CISNC Impact Conference 2021

Wednesday, October 13

Watch the recordings for Day 1 of the 2021 Impact Conference below!

*Note: In addition to registering for the Impact Conference on the home page, you must sign up for each individual main stage & breakout session for each day. Zoom information for each session will be emailed after registration.

1:30 PM – 1:40 PM: Opening Session

Click HERE to watch the recording.

Session Feedback: https://forms.gle/8MQVufDhsnADn8gD8

1:40 PM – 2:45 PM: Guest Speaker – Rey Saldaña, President and CEO of Communities In Schools

Presenter Bio: Rey Saldaña is the President and CEO of Communities In Schools®, (CIS™) the national organization that ensures all students are empowered to stay in school and on a path to a brighter future.

Saldaña is a CIS alumnus, whose journey from former student supported by CIS to national leader of Communities In Schools, sends an inspiring message to young people nationwide about the power they have to write their own success story.

Most recently, Saldaña served as the Regional Advocacy Director for the Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation and the Chair of the San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Agency-VIA. Prior to that, he successfully served four terms on the San Antonio City Council where he was first elected at age 24, becoming the youngest council person in that city’s history.

During his four terms, Saldaña focused on helping to meet the needs and harness the skills of young people and working families in his community. He championed the expansion of park space and community clinics in underserved areas, fought for increased funding for the city’s public transportation system, successfully campaigned for funding of the city’s early childhood initiative (Pre-K 4SA), and streamlined the city and county’s child truancy court. He chaired the city’s Intergovernmental Relations Committee, where he worked closely with state and federal legislators on law making and local policy development.

Concurrent with his elected position, he taught as an Adjunct Professor at Trinity University and Palo Alto Community College. Additionally, he worked with The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Office of Community Engagement and served as Chief Engagement Officer with KIPP San Antonio Public Schools.

In recognition of his accomplishments and enduring interest in the mission of Communities In Schools, in 2017, Communities In Schools invited Saldaña to serve on the CIS National Board of Directors, making him the first alumni to join the Board.

Saldaña holds a master’s degree from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education where he studied policy, organization and leadership studies, and two bachelor’s degrees in political science and communication from Stanford.

The son of immigrants who came to this country from Mexico, Saldaña was born and raised on the South Side of San Antonio and is the product of Title I Texas public schools. He is a proud first-generation American and first in his family to graduate from college. He and his wife Jessica are the happy parents of Eli and Olivia and two rescue dogs.

2:45 PM – 3 PM: Break

3 PM – 4:15 PM: Breakout Sessions

Breakout Session Option 1: Create + Connect Circles™ Experience

Session Description: Witness first hand how Create + Connect Circles can be used as a creative resource to build a practice of creating and connecting together with your staff, students and families. Drawing inspiration from media (books, quotes, concepts, podcasts) of your choice, they are a powerful tool to use as a repeating practice to help students Develop Relationships, Reengage and Support SEL. Student Support Specialists and students work together in daily / weekly / monthly circles; and over time this practice will become a new language for discussing topics, ideas and allow important processed of things that are going on both internally and externally.

Session Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Presenter: Ginger Huebner (she/her)

Presenter Bio: Ginger Huebner is the founding director of Roots + Wings School of Art and Design. With a Masters in Teaching Visual Art and a Bachelor of Architecture, Ginger brings a unique perspective to the field of art and design education. She has taught a wide spectrum of ages in a variety of environments and collaborated with numerous organizations. She serves as Visual Art Advisor for PBS through their ‘Pinkalicious’ series and Online Learning platform. Through her studio work and Create + Connect process, she offers opportunities to transform, connect and build in the midst of a world full of divisiveness and negativity.

Click HERE to watch the recording.

Session Feedback: https://forms.gle/j3cyc1R5LBr5ReHZ8

Breakout Session Option 2: Youth Development & CIS: Why Our Work is Important

Session Description: Presentation will review the history of youth development as a field of work, the important stages of youth development, and lastly, what makes a successful youth development program. The session will then demonstrate how CIS is successfully meeting the expectations laid out in the definition of positive youth development (through work with Developmental Relationships as a foundational practice, using strength based approaches that target ABC+P, targeting community level approach rather than the individual). I will also provide ways in which affiliates may be able to level up the work/supports provided (i.e. using restorative practices to further establish positive environments, youth participatory action in board meetings/evaluation tools). Ultimately, the purpose of the presentation is for audience members to will leave the session with a reinforced feeling/understanding that their work as site coordinators and managers who support site coordinators matters and is making a difference in the lives of young people, as evidenced by the research.

Session Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Presenter: Tilden Davis (she/her)

Presenter Bio: Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Tilden is am a graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South, and received my Masters in Education at Vanderbilt. As a Site Coordinator II with CIS Charlotte-Mecklenburg, I have the privilege of loving students each and every day. Building positive relationships with my students, parents, school staff and community partners is my favorite part of the job and is a large part of my “why”. In my spare time I love spending time outdoors, reading a good book, and being with family.

Click HERE to watch the recording.

Session Feedback: https://forms.gle/r4FiQ18YsSfWJxkq9

Breakout Session Option 3: Working Genius

Session Description: Far too many people in the world suffer needlessly because they don’t understand their personal areas of working genius. As a result, they don’t do the kind of work that gives them joy and energy, and they end up in jobs and projects that are draining and demoralizing.

Session Time: 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Presenter: Ken Hester

Presenter Bio: Ken has 20+ years of leadership and pastoral experience. Prior to ministry, Ken managed corporate franchises and coached basketball at the high school level. His heart for people is to see them come to experience their full potential in leadership and life!

Click HERE to watch the recording.

Session Feedback: https://forms.gle/CWAZvBkNqunyEZRQA

Breakout Session Option 4: Establishing a Culture for Social Capital

Session Description: Effectively building and leveraging social capital is essential for economic mobility. We will explore tactical ways to build and sustain a culture of social capital within the student ecosystem. Learn how to role model and teach students to build social capital within the ecosystem that includes their family, community, school, and other supports within their lives.

Session Time: 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Presenter: George Metz

Presenter Bio: George is a creative intrapreneur and entrepreneur who has provided a wide range of services to individuals and families and applied thought leadership to develop programming that aligns with strategic objectives for more than 10 years.