Keynote Speakers

Opening Keynote – Ainsley Rose  

The Marshmallow Challenge: What Students Can Teach Us About Learning

Can we all agree that students are at the heart of our work as educators? Contrary to popular opinion, however, I contend that students don’t necessarily need adults to learn. I also believe that how we do school is no longer a valid model in which to maximize individual student learning, the mission for all schools.

In this opening Keynote the theme of the conference, “Stronger Together” will only be effective once student voice holds a more prominent role in the enterprise of schooling. Only then will we become-Stronger Together.

It is a pleasure to welcome Ainsley Rose home to the Eastern Townships! Ainsley Rose is in his 51st year as an award-winning educator. Ainsley began as a high school teacher and progressed to be an Elementary and Secondary Principal, and Director of Education in Quebec, Canada. Ainsley is now an author consultant, Keynote presenter, Senior Leadership Coach having trained with Dr. Jim Knight and facilitator of an extensive range of professional learning topics. His expertise includes effective schools research, Professional Learning Communities, Instructional Intelligence, standards and assessment, common formative assessment, TRIBES, Covey’s Seven Habits of Effective People, Evidence-Based teaching and learning (Professor John Hattie’s research) among other topics.

Keynote, Jody Carrington

Dr. Jody Carrington is a powerhouse speaker and fearless champion for authentic human connection. She is highly sought after for her expertise, energy and genuine approach to helping people solve the most complex human-centred problems.Jody’s work focuses on the value of reconnection – the key to healthy relationships and productive teams. Her authentic, honest (and often hilarious) approach never fails to inspire and motivate audiences. 

 

Dr. Carrington is the founder and principal psychologist at the Carrington Practice, where she uses her twenty-plus years of experience to empower the clients she connects with. Jody’s unique resume of clients – from kids to major institutions – provides her with the insights and depth of experience to present unmatched value to her audiences. Her core message resonates with everyone from the practice to the world stage: our power lies in our ability to acknowledge each other first. 

She is the bestselling author of Kids These Days (2019), Teachers These Days (2021) and the emotionally charged and introspective chart topping, Feeling Seen (HarperCollins, 2023).

Jody lives in small-town Olds, Alberta, with her husband and three children (she had three kids in 2 years to test her own resilience) and leads the amazing team at Carrington & Company.

Closing Keynote Speaker – Jen Grant 

Success is a Laughing Matter

 In this humorous and inspiring presentation, Jen will show how to use humour to re-frame stress. She shares tools she has acquired from her years as a professional comedian that help to lighten challenging moments in your professional and personal life. An accomplished stand-up comedian and public speaker who advocates fun, positive thinking, and resiliency, Jen Grant has designed an engaging, witty presentation that showcases her effective teaching style, credibility and hilarious sense of humour to help people improve their personal health and increase happiness by alleviating stress with humour and turn it into strength.

Jen Grant is an award-nominated stand-up comedian as well as a dynamic keynote speaker. Originally from Ottawa, Jen was honoured to be profiled in Ottawa Life Magazine as one of the top 25 People in the Capital. Jen uses storytelling, and her observational style of a comedian to deliver unique insights that are relatable to the audience. She writes about life and she will have you laughing until you’re crying. Funny tears. Jen is a clean comic who is adaptable to any setting.  Her ability to weave hilarious jokes with funny audience interaction is extraordinary.




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