Amy Killian is presenting at the MT 21st CCLC Summer Conference!
Amy Killian recently retired in 2023 as a school counselor in Southeast Alaska, bringing over 30 years of experience as a counselor, teacher, and administrator in rural school districts. She is now a Resiliency Director and certified facilitator with Brightways Learning, a nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping students and educators with tools to thrive through connection and resilience-building practices. Amy specializes in applying neuroscience-based strategies, including co-regulation techniques and trauma-responsive frameworks, to create safe, supportive environments for learning and growth. Her work focuses on helping educators understand how the nervous system influences behavior and learning, offering practical tools to foster regulation and connection in schools. With a bachelor’s degree in linguistics, a K-8 teaching certification, and a master’s degree in K-12 school counseling, Amy combines academic expertise with real-world experience. Her dynamic approach empowers educators to implement meaningful changes that support students and staff alike.
11:30-12:30 PM: Resilient Educators: Growing Your Best Self!
Educators regularly think about student resilience but don't often get the time and support to focus on their own. During this engaging and interactive session, educators will learn to amplify their personal and professional strengths and satisfaction, leading to job longevity. You will also reflect on your own support networks inside and outside of school and discover the dynamic balancing act between those.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the relationship between personal resilience and professional success, and identify strategies to amplify strengths for job satisfaction and longevity.
Explore the concept of "Webs of Support" to reflect on personal and professional support networks, enhancing connections inside and outside the school environment.
Explore actionable techniques to maintain balance and sustain well-being in challenging educational settings.
1:30-2:30 PM: Educators Thrive When Students Succeed
Countless leading-edge researchers are making daily discoveries that may revolutionize educational practice. You will learn cut-to-the-chase classroom instructional strategies that engage and motivate students, promote deeper understanding, and ensure greater success for all students. You’ll learn how to leverage the power of neuroscience to optimize classroom learning, mitigate trauma, and create a safe and supportive learning space for all. Expect to improve the effectiveness of your instruction and have fun doing it!
Learning Objectives:
Discover neuroscience-based strategies for engaging and motivating students, and apply them to foster deeper understanding and academic success.
Gain practical trauma-responsive tools to create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, mitigating the effects of adversity.
Discover skills to integrate evidence-based instructional strategies into classroom practice to enhance student engagement and achievement.
Interested in bringing a session like this to your school? Contact us at connect@brightwayslearing.org