Loading…
Welcome to the CDE Fall Conference: Exploring Well-being and Belonging in Colorado! We’re thrilled to have you with us.

Join Us for a Relaxing Evening of Wellness Activities on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2024!
NEW THIS YEAR!! We are thrilled to offer a selection of FREE, relaxing and experiential activities before the conference begins! These events are designed to help you unwind, connect with others, and engage in wellness practices. ALL SESSIONS ARE OPTIONAL! Please register for these events in the Special Activities Registration Form (google.com)

We’ve partnered with Ground2Air Productions to offer complimentary professional photography sessions. Please sign up to have your professional headshot https://www.picktime.com/2024CDEConference. Ground2Air Productions will also provide an interactive photo booth and will be capturing moments throughout the conference.

Don’t forget to use #CDEWellbeingConf2024 in your social media posts!

Wifi Network DOUBLETREE-MEETING
From your browser enter:
Password/Access Code: 2024CDEfallconference

Teachers clear filter
Wednesday, September 18
 

9:50am MDT

Building Bridges: Empowering Educators and Administrators in Comprehensive Health & Sex Education
Wednesday September 18, 2024 9:50am - 11:00am MDT
This session will delve into collaborative strategies and tools to create and enhance comprehensive health and sex education programs that are sustainable and prioritize youth voice. Administrators and educators will identify best practices and innovative approaches to work together, addressing the needs of their youth and community. The session will support both districts and schools with established comprehensive health and sex education programs and those new to these initiatives. This session will be highly interactive and engage various learning styles through activities, case studies, resources, reflection, and dialogue.

Session Objectives:

1. Participants will examine their personal values and beliefs to understand their perspectives and lead their collaboration with teammates, students, and the community through an intersectional and values-aware lens.
2. Participants will develop strategies and skills to support the creation and innovation of comprehensive health education and sex education programs that center youth voice.
3. Participants will gain tools and guidance through case studies from across the state to tailor their programs to their specific students and community, with a particular focus on students who have historically been excluded or negatively impacted by health and sex education programming.
Speakers
avatar for Ocean Candler

Ocean Candler

Youth Sexual Health Program Senior Coordinator, Trailhead Institute
Ocean has been working in sexual health education for the last 11 years through various non-profits and programs. Ocean joined the Youth Sexual Health team at Trailhead in Nov. 2022. The Youth Sexual Health Program supports organizations, collaboratives, communities and school districts... Read More →
BA

Bekkah Abeyta (she/ her)

Program Design & Training Consultant, independent consultant, Thrive Consulting
Wednesday September 18, 2024 9:50am - 11:00am MDT
Palmer

9:50am MDT

Diving Deeper Into The Mental Health Informed Classroom & Educator
Wednesday September 18, 2024 9:50am - 11:00am MDT
What does it mean to be a mental health informed educator? Attendees in this presentation will learn about and engage with a mental health informed educator tool. This tool provides staff the opportunity to dive deeper into their current practices and confidence levels with proficiencies related to Mental Health Informed Classrooms. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to utilize with individual staff members, groups, and/or for building professional learning to reflect, plan, and monitor progress on being a mental health informed educator.

Session Objectives:

  • To discuss mental health informed proficiency indicators for educators. 
  • To engage with a mental health informed educator action planning tool to assist staff in self-reflection on confidence levels, current practices, and goal setting
  • To propose and adapt processes and progress monitoring related to mental health informed educator action planning and implementation
Speakers
LM

Lacey Mahleres

Mental Health Coordinator, Westminster Public Schools
JT

Jordan Terhaar

SEL District Coordinator, Westminster Public Schools
Wednesday September 18, 2024 9:50am - 11:00am MDT
Douglas

9:50am MDT

Promote a Culture of Wellness enabling students and employees to thrive
Wednesday September 18, 2024 9:50am - 11:00am MDT
Physically healthy and resilient students and staff function at their highest level. The American Heart Association helps you create a culture in which health and wellbeing are prioritized. Learn simple ways to support students, their families, and your employees so they can meet your vision for excellence. “We’re glad the AHA provides the body of work that allows us to address physical health and emotional well-being, community safety and preparedness, and provides a shared language that creates permission to take good care of one another while working towards important outcomes.” Kerry Gain, Deputy Executive Director, Academic Services, Austin.

Session Objectives:
  • Prioritize your wellbeing and become a leader who inspires others to improve their physical, emotional health so your community can function at a higher level.
  • Help students create wellness habits that build resilience.
  • Recommendations enhancing preparedness through CPR skills and cardiac emergency response plan.
Speakers
avatar for American Heart Association

American Heart Association

Vice President, School Engagement - CO/WY, The American Heart Association
Information about our free program and resources
AN

Amy Newman

Regional Vice President, School Engagement - Southwest, The American Heart Association
Wednesday September 18, 2024 9:50am - 11:00am MDT
Pikes Peak

9:50am MDT

Social Media and The Fight for Kids’ Attention
Wednesday September 18, 2024 9:50am - 11:00am MDT
Educators and parents continue to struggle with the negative effects of screen time and social media. This presentation will focus on current research around challenges with behaviors, attention and social interactions related to screen time and social media use, and what we can reasonably do today.

Session Objectives:

  • The goals for this presentation are to present research and facts about the harmful impact screens and social media has on today’s youth and empower parents and educators to advocate for what children need to feel less helpless.
  • Access up-to-date research and facts
  • Feel empowered to advocate for how to help
  • Action steps you can implement now
Speakers
avatar for Bri 	Makofske

Bri Makofske

Licensed Psychologist/School Psychologist, Summit PAC
RT

Rachel Toplis

Licensed Psychologist and School Psychologist, Summit PAC
Wednesday September 18, 2024 9:50am - 11:00am MDT
El Paso

9:50am MDT

State Strategies for Better Addressing Student Homelessness
Wednesday September 18, 2024 9:50am - 11:00am MDT
States are taking a variety of approaches to address the complex issues facing students experiencing homelessness. This presentation will highlight policy reform strategies aimed at removing barriers to the resources and services that many youth encounter so that they can focus on succeeding in school. These reforms include recognizing the role McKinney-Vento homeless liaisons, school counselors, social workers and district staff play in academic achievement of students experiencing homelessness and helping them navigate systems of support.

