Ahoy, Mate! ⚓️

We had an unforgettable time at the annual Arizona Correctional Educators Symposium, held on June 1st, 2nd, and 3rd at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. 🏨 The event kicked off on June 1st with a smooth arrival, setting the stage for a fantastic few days ahead. 🚗

On June 2nd, we enjoyed a full day of engaging presentations 📚, followed by a swashbuckling good time at the President’s Reception in the evening 🏴‍☠️. The evening was filled with laughter, networking, and plenty of pirate-themed fun! 🍹

The symposium wrapped up on June 3rd after lunch 🍽️, leaving us with valuable takeaways and new connections. 🤝

Our theme, Finding Hidden Treasures 💎, was a pirate and treasure hunter-inspired adventure. We had a thrilling scavenger hunt 🏴‍☠️, and attendees plundered plenty of loot throughout the event. 💰 Thankfully, no one had to walk the plank! 😜

Presentations included a variety of exciting and impactful topics:

• Utilizing Online Career/Technical Curriculum and Industry Certifications to Enhance Re-Entry Programs💻
• Financial Literacy and the Virtue of Selfishness 💵
• Engaging Employers to Promote Employability for Justice-Involved Youth 👔
• Neurodiversity, My Dear Watson: Smart Ways to Help Students and Make Your Job a Little Easier 🧠
• Digital Adult Learning Solutions from New Readers Press 📱
• Effective Goal Setting 🎯
• Correctional Educator Burnout and Self-Care 🧘‍♀️
• Understanding Acquired Brain Injury – Causes and Adaptations 🧠
• Academic Pathways 🎓
• Promoting Community Collaboration with Juvenile and Adult Justice Services 🏘️
• Literacy as a Tool for Self-Change 📖
• Unlocking Potential Through Postsecondary Education in Prison 🔓
• Understanding and Identifying Deceptive Behaviors 🕵️‍♂️
• QPR – Question, Persuade, Refer Suicide Awareness Workshop 💬
• Engagement Strategies for Reluctant Learners 🤔
• Fighting Human Sex Trafficking with Collaboration 🚨

We were also thrilled to introduce our keynote speaker, Judson Laipply 🎤. Known for his high-energy presentations, Judson combined comedy and content to leave us with both joy and lasting insights. With over 20 years of experience and a global reach 🌍, Judson is best known for his viral video, The Evolution of Dance 💃, which garnered over a billion impressions. His talk was an unforgettable highlight of the symposium! ✨

Thanks to all who joined us for this incredible event—full of treasure, learning, and inspiration! 💎 We can’t wait to see you next year! 👏