2025 JAG NTS: Full Schedule

4:00pm EDT

Building Back America: Creating Career Pathways for Out-of-School Youth with a Social Enterprise Model

Thursday August 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Join the Coalition for Responsible Community Development to learn about the benefits of the social enterprise model and how we utilize this model to create career pathways for out-of-school youth in our community. In this interactive presentation, CRCD will share our history and experience with establishing a social enterprise, how we have grown the social enterprise over time and how we utilize the social enterprise model to drive economic development efforts and create jobs in the community. We will also share how we are currently utilizing the social enterprise model to align with federal efforts to build back America's infrastructure.

Speakers

Kenta Estrada-Darley

Thursday August 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Carson City 2 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

4:00pm EDT

Family First- Everything Else is Second.

Thursday August 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

El Dorado

The culture we create in our classroom can motivate, engage, and excite our learners to come to school. Before anything else, we need to create an environment where students feel safe and have a true sense of belonging. This workshop will take a hands on approach to help specialist become aware of the needs that motivate student behavior. Participants will receive a copy of 16 team building activities to help grow their chapter into a family.

Speakers

Dr. Michele Margavio

JAG Specialist, St. Tammany Parish Public Schools

Dr. Michele Margavio is a motivational speaker, a professional development trainer, and a high school JAG Specialist. She has spent the past thirty years serving as a classroom teacher, an academic dean, a secondary principal, and an adjunct professor. She has been referred to as... Read More →

Thursday August 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
El Dorado Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist

4:00pm EDT

Journey to National Leadership: Insights from JAGCA's President and President-Elect

Thursday August 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Virginia City 3

Join JAGCA President Frida Medrano Ibarra and President-Elect Austin Small-Jones for an inspiring workshop. Hear firsthand about their personal journeys to national leadership and the impact of their roles. Frida and Austin will share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs, providing insights into the responsibilities and skills required at the national level. This workshop will equip JAG staff with the knowledge and inspiration to motivate and guide their students toward leadership opportunities within JAG. Don't miss this chance to learn from two of JAGCA's top leaders!

Speakers

Frida Medrano

JAGCA President, JAG

Austin Small

JAGCA President-elect, JAG

Thursday August 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Virginia City 3 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

4:00pm EDT

On The Right Foot: Why Middle School Matters!

Thursday August 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Carson City 1

On the Right Foot: Why Middle School JAG matters: In this workshop, attendees will immerse themselves in the world of Middle School JAG. We will examine how the Middle School Model is different from other JAG models by exploring the JAG Model Components and JAG Adavantage.

Speakers

Stephanie Goodman

JAG Specialist, HOT SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Ryan Lootens

Thursday August 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Carson City 1 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist

4:00pm EDT

Reality Check for Financial Success, Regions

Thursday August 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Savoy

Whether budgeting is new, or you've been paying bills for years, it pays to have a path mapped out to help achieve your goals. Experience the basics of budgeting, smart financial decision-making and what it's really like to manage family finances. Reality Check is an interactive and engaging way to learn about building and balancing a budget. The goal is to make the assigned decisions during the allotted time and complete the simulation with a budget surplus. Just like real life, there will be some challenges along the way.

Speakers

Nancy Barnes-Ault

Community Relations Officer, Midwest, and North Carolina, Regions Bank

Nancy Barnes-Ault joined Regions in 2013 and heads community relations for the Midwest and North Carolina markets.Prior to joining Regions, Nancy was the Marketing Director for First Bank overseeing Missouri, Illinois, Florida, and California markets.Nancy has a passion for empowering... Read More →

Keren Treme

Thursday August 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Savoy Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

4:00pm EDT

Unlock the power of the "Genius"

Thursday August 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Laughlin Room 2

Unveil the transformative power of "The Genius" in this professional development session. Discover boundless classroom resources, gain access to marketing strategies, and forge connections with educators nationwide. Learn how you can connect with like-minded educators from across the nation and tap into a vast network of expertise and support. Explore how "The Genius" fosters collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional growth within our vibrant community. Reserve your spot now!

Speakers

Bridget Merriman

Affiliate Services Manager, JAG

Thursday August 14, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Laughlin Room 2 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist

10:00am EDT

Conducting Regional and State Events in Headrush

Friday August 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Mesquite

Are you looking for ways to streamline processes and save time as you coordinate events? Discover effective strategies for managing and optimizing your state and regional events with insights gleaned from Kansas's exemplary practices. Dive into utilizing Headrush task boards to seamlessly disseminate statewide information, streamline event submissions, orchestrate competitive activities, and facilitate guest assessor assignments. Elevate your event management skills and elevate the success of your gatherings. Join us to learn, adapt, and excel!

