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We’re thrilled to announce the incredible lineup of keynote speakers for this year’s 28th Annual National School Social Work Conference! These thought leaders will inspire, inform, and equip school social workers with the tools they need to tackle the most pressing issues facing students and schools today. Check out what’s in store for these exciting keynotes:
Keynote 1: Framing for Change: The Science of Effectively Communicating on Challenging Social Issues
Speaker:
Dr. Nat Kendall-Taylor, PhD CEO, FrameWorks Institute
Dr. Nat Kendall-Taylor will open the conference with a groundbreaking session on strategic communication. As CEO of the FrameWorks Institute, Dr. Kendall-Taylor uses research from the social and behavioral sciences to help organizations reframe how they communicate complex social issues, making it easier for the public to understand and act on them. His keynote will provide school social workers with the tools to shift public perceptions and drive positive change on issues like mental health, early childhood development, and criminal justice.
Keynote 2: Introducing New School Social Work National Practice Model 2.0
Speaker:
Dr. Kevin Tan, PhD, MSW
Associate Dean, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Dr. Kevin Tan will introduce the newly revised National School Social Work Practice Model 2.0, which will guide school social work practice for the future. His work in social-emotional learning (SEL) and youth risk prevention has led to significant advancements in the field, securing over $2.5 million in grants. This keynote will provide insights on how school social workers can use the updated model to enhance their roles through promotion of practice, equity, policy, advocacy, leadership, and research; highlighting the advancement of sustained and equitable student and school well-being outcomes.
Keynote 3: Supporting Children and Ourselves in the Aftermath of Grief and Loss
Speaker:
Dr. David J. Schonfeld, MD, FAAP
Director, National Center for
School Crisis and Bereavement
Dr. David J. Schonfeld will offer expert guidance on helping students—and ourselves—recover from grief and loss. As a leading expert in school crisis and bereavement, Dr. Schonfeld is the director of the Naitonal Center for School Crisis and Bereavement at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and is a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine. With over three decades of experience, he consults and trains schools on supporting students during crises and has responded to support schools affected by major tragedies, from the aftermath of 9/11, to school shootings, and the COVID-19 pandemic. His keynote will provide school social workers with practical strategies to support students during times of grief, while also addressing their own emotional resilience.
Keynote 4: Beyond the Shadows: Elevating School Social Work to New Heights
Speakers:
Rebecca K. Oliver, LMSW
SSWAA Executive Director, and
Dr. Terriyln Rivers-Cannon, EdD, MSW
SSWAA President
The closing keynote, Beyond the Shadows, will be a powerful call to action for school social workers to lead with vision and courage.
Rebecca K. Oliver, Executive Director of SSWAA, brings over 20 years of experience in the field, focusing on mental health, collaboration, and professional balance. She has presented nationally on school social work and taught as adjunct faculty at the University of Texas at Austin.
She will be joined by Dr. Terriyln Rivers-Cannon, SSWAA’s Board President, whose advocacy for at-risk students and her work in human trafficking, mental health, and DEIBJ have made her a national leader. Dr. Rivers-Cannon is the first Georgian and first African American to serve as the SSWAA Board President, and her professional life is rich with honors, including features on major networks and numerous awards. She is an accomplished author and presenter, as well as the founder and CEO of "Soar with K.A.T.I.E." an initiative that provides motivational speaking and scholarships, in conjunction with hosting "Dare to Soar with Dr. RC", a syndicated radio/talk show that has been listed as one of the top 20 Social Work Podcasts in the nation.
Together, they will inspire attendees to elevate their work and embrace leadership in these critical areas.
With such an exceptional lineup, this year’s conference promises to equip school social workers with fresh perspectives, actionable strategies, and renewed passion for their vital work in schools. Be sure to attend these keynote sessions—you won’t want to miss the insights and inspiration they have in store!