Session Objectives:

  • Participants will learn about state policy reforms to address student homelessness and the advocacy necessary to drive that change.
Speakers
RM

Rodd Monts

Director of State Policy, SchoolHouse Connection
Wednesday September 18, 2024 9:50am - 11:00am MDT
Cherry Creek

9:50am MDT

The Collaborative Partnership: High Impact Family Engagement Practices
Wednesday September 18, 2024 9:50am - 11:00am MDT
Families are our most valued partners in supporting the wellbeing and engagement of children at school. During this session participants will gain understanding of a family engagement approach that is trauma-informed and designed to support the collaboration between schools and families. At the close of the session participants will have clarity on how to use the Gathering Input from Families Action Planning Guide as we walk through the steps and best practices.

Session Objectives:

  • Define meaningful and trauma-informed family engagement
  • Understand the elements of high impact family engagement strategies
  • Walk through the implementation steps of the Gathering Input from Families Action Planning Guide
Speakers
avatar for Emma Wahlen

Emma Wahlen

Regional Program Manager, Alliance for a Healthier Generation
Strong believer in the power of partnerships to support our students, staff, families, and communities!
avatar for Curtis Robbins

Curtis Robbins

Community Health & Engagement, Thriving Schools Kaiser Permanente
Curtis Robbins leads the Thriving Schools initiative for Kaiser Permanente Colorado. Thriving Schools is Kaiser Permanente's commitment to support the health and well-being of teachers, staff, students and their families in K-12 schools.
avatar for Bridgette	Binford

Bridgette Binford

Senior Workforce Health Consultant, Kaiser Permanente
As a Senior Workforce Health Consultant at Kaiser Permanente, Bridgette supports employer groups in building strategic and comprehensive wellness programs to address the total person. She is also the Thriving Schools Workforce Health lead in Colorado supporting schools and districts... Read More →
Wednesday September 18, 2024 9:50am - 11:00am MDT
Royal Gorge

9:50am MDT

The Whole Student Approach: Executive Functioning Strategies for Social-Emotional & Academic Growth
Wednesday September 18, 2024 9:50am - 11:00am MDT
Executive functioning skills are necessary for success in life and academics. This workshop will demonstrate how executive functioning impacts academics, social and emotional wellbeing, and mental health. Participants will simulate the hardships and frustrations of having an executive functioning deficit and leave with strategies to increase confidence, independence, and the mental health of their students. Investing in students' executive functioning skills can benefit school professionals by reducing stress, improving wellbeing, and fostering a more successful learning experience for all. We invite you to our interactive workshop to problem solve, collaborate and find solutions to the everyday challenges executive functioning deficits bring.

Session Objectives:
1) Discover research-based brain development milestones and best practices for supporting executive functioning skills for neurotypical and neurodivergent thinkers.
2) Experience firsthand why students with executive dysfunction can struggle obtaining academic and emotional expectations.
3) Walk away with three easy-to-use strategies that can be implemented right away.
Speakers
avatar for Cyle Feingold

Cyle Feingold

Executive Director, Results Learning
Cyle Feingold founded Results Learning in 2004 with a mission to help students learn the way they learn best. For the last 20 years, Cyle has been working with children who have been told that they cannot achieve the same things as “normal” kids. Why? Because he was one of them. In... Read More →
KM

Kristen Monteith

Special Education Program Manager, Results Learning
Wednesday September 18, 2024 9:50am - 11:00am MDT
Fountain Creek

11:15am MDT

Creating a Sense of Belonging Through Whole School Implementation of Restorative Practices
Wednesday September 18, 2024 11:15am - 12:25pm MDT
Schools across Colorado are implementing Restorative Practices to foster a sense of belonging by building relationships and addressing harm caused using a relational approach to behavior. RP implementation should include developing a system of accountability and support for both educators and learners, creating processes for continuous learning/feedback/self-reflection, and understanding both the proactive and responsive practices. During this session we will discuss the importance of whole school implementation of restorative practices in three areas including RP Infrastructure, RP Capacity-building & RP Tiers of Support.

Session Objectives:

1. Learn about the purpose and essential elements of whole school RP implementation
2. Identify indicators of the RP implementation that are already in place in your school/district and opportunities for growth.
3. Access information and resources to support whole school RP implementation
Speakers
JS

Jason Starkey

Restorative Practices Coordinator, Jeffco Public Schools
SJ

Sammy Jones-Winegar

Restorative Practices Specialist, Jeffco Public Schools
DL

Devani Lemmon

Restorative Practices Specialist, Jeffco Public Schools
Wednesday September 18, 2024 11:15am - 12:25pm MDT
Seven Falls

11:15am MDT

Navigating the Landscape of Wellbeing & Belonging Within Colorado's Multi-Tiered System of Supports
Wednesday September 18, 2024 11:15am - 12:25pm MDT
In this session, participants will explore the importance of wellbeing and belonging to promote student success in school and life. Additionally, participants will learn about the Landscape of Wellbeing and Belonging, a new virtual hub hosted by the Colorado Department of Education, that aims to blend guidance, resources, systems, and best practices to improve outcomes for students, staff, and families across all PK-12 schools in Colorado. We will explore the five features of wellbeing and belonging: safe and welcoming school environments; strong and trusting relationships; support for health and wellbeing; social, emotional, and behavioral competencies; and engaging learning practices.

