2011 NAREN National Conference

February 22-24, 2011
Edgewater Beach Resort, Panama City, Florida

In this Section...

• About the Conference (this page, below)
• 2011 NAREN National Conference Schedule
  • Monday, February 21, 2010: Pre-Conference Seminar
  • Tuesday–Thursday, February 22–24, 2011: NAREN National Conference
  • Friday, February 25, 2010: Post-Conference Seminar

About the Conference

The theme for our 2011 NAREN National Conference was SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS & PRACTICES: EDUCATING FOR HUMAN GREATNESS.

This was a turnaround year for NAREN. The 2011 Conference was a kickoff-indicator of a shift in NAREN's focus. It literally is a positive change in significant ways and poignantly arrived as part of a 10th Anniversary celebration of NAREN's existence as a non-profit corporation, serving educators working with our most troubled youth. The reward for sticking around and doing eight national conferences has begun to show in the numbers. We had a substantial increase in enrollment and managed to top 200 attendees this year along with four key presenters and a exhibit/sponsor hall.

For ten years we have brought important information, training, and networking opportunities to educators all over the world. We have pointed out over and over again what needs attention, and what problems exist within the at-risk education world. We have helped many schools and individuals over the past decade, and have had a wonderful time doing it, made delightful by the educators we are fortunate to work with. We survived independently from the federal and state governments, depending instead on staunch associates and a dedicated volunteer staff allowing us to carry out our goals without pausing and still conserving costs.

This tenth year we were determined to shift our focus from cataloguing abuse and neglect and lamenting the lacking elements and presence of deficiencies in children's environments, both educationally and at home, and instead begin addressing what the at-risk population has to offer. We wanted to focus on the aptitudes, attitudes, skills and talents, both latent and obvious in at-risk learners. We wanted to hear from what is working, might work, should work. We will encourage this focus and place gentle pressure upon resource holders to place our attention and efforts on what is needed to encourage and support the Educating for Human Greatness in these young people. What do they already have to offer? How can their potential be unleashed? This focus was apparent by seeing the keynote speaker who began the conference: None other than the great Lynn Stoddard himself, the author of the 2010 book, Educating for Human Greatness.

The other kickoff speaker on the Wednesday morning was Angela Engel, activist, educator and author of Seeds of Tomorrow, a book on true educational reform.

They came in record numbers in 2011! They attended, presented, exhibited, expressed this new direction that will help uncover what it takes to encourage potential in the population we have for too long known as the at-risk population in our schools. It is time to focus on what we wish to expand: Greatness!

All meetings and sessions were held at the Conference Center at Edgewater Beach Resort.

Conference Location

The conference will be held (as always!) at:

Edgewater Beach Resort

11212 Front Beach Road
Panama City Beach, FL 32407

Tel: 1-800-874-8686

Special conference rates will be available for attendees! For reservations call 1-800-874-8686. To get the special conference rate provide the receptionist with the Room Code #1791.

The Hotel: On the beach, overlooking the emerald green Gulf of Mexico, the 12-story Edgewater Beach Resort (click for their site!) has been our national conference home for six years, and you will see why when you arrive! Even the basic rooms are suites fully equipped. Under $100 a night! If waking up to surf sounds is not your desire, the Edgewater also has marvelous townhouses on interior lakes on the premises. There is a fine restaurant on the premises at the beach (some of the finest deep-fried grouper fingers ever!).

(Note: Regular attendees to the NAREN Conference know to RESERVE EARLY as the ocean front rooms are limited in number. Just a word to the wise!)

Quotes from Previous Conference Attendees

• "I love the conference and the breadth of topics and the networking was great!"
• "Excellent conference. I learned a ton!"
• "Thank you! I learned so much, had thoughts and beliefs affirmed, and am leaving with strategies I can use."
• "Awesome conference. Thank you!"

More Information

• 2011 NAREN National Conference Schedule

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