There’s something magical about gathering with passionate educators at NCCE each year in Seattle. I have been attending NCCE since 2016 and am proud to say I NEVER miss it! Did you know that Neural Education actually grew from NCCE connections? NCCE attendees and presenters like Conn McQuinn, Kieran O’Mahony, Mary Snyder, Dawn Baughman, Tabitha Ellison, and I met there in 2016. Today, Mary leads Neural Education as our Executive Director, Tabitha serves on our executive and programming teams, Kieran is an emeritus board member, Dawn attends every institute, and Conn is never farther than a teacup away for advice and support. That’s the power of the NCCE community! Side note – I will never forget the uncertainty in the air during NCCE in March of 2020. It was at NCCE that all of the news broke about the upcoming shifts in the school year due to a global pandemic. So, you can see that NCCE has been a big part of my educational journey.
As we prepare for another inspiring conference, I’m thrilled to share that Neural Education is bringing something intentional this year – a dedicated neuroscience thread that weaves through the entire event! We’re exploring how neuroscience can transform our classrooms into spaces where every student thrives. Whether you’re curious about supporting neurodiversity, leveraging AI for learning, or understanding the power of play or attention, we’ve crafted sessions that bridge theory and practice in ways you can implement into your educational spaces.
Let me give you a peek at what we’re bringing to NCCE this year:
Starting bright and early on Wednesday, February 26! Join Neural Educators Joanna Brodziak and Tabitha Ellison for “Neural Insights: Neurodiversity-Affirming Approaches to Behavior” (8:00 AM, Room 617). This hands-on workshop will reshape how you think about student behavior and engagement.
For those interested in the cutting edge of education, CTE Director Jeff Johnson and I will be exploring “Enhancing Neuroplasticity and Learning with AI” (10:00 AM, Room 617). We’ll dive into practical ways to harness AI while supporting our students’ cognitive learning processes.
Dive into Big Ideas @IGNITE NCCE 25 with Neural Educators, Audrey Gallagher, Michelle Curry, and Gunner Argo. Their talks, Cerebellum Builders and Making Space for Working Memory, will surely spark interest and ignite engagement and fun in your learning spaces.
Looking for ways to support student focus in our digital age? Don’t miss Neural Educator Gunner Argo’s workshop on “The Power of Presence” (3:00 PM, Room 616), where you’ll discover neural-aligned practices for sustained attention in your classroom.
After you finish the session with Gunner, join Mary Snyder and Paige Wescott to explore how educator belief systems can unlock student potential through the lens of educational neuroscience in their session, Efficacy Transforms! Cultivating Access Points thru Neural Education (4:00 PM, Room 603).
And that’s just day one, educators! We’re closing strong on Friday, February 28th, with two powerful sessions. Allison Abrahamse and I will explore “The Neurobiology of Agency & Pathways in Hope-filled Learning Spaces” (11:00 AM, Room 620), followed by an energizing session on “Wired for Fun: The Neuroscience of Play” with Megan Bublitz, Amber Gonzalez, and Dawn Pringle (12:00 PM, Room 615).
What makes these sessions essential to your learning spaces? They’re grounded in neuroscience but designed for real classrooms. You’ll walk away with practices that honor how the brain learns and engages, helping you create more inclusive and effective learning environments.
Ready to dive deeper? We’d love to have you join our broader Neural Education community. Our next event is a one-day event – Wired for Play on March 22nd from 9-4 at Pacific Lutheran University. Join us for a professional learning event designed to inspire, engage, and energize educators through the neuroscience of play. This event is perfect for educators, administrators, and anyone passionate about using play as a tool for powerful learning. Whether you teach preschool, high school, or adults – play is for everyone!
Interested in connecting this summer? Our 9th annual Summer Institute, The Neuroscience of Equity, is open for registration. This three-day institute offers educators a deep dive into the neuroscience of equity, aiming to foster a space of growth and challenge. Together, we will explore the complexities of bias, privilege, and positionality while developing a deeper understanding of our experiences and how they impact our practice.
Come #RaftUp with us at NCCE! Let’s explore how understanding the brain can transform our teaching and create spaces where every student can flourish.
See you in Seattle!
Missy Widmann, Ed.D
Co-Founder at Neural Education
Visiting Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, Pacific Lutheran University #IamNCCE #RaftingUp