Session Objectives:

1. Understand how the promotion of wellbeing and belonging helps to ensure that all students achieve high academic standards and gain skills needed to thrive in school and life.
2. Describe the five features of wellbeing and belonging and their alignment with COMTSS, the Colorado Professional Standards, and other frameworks used in school systems throughout Colorado.
3. Identify ways to integrate the five features of wellbeing and belonging into your work so that all students may thrive in school and life.
Speakers
avatar for Chauncey Stephens

Chauncey Stephens

Project AWARE Team Lead, Colorado Department of Education
AP

Andrea Pulskamp

Health and Safety Implementation Coordinator, Colorado Department of Education
Wednesday September 18, 2024 11:15am - 12:25pm MDT
Ballroom

1:35pm MDT

ADHD: Why We Feel Like We Don't Belong and How You Can Help Us
Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:35pm - 2:45pm MDT
ADHD kids and adults usually have a deep sense of self hatred. Everyone around them from teachers to parents to friends seem to point out their weaknesses in frustration, anger, and sometimes while making fun of them. There are so many ADHD kids that don't feel they belong. This extends to ADHD Teachers and other staff. Being able to see ADHD kids and adults for who they are and what they can add to the school can increase school belongingness in immeasurable ways. We will be talking about ways to support these wonderful people.

Session Objectives:

1) Understanding what happens inside the mind of ADHDers
2) Understanding ways to support them and help them feel included
3) Understanding ways to help staff support these kids and work with these adults
Speakers
avatar for Jeff Brown

Jeff Brown

Family Studies and Child Devleopment Teacher, Rampart High School
I've taught High school Relationships, Child Development, and Living Skills for 25 years. I'm also AuDHD meaning I'm Autistic and ADHDer.I do Professional Development Classes on Autism and ADHD, Child and Adolescent Development,The Power of Relationships in TeachingSee my website... Read More →
Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:35pm - 2:45pm MDT
Palmer

1:35pm MDT

Attention on Intention: Vision Boarding–identify your vision and give it clarity
Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:35pm - 2:45pm MDT
How do you want your life to look? Manifestation is not about just attracting “things” into your life but rather empowering yourself to live your best life. A vision board can illustrate the person you truly want to become. In this session, we will discuss how vision boarding can support student and employee wellness and then provide time for you to start creating your own individual or team vision board that represents what you hope to achieve this school year. Supplies will be provided. If you have your own supplies or magazines, please bring those, too.

Session Objectives:

(1) Explain what manifesting a vision is and the basic neuroscience behind the effectiveness of vision boards.
(2) Identify types of vision boards and when vision boarding may be a useful intervention for student and employee wellbeing.
(3) Create a situational vision board that displays your goals for the new school year.
Speakers
avatar for Kristi Elliott

Kristi Elliott

Health Education Services Supervisor, Colorado Department of Education
Kristi Elliott joined CDE in 2017. Prior to coming to CDE, she completed 17 school years at Canon City Schools in multiple roles. Her final position in the district was Regional Wellness Coordinator for Fremont Regional Health & Wellness, serving RE-1, RE-2, and RE-3 School Districts... Read More →
avatar for Jacklyn Thompson

Jacklyn Thompson

Healthy Schools Program Manager, Colorado Department of Education
Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:35pm - 2:45pm MDT
Academy

1:35pm MDT

Disheartenment to Glimmers of Opportunity: How to re-engage our hopeless students
Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:35pm - 2:45pm MDT
This presentation takes participants though steps to re-engage high school students that are not engaged in their educational experience and don't have a vision for their future. Participants will wear their student hat and their educator hat to understand the process Silverton School uses to reconnect students to school and their future. Presenters will take participants on the journey our students experienced including, neurosequential model for students, targeted tutoring and coaching, the Enneagram, college and career visits, and concurrent enrollment. We'll bring these 5 programming components to life and give educators the tools they need to make it happen in their own settings!-Participants will understand the 5 programming components from the student and educator perspective.

Session Objectives:

-Participants will consider how these 5 programming components could be adapted and used in their own settings.

Speakers
EB

Elizabeth Barszcz

Principal, Silverton Public School
SH

Summer Herout

School Social Worker, Silverton Public School
Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:35pm - 2:45pm MDT
Seven Falls

1:35pm MDT

Growing People Growing Plants: Land-based learning as a method for connecting academic, emotional, and social development.
Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:35pm - 2:45pm MDT
Flying Pig Farm (FPF) provides a community learning space in which people can reclaim their relationship with food and land. We take a multi-faceted, community-based approach to teaching young people a sense of belonging to their community, their environment, and soil-based food cultivation. Through our partnership with MSSD14, we've been able to serve over 1200 students a year with academically integrated farm activities.

Session Objectives:

1. Provide a working model for community collaboration
2. Demonstrate the success and joy of land-based learning
3. Coach participants on how to integrate our methods at their schools
Speakers
BB

Barak Ben-Amots

Director, Flying Pig Farm
Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:35pm - 2:45pm MDT
Fountain Creek

1:35pm MDT

Increasing Access to Education: Empowering Staff and Supporting Students through The Neurosequential Model©
Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:35pm - 2:45pm MDT
In a post-Covid setting and a new normal for education, there is a need for training and capacity building that is responsive to staff and provides whole-child support. A critical aspect of this work is to equip staff with an understanding of how the brain and body respond to stress and change, and to create systems that support staff, reduce punitive practices and promote student learning, healing and skill development. In this session, the presenters will share their expertise in training and implementation of The Neurosequential Model in Education© (NME) which provides foundational content and a lens that positively impacts school culture, improves access to education and better prepares educators to meet students with developmentally and biologically appropriate tools and practices.

Participants will:

- leave with an awareness of how stress impacts the health, function, memory, performance and perspective of staff and students - and how we can create and foster environments in which stress is negated and buffered through practices and systems that are biologically and developmentally matched to promote regulation and skill building.

- be exposed to systems and strategies that have been used by educators across the world in implementing the Neurosequential Model in Education© (NME) at the school and classroom level.

