[REGISTRATION OPENS SEPTEMBER 1, 2026]
-7:45-8:15: Registration, Retail, & Vendors Open
-8:15-9:45: Keynote Speaker Robert Jackson
"Leading Through Pain: How Educators can Transform Wounds into Wisdom"
In this powerful keynote address based on his book Leading Through Pain: Transform Your Wounds into Wisdom, Robert Jackson reveals how your greatest pain can become your greatest preparation for transformational leadership. Drawing from his own journey from childhood trauma and poverty to becoming an award-winning educator and author, Mr. Jackson equips school leaders and educators with practical strategies to break the cycle of “hurt people hurting people” and instead become healed people who heal others. Participants will discover the four core principles of pain-to-purpose leadership, learn to create psychologically safe environments where staff and students thrive, and develop a personalized action plan to transform their wounds into wisdom. This is a life-changing experience that will fundamentally shift how you lead, inspire, and create lasting impact in your school community.
-9:45-10:00: Break
-10:00-11:30: Breakout #1
-11:30-12:45: Lunch, INSSWA Board Updates, & School Social Worker of the Year Award Presentation
-12:45-1:45: Breakout #2
-1:45-2:00: Break
-2:00-3:00: Breakout #3
-3:00-4:00: Sound Bath
Sarah Gardner with Immersive Sound Experiences will be leading all attendees in a sound bath! Sound baths have proven evidence-based benefits, including: better sleep, reduced stress, healthier blood pressure, and improved focus and concentration.
For those planning on attending the Sound Bath, please be prepared to:
The Indiana School Social Work Association needs you! Our annual conference is coming up and we want to partner to promote your organization while helping our organization provide a high quality conference experience.
Sponsors will be featured in various ways at our conference. We will have over 200 attendees including Social Workers from all over the state. Check out the sponsorship levels below:
Basic: Your organization/business logo will be included on informational materials the day of the conference.
Silver: Your organization/business logo will be included on our promotional materials and on informational materials the day of the conference.
Gold: Your organization/business logo will be included on our promotional materials and on informational materials the day of the conference. Additionally, your logo will be on the printed run of show agenda for the day and printed copies of your business information will be at the registration table.
Ready to sponsor us?! Visit the Sponsoring our conference page for all the information needed to sign up.
Not ready, but want to attend the conference as a table vendor? Visit our host a table page to sign up for a spot.
A big thank you to our SILVER Sponsor, Firefly Children and Family Alliance!
