Conferences Menu

Conference Schedule

Pre-Conference Workshops

Friday, February 15
Location: The Historic Fairmont Hotel, Atop Nob Hill,
San Francisco, CA

1) Visible Literacy

Fountain

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Visible Learning for Literacy
Douglas B. Fisher, PhD
(RP, K-12)

2) Compassionate Classrooms

Crystal

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Using the Science of a Meaningful Life to Foster Kind, Compassionate Classrooms
Amy L. Eva, PhD; Vicki Zakrzewski, PhD
(RP, K-12)

3) Raising & Teaching Empathetic Kids

Terrace

8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Part I –  How to Raise Empathetic, Courageous Kids in a Plugged-In, Trophy-Driven World
Michele Borba, EdD
(P, K-College)

10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Part II –  Creating Classrooms for Empathy and Kindness
Christa M. Tinari, MA
(P, K-College)

4) Teaching Adolescents

French

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Understanding Adolescence, Teaching Adolescents: From Emotion and Cognition to iPads and Snapchat
Andrew C. Watson, MEd
(RP, 6-College)

5) The Power of Fairness

California

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
The Power of Fairness: Fostering Prosocial, Emotionally Competent Student Mindsets to Grow and Thrive
Paula Prentis, LMSW; Sam J. Goldstein, PhD
(P, All Ages)

6) Neuroscience & 504 Plans

Crown

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Using the Neuroscience of Learning Difficulties and Social Emotional Skills to Rethink 504 Accommodations
Christa Watson, PsyD; Fumiko Hoeft, MD, PhD; Nancy Cushen White, EdD; Nancy C. Redding, MEd; Nicole S. Ofiesh, PhD
(RP, PreK-12)

CONCURRENT SESSIONS GUIDE

  • (RP)=Brain Research & Practical Strategies/Interventions
  • (R)=Mostly Brain/Child Development Research
  • (P)=Mostly Brain-Based Practical Strategies and Interventions
  • (PREK=16)=Applicable Grade Levels

This schedule is preliminary and subject to change.

Conference Day 1

Friday, February 15
Location: The Historic Fairmont Hotel, Atop Nob Hill,
San Francisco, CA

1:15 PM - 6:05 PM

Opening Keynote Addresses: The Science of Human Goodness & Compassion

1:15 PM

Opening Remarks/Presentation: "The Power of Empathy and Compassion to Change Lives: A Personal Story" James R. Doty, MD, Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, Stanford University; Presider

Keynote Address: The Science of Human Goodness: Cultivating Compassion and Hope - Dacher J. Keltner, PhD

Keynote Address: The Science and Power of Compassion - Kelly M. McGonigal, PhD

Keynote Address: How to Raise (Human) Goodness - Michele Borba, EdD

Keynote Address: Better Schools for Teen Brains: Executive Function, Empathy, and Social-Emotional Learning - John J. Medina, PhD

6:05 PM - 7:05 PM

Meeting of the Minds Wine and Cheese Reception and Book Signings (for Drs. Keltner, McGonigal, Borba, and Medina)

CONCURRENT SESSIONS GUIDE

  • (RP)=Brain Research & Practical Strategies/Interventions
  • (R)=Mostly Brain/Child Development Research
  • (P)=Mostly Brain-Based Practical Strategies and Interventions
  • (PREK=16)=Applicable Grade Levels

This schedule is preliminary and subject to change.

Conference Day 2

Saturday, February 16
Location: The Historic Fairmont Hotel, Atop Nob Hill,
San Francisco, CA

Morning Concurrent Sessions

8:15 AM - 9:45 AM

Morning Concurrent Sessions 'A'

1) Nurturing Collaboration

Gold Room

8:15 AM - 9:45 AM
Building Collaboration and Collective Student Efficacy
Douglas B. Fisher, PhD
(P, K-12)

2) Empathy & Bullying

Terrace Room

8:15 AM - 9:45 AM
Be an Upstander, Not a Bystander: 10 Practical Strategies to Reduce Bullying and Create a Positive Culture
Christa M. Tinari, MA
(RP, K-College)

3) Cultivating Compassion in Girls

Pavilion Room

8:15 AM - 9:45 AM
No More Mean Girls: The Secret to Raising Strong, Confident, and Compassionate Girls
Katie F. Hurley, LCSW
(P, K-College)

4) Empathy, Teens, & Social Media

Grand Ballroom

8:15 AM - 9:45 AM
Teens, Tweens, and Social Media: Cultivating Compassion, Empathy, and Socialization in an Unbalanced Digital World
Ana R. Homayoun, MA, PPS
(RP, 6-College)

5) Compassionate School Discipline

Venetian Room

8:15 AM - 9:45 AM
Compassionate Discipline: Succeeding with Difficult Students
Grace Dearborn, MA
(R, PreK-College)