Speakers

Bev Mortimer

Sr VP of Programming, JAG-Kansas

Sr. Vice President of Programming at Jobs for America's Graduates - Kansas since 2016Served in Kansas public schools as a teacher, building principal, and district superintendent for 33 years

Friday August 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Mesquite Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

10:00am EDT

Discover Hospitality with IHG

Friday August 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Laughlin Room 2

At IHG Hotels & Resorts, we’re committed to providing True Hospitality For Good and making a positive difference in the world. Our global footprint of over 6,000 hotels across 18 unique brands is continuously expanding, and that means there are new opportunities every day for JAG graduates to launch their career in hospitality with us. We invite you to join this workshop and learn more about IHG, current workforce trends and career pathways within the hospitality industry, and how IHG and JAG can partner together through our immersive IHG Discover Program to provide JAG students with room to belong, room to grow and room to make a difference at IHG. We’re excited to elevate our partnership with JAG and connect students with real-world opportunities to launch their careers with a global hospitality leader!

Speakers

Claire Casey

Senior Manager, DEI & Early Careers, IHG

Friday August 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Laughlin Room 2 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

10:00am EDT

FUELing Student Success, Valvoline

Friday August 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Virginia City 3

At Valvoline, Inc. we change lives as we change oil! We take pride in the fun, team-oriented and inclusive culture we've created in our 1800+ Service Centers. In this workshop you will learn how our nationally recognized training program can help students launch careers and grow rapidly, professionally and financially. No prior experience required. In addition, you will learn how we can build a bridge for students wanting to transition from high school into post-secondary education. Part-time positions are also available. Valvoline is a company of opportunity. We are excited to partner and fuel student success through our opportunities!

Speakers

Sarah Wright

Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition, Valvoline, Inc.

Experienced Human Resources Staffing Professional with a passion for building business partnerships, attracting and retaining top talent, and improving business processes. My background includes experience in a variety of industries, such as IT, manufacturing, construction and retail... Read More →

Friday August 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Virginia City 3 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist

10:00am EDT

Mindful Journeys: Nurturing Resilience in JAG Classrooms

Friday August 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Virginia City 1

Dive into a transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment in a dynamic workshop crafted exclusively for JAG Specialists by yoga instructor/veteran educator Christine Spiese. In this immersive one-hour session, Specialists will unlock innovative techniques to infuse mindfulness into their classrooms, nurturing resilience and well-being among JAG students. From mindful breathing, to sensory strategies, to basic movement-based yoga activities, you will delve into creative strategies designed to cultivate a supportive, calming environment conducive to learning and personal growth. Join Christine on this empowering expedition to equip yourself and your students with the tools to navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience.

Speakers

Christine Spiese, MBA RYT

JAG Specialist / Registered Yoga Instructor, JAG Louisiana / H.L. Bourgeois High School / M Power Yoga Studio / Chris Spiese Yoga

Christine Spiese is a dedicated professional with rich backgrounds in education, journalism, and business, underpinned by her commitment to trauma-informed care and yoga. Holding an MBA with distinction, Christine excels in leadership, project management, and data-driven decision-making... Read More →

Friday August 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Virginia City 1 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist

10:00am EDT

Principles in Motion: A Walkabout Approach to Real Life

Friday August 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Virginia City 2

Attendees will evaluate and reflect upon the Foundational Principles by designing real world scenarios that examine the application of each principle as it is manifested in the world around them.

Speakers

Brandi Newry

Training Specialist, Empowered

Brandi, based in Wichita, KS, leads our training and events team. With 15 years of experience as a School Psychologist, she describes her role as bridging the gap between the classroom and the real world. As part of Empowered, she provides teachers with the tools and resources to... Read More →

Friday August 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Virginia City 2 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist

10:00am EDT

Recruitment, Retention, and Invigorating the JAG Competencies

Friday August 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

El Dorado

Increase your roster size and inspire and maintain those within through this immersive and engaging session that will share research and practice based practices grounded in the JAG Advantage! Participants will have the opportunity to take on the role of the JAG student in activities, while also gaining Specialist insight from the thriving Cloverdale (Indiana) JAG Program!

Speakers

Karl Turk

Friday August 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
El Dorado Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Specialist

11:15am EDT

Beyond Trauma Informed: Moving from Trauma Informed to Trauma-Resilient"

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT

Carson City 2

Come explore the critical transition from trauma-informed to trauma-resilient approaches, offering strategies to cultivate resilience in individuals and communities. Grounded in the science of Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences (PACEs), attendees will gain deep knowledge of trauma-resilient practices. Key topics include the significance of trusted relationships in fostering resilience and practical techniques for resilience building. Through case studies and research findings, participants will explore the purpose and intended outcomes of trauma-resilient programs, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to implement effective strategies. Join us as we delve into the transformative journey towards going beyond Trauma-Informed to Trauma-Resilient!

