The Challenge Success 2024 Fall Conference at Bentley University: Full Schedule

Join us this fall to learn research-based, equity-centered strategies to increase well-being, enhance belonging, and deepen engagement for students in your community. Don’t miss this professional development conference for K-12 educators and school partner teams. You will connect with fellow educators, experts, and thought leaders who are transforming the student experience in K-12 schools across the country, deepen your professional learning, and leave inspired and empowered with concrete strategies for your K-12 school community.

Workshops marked with a ⭐ are student-friendly.

4:00pm EDT

Parents/Caregivers Connect: Fostering Community Engagement

Friday September 27, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Jennison 307

In this session, you’ll connect with fellow parents/caregivers who have taken leadership roles on their school teams and discuss ways to navigate common roadblocks that might emerge. We will also explore how to engage parents/caregivers in your school community through various methods including teacher-parent forums and innovative approaches to book clubs and topic discussions.

Presenters

Margaret Dunlap

Senior School Design Partner, Transformative Coaching & Leadership, Challenge Success

Margaret Dunlap, M.A., is the Senior School Design Partner for Challenge Success. With a background spanning over 35 years, she has held multifaceted roles in education leadership, coaching, and program management. She supports schools in transformative reform endeavors, championing... Read More →

Friday September 27, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Jennison 307

9:45am EDT

Design for Deeper Learning with the AI-Kaleidoscope ⭐

Saturday September 28, 2024 9:45am - 11:00am EDT

Jennison 307

High Tech High Graduate School of Education’s Kaleidoscope framework supports educators in designing transformative learning experiences. However, designing for and with learners takes time and creative energy. This workshop introduces collaborative protocols for community-oriented projects and strategies for using the AI-companion to High Tech High’s Kaleidoscope Framework as a resource for lifting some of the cognitive weight of design.

Presenters

Aatash Parikh

Founder, Inkwire

Aatash Parikh is an educator, an engineer, and the founder of Inkwire, a platform that aims to make transformational learning experiences accessible to students and teachers everywhere. Aatash has worked as a software engineer at companies like Google & Khan Academy and as a middle... Read More →

Kali Frederick

Professional Learning Designer, High Tech High Graduate School of Education

Creatively non-compliant and embracer of wild ideas. I am a Professional Learning Designer with the High Tech High Graduate School of Education. With 15 years teaching experience in both a comprehensive NYC public school and PBL classrooms at High Tech High and inspired by bell hooks... Read More →

Saturday September 28, 2024 9:45am - 11:00am EDT
Jennison 307

11:15am EDT

Designing with Purpose: Improving Homework and Classroom Assignments ⭐

Saturday September 28, 2024 11:15am - 12:30pm EDT

Jennison 307

Homework is a hot topic today for educators, parents/caregivers, and students. Teachers struggle to meet standards and prepare students for tests without assigning unreasonable amounts of work; students report that homework is one of their top sources of stress; and parents grapple with the competing demands of family time, sleep, and extracurriculars. This workshop examines critical questions for educators to consider: What is the purpose of homework? How much is appropriate? How can I make classroom assignments as effective as possible? In this workshop, you’ll get answers to these important questions.

Presenters

Margaret Dunlap

Senior School Design Partner, Transformative Coaching & Leadership, Challenge Success

Saturday September 28, 2024 11:15am - 12:30pm EDT
Jennison 307

1:30pm EDT

Blueprints for Belonging: How to Create a Supportive School Culture ⭐

Saturday September 28, 2024 1:30pm - 2:05pm EDT

Jennison 307

In this session, we will translate the theory of meeting students' emotional needs into practical strategies for building a positive classroom culture. Through self-reflection, small group dialogue, and large group discussions, participants will explore the impact that emotional memories have on one’s life and learning experiences. We’ll explore how to create an inclusive, celebratory, and validating school environment that promotes success and happiness for all and participants will leave with a drafted culture-building action plan.

Presenters

David Levine

Director, Teaching Empathy Institute

David Levine, Director of Teaching Empathy Institute, is an award-winning educator, curriculum designer, author, recording artist, and documentary film maker. He has over 30 years of experience working in a multitude of educational settings across the globe as a classroom teacher... Read More →

Saturday September 28, 2024 1:30pm - 2:05pm EDT
Jennison 307