Port Clinton Social Emotional Learning & Mental Wellness Symposium

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is critical for student success, yet educators often lack a clear, time-efficient path to integrate it into daily lessons. As a result, students may miss the chance to develop essential life skills, leading to lower emotional resilience and diminished academic growth. In this session, discover how to spot and strengthen the SEL already embedded in your teaching. You’ll gain practical insights for highlighting these hidden components, learn to combine strategies that calm classrooms and boost engagement, and receive access to over 200 evidence-based methods—each aligned to specific SEL competencies. Walk away prepared to build a thriving, supportive, and high-achieving learning environment.

Choooo... chooo... last train stop before high school students are out in the world! This is it, the last chance we have to empower, teach coping skills, build resilience, and discover community resources for our students. Oh, and let's make sure we check those house bill requirements. Kim will introduce how her students have been peer leaders in student wellness since 1998. Most recently, implementing Sources of Strength.  

Join us for a time of collaboration between a university and an elementary classroom to see the outcome of the implementation of social emotional learning curriculum and interventions that have been tried in a lower elementary classroom. What worked and what didn't! Let's go beyond the classroom and discuss how to create a more positive school culture.  

Research shows that games can significantly contribute to social-emotional learning (SEL) by providing opportunities for students to practice skills like empathy, self-monitoring, collaboration, and decision-making in a safe and engaging environment. Come see a demonstration of games that have been effectively used in the classroom. Participants will actually play the games and receive packets of the games to use in their own classrooms with their students.  

The unexpectedly heartwarming show Ted Lasso subtly introduced millions to key principles of good teaching, social-emotional learning and team-building. Step onto the pitch and discover new ways to connect with students, model respect and score a few pointers along with tips to make it easier to engage your students where they are at. Inspired by the presentations of Delanie Johnson and Mike Lawrence, join us on a magical journey through the world of positivity as this session will provide participants with ready-to-use ideas for the classroom and reflect on key principles found throughout Ted Lasso! NOTE: You don’t have to have seen the show to learn from our session…but light spoilers may be ahead.

In an age where AI can deliver content, the teacher’s role is evolving. This session challenges educators to move beyond traditional curriculum-provided lessons and pacing guides to include what students truly need—authentic relationships, emotional intelligence, and effective collaboration. CoreTex, a research-informed brain model, demonstrates how classroom activities and strategies drive behavior, knowledge acquisition, engagement, and social interactions. By integrating SEL and empowering educators with an understanding of how emotions shape learning, CoreTex provides tools to reduce disruptions, enhance attention, and build the emotional intelligence students need to thrive. With access to a database of over 200 research-backed strategies, CoreTex equips teachers to create effective, student-centered learning experiences and focus on teaching kids, not just content.

This session will leave you with ideas on how to bring your students, families, and communities together through art. I will share visions and resources on how young students can bring their community to life with creativity. I will focus on events and projects we've completed in our school district to do just that! I will talk about annual art shows, family paint nights, and community involvement projects that we participate in throughout the year through our art program. Although I teach grades K-5, I feel the ideas I share could be adapted easily in grades K-12. Hoping to give other schools ideas that are manageable and productive while connecting with others within the community.

Many successful companies and organizations have intentionally created peak moments for their customers. Why can't we do the same in education for our students? Join me to discover and discuss ways we can create remarkable moments in our classrooms and schools that our students will never forget.

You have likely heard The Starfish Story, and the first time you did, it likely brought you to tears. Then, survival mode kicked in like it tends to for educators. We try to be everything for everybody, put out fires, and as a bonus, maybe stay sane. We think about our students, though, as individuals, all the time; it's why we got into this work. Alas, though, it may not seem to them like we do. There are ways, though, to show this to them without fanfare, and without major time, financial, or emotional expense to us. No matter how long you have taught, you remember the students for whom you made a small, positive difference even if, at the time, you were not really even trying. Rest assured, they remember you, too. Helping a student feel loved, valued, and appreciated is perhaps the most significant win-win that exists in education, with everyone's buckets getting filled. Let's explore and share ways to do this for our students at a time when all other noise in our lives may seem more pressing.

This session will offer a unique perspective from the future teachers at Port Clinton High School. Inspired by their book study of I Wish My Teacher Knew by Kyle Schwartz, these aspiring educators will share ways teachers and staff can support students through grief and explore ideas for schools to create a culture that develops character. However, none of this is possible if teachers and school staff members don't take care of themselves first. While these can be tough topics and conversations, this session will celebrate the transformative power of public education.  

The unexpectedly heartwarming show Ted Lasso subtly introduced millions to key principles of good teaching, social-emotional learning and team-building. Step onto the pitch and discover new ways to connect with students, model respect and score a few pointers along with tips to make it easier to engage your students where they are at. Inspired by the presentations of Delanie Johnson and Mike Lawrence, join us on a magical journey through the world of positivity as this session will provide participants with ready-to-use ideas for the classroom and reflect on key principles found throughout Ted Lasso! NOTE: You don’t have to have seen the show to learn from our session…but light spoilers may be ahead.

Join us for a time of collaboration between a university and an elementary classroom to see the outcome of the implementation of social emotional learning curriculum and interventions that have been tried in a lower elementary classroom. What worked and what didn't! Let's go beyond the classroom and discuss how to create a more positive school culture.