Ian Hockley, Dylan’s Wings of Change executive director, will be the keynote speaker at Workshop 2019. Ian will share his son Dylan’s story.

Dylan Hockley was one of 20 young children and six staff members killed in the 2012 school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.

According to Ian Hockley, the 6-year-old boy with autism “radiated pure love” and described himself as “a beautiful butterfly” to his mother.

Ian Hockley has channeled his grief into the formation of a foundation, Dylan’s Wings of Change, in his son’s memory. The foundation has created the “Wingman” program, which encourages students to go above and beyond for others, and to learn the value of empathy and understanding.

“School climate and our students’ emotional health and well-being are focal points for our Association,” said Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, executive director. “NJSBA is proud to have Ian Hockley as our keynote speaker for Workshop 2019. He’s a remarkable human being with a strong message about the importance of social-emotional learning for our students.”

Ian will speak about the epidemic of social isolation and exclusion today and the need for social and emotional programming in our schools. His address will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Atlantic City Convention Center in the Exhibit Hall Theater.

About Workshop

The annual Workshop conference will take place from Oct. 21 – Oct. 24 at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

Workshop 2019 will feature over 250 training programs and has something for every member of the district team, including school board members (who can earn Board Member Academy credits); business administrators (who can earn QPA, or Qualified Purchasing Agent credits); superintendents; principals; charter school trustees and lead persons; school technology professionals; school facilities managers (who can earn CEFM – Certified Educational Facilities Manager Professional Development credits); curriculum directors; principals, human resource professionals, teachers and more. Team members can stay for one day or all four days. District staff members not included on the board census may be registered for Workshop.

Registration/Group Rate The group registration rate includes up to 20 team members for only $1,700. The individual member rate is $375 per person. Workshop registration must be handled by the school business administrator. For questions regarding registration, please email register@njsba.org.

Hotel and Travel The New Jersey School Boards Association, in collaboration with AC Central, contracts with a number of Atlantic City hotels to offer discounted pricing on hotel rooms for Workshop. All housing reservations are being handled by AC Central. Lodging Reservations can be made online, but only by the school business administrator. The last day to pay for/make hotel reservations is Sept. 20, 2019.

For more information on Workshop, visit workshop.njsba.org.