- understand outcomes and challenges associated with implementation of the NME© and how the NME© is foundational to uptake of the majority of school initiatives (e.g., SEL, restorative justice, curricula, MTSS, PBIS, lesson planning and coaching).
Speakers
avatar for Katie Lohmiller

Katie Lohmiller

Director of Programming and Evaluation, Educational Access Group and Program Coordinator, Educational Access Group & The Neurosequential Network
avatar for Halley Gruber

Halley Gruber

Educational Access Group & The Neurosequential Network, Director of On-site and Educational Support, Educational Access Group and Program Coordinator
Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:35pm - 2:45pm MDT
Cripple Creek

1:35pm MDT

Power of Play: How incorporating play into learning, benefits the whole child
Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:35pm - 2:45pm MDT
At Playworks we believe that play benefits us through our entire lives and is a language that everyone understands. It provides unique skill building opportunities when seen as an intentional time of every day. Our presentation dives into the benefits, barriers, and best practices for incorporating play to support the whole child, highlighting the physical, social, emotional, and academic benefits play provides both students and adults. We address common barriers with practical takeaways on how to combat them in schools and play based programs.

Session Objectives:

  • Re-inspire a love and interest in play and its value
  • Verbalize how play contributes to healthy youth development
  • Apply best practices for facilitating healthy play within their circle of influence
Speakers
avatar for Madison Freeze

Madison Freeze

Regional Partnership Manager, Playworks
Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:35pm - 2:45pm MDT
Royal Gorge

1:35pm MDT

The TLCC and Me! Using TLCC Results to Drive Change
Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:35pm - 2:45pm MDT
Dive into the statewide Teaching and Learning Conditions Colorado survey data and spend time collaborating on next steps for your work. Learn about statewide trends, ways to approach survey usage, and how to move from results into action. The survey includes a number of questions on student and staff wellbeing, so there are many opportunities to connect to state, district, and local results.

Session Objectives:

  • How to use perception data in continuous improvement. 
  • How to use data to drive decisions.
  • How to compare and leverage state, district, and local results.
Speakers
LS

Lisa Steffen

Colorado Department of Education
avatar for Greg Nusz, PhD

Greg Nusz, PhD

Program Evaluator, Colorado Department of Education
Greg Nusz, PhD is the Program Evaluation and Data Manager for the School Quality and Supports Division at CDE. His work focuses on using program evaluation strategies to inform continuous improvement of state-, district-, and school-level supports, with a particular concentration... Read More →
Wednesday September 18, 2024 1:35pm - 2:45pm MDT
Douglas

3:00pm MDT

Adapting to Thrive: Cultivating Resilience and Agency in Students and Staff
Wednesday September 18, 2024 3:00pm - 4:10pm MDT
This session lays a foundation for educators on why we need to shift our practice to meet the needs of today's students. Using science, participants will understand why this shift needs to happen to regulate and re engage our students. Participants will be armed with research to shift your most vocal staff that are resistent to change by clearly showing why we need to shift our beliefs about how kids learn and behave. You will walk away with ready to implement evidence based universal structures and supports to build agency in our students and staff, resulting in increased job satisfaction and increased learning and growth in our students.

Session Objectives:

  • Understand, learn and apply supportive environments in your school or classroom to re-engage and regulate students
  • Learn what positive developmental relationships are and why they are an essential foundation to regulate, engage and build agency in students
  • Understand how students developmentally learn mindsets, behaviors and skills and what you can do universally to identify lagging skills and implemented universal and targeted interventions so students are able to learn at high levels.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Kelli Smith

Dr. Kelli Smith

Director of Health, Wellness and Prevention, Douglas County School District
Wednesday September 18, 2024 3:00pm - 4:10pm MDT
Royal Gorge

3:00pm MDT

Comparing IEPs, 504s, and Health Plans Using a "Health Condition" Lens
Wednesday September 18, 2024 3:00pm - 4:10pm MDT
It’s estimated that 40% of school-aged children and adolescents in the U.S. have at least one chronic health condition, and research shows that children with chronic health conditions are more likely to be absent from school, putting them at risk for poor academic achievement. With adequate support, students with chronic conditions can thrive!

This session will compare the purpose, regulation, and eligibility for IEPs, 504s, and health plans, using chronic condition examples. Participants will also explore new resources from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on students with disabilities and related inequities.

Participants will be able to:
• Explain the purpose of an IEP, 504, and Individual Health Plan
• Discuss three differences between these three plans
• Describe how each plan can support student success
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Blumenthal

Sarah Blumenthal

Director of School Health Services Office, Colorado Department of Education
Wednesday September 18, 2024 3:00pm - 4:10pm MDT
Seven Falls

3:00pm MDT

Finding Your Voice and Channeling Emotions Through Living Poetry
Wednesday September 18, 2024 3:00pm - 4:10pm MDT
Poetry is more than the literary design to comply to a set of rules or poetic styles. It is undeniably the outpouring of the individual. When participants of poetry have the opportunity to elevate their voice, inevitably there is a stronger sense of self. In addition, communication skills increase allowing the participant of poetry to experience higher levels of positive social interactions. There is a significant amount of data/research that highlights the benefits/positive impact of SEL within poetry. If this is the case, we should see evidence of intentional poetry throughout schools. This presentation combines various poetic styles and music activities to promote cultivate equity, SEL, culturally responsive practices and leadership skills.

Session Objectives:
  • The participant will learn poetry strategies to promote SEL. 
  • The participant will write a poem implementing poetic techniques. 
  • The participant will review research on SEL within poetry and develop an action plan to best support students' interests/areas of support.
Speakers
RB

Roy Bailey

Music Instructional Curriculum Specialist, Denver Public Schools
Wednesday September 18, 2024 3:00pm - 4:10pm MDT
Fountain Creek

3:00pm MDT

Naloxone Administration in Schools – Train-the-Trainer Program for school nurses, staff, and emergency response teams
Wednesday September 18, 2024 3:00pm - 4:10pm MDT
This presentation will include an Opioid Overdose Prevention and Response Training which includes understanding the opioid crisis; youth impact; what are opioids; harm reduction; and reversing an opioid overdose with Naloxone.

