Conference season is well underway at the Learning Counsel. If you’ve been following us for any length of time, you know we made sweeping changes to our conferences in March, shifting from one-day, in-person regional conferences to two-day, virtual conferences. Although I had mixed feelings making the shift, I have to say we’ve seen some real advantages to holding our virtual conferences and one drawback.
First, the drawback. Our team really misses seeing everyone in person. After seven years of taking our team on the road to deliver an average of 25 regional events per year, we have made some very good friends around the country. In fact, I’d say the personal relationships we have developed over the years are what built our organization. We made real, lasting friendships at the state and district level in every region of the country. The ability to simply pick up the phone and call our superintendents, curriculum directors and technology folks at a moment’s notice dials us into education in a way that few if any organizations enjoy. And we treasure that.
And as I acknowledge the drawback of shifting to virtual events, I also celebrate the advantages. Holding our events virtually allows us to serve more attendees from more districts. In addition to the decision-makers from the large districts getting to attend, we now are able to work with superintendents, curriculum directors, technology directors and principals from many more of the mid-sized and even smaller districts. This has helped us gain an even deeper understanding of the market, and we are pleased to be able to personally introduce our industry friends like you to even more schools and districts, in effect bringing your best education solutions to even more learners across America.
In addition, the new two-day format allows us to bring in more experts to address the needs of our districts during this unusual time. Because of this, our events can be tailored to each individual region, and offer real solutions in real time. It is a formula that is getting some pretty spectacular reviews. We have some very smart people in education, and as they tackle our challenges head on, they are figuring out some very smart ways to not only meet the learning levels of the pre-COVID days, they are figuring out ways to leverage technology to actually increase learning levels. It’s pretty amazing stuff, and a lot of fun to be a part of.
If you haven’t already, I suggest you reach out and get involved in one or more of our Fall events. We still have several events open, and it’s not too late to take part in all the fun. Consider the following regions:
Louisiana-Arkansas-Mississippi-Alabama: Oct 6, 2020 to Oct 7, 2020
Digital Transition Discussion:
Hybrid Logistics, Secrets of Motivation, & Leading thru New Digital Learning Experience Standards
11:00 – 4:00 pm each day Central Daylight Time
Day 1- Hybrid Logistics & Secrets of Motivation
Sara Mungall, Director of Secondary Curriculum & Technology, University View Academy
LeiLani Cauthen, CEO & Publisher, Learning Counsel News Media & Research
Sheryl Abshire, EduJedi and Retired CTO Calcasieu, Parish School System
Day 2 - Leading Digital Learning Experience
Dr. Shannon LaFargue, Chief Academic Officer, Calcasieu Parish Public School (Invited)
Chris McMurray, VP EduJedi Leadership; former Assistant Superintendent Teaching & Learning, Evergreen Public Schools
Hugh Inman, Asst. Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Marion School District, AR (Invited)
Mr. Damian Gordon, District Technology Facilitator, East Baton Rouge Parish School (Invited)
Dr. Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr., Superintendent, Jefferson County Schools (Invited)
Ms. Stephanie Steib, Dir. of Informational Technology Serv., St. Charles Parish Public Schools (Invited)
Indiana-Ohio-Michigan: Oct 14, 2020 to Oct 15, 2020
Digital Transition Discussion:
Hybrid Logistics, Secrets of Motivation, & Leading thru New Digital Learning Experience Standards
11:00 – 4:00 pm each day Central Daylight Time
Day 1- Hybrid Logistics & Secrets of Motivation
Brian Seymour, Director of Instructional Technology, Pickerington Local School District
LeiLani Cauthen, CEO & Publisher, Learning Counsel News Media & Research
Kris Devereaux, Assistant Superintendent of Academics, Zionsville Community Schools
Dr. Lee Buddy, Principal - Wade Park School, Cleveland Metropolitan School District
Sheryl Abshire, EduJedi and Retired CTO Calcasieu, Parish School System
Day 2 - Leading Digital Learning Experience
Dave Binkley, Director of Instructional Technology, Strongsville City Schools, OH
Pete Just, Chief Technology Officer, MSD of Wayne Township, IN (Invited)
Chris McMurray, VP EduJedi Leadership; former Assistant Superintendent Teaching & Learning, Evergreen Public Schools
Dr. Thomas Langdon, Superintendent, Walkerville Public Schools, MI
John Dignan, Superintendent, Wayne-Westland Community Schools, MI
Jonathon Cooper, Superintendent, Mason City Schools, OH (Invited)
Dr. Sharon Johnson-Shirley, Superintendent, Lake Ridge New Tech Schools, IN
Illinois-Wisconsin: Oct 20, 2020 to Oct 21, 2020
Digital Transition Discussion:
