Developing social and emotional learning (SEL) can actually be easy, fun, meaningful, and intentional. Participants will experience practical strategies that nurture specific SEL competency skills and build learning environments where students thrive emotionally and socially. Participants will leave with ready-to-use, daily SEL lessons, routines, and practices that build character, communication, collaboration, and community.

Jocelyn Guansing, Every Monday Matters

Join the PBS Kansas Education Team and gather easy, fun and kid-tested ideas for out-of-schooltime learning. Each attendee will receive a packet of ideas and templates for indoor and outdoor learning. Attendees will also meet Melvin from the new PBS Kansas kids show, Melvin Mania, and learn about how to have their own Melvin Mania Day.

Lynn Woolf, PBS Kansas Cochener-Garvey Children’s Education & Discovery Center

Strong teams don’t happen by accident, they’re built through intentional experiences that foster trust, communication, and problem-solving. In this active, hands-on session, participants will explore Training Wheels–style initiatives that promote teamwork and social-emotional growth among youth in after-school, homeschool, and out-of-school settings. You’ll learn how to lead engaging, low-cost team-building activities using everyday materials, practice debrief techniques that turn play into reflection, and leave equipped with ready-to-use guides and strategies to strengthen group relationships and confidence, starting tomorrow.

Stephanie Hays, Sedgwick County 4-H Extension

During this hands-on workshop participants will learn about Kansas Corn STEM’s resources (specifically Mystery of Corn Readers), practice lesson activities and discuss how the free materials can be used to meet the participants educational goals. Over 4,000 Kansas educators are using these resources, are you?

Sharon Thielen, Kansas Corn

NBA Math Hoops leverages the game of basketball and the NBA/WNBA brands to build fundamental math skills through a physical and digital basketball-themed board game, a curriculum, and community program experience. Designed for students in grades 4-8, this free program develops students’ algebra readiness prior to entering high school, while strengthening important skills including self-regulation and executive function. The NBA Math Hoops program is implemented in-school, out-of-school, and home learning environments.

Hunter Strickland, Learn Fresh

In today’s rapidly evolving world, STEM and Computer Science are more than academic disciplines; they are gateways to opportunity, innovation, and equity. This workshop is designed specifically for 21st Century Community Learning Centers staff and program directors, highlighting how Pitsco Education’s hands-on, student-centered solutions can engage underrepresented and high-need learners in meaningful STEM experiences during out-of-school time. Participants will explore the national imperative for inclusive STEM education, understand the unique barriers faced by students in high-poverty communities, and discover how Pitsco’s tools—from drones to coding kits and everywhere in between —can transform after-school programs into launchpads for lifelong success.

Preston Frazier, Pitsco Education

Working with young people can be equal parts inspiring and exhausting. In this session, participants will learn how to pause the chaos, reset perspective, and use practical mindset tools to stay grounded in the midst of challenges. Together, we’ll explore simple, research-backed strategies for reducing stress, modeling resilience, and fostering an environment where staff and students can thrive. You’ll leave with ready-to-use practices to help you shift from reaction to response—so you can show up as your best self, even on the busiest days.

Valerie Shaw-Gavel, Ginkgo Tree Coaching

The research is clear that afterschool and summer programs are the bridge between home and school. They are well positioned to influence families’ engagement in their child’s education. Therefore, it is critical that these efforts include a strong family engagement component. This session will provide professional development for afterschool leaders on how to strategically engage families. Family engagement planning tools will be shared.

Jane Groff, Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC)

With over twenty-five years in education, counseling and program development, Jocelyn brings her vast experience to you through Every Monday Matters. As a classroom teacher, Jocelyn engaged her students with best practices, fostered a culture of emotional wellness and worked closely with families to support their children. From afterschool tutor to site program director to district level, Jocelyn also designed and managed expanded learning programs in family shelters, low-income communities, and suburban settings. As EMM’s Education Director, Jocelyn and the EMM EDU team are focused on creating meaningful resources and tools to empower students, families, educators and communities. Jocelyn is honored to work with you and to create a space that matters for you and those around you.

Gale has been a public-school educator for nearly 40 years, teaching at both the elementary and secondary levels. She currently is the Executive Director of Kids Kan Inc., an organization that specializes in staff development, activity selection and programming implementation. Gale has served as an adjunct professor for several universities. Her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction focused on academic intervention in after school programs and her Ed.S. is in School Psychology. She effectively models teaching that accommodates all students’ ability levels and reflects a keen awareness of child and adolescent development and brain-based learning principles. Her enthusiasm is contagious! Gale believes the best way to learn is through play and the way you show up for the game is the way you show up for life.