Participants will be provided with training slides and facilitator guide, along with other resources, to conduct a training at their school.

1. An understanding of the opioid public health crisis/youth impact
2. Trained in Opioid Overdose Prevention and Response, including Naloxone administration
3. Equipped with resources to help implement an opioid overdose prevention and response training at their school
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Mackender

Jennifer Mackender

External Relations Strategist, Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention
JG

Jordan Goto

Health and Wellness Coordinator, Boulder Valley School District
Wednesday September 18, 2024 3:00pm - 4:10pm MDT
Cripple Creek

3:00pm MDT

SPOTLIGHT on Success: Empowering Remote Rural Regions with COMTSS Implementation
Wednesday September 18, 2024 3:00pm - 4:10pm MDT



This session caters to administrators, educators, mental health providers, and community-based organizations eager to cultivate collaboration across rural regions. Embracing a regional approach significantly enhances collective impact, fosters responsive systems, and ensures sustained implementation of initiatives like Colorado Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports. Amid ongoing uncertainties and educator turnover, continuous capacity building is pivotal for effective implementation. The panel will spotlight the formation of a Regional Implementation Team, comprising diverse voices from CDE offices, educators, community-based organizations, and Adams State University. Its goal: fortify equity for vulnerable youth, offer high-quality professional development, and enhance staff well-being. Gain firsthand insights from small rural districts on implementing COMTSS alongside community members, fostering impactful outcomes, and boosting equity for historically marginalized communities in rural areas.

Session Objectives:

1. Participants will grasp the importance of collaboration among administrators, educators, mental health providers, and community-based organizations across the region to improve educational outcomes.

2. Participants will learn how to enhance equity for vulnerable youth by establishing a Regional Implementation Team comprising diverse voices from CDE offices, educators, community-based organizations, and Adams State University.

3. Participants will comprehend how a regional implementation team offers professional development opportunities to enhance staff skills and well-being, ensuring the effective implementation of initiatives like COMTSS.
Speakers
KR

Katrina Ruggles

Counselor/Grant Coordinator, Center Consolidated Schools, 26JT
Dr. Katrina Caldon-Ruggles, MA, LPC, is a counselor and district MTSS coordinator in the Center Consolidated School District in the town of Center in the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado. Katrina has been coordinating and providing services focused on the overall health and wellness... Read More →
GM

Geneva Mixon

Mountain Valley School District
avatar for Adams State University 

Adams State University 

My name is Dr. Sandra Gavin (she/her), and I am an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at Adams State University, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and a National Certified Counselor. I am the new San Luis Valley Regional Coordinator supporting COMTSS work there. My scholarly... Read More →
Wednesday September 18, 2024 3:00pm - 4:10pm MDT
Academy

3:00pm MDT

Thriving Together: Elevating Whole School Wellness with Out-of-School Time Programs
Wednesday September 18, 2024 3:00pm - 4:10pm MDT
This engaging session will help participants unlock the potential of school-based out-of-school time (OST) programming to boost wellness and belonging among students and staff, enhancing the culture and connectedness of the school community. We will delve into how OST programs support each of the 5 features of the Landscape of Wellbeing and demonstrate how a focus on quality OST programming can positively impact students, families and staff within a school.

Session Objectives:

  • Demonstrate the benefits of out of school time programming related to wellbeing and belonging for students, families and school staff
  • Identify how OST programs can be leveraged to enhance each of the 5 features of the Landscape of Wellbeing and Belonging
  • Give participants tangible next steps to building a culture of OST programming designed to enhance wellness at their school
Speakers
CB

Cody Buchanan

Out-of-School Time Program Development Specialist, Colorado Department of Education
Cody is an Out-of-school Time Programs and Partnership Specialist at the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), supporting the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant program. In this role, Cody supports program quality and compliance among 21st CCLC grantees to ensure high-impact... Read More →
avatar for Jacqueline Chavez

Jacqueline Chavez

OST Programs and Partnership Specialist, Colorado Department of Education
avatar for Jacklyn Thompson

Jacklyn Thompson

Healthy Schools Program Manager, Colorado Department of Education
Wednesday September 18, 2024 3:00pm - 4:10pm MDT
Cherry Creek
 
Thursday, September 19
 

9:30am MDT

Animal Assisted Interactions in Schools: Creating a Welcoming Environment One Paw at a Time
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
During this interactive session, participants will gain a better understanding of how to utilize Animal Assisted Interactions (AAI) in schools as a support of creating a positive school climate and culture. The session will walk through what AAI looks like in as a part of a tiered intervention system (MTSS) in order to support student belonging across the school setting. Participants will walk away with ideas for utilizing AAI in their schools, ideas for connecting with Human-Animal partners to travel to their schools, and a chance to experience the benefits of AAI themselves!

Session Objectives:

  • Understand the basics of Animal Assisted Interactions in the school setting.
  • Discover ways to engage both staff and students in SEL utilizing Animal Assisted Interactions.
  • Experience the benefits of Animal Assisted Interactions in session.
Speakers
AG

Ashley Goodwin-Hebert

Social Emotional Learning Specialist, Jeffco Public Schools
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
Royal Gorge

9:30am MDT

Be Well in Rural Colorado
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
Using the PERMA model from the Center for Rural School Health & Education to define wellbeing as Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment, we will look deeper into the ways wellbeing can be supported throughout Rural Communities as it relates to staff, families, and student experiences.

