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Ready For Change

Ready For Change

We have a few slots remaining and would especially love to feature a few more of our schools in our lineup of breakout sessions! Our 2023 theme is "Ready for Change" ...


What changes have you gone through recently that have made a positive impact on your staff and/or students? What changes are you preparing for? Whether you have a story of achievement to share, or a story of lessons learned along the way, we would love to hear from you!

WHAT IS FOCUS?

FOCUS is the summer conference hosted by Prairie Lakes AEA on the beautiful, lakeside campus of Buena Vista University. This learning experience blends a variety of inspiring and informative keynote speakers and breakout sessions. It’s an opportunity to catch your breath and reflect, but also a time to engage in learning, plan, and focus forward. FOCUS brings educators, counselors, administrators, and other education professionals together to engage in learning around the most current and pressing challenges that face us in today’s classrooms.

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Attendee Gift #1: Connections Over Compliance: Rewiring Our Perceptions of Discipline

The developing brains of our children need to “feel” safe.

Children who carry chronic behavioral challenges are often met with reactive and punitive practices that can potentially reactivate the developing stress response systems. This book deeply addresses the need for co-regulatory and relational touch point practices, shifting student-focused behavior management protocols to adult regulated brain and body states which are brain aligned, preventive, and relational discipline protocols. This new lens for discipline benefits all students by reaching for sustainable behavioral changes through brain state awareness rather than compliance and obedience.

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Attendee Gift #2: Ready for Change Tote

When you leave FOCUS 2023, we want to be sure you carry the affirmation of “READY FOR CHANGE” with you … literally!

Each attendee will be receiving a canvas tote this year to help hold your copy of Connections over Compliance, FOCUS journal, exhibitor handouts and more!

MORE ABOUT OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

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TIFFANY LANIER

Tiffany is the Founder of The Morning Shift®, where she works with organizations to bridge the well-being and work gap while creating mental and emotional sustainability through intentional morning practices. For the last decade, Tiffany has guided individuals and organizations to help them catalyze the inner and outer work necessary to transform their lives, leadership and performance.
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DR. LORI DESAUTELS

Dr. Lori Desautels, has been an Assistant Professor at Butler University since 2016. Her focus is on the application of neuroscience as it applies to attachment, regulation, educator brain state, and teaching students and staff about their neuro-anatomy.


You can find Dr. Desautels’ work, presentation videos, and latest research on this website www.revelationsineducation.com. Her new book, Intentional Neuroplasticity, Our Educational Journey Towards Post Traumatic Growth will be coming in January 2023.


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ALEXANDER HARDY

Alexander is a writer, dancer, teacher, lupus survivor, and New York Times featured podcaster. His dynamic storytelling brings illumination and levity to the conversation and creates welcoming space where folks can reflect on their feelings and consider their triumphs, tragedies, fears, and coping habits with refreshed Perspective. As Creative Director of GetSomeJoy, he is on a mission to spread joy and promote mental and emotional wellness by sharing resources + tools for thriving at home, work, and school.

Prairie Lakes AEA
Caring Partners who deliver Accountable Services
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Prairie Lakes AEA serves almost 32,000 students and families in a 14-county area. Over 3,000 educators in 38 public school districts and 11 accredited, nonpublic schools, rely on Prairie Lakes AEA for services in special education, school technology, media and instructional/curriculum support. The agency serves children from birth through age 21.