Alexandria, VA, Sept. 13, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ASCD is excited to announce ASCD Empower18: The Conference for Every Educator, the mission-driven nonprofit's 73rd conference and exhibit show to help educators enhance their craft and excel at learning, teaching, and leading. ASCD Empower18 will take place March 24–26, 2018, in Boston, Mass., and will feature General Session speakers Dr. Jill Biden; General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.); and Manny Scott, an original Freedom Writer.
"As a lifelong educator, I understand the value of professional learning to ensure that my knowledge base and skills are constantly being enhanced," said Deb Delisle, ASCD Executive Director and CEO. "My continuous learning allows me to support all students and learn from my colleagues, and ASCD Empower18 is a place where educators can learn from one another to influence their practices and make meaningful improvements to student learning."
Empower18 will feature more than 200 professional learning sessions so that every educator—teachers, teacher leaders, principals, central office staff, and superintendents—can create their own personalized professional learning experiences.
“We need to understand that we as citizens throughout this country have no more important obligation than to educate those who are going to replace us," said General Colin L. Powell. "I'm excited to join educators from around the world who are committed to meeting today's education challenges."
"Education is not what we do; it's who we are," said Dr. Jill Biden. "Working together, we're preparing students to live and work in a world we can only imagine. That's why I value the insight, connections, and professional learning opportunities available at Empower18."
"I'm excited to be joining ASCD for another inspiring conference that helps educators transform schools, classrooms, and lives," said Manny Scott.
ASCD Empower18 General Session Speakers
Dr. Jill Biden
Dr. Biden has been an educator for more than three decades. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., she taught English at a community college in Delaware, at a public high school, and at a psychiatric hospital for adolescents.
During her husband's terms as U.S. Vice President, Dr. Biden worked to bring attention to the sacrifices made by military families; highlight the importance of community colleges to America's future; and raise awareness around areas important to women, including breast cancer prevention—all while continuing to teach as a full-time English professor at a community college in Northern Virginia.
General Colin L. Powell
For more than 50 years, General Colin L. Powell has devoted his life to public service. Powell served in the U.S. Army for 35 years, rising to the rank of four-star general. He served as national security advisor for President Ronald Reagan (1987–1989), as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton (1989–1993), and as secretary of state for President George W. Bush (2001–2005). He has earned numerous U.S. Military awards and decorations, as well as awards from more than two dozen countries.
Powell is the chair of the board of visitors of the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at his alma mater, the City College of New York; the founder and chairman emeritus of the America's Promise Alliance; a strategic adviser at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers; and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Manny Scott
An original Freedom Writer whose story is told in part in the 2007 hit movie Freedom Writers, Manny Scott has energized more than a million leaders, educators, volunteers, and students worldwide with his authentic, inspiring messages of hope. Speaking to more than 125 groups a year for the past decade, he is the author of Even on Your Worst Day, You Can Be a Student's Best Hope and speaker of choice for conferences, conventions, schools, fundraisers, and banquets.
Additional Details
Empower18 is a conference designed by educators, for educators, where attendees are empowered to create their own personalized learning experience.
In addition to its popular general sessions and concurrent learning session formats, ASCD Empower18 offers innovative learning formats such as learning labs, student and practitioner panels, great debates, and EdCamps.
Educators can follow the conference conversation and check out photos from all around the convention center by using #ASCDEmpower on social media and following the ASCD Conference Twitter account @ASCDconf.
Early-bird pricing is now available, and every fifth person from the same school or organization attends free when you register together. To register for ASCD Empower18, visit empower.ascd.org. Visit our conference pricing page for individual, group, and ASCD member rates. To learn more about ASCD and the benefits associated with becoming a member, visit www.ascd.org/membership.
Credentialed members of the media interested in attending ASCD Empower18 can apply for a complimentary press pass at empower.ascd.org/media.
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c53ad360-2187-4fa2-8dc5-98d8cff87fd7
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e91e0df6-222c-40d1-b9ea-ffa332f1ec84