Session Objectives:

  • Connect with other rural districts to provide ongoing support
  • Examine and review supportive structures of building relationships in your rural community
  • Discover new ways empower students in their own wellbeing
Speakers
avatar for Jordan Cobb

Jordan Cobb

School Counselor, Moffat 2
avatar for Alex Moore-Guenther

Alex Moore-Guenther

School Counselor, Moffat 2
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
Palmer

9:30am MDT

Blueprints for Wellness: Create Routines to Become the Best Version of You!
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
Ever set a wellness goal only to find yourself struggling to make progress? You’re not alone! Maybe your wellness blueprint is lacking scale, lines, views, or measurements for you to be successful. Together let's establish a powerful wellness blueprint by learning how the components of physical and mental wellness are the foundation for well-being. Learn to develop routines that are scaled, lined, viewed, and measured, that when implemented overtime help you to become the Best Version of You!!!

Session Objectives:
  • Explore the components of physical and mental wellness and their role in establishing overall well-being.
  • Understand how gradual, consistent improvement can enhance wellness over time.
  • Learn effective strategies to build incremental shifts in habits for sustainable wellness routines.
Speakers
avatar for CharLynn Stegman

CharLynn Stegman

Health and Wellness Specialist, District 49
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
Seven Falls

9:30am MDT

Cultivating Staff Wellness Through Community Collaborations
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
Discover a variety of opportunities in your community to expand the wellness programming for your staff, students, and families. Louie and Jess will share examples on partnering with businesses for free or minimal cost that can impact the physical, social, mental and nutritional health of your school community.

Session Objectives:
  • Participants will leave with new ideas for partnership for school and/or district wellness programming. 
  • Participants will be able to identify new ideas for partnership for staff, student, and family wellness programming.
  • Participants will be able to identify at least one program or event they can implement/promote for free or minimal cost.
Speakers
avatar for Louie Morphew

Louie Morphew

Wellness Coordinator, Aurora Public Schools
JM

Jessica Martinez

Wellness Coordinator, Aurora Public Schools
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
Cripple Creek

9:30am MDT

Filling Your Own Cup: Creating Self-Connection & Resilience
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
As educators, we dedicate our lives to the wellbeing and success of our students. But rarely do we take the time to care for ourselves. This presentation will equip you with skills to fill up your own cup, so that you can support the wellbeing of your students without burning out and be a role model for self-care. You will learn a new definition of resilience and how it helps you respond to life’s challenges, why it’s so important to maintain your energy, and how to work with negative self-talk so that you don’t reach a state of overwhelm.

Session Objectives:

(1) What resilience really is and how it helps you respond to life's challenges
(2) How to work with negative self-talk so that you don't reach a state of overwhelm
(3) The importance of maintaining your own energy and a personalized plan to create resilience
Speakers
LM

Lex Moschakis

Mental Health in Education, Live Big Community
Lex is the co-founder of Live Big Community, an organization that supports both education staff and students in building confidence, resilience, and self-leadership skills. She is a counselor by training with a speciality in trauma and child and adolescent development.Lex's personal... Read More →
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
Cherry Creek

9:30am MDT

Office of School Safety Overview and Updates
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
Educators know that safe learning environments lead to higher student outcomes. However, with the ever changing field of school safety it can be hard to keep up with best practices and legislation. This session will help attendees gain a better understanding of the Office of School Safety and the resources available throughout the state. We will also discuss recent legislation and grant opportunities available to schools.

Session Objectives:

1. Participants will have a better understanding of the Office of School Safety and the resources available.
2. Participants will gain knowledge around recent school safety legislation
3. Participants will gain knowledge around school safety grants and events available to them
Speakers
KG

Kati Garner

Crisis Unit Manager, Colorado Office of School Safety
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
Pikes Peak

9:30am MDT

Project AWARE Colorado’s Mental Health Screening Toolkit
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
Mental health screening can serve as a powerful tool for schools in determining school-wide, classroom, and individual student needs. This presentation will begin with a brief discussion of what mental health screening is and isn’t as well as why it’s important in schools. Resources to support mental health screening will be presented, with the goal of providing participants with a clear understanding of the steps necessary for planning and implementing screening as well as the access to a curated set of tools needed to do so.

Session Objectives:

Participants will be able to:
(1) define mental health screening and its importance in schools
(2) describe the steps necessary to plan for and implement mental health screening
(3) navigate a curated set of resources and tools designed to support schools in carrying out these steps
Speakers
avatar for Amy Plog

Amy Plog

Evaluation and Research Principal Consultant, Colorado Department of Education
Amy Plog joined CDE in December 2021 and is a Research and Evaluation Consultant with the Health Education Services Office. Prior to working at CDE, she spent over 20 years in the Cherry Creek School District in a research and data role supporting the district mental health team and... Read More →
avatar for Elizabeth Schroeder

Elizabeth Schroeder

Health Education Services Grant Consultant, Colorado Department of Education
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
Douglas

9:30am MDT

SEL When You Can’t Say SEL
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
Discussing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) has encountered various challenges across Colorado and throughout the United States. Unfortunately, it has been subject to misconceptions, including confusion with Critical Race Theory and unfounded associations with certain agendas (including those who advocate for LGBTQ+ rights). Addressing SEL has thus become increasingly complex. However, we aim to offer adaptable approaches endorsed by statewide organizations, tailored to your school community's values.

Session Objectives:
  • Participants will receive practical tools to navigate these discussions effectively
  • Participants will learn different options when addressing the terms of Social Emotional Learning programming.
  • Participants will learn techniques to calm high conflict conversations around Social Emotional Learning.
Speakers
SD

Susan Davis

SEL Coordinator, St. Vrain Valley School District
AM

Adilene Marquez

Inspire Youth Connections Program Specialist, Boulder County Public Health
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
El Paso

9:30am MDT

Why Collaboration Matters: Advancing Collective Efforts Around Anti-Racist Sex Education in Schools
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
Attendees will gain an understanding of the overarching need for comprehensive sex education (CHSE), and youth disparities as it relates to their sexual health outcomes particularly for LGBTIQA+, BIPOC, disabled youth, youth survivors of sexual violence, and those traditionally left out of sex education. They will also learn the need for anti-racist and anti-oppressive CHSE and strategies for implementing it in the classroom. Lastly, folx will walk away with recognizing CHSE as a multi-prong approach to addressing suicide prevention, substance use, mental health, and sexual violence among other critical factors that impact young people and hence their health outcomes.

