Participants will learn about why Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is so important, especially this year as we are focused on accelerating recovery during summer school and for the back to school 2021 season. Explore the award winning suite of products from The Social Express, clever animated and interactive lessons which engage students in SEL and Career Exploration, and empower teachers to have trust building discussions. We will also touch on the neuroscience behind Trauma Informed and Restorative Practices. Finally, we will address how to maximize the new 2021 American Rescue Plan – Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to prioritize SEL for all students.

Robin Faltz has been in education sales for more than 20 years in the New York Metropolitan area. Robin began her career as a special education teacher, then shifted into the business world working with primarily ed tech companies in sales and marketing. She spent 10 years with Apple Computer performing sales to higher education institutions, however, she found her passion when she went back to her roots with K-12 over 15 years ago, helping school districts by providing them with robust software programs. Robin founded Aspire Up Ed-Tech Consulting in 2019. The company’s mission is to help ed-tech companies partner with school districts by introducing them to effective educational solutions that help overcome their challenges.

Joyce Whitby is a lifelong educator who started in elementary education, and spent the bulk of her classroom time teaching educational technology at Long Island University during the mid-80’s. Since then, Joyce has been in the business of educational technology with key roles in professional development, marketing and sales leadership. Joyce co-founded Innovations4Education, a concierge marketing firm which works with several great Ed-Tech companies.