NAEA 2016 Keynote Speakers
2016 Conference- National Alternative Education Association
Friday, March 18th 8:00 am - 9:00 am Champion Ballroom A-E
Chancellor Hershel Lyons
Chancellor Hershel Lyons was appointed as the K-12 Public Schools Chancellor by Commissioner Pam Stewart on January 26. He brings nearly three decades of
education experience, having most recently served as Alachua County’s Deputy Superintendent of Schools. His professional career began in Alachua County as a teacher’s aide and coach at Gainesville High School before being promoted to a
variety of leadership positions, including Assistant Principal of Santa Fe and Buchholz High Schools, Principal of Oak View Middle School, and Principal of Newberry High School.
Over the last decade, Herschel has served in administrative roles at the district level, including Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, Deputy Superintendent, and also Interim Superintendent during the 2013-14 school year. He has a successful track record of applying innovative approaches to improve outcomes as well as a myriad of experience.
Chancellor Lyons will share the latest statewide education news on topics related to ensuring ALL Florida students receive a high-quality education that will prepare them for success in college, career and life. Chancellor Lyons will share personal and professional experiences in addressing the needs of this population of student.
Friday, March 18th 12:15 pm - 2:00 pm Champion Ballroom A-E
Ken Williams
Ken Williams shares his experience and expertise as a recognized trainer, speaker,
coach, and consultant in education and leadership. He is the chief visionary officer of Unfold the Soul, a company dedicated to helping make the school you have, the school you want.
Skilled in joining the why of our work to the how of our work, Ken is an expert at helping schools build capacity in the collective commitments required of learning for all cultures. He is a distinguished teacher, mentor, public speaker, and school leader. Ken is a contributing author to The Collaborative Administrator (Solution Tree Press, 2009), the author of both Essentials For Principals: Creating Physical and Emotional Security in Schools (Solution Tree Press/NAESP, 2012), and Starting A Movement, Building Culture From The Inside-Out in PLC’s (Solution Tree Press 2015).
During this engaging and provocative session, Ken Williams will address the labels we assign students which often influence the questions we ask regarding their learning. Ken will take teachers, principals and superintendents on a paradigm-shifting journey of powerful reflection and dialogue centered on the issue of equity. Participants learn to shift traditional thinking, and will be in better position to capitalize on the collective expertise of educators in a collaborative culture and identify best practices that ensure learning for all students.
Saturday, March 19th 9:30 am - 10:30 am Champion Ballroom A-E
Tara Brown
Tara Brown is an award-winning educator, author and speaker whose 25 year journey has taken her from rural Florida, to Gang Territory in North Long Beach, CA, and to one of the largest high schools in Tennessee with students representing over 37 countries.
Tara’s keynote address, Brain Rules: Plug In, Turn On - Applying the Latest Brain Research to Our Youth is designed to help introduce educators to the latest brain-based learning research as well as provide school-wide implementation strategies. In the past ten years, researchers have discovered more information about the brain than all previous studies/years combined. The advances in our understanding of how the brain works and factors that impact learning have been staggering.
This keynote has been designed to help introduce participants to this research in a very easy to understand way as well as to provide strategies to implement the information into the school environment.
Some topics covered include:
• The strong connection between emotions and learning new information
• How your delivery impacts the way the brain absorbs, evaluates and transmits information at
the neural chemical level (synapse switches)
• Stress and its effects on receiving and retention of information
• Differences in how males and females receive and store information
This informative training can transform your approach to preparing and delivering new material
and will greatly benefit students of all ages.
Tara Browns PowerPoint below
Created by: RKT studios
Email: rthompson@swcrk.org