Teaching is one of the most meaningful and demanding professions—and too often, educators are expected to do it all without losing themselves in the process. In this energizing and empowering session, Dr. Kristen helps educators and school leaders break free from the pressure to constantly perform and instead lead from a place of clarity, strength, and authenticity. Dr. Kristen’s MAGIC framework invites educators to reconnect with their purpose, shift from survival mode to intentional leadership, and take small, courageous steps toward greater balance and impact—both in and out of the classroom. Through honest stories and practical strategies, attendees will walk away with renewed energy to lead with confidence, compassion, and courage. You don’t have to change who you are to thrive as an educator—you just have to step into your MAGIC.
Speaker, Author, Coach and PD Provider, Dr. Kristen Strom LLC
Dr. Kristen Strom brings two decades of experience as a teacher, school leader, professor, and mentor to today’s work with educators across the country. She is an award-winning educator and leader, a nationally published scholar, speaker, and coach who helps teachers and other professionals... Read More →
"Run Your Best Life" Are you ready to pursue your dreams and design your best life? Whether you struggle to maintain focus, feel stuck in mediocrity despite
High School Counselor, Consolidated High School District 230
Matt Matkovich is a nationally recognized motivational speaker who has inspired audiences across the country since 2013 with raw energy, powerful storytelling, and an unwavering belief in human potential. Once comfortable with playing it safe, Matt chose discomfort, discipline, and... Read More →
The current landscape of youth mental health in Illinois has reached a critical inflection point. With nearly half of Illinois youth reporting worsening mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness, rising hospital visits for mental health needs, and suicide remaining a leading cause of death among youth, the urgency for change is undeniable.
The "business as usual" approach characterized by well-intentioned but siloed agencies, fragmented community partnerships, and reactive school-based interventions is failing to keep pace with the increasing needs of our youth. This challenge is further compounded by the persistent and widespread shortage of mental health professionals and resources in both public agencies and school settings.
This session serves as a critical call to action, urging a shift beyond merely co-locating community mental health services in schools. Instead, we advocate for a true public health model that integrates the departments of education and public health. We will introduce the Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF)—a research-validated logic model and process designed to integrate systems into a single, cohesive continuum of support between schools and their communities. Participants will be introduced to and walk away with multiple resources to support your agency in installation of an ISF. This session will also share the design logic of the new ISF-SHINE (School Health and Interventions for Nurturing Excellence) research grant, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Education Innovation and Research (EIR) office and is implemented through the Lake County #34 Regional Office of Education (IL) in partnership with WestEd and the University of Illinois–Chicago.
Brian is the Co-Diretor for the Midwest PBIS Network, which he helped establish in 2014. For the past twenty-five years, he has supported a range of educational settings from general education, to higher education, to alternative schools and residential care. In his leadership capacity, Brian directs the Midwest PBIS Network to bui... Read More →
Katie serves as a Technical Assistance Director at the Midwest PBIS Network and is the Principal Investigator for the Project EPIC Model Demonstration Grant, funded by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Project EPIC focuses on enhancing family-school-community... Read More →
Across the country, educators are grappling with the growing impact of social media on student mental health, behavior, and learning. What once began as simple online interactions now shapes attention, relationships, and trust both inside and outside the classroom. From group chats to viral challenges, digital culture has redefined school climate—often faster than policies or adults can respond.
This session helps school and district leaders understand and lead through the youth mental health crisis fueled by engagement technology. Grounded in current research and real-world implementation, participants will explore how social media and device use affect attention, emotional regulation, and belonging before students even enter the building. The discussion highlights why current responses such as like phone bans, monitoring software, or compliance-based mandates, often fail to address root causes or foster long-term change.
Self-worth is crucial for overall mental health. You will learn how to evaluate the impact of self-worth on your life, your students' lives, and apply strategies for improvement. You will gain insights into best practices, action research, and evidence-based learning that can be implemented for you and your students. This presentation will help you understand the importance of self-worth and how it can benefit both you and your students. It will provide practical strategies and techniques that can be applied to real-life situations, creating a more positive and supportive school environment.
Noelle Rizzio is a licensed professional counselor and former school counselor dedicated to helping individuals build self-worth and emotional resilience. With years of experience supporting individuals through life’s transitions, Noelle is passionate about empowering new and seasoned... Read More →
