Recharging Minds, Elevating Education: A Soothing Journey to Inspire Growth
Event Overview:
Join us for an unforgettable professional development retreat where inspiration meets relaxation. Held at the beautiful Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, this immersive experience lets you personalize your learning journey by choosing from two specialized tracks.
Focus on fostering healthy relationships in schools to create thriving learning environments, or learn innovative instructional and classroom management techniques to boost engagement and student success.
Take this time to invest in yourself—reignite your passion for teaching, strengthen your resilience, and return to the classroom refreshed, motivated, and ready to make a lasting impact!
Choose a Track:
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Whether you're a teacher, administrator, student, or community partner, this engaging event will provide valuable resources and actionable solutions to help your school community thrive!
In today's ever-changing educational landscape, school staff, students, and partners face unique challenges that impact connection, attendance, and school culture. Strong, healthy relationships play a crucial role in mitigating these challenges.
Participants will gain new insights to:Identify and amplify support networks among youth, peers, and adults.
Create safe, inclusive spaces where all voices are heard and honored.
Foster healthy relationships between youth and adults to build stronger communities.
Collaborate and innovate to cultivate a school culture that prioritizes well-being and success.
Join us for this interactive learning experience designed to develop knowledge-sharing, meaningful connections, and real-world solutions. Gain ready-to-use strategies, connect with fellow educators, and learn new ways to create supportive and empowering school environments.
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An enriching professional development experience incorporating PEAK Teaching for Excellence tools, strategies, and concepts from Spence Rogers and Renee Brice.
Who should attend: Teachers, pre-service teachers, instructional coaches, school and district administrators, and other supporters of teachers.
Imagine the joy of teaching in a classroom where students are well-behaved, focused, and fully engaged in learning. While achieving this can be challenging, each step toward that goal brings greater success and satisfaction.
This highly praised professional development event – combined with follow-up support – provides educators with more ways to improve student behavior and boost academic achievement. Whether you're an experienced educator or just beginning your journey, you’ll gain fresh insights and practical tools to create a more rewarding teaching experience!
Learn powerful ways and valuable findings to:
Get and keep students focused on the teacher’s directions, lessons, and expectations.
Save precious time.
Boost the pleasure and satisfaction that come from successful lessons.
Reduce stress and exhaustion.
Raise the participation of resistant learners and reduce their misbehavior and distracting actions.
Enhance learning and achievement through tools that elevate involvement in responding to and learning from questions and other activities.
Increase students’ participation and engagement, causing better learning throughout lessons.
Reduce anxiety and frustration caused by too many students repeatedly asking questions like, “Now what are we supposed to do?” or “How am I supposed to do this?” rather than simply getting started and completing the task correctly.
You will benefit from over 50 years of research-supported, evidence-based best practices as we proudly incorporate the outstanding expertise and ongoing support of Spence Rogers and Renée Brice through their PEAK Teaching for Excellence work.
Track 1 Facilitators
Amy Killian - Resiliency Director
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Amy Killian dedicated more than 30 years to education and held various positions including school counselor, teacher, and administrator. She recently retired from Southeast Island School District in Alaska and is now a Resiliency Director and certified facilitator for Brightways Learning. Amy is passionate about advocating for students and educators. She understands that the well-being of teachers and administrators is crucial in modeling self-regulation for students and providing healthy support systems for them. Her experience, knowledge, and skills in neuroscience, trauma-responsiveness, and resilience-building strategies are essential in her support for students and educators, both individually and through the school and community systems. Amy has a bachelor’s degree in linguistics, a K-8 teaching certification, and a master’s in K-12 school counseling.
David Pavish - Resiliency Director
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David Pavish, with 20 years of experience in youth development across direct care and administration, offers a unique perspective on supporting youth. Raised in Anchorage, AK and experienced in both rural and large communities, David leverages training from some of the top youth and experiential educational professionals in the U.S. and Canada to understand what youth need to succeed. A certified Brightways Learning facilitator and Resiliency Director, David provides a fresh approach, guiding youth on their life journeys with an emphasis on lifelong growth and learning.
Track 2 Facilitator
Beth Buchanan - Teaching, Learning, & Resiliency Specialist
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Beth Buchanan has dedicated nearly three decades to empowering youth and those who support them. A former teacher, principal, and coach, Beth's passion for building trauma-resilient environments grew from her journey as a parent to biological children, as well as adopted and foster children who have experienced trauma. Motivated by her personal experience, Beth immersed herself in the neuroscience of mental health to improve student and educator outcomes. As an experienced and engaging presenter and facilitator, Beth connects with her audience through her interactive, dynamic approach to professional development. While working as a teacher and administrator in two districts, Beth began her journey with Spence Rogers' PEAK Teaching for Excellence. She experienced significant gains through her efforts, engaged in every opportunity to re-engage in PEAK professional development, and ultimately became one of PEAK's focus session facilitators during their summer, week-long professional development. Beth is continuing her journey with Spence Rogers, Renée Brice, and PEAK and is passionate about sharing these methods to help other educators achieve similar outcomes. Beth holds degrees in secondary education, curriculum & instruction, and leadership education.
Early Bird Discount Through April 30th
Register by April 30 and save! Your registration fee covers two full days of hands-on sessions and materials.
Adult - $225 ($275 after April 30)
Adult + High School Student together - $350 ($400 after April 30)
Student Only (college student with valid ID) - $150 ($200 after April 30)
Bring Your Team and Save More!
Register 3-5 people together → 20% off
Register 6 or more → 25% off
(Discounts apply to regular-priced registration and will be automatically applied at checkout.)Bonus: Want to know how an administrator can attend for free? Contact us to learn more!
Special Lodging Discount
Learn, Recharge, and Thrive at Fairmont Hot Springs!
Fairmont Hot Springs - Fun for the Entire Family!
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort
1500 Fairmont Road
Fairmont, MT 59711
(Between Anaconda and Butte, MT)
Make the most of your Educators’ Confluence experience at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort—where learning, relaxation, and connection come together in a breathtaking Montana setting.
Montana Attendees: Turn this event into a true getaway! Step away from the day-to-day, immerse yourself in learning, and enjoy the resort’s soothing hot springs, scenic views, and relaxing amenities.
Out-of-State Guests: Discover the beauty of Montana! Stay at a resort that offers natural hot springs, stunning mountain views, golf, dining, and adventure—right outside your door.
Exclusive Attendee Rates:
$110/night (single occupancy) | $125/night (double occupancy) + taxes/fees.
$18/night resort fee includes unlimited hot springs and pool access, waterslide, fitness center, and WiFi.
Book Early—Limited Availability! Reserve online or call 800-332-3272 and use Group Code: 31424.
Alaska Airlines Discounted Rate
Use the Discount Code ECMO266 to receive 5% off of Alaska/Horizon airfare for travel dates June 21 -28, 2025.
Continuing Education
Montana educators can earn up to 15 OPI PLUs.
One 500-level University of Montana or University of Alaska credit: available as a separate course registration on your own. Must attend your chosen track and all breakouts sessions to be eligible.
“It was wonderful to spend time with like minded humans, to gain knowledge, to refresh old tools and think how to apply them now with new classes/students.”
