As New Jersey’s largest professional development training conference for school officials, Workshop 2023 is projected to see upward of 8,000 attendees. Workshop will include four full days of networking opportunities and professional development for education professionals from throughout the state.
If your district is still unsure if Workshop is worth it, here are 10 reasons why Workshop 2023 is a can’t-miss event.
An All-Star Keynote Speaker Two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women’s World Cup champion, Carli Lloyd, will take center stage as the keynote speaker for Workshop 2023. Born and raised in New Jersey, Lloyd is an alumna of Delran High School and Rutgers University. Her educational and athletic achievements at home helped launch her soccer career on the international stage, where she won numerous awards and broke records across the globe.
Lloyd is a superhero on and off the field, and is a true embodiment of the Workshop theme, “Today’s Students … Tomorrow’s Superheroes.” See her at Workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. in the Keynote Theater.
A Keynote Address from a Leader in Education Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education, will return to Workshop 2023 to deliver an inspiring keynote address on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. She will draw on the lessons she’s learned through her career in public education that have allowed her to lead the NJDOE as an organization that listens, executes and tirelessly works to advance high-quality education for all students.
Return of the Fall School Law Forum Back at Workshop by popular demand, the Fall School Law Forum will be Thursday, Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hear from the state’s leading experts in education law as they discuss timely, important topics.
This year’s Fall School Law Forum will include the always popular case law and legislative reviews, discussions on school official ethics, attorney ethics, labor law, school security and employment issues and more. The program will also feature a special session for newer attorneys, providing an introduction on a variety of topics facing school lawyers.
*Registration for the Fall School Law Forum is separate from that of Workshop 2023 and must be handled by your school business administrator.
Fun Activities to Spark Teambuilding Workshop will feature opportunities to play interactive games with your district team! Play a special Workshop quiz game to test your knowledge of school trivia and other fun topics. Our virtual treasure hunt, hosted on the Workshop mobile app, will help you navigate the exhibit floor and track your progress along the way. Need to decompress from the hustle and bustle of Workshop? Stop by the BOARDWalk area and enjoy some popcorn, games and old-time boardwalk fun.
Recognition of New Jersey’s Unsung Superheroes NJSBA is celebrating some of those who work tirelessly in New Jersey’s schools with the Unsung Superheroes in Education Awards. Crossing guards, bus drivers, custodians, librarians, nurses, cafeteria staff and additional staff often go without recognition or thanks. The winners of this award will be recognized on stage at Workshop in front of thousands of school officials.
Student Talent on Full Display Workshop will showcase the talents of New Jersey’s school students with performances from some of the finest student groups in the state on Tuesday, Oct. 24 and Wednesday, Oct. 25. Hear beautiful music echo through the convention center and watch other artistic expressions on the exhibit floor. The student art gallery will feature artwork recognized for excellence by prestigious art programs and competitions from around the state. Additionally, the student film showcase will screen “the Best of the Fest” student films from the Garden State Film Festival.
Mandated Training Made Easy Workshop 2023 will provide mandated training opportunities each day of the conference, making it easy to fulfill your training requirements while experiencing everything Workshop has to offer. Training sessions in Governance I-IV will be available, ensuring opportunities for both new and seasoned board members.
Earn Professional Development Credit With over 200 training sessions, it’s easier than ever to earn professional development credits. Workshop sessions offer NJSBA Board Member Academy credits toward board member certifications, Qualified Purchasing Agent credits for school business administrators and professional development credits for certified educational facilities managers. Split up to attend as many sessions as possible, and to gather ideas to bring back to your district for further exploration.
Bonus: New this year, attendees can begin working toward their International Society for Technology in Education certification. This pedagogy-based and learner-focused certification helps Pre-K-12 educators rethink and redesign learning activities with technology to engage students in real-world, authentic, active learning.
Preview of Workshop Programs
Workshop offers four action-packed days with plenty of sessions for you and your team to attend. Programs are still being finalized and are subject to change. Session highlights include:
Monday, Oct. 23
- School District PR: Planning and Managing Effective Communications
- How to Conduct a Successful Superintendent Search
- Unleashing the Power of Digital Marketing: District Branding Strategies for Success
- Attract and Retain Great Teachers
- Ten Leadership Lessons Learned Running the Length of New Jersey
- Board President: Are You Leading or Managing?
Tuesday, Oct. 24
- Creating a Culture for Communication: Keeping Your Community Informed
- Ethical Minefields for Board Members
- The State of Student Safety: Lessons for Leaders
- State Board of Education Panel Discussion
- Is it Time to Call the Board Attorney?
- Beyond the Game: Expanding eSports
Wednesday, Oct. 25
- Branding: Building Powerful Relationships Through Brand Identity
- School Ethics: A Review of Recent Cases
- Unlocking the Potential of Chat GPT: A School Board’s Guide to AI in Education
- Full STEAM Ahead! Strategies for Infusing STEAM Districtwide
- Changing the Culture of Your Board
- School Safety and Security: A Shared Responsibility
Thursday, Oct. 26
- Building Great Schools: There’s No “I” in TEAM
- From “Robert’s Rules” to “Robert Rules!”
- Special Education: What Every Board Member Needs to Know
- Enriching Your Governance Toolbox
- The Benefits of Engaging Your Community
- Podcasting: Control the District Narrative
Reduce Costs by Sending Your Entire Team
To help extend training to as many members of your district as possible, NJSBA offers a special group registration rate of $2,200, which covers 25 team members. Districts may include the school board, business administrator, superintendent, facilities managers, curriculum professionals, IT staff, principals, human resource professionals and other district staff in their group registration. Team members may stay for one day or all four days. The individual member rate is $550 per person.
When you register for Workshop, you will be joining thousands of school leaders and affirming your commitment to public education. Become a superhero in education by registering for Workshop today. Visit workshop.njsba.org to learn more about this year’s conference.