6) Empathy & Language Disorders

Crown Room

8:15 AM - 9:45 AM
Helping Your Child with Language-Based Learning Disabilities Through Positive Collaboration, Empathy, and Kindness
Daniel Franklin, PhD
(RP, All Ages)

9:45 AM - 10:10 AM

Networking Coffee Break, Poster Sessions, and Book Signings

Morning Concurrent Sessions

10:15 AM - 12:25 PM

Morning Concurrent Sessions 'B'

1) The Science of Altruism/Fairness

Terrace Room

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM
Part I –  The Fear Factor: The Neuroscience of Empathy, Altruism, and Psychopaths
Abigail A. Marsh, PhD
(R, All Ages)

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM
Part II –  What Children Reveal About the Origins of Altruism and Fairness
Felix Warneken, PhD
(R, All Ages)

2) The Roots of Empathy in School

Gold Room

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM
Part I –  Nurturing the Roots of Empathy in Education
Mary Gordon
(RP, K-12)

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM
Part II –  The Roots of Empathy and Prosocial Behavior: Implications for Children
Inbal Ben-Ami Bartal, PhD
(RP, K-12)

3) The Science of Mindful Kindness

Grand Ballroom

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM
Part I –  A Mindful Approach to Cultivating Care in Education
Lisa Flook, PhD
(RP, PreK-College)

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM
Part II –  How Compassion Meditation Transforms the Brain and Altruistic Behavior in Young Adults
Helen Y. Weng, PhD
(RP, PreK-College)

4) Empathy, Teens, & Trolling/Bullying

Pavilion Room

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM
Part I –  Shame Nation: Helping Teens Choose Kindness and Compassion in an Age of Trolling
Sue Scheff
(RP, 6-College)

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM
Part II –  Victims of Peer Bullying and Aggression in Schools: Academic and Social Consequences
Gary W. Ladd, EdD
(RP, 6-College)

5) Empathetic School Discipline

Crown Room

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM
Part I –  How Teacher Empathy Can Reduce Suspensions and Discipline Problems
Jason A. Okonofua, PhD
(RP, K-12)

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM
Part II –  Don't Suspend Me!: An Empathetic, Equitable Approach to Discipline
Jessica D. Hannigan, EdD; John E. Hannigan, EdD
(RP, K-12)

6) Reading Brains in a Digital Age

Venetian Room

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM
Part I –  Empathy and the Reading Brain in a Digital World
Maryanne Wolf, PhD
(R, PreK-6)

11:20 AM - 12:20 PM
Part II –  Early Education and the Brain: How Goal Directed Attention Changes Math and Reading Circuits in Children
Bruce D. McCandliss, PhD
(R, PreK-6)

12:25 PM - 1:45 PM

Lunch Break (On Your Own)

Afternoon Concurrent Sessions

1:45 PM - 5:15 PM

Afternoon Concurrent Sessions 'C'

1) Collaboration & Prosocial Skills

Pavilion Room

1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Part I –  Developing Collaboration and Inclusion Through Empathy
Britt Andreatta, PhD
(RP, PreK-12)

3:10 PM - 4:10 PM
Part II –  Integrating Social-Emotional Learning and Collaborative Skills in the Classroom
Becky Ladd, PhD
(RP, PreK-12)

4:20 PM - 5:20 PM
Part III –  The Science of Prosocial Skills: How Music, Rhythm, and Synchronized Movement Enhance Empathy and Peer Cooperation
Tal-Chen Rabinowitch, PhD
(RP, PreK-12)

2) The Science of Gratitude

Terrace Room

1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Part I –  Gratitude Works!: The Science and Power of Gratitude
Robert A. Emmons, PhD
(RP, All Ages)

3:10 PM - 4:10 PM
Part II –  The Cultivation of Altruism via Gratitude
Christina M. Karns, PhD
(RP, All Ages)

4:20 PM - 5:20 PM
Part III –  The Power of Growing Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Resilience in Education
Janeen Antonelli, MA; Jessie Fuller, MA; Joelle Hood, EdD
(RP, All Ages)

3) Educating Kind, Compassionate Kids

Grand Ballroom

1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Part I –  Hacking School Culture: Designing Compassionate Classrooms
Ellen Feig Gray, MA, CIPP, CPPC
(RP, K-12)

3:10 PM - 4:10 PM
Part II –  Strategies That Work: How to Raise and Educate Kind Kids
Thomas E. Lickona, PhD
(RP, K-12)

4:20 PM - 5:20 PM
Part III –  Second Nature: Using Neuroscience to Help Develop Compassion and Self-Control
Erin Clabough, PhD
(RP, K-12)

4) Empathy & Pro-Social Technology

Crown Room

1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Part I –  The Role of Socio-Emotional Health and Universal Design for Learning in Promoting a School Culture of Empathy
Nicole S. Ofiesh, PhD; Stephanie Haft, BA
(RP, 6-College)