Hybrid Logistics, Secrets of Motivation, & Leading thru New Digital Learning Experience Standards
11:00 – 4:00 pm each day Central Daylight Time
Day 1- Hybrid Logistics & Secrets of Motivation
Dr. Ken Wallace, Superintendent, Maine Township 207 High School
LeiLani Cauthen, CEO & Publisher, Learning Counsel News Media & Research
Gary Gorson, Chief Technology Officer, Township High School District 211, Chicago (Invited)
Mike Frantini, Chief Technology Officer, Community Consolidated School District 21 (Invited)
Sheryl Abshire, EduJedi and Retired CTO Calcasieu, Parish School System
Day 2 - Leading Digital Learning Experience
Dr. PJ Caposey, Superintendent, Meridian CUSD 223
Chris McMurray, VP EduJedi Leadership; former Assistant Superintendent Teaching & Learning, Evergreen Public Schools
Jan Geier, Assistant Superintendent, St. Charles School District (Invited)
Todd Dugan, Superintendent, Bunker Hill CUSD #8
Brian Skibinski, Chief Information Officer, Forest Ridge School District
Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, Superintendent, Fall Creek School District, WI (Invited)
Florida: Oct 27, 2020 to Oct 28, 2020
Digital Transition Discussion:
Hybrid Logistics, Secrets of Motivation, & Leading thru New Digital Learning Experience Standards
11:00 – 4:00 pm each day Eastern Standard Time
Day 1- Hybrid Logistics & Secrets of Motivation
JoAnne Glenn, Principal, Pasco eSchool
Dr. Daryl Diamond, Director, Innovative Learning, Broward County Public Schools (Invited)
LeiLani Cauthen, CEO & Publisher, Learning Counsel News Media & Research
Stephanie Acosta Castro, ESE Chair and Coach - Coral Park Elementary, Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Michael A. Randolph, Principal - Leesburg High School, Lake County Schools
Sheryl Abshire, EduJedi and Retired CTO Calcasieu, Parish School System
Day 2 - Leading Digital Learning Experience
Rob Bixler, Associate Superintendent, Curriculum and Digital Learning, Orange County Public Schools, Orlando (Invited)
Tim Harper, Chief Information Officer, Seminole County Public Schools (Invited)
Chris McMurray, VP EduJedi Leadership; former Assistant Superintendent Teaching & Learning, Evergreen Public Schools
Caitlyn Distler, Coordinator of Learning Technologies, Volusia County Schools (Invited)
Dr. Connie Kolosey, Director Media, Text and Digital Learning, Pinellas County Schools
Virginia Ramie, Director of Student Success and Instructional Improvement, Osceola County Schools (Invited)
Tina Barrios, Assistant Superintendent, Information Systems & Technology, Polk County Public Schools (Invited)
Georgia: Nov 17, 2020 to Nov 18, 2020
Digital Transition Discussion:
Hybrid Logistics, Secrets of Motivation, & Leading thru New Digital Learning Experience Standards
11:00 – 4:00 pm each day Eastern Standard Time
Day 1- Hybrid Logistics & Secrets of Motivation
Monika Davis, Chief Information Officer, Dekalb County Public Schools (Invited)
Dr. Brian Blanton Assistant Superintendent of Technology Services, Henry County Schools (Invited)
LeiLani Cauthen, CEO & Publisher, Learning Counsel News Media & Research
David Feliciano, Chief Technology Officer, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (Invited)
Sheryl Abshire, EduJedi and Retired CTO Calcasieu, Parish School System
Day 2 - Leading Digital Learning Experience
Lisa Watkins, Director of School Technology, Gwinnett County Public Schools (Invited)
Tricia Kennedy, Exec. Director of eCLASS Transformation, Gwinnett County Public Schools (Invited)
Dr. Adam Phyall, Director of Technology and Media Services, Newton County Schools
Chris McMurray, VP EduJedi Leadership; former Assistant Superintendent Teaching & Learning, Evergreen Public Schools
Dr. Keith Osburn, CIO, Georgia Department of Education (Invited)
Dr. Meria J. Carstarphen, Superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools (Invited)
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Davis, Superintendent , Henry County Schools (Invited)
National Gathering: Dec 2, 2020
“Do, or do not. There is no try.” — Yoda
9:00 – 4:00 pm Mountain Standard Time
Speakers & EduJedi will come from these schools and districts under review as possible National Digital Transition Survey winners. The Survey is still open for responses, but the following is our short-list so far out of thousands of responses to date (below). Attendees from the entire national audience of EduJedi will be invited to welcome new schools and districts making it to EduJedi, and multiple representatives attending for the Awards Call Out hour. The Gathering will feature various sizes of districts and schools in the panels and keynotes. The entire event will be recorded for additional viewing, and a full PR program will go out to announce winners and results of the Survey.
And there’s more this Spring
We also invite you to participate in our Spring events. At this point, they are virtual-only. However, if things get better as we expect, some of these events may become in-person events which are simulcast to a virtual audience as well.
Here’s who to contact
For information about how you can participate, please contact Annette Erwin. Her email is Annette@learningcounsel.com.
