2025 Summer Symposium

This session delves into the often overlooked topic of how men navigate the realm of wellness and self-care, which is traditionally dominated by female perspectives. We will explore how societal expectations and gender stereotypes shape the way men perceive and engage with self-care practices. By examining these barriers, you hope to gain insights into fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for male self-care within educational settings.

Furthermore, this session offers practical insights into promoting self-care among male students, who may find it challenging to engage with these practices, particularly in their youth. By addressing the unique needs and experiences of young men, attendees will gain valuable strategies for creating inclusive spaces where male students are encouraged to embrace self-care as an essential aspect of their personal growth and academic success.

Join me for a deeply rejuvenating experience as we delve into the tranquil world of Restorative Yoga. In this serene and introspective session, participants will be guided through gentle poses and breath work designed to promote relaxation, release tension, and restore balance to the body and mind.

This session will offer a safe and nurturing environment for all levels to unwind and recharge. Through the use of supportive props and mindful guidance, participants will explore the subtle nuances of each posture, allowing for deep release and surrender.

Throughout the session, emphasis will be placed on cultivating mindfulness and presence as well as fostering a sense of inner peace and tranquility. Participants will learn to listen to their bodies, honoring their unique needs and boundaries, while cultivating a sense of compassion and self-care.

EFT is an easy to learn, effective, quick way to alleviate stress, pain, or a troubling event quickly. Once you know the technique you will be able to use it daily or when you need it. It is tapping specified pressure points on the body while thinking and feeling the stressful event. The technique helps you release it from your body.

This workshop will focus on how creative exercises can help teachers and students better understand themselves and the world around them, as well as be a powerful tool for self-care. You will be guided through a painting session, learn strategies to take creativity back to your classroom, and leave with a canvas artwork that you created yourself.  Even if you are not an "artist," this session is friendly for all learners -- just bring yourself and a playful mind!

In the session "Understanding Yourself: The Foundation of Self-Care," we will explore the significance of self-awareness in fostering effective teamwork and empathy towards others. Through immersive and engaging activities, participants will gain valuable insights into their own motivations and communication styles. By cultivating self-awareness, attendees will develop a deeper understanding of themselves and how it contributes to embracing diverse viewpoints, impacting collaboration and communication. Key takeaways will include enhanced interpersonal skills, improved team dynamics, and a renewed emphasis on overall well-being, both individually and as a team. We invite you to join us on this journey of self-discovery and teamwork.

Have you ever wanted just a moment for yourself to think, replenish and restore your energy? This mini personal retreat is designed especially for those in education, strives to recharge your spirit and reignite your passion. Led by seasoned facilitator, Laurie Guest, this session offers a tranquil oasis, providing you with invaluable moments of
self-reflection and renewal.

Discover the power of thought-provoking questions as you learn to quiet the noise of everyday life and tap into your inner wisdom. Explore practical strategies for self-care and resilience, empowering you to navigate life's challenges with grace and clarity. In this immersive retreat, you'll embark on a journey of self-discovery through a series of interactive exercises and discussion. You'll explore techniques for managing stress, cultivating inner peace, and reconnecting with the happiest version of yourself.

Session includes a free copy of Laurie’s book: Wrapped in Stillness: A personal retreat guide.

Join us as we explore technology's impact on today’s students and their developing brains, the school ecosystem, and inside the classroom. Along the way, we’ll dig into other contributing factors to the current student mental health crisis and what we, as educators, can do to make positive changes at school that impact our student’s overall well-being. How do we thrive in both the oxygenated and the digital world? 

By the end, you’ll walk away with a new awareness geared toward helping us all navigate the digital world with less stress, more productivity, and greater wellness and awareness in mind.

You will choose two sessions to rotate between when you sign up for this afternoon session. Each session will be 35 minutes in length.

SESSION ONE
Harmony in Bloom: Life in 5 Senses
Mimi Ojaghi and Jan Oncken

Join us for a rejuvenating professional development workshop focused on nurturing personal wellness and integrating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into your daily life. Explore the different dimensions of wellness and discover how to cultivate a more balanced and fulfilling life. As part of this workshop, you'll have the opportunity to create a beautiful bouquet, symbolizing the growth and flourishing that comes from embracing SEL practices. Leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and equipped with strategies to enhance your personal well-being and bring SEL into your workplace.

SESSION TWO
Reflect & Refine: Empowering Educators Through Reflective Practices 
Sara Koziol

As the school year draws to a close, take this unique opportunity to delve into the art of self-reflection to foster a mindset of continuous improvement and personal growth within your teaching practice. Join this workshop to further understand the essence of reflection, tools and techniques for reflective thinking, how to cultivate a growth mindset, and how you can even teach some of these strategies to your students, as well.

SESSION THREE
Not Your Grandma's Diary: Journaling for Self-Care Cynics
Katie Goden

This workshop is designed for those who find traditional self-care practices daunting or unappealing. Explore accessible ways to incorporate moments of self-care into your daily routine with simple journaling and writing exercises, like MadLibs, without the pressure of a full self-care regimen. Discover easy writing techniques to reduce stress and enhance well-being for the skeptic!
 
SESSION FOUR
Game On!  Play Isn't Just for the Kids
Nichole Ambrosia

Want to create opportunities for staff and students to build closer and stronger relationships, relieve stress and increase laughter and joy, and enhance creativity & self-confidence?  Come play! Join for an interactive session where you will play games that can be used with both kids and adults at school and in  classrooms and that support social and emotional skills at any grade and age level.

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.