3:10 PM - 4:10 PM
Part II –  Beyond BFFs: Using Digital Technology to Increase Empathy and Prosocial Behavior
Sara H. Konrath, PhD
(RP, 6-College)

4:20 PM - 5:20 PM
Part III –  Using Video Games for Prosocial Skills Training in Adolescents
Kurt D. Squire, PhD
(RP, 6-College)

5) Positive School Discipline & Climate

Gold Room

1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Part I –  Nurturing Connections, Identity, and Pro-Social Skills
Paula Prentis, LMSW
(RP, K-12)

3:10 PM - 5:20 PM
Part II –  Positive Discipline: Tools for Classroom Management for Connections, Cooperation, and Conflict Resolution
Jane Nelsen, EdD, LMFT
(RP, K-12)

6) Conversations, Stories, & Empathy

Venetian Room

1:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Part I –  Make Learning Epic: The Power of Story and Empathy in the Classroom
Trevor Muir, MA
(RP, K-12)

3:10 PM - 4:10 PM
Part II –  The Power of Academic Conversations for Empathy, Equity, Agency, and Identity
Jeff A. Zwiers, PhD
(RP, K-12)

4:20 PM - 5:20 PM
Part III –  Beyond the Golden Rule: Critical Civic Empathy in Literacy Instruction
Nicole Mirra, PhD
(RP, K-12)

CONCURRENT SESSIONS GUIDE

  • (RP)=Brain Research & Practical Strategies/Interventions
  • (R)=Mostly Brain/Child Development Research
  • (P)=Mostly Brain-Based Practical Strategies and Interventions
  • (PREK=16)=Applicable Grade Levels

This schedule is preliminary and subject to change.

Conference Day 3

Sunday, February 17
Location: The Historic Fairmont Hotel, Atop Nob Hill,
San Francisco, CA

8:15 AM - 12:25 PM

Morning Keynotes: The Science of Empathy and Bad Behavior

Keynote Address: Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion - Paul A. Bloom, PhD

Keynote Address: A New View on Empathy: How to Hack Our Ability to Understand Others at School and in Life - Jamil Zaki, PhD

Keynote Address: The Good News About Bad Behavior - Katherine Reynolds Lewis, BS

Keynote Address: The Power of Mindfulness in Parenting, Discipline, and Education - Shauna L. Shapiro, PhD

12:25 PM - 1:30 PM

Lunch Break (On Your Own) and Keynote Book Signings

Afternoon Concurrent Sessions

1:30 PM - 3:45 PM

Afternoon Concurrent Sessions 'D'

1) Human Conflict & Cooperation

Grand Ballroom

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Part I –  The Goodness Paradox: The Strange Relationship Between Virtue and Violence
Richard W. Wrangham, PhD
(RP, All Ages)

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Part II –  Creating Peaceful and Effective Schools: Teaching and Modeling Respect, Conflict Resolution, and Restorative Justice
Ron Claassen, MA, DMin; Roxanne Claassen, MA
(RP, All Ages)

2) Empathy & Design Thinking

Terrace

1:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Empathy is King: How Empathy Paves the Way for Innovation and Sustainable Change
Alyssa Gallagher, MA; Kami Thordarson, MA
(RP, K-12)

3) Teens & Mindful Self-Compassion

Crown

1:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Making Friends with Yourself: A Mindful Self-Compassion Program for Teens
Karen Bluth, PhD
(RP, 6-College)

4) Empathy, Teens & Learning

Pavilion

1:30 PM - 2:45 PM
Part I –  Are Teens and College Students Becoming Less Empathetic?
Sara H. Konrath, PhD
(RP, 6-College)

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
Part II –  Effects of Adolescents' Social-Emotional Skills and Empathy on Learning: How "I Imagine" Becomes "I Remember"
Rebecca JM Gotlieb, PhD
(RP, 6-College)

5) Empathy & SEL in the Classroom

Gold

1:30 PM - 2:45 PM
Part I –  Supporting Student Success: Encouraging Empathy and Social-Emotional Learning
Kathy Perez, EdD
(P, K-12)

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
Part II –  Finding Your Magic: Cultivating Kindness, Empathy, and Compassion in the Classroom
Janeen Antonelli, MA; Jessie Fuller, MA; Joelle Hood, EdD
(P, K-12)

6) Reading Stories, & Empathy

Venetian

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Part I –  Turbocharging the Brain: Influences of Shared Reading Practices and Animated Content in Preschool
John S. Hutton, MD, MS
(RP, PreK-8)

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Part II –  The Neural Correlates of Empathy and the Narrative Brain
Jonas T. Kaplan, PhD
(RP, PreK-8)

CONCURRENT SESSIONS GUIDE

  • (RP)=Brain Research & Practical Strategies/Interventions
  • (R)=Mostly Brain/Child Development Research
  • (P)=Mostly Brain-Based Practical Strategies and Interventions
  • (PREK=16)=Applicable Grade Levels

This schedule is preliminary and subject to change.