2025 Summer Symposium

This laugh-filled master class unveils both the art and science of engagement by merging soft skills with Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) best practices.

The 'Connected Classroom' aims to transform classroom cultures from competitive to collaborative to bolster minds of all kinds. This dynamic and highly interactive experience showcases strategies for better teams and a stronger classroom dynamic. By applying improvisational techniques this session focuses on enhancing Communication, Collaboration, and Confidence. This Unlikely Teacher evolved from a challenged learner and now offers a range of team-building exercises designed for educators striving to foster deeper connections among increasingly disconnected students.

Wonderhunt is the simple act of intentionally looking for wonder in an effort to reawaken your heart. Kim Kotecki discovered wonderhunting in the midst of a challenging season in her life, as she found herself balancing motherhood (with three kids ages five and under) while balancing a career she loved. She found that looking for wonder and capturing the beauty through (simple) photography helped her reclaim peace and joy amidst the high demands of her life. It was a scavenger hunt for her soul. 

Several years and hundreds of photos later, Kim is grateful to share the rejuvenating experience with others. Through this session Kim will share more about this healing practice, which will give you new tools to be more present in the moment, see life with new eyes of hope, find the miraculous in the mundane, and reawaken your soul in a way that changes everything.