellness and ultimately improve student learning. Participants will explore 12 brain-based principles to avoid burnout, increase optimism, and support physical well-being from Marcia Tate’s Healthy Teachers, Healthy Classrooms, and create action plans for implementation.

Presenter: Kathleen O'Flynn

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

This transformative book study, based on “Educator Bandwidth” by Jane Kise and Ann Holm, will explore practical strategies for educators seeking to restore balance, rejuvenate a passion for teaching, and maximize their effectiveness in the classroom. Through engaging discussions, reflective exercises, and goal-setting activities, participants will learn how to identify and overcome common challenges that drain energy and motivation.

Presenter: Kathleen O'Flynn

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

Emotion is important in education as it drives attention, which in turn drives learning. A basic understanding of the emotional brain system is essential for educators. The area of the brain known to be significant in one’s emotional life serves as a constant monitor of the environment and can enhance or impede learning. Attendees will participate in a discussion of various mind states that impact the learning process. In addition, strategies that can be used to maximize learning and retention, promote a sense of safety within students in high-stress environments, and enhance creative thinking will be presented.

Presenter: Deborah Shapiro

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

Learn what positive psychology is, how it is both different from and complementary to traditional psychology, how to raise your own happiness baseline by intentionally choosing different attitudes and taking different actions, and how to use these materials with students. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn positive psychology fundamentals in order to integrate them with activities and discussions. The session will cover the power of selective attention and beliefs, effective rethinking, gratitude practices, and character strengths and values activities. While this course is open to those who have not previously taken it through the NVCC, those who already have any knowledge of or experience with these principles are invited to join to deepen their understanding and practices.

Presenters: Christina Nazarko & Wendy Mackey

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

Research shows that positive school culture, including an environment that develops positive relationships among students and teachers, increases student achievement. This workshop is an educator-focused professional learning session for those who are interested in building culture, climate, and inclusivity in the work setting. Establishing a positive school climate and culture is essential for educator job satisfaction and improving academic outcomes. The team will discover how to build a positive school community that focuses on relationships, discipline, and the representation of all students. There will also be time to explore how to transform the quality, character, and personality of the school environment, starting in one’s own classroom.

Presenters: Christina Nazarko & Wendy Mackey

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

Prerequisite: Promoting Culture and Climate in the School Setting

Attended Promoting Culture and Climate in the School Setting and craving more? This workshop will further explore how to build a positive school community that focuses on relationships, discipline, and the representation of all students. There will also be time to share and collaborate with like-minded peers on your experiences with transforming the quality, character, and personality of your own school environment.

Presenters: Melanie Arnold and Laura Wiseman

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades K-8

Discover practical strategies for supporting student success in this workshop focused on meeting diverse behavioral and developmental needs in K-8 classrooms. Educators and service providers will explore proactive approaches to address a variety of behavioral challenges and promote positive emotional and behavioral development. Participants will learn how to create inclusive classroom environments, implement effective behavior management techniques, and provide targeted support to meet individual student needs. Leave with a deeper understanding of how to increase availability for learning and foster a supportive community where all students can thrive.

Presenter: Virginia Senande

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

The complex nature of mentoring speaks to the benefits for current and prospective mentors to attend this training. Clarity of roles and responsibilities, as well as helpful techniques to maximize effectiveness, will be explored. Participants will gain insight into individual mentor and protégé needs through a variety of instruments, discussions, and reflections. In accordance with the New Jersey Professional Standards for teachers, the new mandates of TeachNJ, and mentoring revisions (May 2014), this workshop recognizes that collegial support and interaction are essential to the success of every aspect of education.

*Note: This workshop meets for two days.

Presenters: Anna Kuzdraj and Kelly Stevens

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

In today’s classrooms, teachers face a variety of challenges in supporting students’ well-being. This session, which is based on the book “Supporting Students’ Mental Health: Essentials for Teachers” by Michael Hass and Amy Ardell, will provide teachers with concrete strategies to support the well-being of students in their classrooms. Teachers will learn about the 4Rs framework, which will provide guidance in recognizing and responding to students’ needs. Additionally, concepts such as a relationship-centered classroom, promoting social connections, and cultural responsiveness will be discussed as strategies to build a positive and nurturing environment.

Presenters: Lisa Barragato & Kathleen O'Flynn

Tentatively Scheduled for 

Recommended for Educators of Grades Pre-K-12

Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about mindset and action. Every educator has the power to influence, inspire, and create meaningful change in their classroom and beyond. Based on Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead, this interactive workshop explores key pillars of courageous leadership, including vulnerability, trust, values, and courage. Participants will discover how to apply these concepts to both their personal and professional lives, strengthening their confidence as educators and leaders. Whether you see yourself as a leader or not, this session will help you cultivate the skills and mindset to lead with courage. Reading the book beforehand is encouraged but not required.

*Note: This group will meet for two 1/2-day sessions, 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

**Note: This workshop previously ran as Dare to Lead: Cultivating Courageous Educator Leaders