Session Objectives:

1. Promote and encourage conversation around the value in promoting work around anti-racist and anti-oppressive sex education in schools and districts in Colorado
2. Speak to and discuss the value in leveraging data collection opportunities and efforts to speak to diverse and critical issues in sex education
3. Discuss CHSE as an approach for addressing suicide prevention, substance use, mental health promotion, sexual violence, etc.
Speakers
avatar for Lilian Chimuma

Lilian Chimuma

Evaluator (Statistical Analyst), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Lilian Chimuma, PhD., is a mixed methods evaluator and researcher with a passion for translating research to practice in interdisciplinary contexts for nuanced and complex problems. Lilian is currently supporting efforts around equitable evaluation and research practices in data collection... Read More →
avatar for Deja Moore

Deja Moore

Comprehensive Human Sexuality Education (CHSE) Program Coordinator, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Deja Moore (She/Her), Afro-Hispanic Trans Woman of Color, was born and raised in the Thornton and Northglenn, CO area and now lives in Denver. She serves as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Comprehensive Human Sexuality Education (CHSE) Program Coordinator... Read More →
Thursday September 19, 2024 9:30am - 10:40am MDT
Fountain Creek

10:55am MDT

Building Resilience: School Nurses' Impact on Mental Health and Behavior in Education
Thursday September 19, 2024 10:55am - 12:05pm MDT
Boulder Valley School District presents the structural framework to incorporate the skills and knowledge of the school nurse to provide comprehensive substance use prevention education, mental health education, and Tier 2 and Tier 3 levels of support and care to students experiencing substance use, and mental health needs. Through a cross collaborative team-based approach, nurses provide essential supports to students. We will look deeper into a school nurse day, their collaborative team structures and district frameworks to elevate the nurse role within the school and classroom.

Session Objectives:
  • Understand the school nurse role in mental and behavioral health support
  • Apply takeaways to advocate for more involvement from your school nurse to provide comprehensive care and support in the school building.
  • Implement leadership strategies to provide the support to school nurses to provide substance use education, prevention and intervention, along with mental health and behavioral health support.
Speakers
JG

Jordan Goto

Health and Wellness Coordinator, Boulder Valley School District
K

Kelli Preston

Broomfield High School, School Nurse
PW

Paula Waldhoff

School Nurse, Fairview High School
Thursday September 19, 2024 10:55am - 12:05pm MDT
Fountain Creek

10:55am MDT

More Than a Buzzword: Belonging Programming to Live It Out!
Thursday September 19, 2024 10:55am - 12:05pm MDT
“More Than a Buzzword: Belonging Programming to Live It Out!” delves into practical steps for fostering a culture of inclusion. Presenting a case study of Carmody Middle School's successful belonging programming, attendees gain insight into engaging student participation in belonging activities, peer mentoring, enhancing school identity, intentional calendar planning, and how to collect and disaggregate data that centers around belonging. Attendees will utilize inventories to assess their school's inclusivity and brainstorm programming to bridge gaps. Empowering educators with actionable ideas, this presentation offers a roadmap for creating vibrant, inclusive school environments where every student feels seen, heard, and valued.

Session Objectives:

1)Teachers, counselors, and administrators will develop a comprehensive understanding of strategies to enhance belonging programming across all tiers (Tiers 1-3) within the school day. Drawing insights from the experiences of Carmody Middle School counselors, participants will gain practical ideas and techniques for fostering inclusivity and connection among students, tailored to diverse needs and contexts.

2)Participants will acquire skills in data collection methods specifically designed for evaluating and refining belonging programming initiatives. Educators will learn how to gather meaningful data on student engagement, satisfaction, and sense of belonging, empowering them to make informed decisions and adjustments to their programming.

3)Educators will engage in self-reflective practices to evaluate their school's current level of belonging. Utilizing inventories and assessment frameworks, participants will assess the strengths and areas for growth in their school's culture of inclusivity. By identifying actionable items for improvement, attendees will develop personalized action plans to enhance belonging within their own school communities.
Speakers
EH

Emily Hahn

School Counselor, Carmody Middle School (Jefferson County School District R-1)
AG

Anna Gisetti

School Counselor, Carmody Middle School (Jefferson County R-1 Public Schools)
Thursday September 19, 2024 10:55am - 12:05pm MDT
Cherry Creek

10:55am MDT

Neuroscience and your school counseling program and how to implement district wide
Thursday September 19, 2024 10:55am - 12:05pm MDT
In this session, participants will learn how to integrate the latest in neuroscience research from Dr. Lori Desautels’ into their school counseling program. Participants will engage in different techniques that can help shift the energy in their classrooms and counseling sessions, as well as walking away with a list of over 100 three to five minute activities. This session will also describe how the Cripple Creek Victor School District utilizes their district level neuroscience educator, and the grants surrounding that position. This session will have a presentation piece as well as hands-on activities to get participants engaged with neuroscience.

Session Objectives:

1. Objective One: Participants will have an understanding of their own brain and nervous system states.
2. Objective Two: Participants will walk away with neuroscience strategies and mindfulness strategies to implement immediately.
3. Objective Three: Participants will understand the importance of coregulation, and strategies around coregulation.
Speakers
avatar for Sadie Miller

Sadie Miller

6-12 School Counselor, Cripple Creek-Victor RE-1
avatar for Amy Christison

Amy Christison

District Neuroeducator, Cripple Creek-Victor RE-1
Thursday September 19, 2024 10:55am - 12:05pm MDT
Academy

10:55am MDT

Not Just Reading and Writing: Making the Case for Mental Health Literacy
Thursday September 19, 2024 10:55am - 12:05pm MDT
Increasing mental health concerns among young people are reflected nationally in the recent US Surgeon General’s Advisory on Student Mental Health and locally in Healthy Kids Colorado data. Effectively addressing these concerns will require focus not only on mental health treatment, but also prevention efforts. This presentation will make the case for the importance of mental health literacy education to promote positive mental health. Core components of mental health literacy will be delineated as will a variety of reasons why this work in schools is critical. Finally, resources will be shared along with discussion of how to use them intentionally.

