“Riding the Range: Your Ultimate Guide to the IAACE Conference Roundup
Riding the Range: Your Ultimate Guide to the IAACE Conference Roundup
The Indiana Association for Adult and Continuing Education (IAACE) Conference is always a highly anticipated event. It brings together educators, administrators, and lifelong learners to share knowledge, inspire each other, and push the boundaries of adult education. This year’s conference promises to be a remarkable experience filled with diverse sessions designed to enrich, empower, and elevate the practice of adult education. Be prepared to Round Up Your Knowledge and Saddle Up for Success!
If you are a first-time attendee or just would like to be in the know, join us at 10:00 am on Wednesday for the Greenhorn Gathering: This is a welcome session for first-time attendees. It will provide valuable tips, insider knowledge, and a chance to network.
Grand Roundup and Exhibitor Corral at 11:00 am Wednesday
Saddle up for the Grand Roundup, where the best in the West gather within the Exhibitor Corral to showcase their finest wares and innovations! You’ll be introduced to the exhibitors in a way you won’t forget. Breaks are also set up throughout the conference to ensure that you have time to visit and play the Exhibitor Western MatchUp game. All participants will earn their own pony, and when you Pony Up, you can earn extra door prize tickets because every cowboy and cowgirl has a good pony. It will be time to rustle up some grub after this.
Opening Keynote: Strength for the Journey: Equipping Adult Learners for the Ride
The conference kicks off with an inspiring keynote address from a thought leader in adult education, Kate Redmon. This session will set the tone for the conference. The distinguishing mark of adult educators is a fierce and abiding concern for the welfare of their students. We know our learners’ struggles and strive to help them overcome them to achieve their goals. But if we’re honest, some days it feels as if we care more about some students’ futures than they do; we’re all but carrying them to their destination. And, let’s face it, adults are heavy! Acting as trail guides who equip our students to ride solo is the key to their long-term success and ours.
Networking Event: Roundup Rendezvous, Western Style!
The IAACE Conference also emphasizes the importance of building connections. Networking takes place throughout the conference, but we lead off with an opportunity to meet fellow attendees who share roles. This assists with connecting with fellow professionals and having open conversations. This can forge partnerships that can enhance your professional journey.
- Wednesday, Session One, 1:30- 2:30 p.m. Rooms are divided by positions: Directors/Administrators, ABE Teachers, ELL Teachers, Correctional Teachers, Vocational Teachers, Essential Support Staff, Data Entry/Career Coaches, and the DWD State Team.
Trailblazer Tracks: Breakout Sessions That Lead the Way
The hands-on sessions are among the most exciting aspects of the IAACE Conference. Experts in their field craft these sessions. The strands are Administrative: Leadership Skills, ABE Curriculum, Corrections, ELL, Technology/Digital Literacy, Personal Development, and Administration of a Program: Data Entry & Testing Centers. Whether you’re interested in exploring the latest technology trends, mastering online teaching platforms, or developing new assessment methods, these workshops offer something for everyone.
- Sessions Two (2) through Nine (9) will offer sessions for everyone. Click here to check out the schedule of all the breakouts.
- Remember, the conference is a Department of Workforce Development (DWD) approved professional development (PD) event, and participants can earn 12 PD Points for attending 9 sessions, a panel discussion, and two keynotes.
Western How Down: Wednesday 6:00 pm
Panel Discussion: Building Bridges, Not Walls Collaboration in the Wild West Panel Discussion
Gather ’round the campfire for a lively Roundtable Rodeo, where trailblazing experts wrangle with big ideas, sparking conversations that are sure to blaze new trails in the world of learning. This panel session is a must-attend for those who thrive on discussion and debate. This discussion brings together experts from various fields to explore pressing topics in adult education.
Award Night: Thursday, the Dinner is at 6:00 pm, and the Awards start at 7:30 pm
IAACE honors colleagues, partners, and learners who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Nominations are due by Friday, August 16th, at the latest.
Closing Keynote: Finding the Funny in Change
Jan McInnis, aka the Work Lady, will close us out by assisting the change in us from attending the conference. Get ready to transform the way you and your team deal with change! The pace of change is faster than ever, leaving many leaders and organizations feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. In Jan’s electrifying keynote, “Finding the Funny in Change,” she shows your attendees how to easily turn tension into laughter and get your point across. She’ll equip your team with the humor tools to diffuse tension instantly, initiate tough conversations, and facilitate communication by using well-placed, appropriate humor. By using Jan’s tips, your attendees will not only keep their teams more engaged, but also more likely to remember their message. You will walk away with a fresh perspective on change; best of all, you’ll laugh all the way to the next level of success. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get a unique and unforgettable experience. Get set to find the funny in change together!
This session will leave you inspired, motivated, and ready to take on new challenges in your educational practice.
Buckaroo Bounty: Door Prizes
We end the conference with a door prize giveaway; you’ll have earned tickets by attending sessions throughout the conference. The door prizes will be set up in the showroom and displayed for the entire conference, and we will wrap it up by drawing for each prize. There is even a trophy for the program that brings the best door prize. The prize with the most tickets determines the winner. Let us know that you’ll participate so we can provide recognition by submitting the form at https://iaace.com/prize-donation-form/. You must be present to win all door prizes.
The IAACE Conference is more than just an event; it’s a grand rendezvous of passionate pioneers dedicated to blazing new trails in adult education. With its diverse range of sessions, this year’s conference is set to offer a treasure trove of learning opportunities that’ll leave you fired up and ready to ride your teaching journey to new heights. Whether you’re saddling up for the first time or returning as a seasoned trailblazer, the IAACE Conference is a roundup you won’t want to miss!
Pardon my dust. For those of you arriving on Tuesday evening, Kick off your boots and join us at the President’s Patio Party in the Lobby Bar, where the stars shine bright, the music’s just right, and good company is as plentiful as gold in them hills!
By the Way. In collaboration with the Indiana Literacy Association (ILA), we will be holding a 50/50 raffle where you split the boot. We will have one on Wednesday and Thursday. Tickets will be $5 or 5 for $20. Bring your greenbacks (cash)!
Jenn is the IAACE Executive Director. Her passion for adult education shines through in everything she does for IAACE. You can invite her to a chat for questions anytime. Click here to book a time to chat with Jenn
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