On June 13, A.J. Juliani’s inspiring keynote address, “Meaningful and Relevant: How to Engage Learners in an Era of Distraction” kicked off the 2023 Core Connections Conference. Juliani is the Founder / CEO of Adaptable Learning and serves as Faculty for the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education (PLN). He is an award- winning author, speaker, and blogger who helps schools to create more innovative learning experiences for their students.
Each of the 135 educators, school leaders, and other staff in attendance began their summer thinking about how to re-envision their teaching and what learning can and should look like. The one-day conference focused on how to adapt classrooms with new insights and thought processes that will reinvent their teaching and learning practices for the new school year.
During the 45 sessions offered, there were collaborative workgroups, networking, and discussions about the future of education. Sessions were presented by Berks County educators and school leaders who are experts in their fields. In addition to sessions targeted toward educators and administrators, the event also sponsored a Community Showcase, highlighting over a dozen local nonprofit organizations whose work positively impacts Berks County’s families and students.
Dr. Jill Hackman, BCIU Executive Director, reflected on the importance of this annual conference, “The goal of the Core Connections Conference is to provide Berks County educators with opportunities to build a deeper understanding of best practices in instruction and technology. In addition to the many conference offerings designed to improve the teaching and learning environment throughout our schools, attendees heard from opening keynote speaker, Mr. A.J. Juliani. In Mr. Juliani’s enlightening and engaging message, he emphasized how students learn and are motivated differently. It is important that educators keep in mind that we should be transformative with our teaching and learning practices. On behalf of the BCIU, we extend much appreciation to all attendees and presenters who participated in the 2023 Core Connections Conference.”
This event was made possible by the collaboration of the BCIU’s Office of Professional Learning and planning committee representatives from local school districts. Our thanks to Dr. Joseph Macharola, Superintendent of Muhlenberg School District, and the Muhlenberg School District for hosting the conference at the Muhlenberg Junior High School.
