Martin Brokenleg, Steve Van Bockern and Mark Freado opened the 2009 Autumn Reclaiming Youth International Conference in Nashville, Tennessee earlier this month (October 10-12, 2009). Nearly 100 participants from as far away as Canada and Barbados attended. As always, the breakout sessions presented a notable variety of topics. Culture in the classroom, addiction and the adolescent brain, positive peer culture, eliminating point-level systems, mindfulness, creating cultures of respect in public schools, and effective leadership/resilient supervision were some of the sessions offered by a group of committed and knowledgeable presenters. Our sincere thanks to the following individuals for sharing their time and talents:
Paul Baker- Aimee Brake
- Shalonda Cawthon
- Lacrecia Dangerfield
- Gino DeSalvatore
- Thom Garfat
- James Haines Burnham
- Raquel Hatter
- Frank Kros
- Erik Laursen
- Jeffrey McCombie
- Michael McKnight
- Lisa Shepard
- Travis Winter
Following the conference, Mark Freado, Paul Baker and Erik Laursen presented three separate workshops on The Developmental Audit, The PersonBrain Model and Response Ability Pathways (RAP).
Here is what one of the participants had to say:
"The Reclaiming Youth International Conference was an amazing experience. I found it to be both rejuvenating and reaffirming in the work we do with youth on a daily basis. The presentations were dynamic, and engaging. We were encouraged to share our own experiences, listen to the experiences of others, and reflect on the processes and the workings of the Circle of Courage within our own unique environments. Probably the most powerful part of the conference for me was the ability to connect with other youth centered professionals. Some of the most thought provoking conversations occurred during our lunches and in the evenings when we were able to connect socially. I have made so many wonderful connections, and met so many wonderful people who genuinely care about our Youth of Promise, and work hard everyday to ensure that each and every individual is provided with the love and support needed to be successful. Well done!
Thank you for this, and I hope to reconnect with Reclaiming Youth International in the near future."
Stacey Dunnigan
PACE Outreach
Camrose, Alberta
Canada
We greatly enjoyed the Nashville hospitality, making new friends and encouraging one another to promote the message of hope and resilience that are so much a part of our work. Thank you to everyone involved!
