Back-to-School ConnectED Conference 2026: Full Schedule

8:15am EDT

Opening Keynote: What Great Educators Do Differently

Friday July 31, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am EDT

Speakers

Todd Whitaker

Speaker, Author

Dr. Todd Whitaker has been fortunate to be able to blend his passion with his career. Recognized as a leading presenter in the field of education, his message about the importance of teaching has resonated with hundreds of thousands of educators around the world. Todd is a research... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am EDT
Gym

Keynote

Audience General Audience, Admin, Bookkeepers, Office Staff, Attendance Clerks, School Counselors, Nurses, Related Arts, Athletics, Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, High, K4, New to District, Special Education, Classroom Assistants

9:30am EDT

Classroom Management From The Ground Up

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT

Gym

Classroom management can make or break your teaching. Whether you have been teaching one year or twenty-one years, it is often the biggest frustration we face and it affects our teaching and job satisfaction each day. Every teacher does the best they know how when it comes to classroom management, and this session is designed so that we can all learn to be even better. This fun, high-energy workshop, based on the popular book of the same name, will help you gain effective strategies for designing, and improving your classroom management from the ground up.

Speakers

Todd Whitaker

Speaker, Author

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Gym

General Audience

Audience General Audience

12:00pm EDT

Q&A With Todd Whitaker and Seth Young

Friday July 31, 2026 12:00pm - 12:30pm EDT

Gym

Bring your lunch and come join Todd Whitaker and Seth Young for a Q&A session. Open to everyone!

Speakers

Todd Whitaker

Speaker, Author

Dr. Seth Young

Superintendent, District Office

Friday July 31, 2026 12:00pm - 12:30pm EDT
Gym

General Audience

Audience General Audience

12:45pm EDT

Teaching Matters

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT

Gym

We have chosen the most important profession that there is, yet sometimes it is difficult to remember that. All of us have times where we do not feel as valued as we should. This session will help all of us regain the drive that encouraged us to choose education as our profession. You will leave with specific ideas that can be immediately implemented into your schools, classrooms, and personal lives that will make a difference to your students and to yourself. With a combination of humor, emotion, and practical ideas, you will remember why you chose education and rekindle the spirit that teaching really does matter.

Speakers

Todd Whitaker

Speaker, Author

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
Gym

General Audience

Audience General Audience

1:45pm EDT

The Power of Positive Communication, Even When Dealing with Difficult People

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT

Gym

One of the most essential aspects of being an effective educational leader is being able to communicate successfully with everyone we come in contact with, even those who can be difficult! Understanding what to say and how to say it are critical components in building relationships with parents, students, and other educators. This workshop will help you develop and refine your skills in effectively communicating every day.

Speakers