Ways that education has dealt with current events and how COVID-19 is impacting education today, specifically in the area of teacher shortage. Education has been a passion of Dr. Schwartze, as evidenced by her nineteen years as an educator. She spent thirteen of those years teaching middle school, ranging from grades five to eight, and the last six years as an assistant teaching professor for pre-service teachers. Schwartze’s talk will cover ways that education has dealt with current events and how COVID-19 is impacting education today, specifically in the area of teacher shortage. Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

A model for education that replaces the current standard of standardization with a universal standard of individualism. Chanita Jones is an educator by nature and by trade. Rooted in the core belief that each human being is an individual expression of a Divine Power, Chanita works in varying capacities to help people recognize and realize their highest potential.

With over 15 years of service in schools, Chanita has become a passionate advocate for transformation in public education. Believing that none of us are the same, and all of us are exceptionally valuable, Chanita envisions a model for education that replaces what she calls, the current standard of standardization, with a universal standard of individualization.

For all the worry about false news and polarization, there are few recommendations about how we can change the ways we think to avoid these pitfalls. I share specific recommendations with real-life examples. Dr. Devin Burns is an associate professor of cognitive psychology at Missouri S&T, where his research touches on decision-making, augmented perception, and human-robot interaction. He enjoys all of the great outdoor activities available in the Ozarks!

The face of food insecurity is everywhere, learning how to spot that face and help without judgment. Carmel Dare is a culinary instructor at Rolla Technical Institute and is passionate about the information she conveys and the student chefs she works with every day. The face of food insecurity is everywhere, learning how to spot that face and help without judgment is her passion.

Chef Dare is a wife to Kyle, a mother to Abby, Nathan, and bonus daughter Anna, and a fierce friend, sister, daughter and educator.

Dr. Rachel Kohman shares her passion for adaptive leadership by exploring new ways to act in leadership and supporting change for the common good. Dr. Rachel Kohman is the director of Kummer Student Programs at Missouri S&T. From her doctoral studies to the ways she facilitates experiences for students, Rachel has a passion for Adaptive Leadership. Through her work as a student affairs professional, doctoral studies, and personal experiences, Rachel has developed an ongoing curiosity to find creative ways to challenge the theories of leadership being defined as an authority role. She loves helping people consider and apply new ways to act in leadership and finds fulfillment in supporting change for the common good.