Speaker: Lauren Rush, Program Director, Lilly Endowment Inc.

Location: 500 Ballroom

The TCFP supports K-12 educators throughout Indiana by providing resources for them to take time for meaningful renewal. The Lilly Endowment believes that through new experiences, exploration and reflection educators can generate renewed energy in their careers, innovative approaches to teaching and educational leadership, and thoughtful ways to encourage students’ creative thinking. The application deadline is September 8, 2025 and approximately 125 grants, each totaling up to $15,000, will be awarded in 2026.

Speaker: Brandon Fleming, Renowned Speaker. Award-Winning Author. Nationally Acclaimed Educator & Entrepreneur

Location: 500 Ballroom

Description: In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, the most effective leaders aren’t just strategic thinkers — they are deeply empathetic. This keynote will explore how empathic leadership is transforming schools, classrooms, and entire communities by fostering trust, resilience, and authentic human connection.

Through inspiring stories, practical insights, and research-backed strategies, Brandon Fleming will highlight how empathy in leadership not only improves staff well-being and student outcomes but also strengthens organizational culture. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how leading with empathy can navigate change, resolve conflict, and build inclusive environments where every voice is heard and valued.

Whether you’re a district leader, administrator, teacher, or aspiring change-maker, this session will leave you equipped and inspired to lead with heart and purpose.

Presenters: Kelin Mark Sr., Principal, Park Tudor and Thomas Williams, Co-founder, Love, and Light Ministry Inc.

Location: Indiana Convention Center, Room 233

Unlock the full potential of your school community by actively engaging fathers and male caregivers. This session offers innovative, practical, and immediately applicable strategies to welcome and involve men in meaningful ways. Discover how to break down barriers, understand what fathers truly expect from schools, and create an environment where every student benefits from strong male role models. Leave this session equipped with actionable tools and strategies to create a school culture where fathers and male caregivers are valued partners in the educational journey.

Presenter: Dr. Patrick Jones, CEO, Exponentia Prime

Location: Indiana Convention Center, Room 234

Collaborating Partners: Whatever It Takes Consulting, Inc., Indiana Black Expo, Teach Indy, Butler University College of Education, and the National Drifters Incorporated-Indianapolis Chapter.

Imagine a space where students want to do math—a place where curiosity leads the way, diverse thinking is celebrated, and challenge sparks joy. This energizing session dives into how student-centered math clubs can unlock access to advanced math for all learners, especially those traditionally underrepresented in enrichment opportunities.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to revamp an existing club, this workshop will equip you with the tools to create inclusive, engaging, and intellectually rich math communities. Explore real-world problem sets, discover strategies for honoring varied reasoning styles, and walk away with ready-to-use templates and activities. Join us and leave empowered to lead a math club that fosters critical thinking, builds confidence, and makes advanced math meaningful—and fun!

Presenter: Cynthia Diaz, Elementary Educator, United Schools of Indianapolis

Location: Indiana Convention Center, Room 235

Step into a session designed to revolutionize your approach to teaching and learning! This interactive workshop delves into the compelling science of the brain and the art of co-regulation, offering educators innovative, research-backed strategies to create classrooms where both students and educators thrive. Join us to unlock the secrets of the brain and co-regulation and transform your classroom into a vibrant community where every learner has the opportunity to shine.

Speaker: Anthony Bronaugh Sr. M.Ed., BCBA

Location: Indiana Convention Center, Room 236

Think about the moment a student’s face lights up from a kind word—or how quickly they shut down after a harsh tone. Words matter. This interactive, uplifting session will explore how the language we use as educators can shape classroom culture, strengthen relationships, and improve student behavior and learning.

Presenter: Cassandra Williams, President, Educational Innovation 360

Location: Indiana Convention Center, Room 237

Change is inevitable—but transformation is intentional. In this engaging and hands-on workshop, educators and leaders will explore how to navigate and lead organizational change within faculty settings. Using powerful frameworks like the Change Curve and the Stages of Concern, participants will learn to recognize where their colleagues are in the change process—and how to support them effectively.

Presenter: Dr. David McGuire, Principal, Rooted School Indy

Location: Indiana Convention Center, Room 238

Step into a session designed to ignite your leadership potential and propel your professional journey forward! This interactive workshop introduces the L.E.A.D.S. framework—Level Up, Encouragement, Advancement, Development, and Support, providing you with actionable strategies to enhance your leadership skills, expand your network, and foster a culture of growth within your educational community.

Speaker: Shaunta Scroggins, Lecturer & Asst. Director of Leadership Development, Purdue University

Location: Indiana Convention Center, Room 239

This workshop will juxtapose agency/self-efficacy and co-creation/design thinking with transformational leadership for and “A” game learning environment. Participants will be provided with a matrix template to adapt for their classroom subjects. Transformational leadership theory grounds the main thought of this presentation, that student agency and co-creation are tools for learning and development. Bandura’s self-efficacy theory (1977) points to agency, or how much students are able and encouraged to exercise the functions of choice such as situational competence and critical analysis for appropriate decision making. Co-creation is a partnership between educators and learners where the outcomes are met by guided facilitation. Co-creation is also a function of design thinking, where in this workshop, learners are centered for leadership growth.