Marlee Matlin Oscar Winner, Award Winning Author, Advocate for the Deaf Community, Champion for Children Friday, October 28 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. Oncenter Ballroom

In this keynote for NYSSBA, Marlee Matlin recounts her motivational journey, describing how she took barriers and turned them into vessels for success. Using guidance she got from mentors like her parents and teachers, Marlee persevered and her story of triumph will inspire and energize the audience to overcome the challenges of the last few years. Her story is one of maneuvering the ups and downs of a career in Hollywood while at the same time, using her public platform for creating greater opportunities for the Deaf community and anyone facing a barrier. Marlee is iconic for her humanitarian work in diversity, equity, and inclusion and is a true champion for children. Ultimately, Marlee's story continues her mission of inspiring others to be champions, advocates, and heroes of their own story.

Sponsored by Utica National Insurance Group

Jay Worona, Deputy Executive Director & General Counsel, NYSSBA Panel Facilitator Friday, October 28 9:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (15 minute break included) Oncenter Ballroom

The social and emotional well-being of our students has always been of paramount concern for school districts. The pandemic has presented even greater challenges in this area. Join us for a panel discussion to learn about five successful models that have been employed to care for student social and emotional health.

Tough Hope: How to Talk About Teen Depression Friday, October 28 1:45 - 3:00 p.m. Oncenter Ballroom

Join us for a screening of TOUGH HOPE - a new educational documentary that follows the personal stories of four young people from the depths of severe depression as teens to recovering now as young adults. Mental health professionals discuss how to prevent crises and change how depression is publicly perceived. These four young people are models of hope for people struggling with any level of depression and for the parents, educators and health care providers caring for them. Tough Hope aims to do more than share these stories to raise awareness. Tough Hope offers a unique approach that encourages honest discussion among students.

Richard A. White Associate Professor of Tuba/Euphonium and Associate Director of March Band, University of New Mexico, Principal Tubist of the New Mexico Philharmonic Pamela Viktoria Pyle Professor of Piano and Director of the Collaborative Pion Program, University of New Mexico Friday, October 28 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Oncenter Ballroom

In music, a finely tuned collaboration can lead to a virtuoso performance. Every member of your team possesses talent, but to reach that level of accomplishment, each person needs a supportive environment to fully express their ideas. As a leader, understanding everyone’s voice is crucial to creating that environment and fostering true collaborative dialogue that engages all members equally.

Cultivating a collaborative culture in which all voices are optimized and harmonized depends on personal transparency, which leads to better cooperation and a winning outcome for all. Join University of New Mexico Professors Richard A. White and Pamela Viktoria Pyle as they reimagine communication, drawing parallels between music preparation and collaborative teamwork through conversation and performance.

Dr. Betty A. Rosa Commissioner of Education, New York State Education Department

Dr. James Baldwin Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy, New York State Education Department

Join Commissioner Rosa and Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy Baldwin for a discussion of hot button issues you need to be aware of as the school year gets underway.

Kristin O'Neill Assistant Director, NYS Committee on Open Government Saturday, October 29 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. Oncenter Ballroom

Whether you’re concerned about disclosure of records under FOIL, executive sessions, meeting notices or side discussions with fellow board members, you’ll need to know what the Open Meetings Law requires and permits. Bring your questions and get the latest updates.

Saturday, October 29 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Oncenter Ballroom

Are your board trustees, administrators and community “singing the same tune?” Professional actors and NYSSBA staff rock through a musical mock school board meeting, an educational, thought-provoking, entertaining romp that presents common school board missteps and disagreements while offering best practices and key takeaways to discuss with your board when you return from convention. New songs and scenarios have been written for this third iteration, which includes some very special guests.