Pre-Convention Workshop

Breaking Barriers—Using a Poverty-Informed Lens to Transform Education

Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 9–11:30 a.m. OR 1–3:30 p.m.

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Today, students born into poverty face incredible hurdles throughout their educational journey. But together, we can change that! School board members and education leaders play a crucial role in creating environments that deeply impact children and families living in poverty. Adopting a poverty-informed lens can transform school communities, creating an environment which uplifts and supports ALL students.

Join us for an eye-opening session where you’ll participate in an interactive poverty simulation, which will challenge your beliefs, dispel pervasive myths, and uncover the real obstacles to educational success. You’ll walk away with actionable, proven tools to remove poverty barriers and improve educational outcomes for all students. Don’t miss this chance to revolutionize your approach and make a lasting impact on your students' lives!

Keynote speaker Donna Beegle grew up in generational poverty and dropped out of high school in ninth grade. Donna went from high school dropout to earning her doctorate, and brings 34 years of research and practical experience to the table. Co-facilitator Elia Hernandez-Moreno contributes extensive expertise in breaking the cycle of poverty and promoting college readiness. Elia will weave her insights on adding value to others' lives, and how to transform compassion fatigue into compassion satisfaction in this interactive workshop.

 

Second General Session & Luncheon

Changing Lives for Iowa’s Students Impacted by Poverty

Thursday, Nov. 21 at Noon

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Statistics show that Iowa’s students living in poverty are the least likely to gain an education—what if your actions as a leader could change that? Students experiencing poverty face significant barriers to education, making it imperative for school board members and education leaders to be well-informed on how our decisions impact students in poverty. In her compelling keynote, Donna Beegle will dive into the impact of poverty on students’ education and why poverty-informed Iowa school board members are more important than ever to break barriers for the one in five students struggling with basic needs. How can we better support our school communities in building environments where students experiencing poverty can succeed?

Donna’s personal experiences with generational poverty led her to drop out of school at 15. At 26, she obtained her GED. Within 10 years, Donna went on to earn her doctorate in Educational Leadership. This insider perspective and 34 years of experience working with school leaders to improve educational outcomes for students in poverty, paired with her powerful personal story, will give you an in-depth exploration of how poverty impacts student achievement, and how informed leaders can make all the difference for students experiencing poverty. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to lunch and learn during the second general session—you’ll leave inspired and empowered to be a voice for Iowa's students living in poverty!

Special thanks to Jester Insurance Services for sponsoring the Second General Session & Luncheon.