Powerful Learning Conference

PLC 2024

Registration is Open! (See "How to Register" Below)

Why Attend

  • 1100 Educators

  • 60+ Sessions

  • 2 National Speakers

  • 1 Common Mission: Promote, support, and develop educator and student performance. 

For more than 20 years, the Powerful Learning Conference has provided top-notch professional learning, helping Missouri educators implement effective, evidence-based practices with the goal of improved student learning for every student in every school.

 

How to Register

  • Conference BrochureLearn more about this outstanding professional learning opportunity with this brochure

  • Conference Registration - Registration is now open! To register go to this site and follow directions carefully. The early bird rate is $225 and will run through December 16, 2023. From December 17 to January 24, the regular registration rate is $275. Any registration received after January 24 will be considered an on-site registration for $325.

  • Lodging - The conference is being held on January 29-30, 2024 at:
    Tan-Tar-A Conference Center
    490 Tan-Tar-A Drive 
    Osage Beach, MO 65065
     
    Participants are responsible for making their own room reservations. A block of rooms at the discounted rate of $110.25 per night has been reserved for the Powerful Learning Conference. A tax exemption letter must be provided to the hotel in order to receive this rate. Based upon availability, this rate is available until January 2, 2024.

    To make your reservation, call 573-348-3131 and identify yourself as an attendee of the Powerful Learning Conference using code POWE. You also may make your reservation online by clicking here. Enter your arrival and departure dates, and then click on Check Availability. Make your reservations early! 

What to expect

The 2024 Powerful Learning Conference theme is Innovating and Educating. The Continuous Improvement System guides the conference, showcasing effective, evidence-based practices in: 

  • Leadership – Strong leaders set the vision and influence direction at every level of the organization to create and support a culture of teaching and learning for continuous improvement.
  • Collaborative Climate and Culture – Shared values and common goals are the foundation of a collaborative climate and culture of systemic growth and improvement within an educational system.
  • Effective Teaching and Learning – Effective academic, behavioral, and social skill practices  supported by research and meeting the needs of each student  lead to the highest levels of student learning.
  • Data-Based Decision Making – Accurate, relevant measures across multiple points in time provide the basis for informing on progress, setting goals, and guiding decisions leading to improved student learning.
  • Alignment of Standards, Curriculum, and Assessment – Connection, clarity, and coherence must exist between standards, curriculum, and assessments in order to provide accurate and actionable information regarding student learning.

Who Presents

  • Missouri Practitioners - High quality concurrent sessions presented by educators sharing successful practices are the strength of the Powerful Learning Conference. 
  • 2024 Proposals - Proposals are being accepted. Submitted proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria: 
    • Proposal Aligned to Purpose and Theme of Conference
    • Relevance: Aligned to Collaborative Climate and Culture, Effective Teaching and Learning, Data-Based Decision Making, Curriculum and Assessment, AND/OR Leadership
    • Impact on Student Learning
    • Replication: Can be Adapted/Adopted
    • Innovative Evidence-based Practice
  • Scoring Guide and Call for Proposal (CFP) Worksheet - Please read the Scoring Guide and 2024 CFP Worksheet. Complete the 2024 CFP Worksheet and create a supporting document before beginning the online submission form. The supporting document will fully outline the proposed session. Include information on (1) the impact of your project/activity/program on student learning, (2) how long it has been implemented, (3) your intended audience, (4) to what degree your project/activity/program is replicable, and (5) how you will engage with attendees during your breakout session. The online submission form is here:  https://na.eventscloud.com/24plccfp.
  • Timeline - The deadline for submission is September 20, 2023, by 5:00 p.m. (Central Time). You will be notified on or by October 13, 2023, if your proposal has been selected. 
  • Keynote Speakers:
    • Dr. Margie Vandeven is Missouri’s Commissioner of Education. She is passionate about ensuring that each child has the opportunity to graduate prepared for success. She has more than 30 years of student-centered service in education, including seven at Missouri's top educational post. As commissioner, Dr. Vandeven works collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders to improve educational opportunities for Missouri’s nearly 900,000 public school students. Dr. Vandeven earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Missouri State University and a master’s degree in educational administration and supervision from Loyola University Maryland. She also received a doctorate of philosophy in educational leadership from Saint Louis University. 
    • Thomas C. Murray now serves as the director of innovation for Future Ready Schools, after serving at the elementary and secondary levels as both a teacher and a principal, as well as at the district level. He has testified before the U.S. Congress and works alongside the U.S. Senate, the White House, the U.S. Department of Education, state departments of education, and school districts throughout the country to implement student-centered learning. A regular conference keynote speaker, he was named one of 20 to Watch by the National School Boards Association in 2016, the National/Global EdTech Leader of the Year in 2018 by EdTech Digest, the Education Thought Leader of the Year in 2017, and the Education Policy Person of the Year in 2015 by the Academy of Arts and Sciences.
    • Matt Degner  has served the Iowa City Community School District since July 2013. He was principal of South East Junior High for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years. Since that time, he has served as director of secondary schools, assistant superintendent, and his current position of superintendent. Degner is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, and he received his master's degree and educational specialist degree from the University of Iowa. He is passionate about building a positive school culture in which student engagement and innovation in education lead to learning for all students. Degner has received the Iowa Technology and Education Connection Administrator of the Year Award and has been a Bammy Award nominee.

 


Contact:

Christine Nobbe, Director 
Conference Coordinator 
Phone: 573-751-7754