Of course, the content is important. But it's the facilitation techniques and relationship-building that help create connections and learning transfer for participants. That's why we recognize the NAA Convention's top presenters every year.
To qualify this year, top presenters had to receive a minimum of 15 evaluations and a score 4.5 or higher out of 5.
All NAA Convention programming—Workshops, Spark Sessions, Leadership Intensive Sessions, Exhibitor Workshops—fit within four learning strands, aligned to NAA's Core Knowledge & Competencies (CKCs) for Afterschool and Youth Development Professionals.
Please join us in congratulating these top presenters for their contributions to NAA19 and the development of afterschool professionals and leaders across the nation. These are our top 25 sessions, based on participant evaluations.
Creating and Enhancing Experiences, Environments, and Engagement for Young People (CKCs 1 – 6)
Art to Promote Youth Voice
Rachel Kessler, OregonASK | Workshop
Communication: An Essential Skill in Serving Others
Gale Gorke, Kids Kan Inc. | Workshop
Culturally Agile Trauma-Informed Care
Marcy Peake, The Center for Cultural Agility & WMU | Workshop
Encouraging Literacy in Our Hawaiian Melting Pot
Von Galdeira, Tia Loa, Jacque Shin, and Edward Silva, Kama'aina Kids | Workshop
Family STEAM Nights: Fun for the Whole Family!
Lorianne Willis, Museum of Science and Industry | Workshop
Finding the Center: Youth Voice and SEL
Janelle Greco, Youth Communication | Workshop
Growing Grit: Guts, Resilience, Insistence, and Tenacity
Chelsea Ashcraft and Mike Ashcraft, Children's Choice | Workshop
It's All Fun and Games for Indoors
Kelly Jimenez and Jeanine Mouret, Pasco County School Board PLACE | Workshop
Program-a-Rama! Innovative Events and Activities
Amanda Borbee and Jenn Ward, Kids in the Game | Workshop
STEM and Social Justice
Emmanuel Donaby and Kayla Swanson, Science Museum of Minnesota's Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center | Workshop
Step Dance: New Language to Math and Technology!
Jessica Saul, Art of Stepping | Workshop
Understanding Triggers and De-Escalating Conflict
Brett Gurwitz, Ramapo for Children | Workshop
You Gotta Laugh – Seriously!
Clint Darr, Missouri Afterschool Network | Workshop
Partnerships with Purpose: Family, School, and Community Relationships (CKC 7)
Let's Talk! 15 Ways to Improve Communication with Schools
Lisa Demoulias, Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership | Leadership Intensive
The Nuts and Bolts of Program and Professional Development (CKCs 8 – 9)
#BestCoworkersEver
Amy Parrott, University of Arizona | Spark
Burnout Happens: What It Is and How to Avoid It
Brad Lademann, Missouri Afterschool Network | Workshop
Emotional Intelligence as a Key to Leadership
Erika Petrelli and Greg Shamie, The Leadership Program | Leadership Intensive
It's Time to Address Equity in Leadership
Jimena Quiroga Hopkins, Development Without Limits West; Ruth Obel Jorgensen, California School-Age Consortium | Leadership Intensive
Developing Leaders and Advocating for Afterschool and the Profession (CKC 10)
9 Steps to Creating a Culture of Caring
Chelsea Ashcraft and Mike Ashcraft, Children's Choice | Workshop
Be Proactive. Be Open. Build a Healthy Team.
Jaime Garcia, Extend-A-Care for Kids | Workshop
Finding Your ART in Leadership 2.0: Level Up!
Jessica Vann, Creative Spaces | Workshop
Igniting Leaders with Communities of Practice
Nicole Edwards, Prime Time Palm Beach County | Workshop
Proactive Management: Preventing Program Fires
Melissa Beech, After-School All-Stars New York; Justin Hensley, After-School All-Stars North Texas | Leadership Intensive
Self-Care through Mindfulness and Awareness
Kirk Lowis, Portage Community Center | Workshop
The Power of a Positive Feedback Culture
Jeffrey Miller, After-School All-Stars | Leadership Intensive
Courtesy of NAA.