Session Objectives:

Participants will be able to:
(1) describe the four core components of mental health literacy
(2) give examples of reasons why mental health literacy is important in schools
(3) locate mental health literacy resources and recognize how to use them intentionally
Speakers
avatar for Michelle Malvey

Michelle Malvey

Behavioral Health Training Specialist, Colorado Department of Education
Michelle Malvey is a Behavioral Health Training Specialist in the Heath Education Unit at CDE.  She is a former principal, district MTSS Coordinator, school psychologist and teacher with a passion for making sure everyone in the school environment gets what they need on a daily... Read More →
avatar for Amy Plog

Amy Plog

Evaluation and Research Principal Consultant, Colorado Department of Education
Amy Plog joined CDE in December 2021 and is a Research and Evaluation Consultant with the Health Education Services Office. Prior to working at CDE, she spent over 20 years in the Cherry Creek School District in a research and data role supporting the district mental health team and... Read More →
Thursday September 19, 2024 10:55am - 12:05pm MDT
Royal Gorge

10:55am MDT

The Elephant's Gift: Mindfulness for PK-2nd
Thursday September 19, 2024 10:55am - 12:05pm MDT
Join us for a fantastical journey in our breakout session for early education teachers! Discover ideas for teaching social-emotional learning for children (Pre-k - 2nd) from The Elephant’s Gift Program, based on the award-winning children’s book by Amira Valle. Presented by Amira Valle and Lourdes Buck, award-winning author of Sue’s Sky's, this session includes an activity from The Elephant’s Gift Activity book and provides tools to take back to the classroom. Learn about additional training opportunities for more in-depth educational materials. Don't miss this enriching and engaging session! Educators will participate in a hands-on activities from The Elephant’s Gift Activity book, providing them with practical experience and resources to implement in their classrooms immediately.

The learning objectives are as follows:

1. Teaching Attentional Focus: Educators will learn a tool to help children develop attentional focus through an engaging activity and structured routines, enhancing their ability to concentrate and learn effectively.
2. Promoting Emotional Regulation: Participants will learn tools and techniques to support children in recognizing, understanding, and managing their emotions, fostering a more balanced and positive emotional state.
3. Cultivating Kindness: Educators will explore methods to instill kindness and empathy in children, encouraging compassionate interactions and creating a nurturing classroom environment.
Speakers
avatar for Robyn Winters

Robyn Winters

Executive Director, Cognitive Learning Center
Now, more than ever, youth need trauma-informed education. CLC provides materials (K-12) for educators to teach SEL in the science of behavioral health and cognitive practices to students.
avatar for Lourdes Buck

Lourdes Buck

Author, Teacher, and Educational Equity Trainer, St. Vrain Valley Schools
Lulu Buck is the Educational Equity Coordinator and Community Engagement Coordinator for Student Services at St Vrain Valley Schools.
AV

Amira Valle

Director of Early Education Program, Cognitive Learning Center
Thursday September 19, 2024 10:55am - 12:05pm MDT
Cripple Creek

10:55am MDT

Transforming Schools for LGBTQ Students: Best Practices and Real-Life Examples
Thursday September 19, 2024 10:55am - 12:05pm MDT
This session will explore current data on LGBTQ students' health and wellbeing, highlighting the crucial role of a supportive school environment. Attendees will learn best practices for fostering true belonging through systemic and academic approaches, ensuring sustainability and buy-in from all school community members. Drawing from History UnErased’s work in over 3,000 schools, real-life examples and testimonials will showcase effective strategies for urban, suburban, and rural settings, minimizing and navigating pushback, and bringing all members of the school community together around student wellbeing and achievement.

Session Objectives:

1- Understand the impact of school environments on LGBTQ students' health, wellbeing, and connectedness.
2- Identify and implement best practices for creating sustainable, inclusive educational environments.
3- Gain insights from successful real-life examples and testimonials to replicate inclusive practices in diverse school settings.
Speakers
DF

Debra Fowler

Executive Director, History UnErased
avatar for Basel Touchan

Basel Touchan

Learning and Development Consultant, History UnErased
Dr. Basel Touchan is a Middle Eastern Immigrant who transitioned from a career in medicine to focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) after moving to the U.S. during the Syrian civil war. With over a decade of global strategic and programmatic experience in education... Read More →
Thursday September 19, 2024 10:55am - 12:05pm MDT
Pikes Peak

10:55am MDT

Youth Perspective on Trauma Informed Approaches: Checking your Practices
Thursday September 19, 2024 10:55am - 12:05pm MDT
Utilizing a trauma-informed approach with highly mobile students is an important practice to avoid re-traumatizing youth. Rather than punishing students for things they can’t control, we want to give youth the support and resources they need to succeed. Learn from Colorado State University independent student presenters about some of the school policy challenges and how K-12 staff best supported them through their highly mobile experiences. Join us for this interactive session equipping participants with what we need to know for supporting youth in a trauma informed way through school systems.

Session Objectives
Conference attendees who engage in this session will be able to accomplish the following:
• Summarize what a trauma-informed approach looks like in a middle/high school setting
• Identify best practices for engaging with highly mobile students navigating school systems
• Discuss that college is a safe place with a middle school or high school student
Speakers
AF

Andrea Fortney

Fostering Success Program Director, Colorado State University
Thursday September 19, 2024 10:55am - 12:05pm MDT
El Paso
 


Share Modal

Share this link via

Or copy link

Filter sessions
Apply filters to sessions.