2024 Bridge Conference

It only takes one moment for a student to hear “good job” and internalize that people-pleasing is the best way to achieve attention – essentially creating “praise junkies” in the blink of an eye. But when a trusted adult adjusts their language to specific feedback it only takes one moment to instill intrinsic motivation within the student – a moment that can lead to a movement of growth-minded young people. Join us for an engaging and transformative workshop on the benefits of specific feedback. Discover how shifting your classroom language from "good job" to specific, non-evaluative feedback can revolutionize your teaching approach and significantly benefit your students. Learn how specificity fosters growth-mindset, builds confidence, reduces anxiety and pressure, supports diverse learners, and creates an inclusive learning environment. Facilitated by self-proclaimed “education nerds” with backgrounds in theatre education and youth development, this workshop promises to be fun and educational. Participants will be actively involved, practicing the use of specific feedback with real-world classroom scenarios. This simple yet powerful tool can be seamlessly integrated into every learning environment, making a big impact on student development and classroom dynamics. By the end of the workshop, you will feel confident and empowered to implement non-evaluative language in your teaching practice, making your classroom a more supportive, motivating, and inclusive space for all students. Join us and transform your teaching with the power of specificity!

In 1974, the first Domestic Violence shelters began to operate in the US. This was the first major step in acknowledging Domestic Violence as a public health issue. So much has changed, and progress has been made in the 50 years since. But there's still so much work to be done in the movement against Intimate Partner Violence. This workshop will educate participants on the history of Teen Dating Violence Prevention and the exciting developments in the movement's future. We will challenge misconceptions about dating violence, learn to recognize the warning signs of unhealthy relationships, and look at what today’s teens experience in dating. Most importantly, we will look at what it takes and what resources exist for YOU to start the conversation about Teen Dating Violence Prevention in your programs and communities. After this workshop, participants will leave with a greater understanding of existing resources, strategies for addressing adult bias toward teen relationships, and the building blocks for creating compassionate and empathetic support systems for youth experiencing dating violence.

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) launched a new version of Summer School in 2023 with a vision to create summer learning that wasn't focused solely on remediation, but could be an extension of the school year that provided academic supports with fun enrichment opportunities making a place kids would want to go to. The 'Yes! to Expanded Learning Planning Team", made up of cross-departmental district office staff, supported the development and implementation of six elementary school sites, which served as regional hubs for SPS students for a four-week session. The school day was similar in schedule to that during the school year, but was unique in that it included SPS led literacy and math instruction in the mornings and Community Based Organization (CBO) led STEAM based enrichment in the afternoons. SPS Instructional Assistants staffed the entire day providing some content connection and classroom management support throughout the day. The program expanded in 2024 to ten sites and included further integration between SPS and CBO programming. Prior to sessions starting, SPS and CBO staff participated in joint professional development and met at their school sites to prepare their classrooms. They also worked at creating a weekly family engagement communication and a culminating event where families were invited in to see various projects or performances that their children shared. Evaluation of the program was gathered through surveys and focus groups of students, families and staff; the vision is to continue to refine and expand programming in the summer while also providing a model to advocate for central office sponsored expanded learning partnership and offerings throughout the entire school year.

Responding to Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking of Youth was developed by Leslie Briner, MSW of Youth Care; This training will prepare caregivers and service providers to identify, engage and provide support to sexually exploited youth; Introductory topics include definitions, language, landscape of exploitation, identification including “red flags”, victim engagements and interventions.