Speakers

Craig Beswick

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Carson City 2 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Leadership

11:15am EDT

Career Readiness Resources Overview, Bank of America

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT

Savoy

Join us to learn about the professional skills education resources offered by Bank of America including on-demand resources, virtual instructor-led workshops and self-led workshop delivery opportunities. Skills topics include Communications, Customer Interactions, Grow Your Career as well as Banking Essentials to learn more about working in the financial services industry. Come learn how you can integrate today’s top workforce skills into your JAG curriculum!

Speakers

Amy Gurley

Community Advancement Program Manager, Bank of America

Allison Pickens

Program Manager, Bank of America

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Savoy Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist

11:15am EDT

Discover Hospitality with IHG

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT

Laughlin Room 2

Speakers

Claire Casey

Senior Manager, DEI & Early Careers, IHG

Marcus Johnson

Talent Acquisition Manager, IHG

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Laughlin Room 2 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

11:15am EDT

FUELing Student Success, Valvoline

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT

Virginia City 3

Speakers

Sarah Wright

Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition, Valvoline, Inc.

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Virginia City 3 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

11:15am EDT

Let's Talk about Out-of-School Programs

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT

Carson City 1

Elevate your out-of-school program's success with our workshop on the Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) Out-of-School (OOS) Model Application. Learn to apply the JAG Advantage—Employer Engagement, Project-Based Learning, and Trauma-Informed Care—and master JAG technologies for superior program management and participant outcomes.
Explore unique aspects of JAG's OOS program, designed to meet the distinct needs of out-of-school youth, ensuring high graduation and employment rates. This interactive Q&A session allows you to engage with experts, addressing your specific challenges and questions. Whether you're new to JAG or enhancing an existing program, you'll gain valuable insights and practical strategies to make a meaningful impact on your participants.

Speakers

Nika Newsome

Jenny Powell

National Faculty, Jobs for America's Graduates

JAG National Staff

John McConnell

Accreditation, JAG

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Carson City 1 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist

11:15am EDT

Social Media Made Easy

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT

Mesquite

You'll learn to highlight student success stories, events, and activities while effectively using hashtags and tags to broaden your reach. Participate in interactive discussions and brainstorming sessions to tackle challenges and develop a content calendar. Plus, get exclusive tips and resources to keep your social media game strong. Join us and start making a real difference online!

Speakers

Varya Brezgina

Multimedia Designer, JAG

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Mesquite Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

11:15am EDT

Step into the Headrush Sandbox: Find your Why

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT

Laughlin Room 3

Join Shane, co-founder of Headrush, on a journey to uncover your why within the Headrush platform. This meet and greet offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Headrush, allowing you to freely explore, experiment, and develop projects or align your teams. Dream big and unleash your potential—anything is possible in this dynamic sandbox environment. Bringing you laptop or tablet is encouraged.

Speakers

Shane Krukowski

Co-founder & Head of Implementation, Headrush Learning

I'm a Heutagogy geek and wannabe accordion player. My career started by working with and engaging disenfranchised youth in Milwaukee. That passion pulled me into working with hundreds of innovative schools across the country over the years since— focused on more self-directed, agile... Read More →

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Laughlin Room 3 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

11:15am EDT

The Art of Team-Building

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT

El Dorado

The Art of Team-Building
In an era dominated by technology, motivating students to disconnect from their phones and engage with classmates can be challenging. The Art of Team-Building Workshop aims to emphasize the significance of effective team-building, demonstrate practical activities, and explore the benefits of kinesthetic learning. Participants will engage in hands-on learning experiences and leave with ready-to-use Project-Based Learning (PBL) ideas. Additionally, attendees will collaborate to refine best practices related to team-building and kinesthetic learning activities.

Speakers

Krisner Green

JAG SPECIALIST, SLIDELL HIGH SCHOOL

Krisner Green was born and raised in Lacombe, LA, a small town outside of New Orleans, but moved around some. He attended Spring Hill College and majored in Biology with the intent of preparing for a career in Sports Medicine. Krisner played basketball in college and earned All-American... Read More →

Kaylee Guidry

JAG Specialist, JAG-LA, Ascension Parish Schools

Kaylee Guidry, a native of Walker, Louisiana—a suburb of Baton Rouge—pursued her higher education at Northwestern State University, where she majored in Organizational Communications. During her collegiate years, Guidry excelled in softball, earning Southland Conference Tournament... Read More →

Friday August 15, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm EDT
El Dorado Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Leadership

1:45pm EDT

Employer Engagement via JAGForce

Friday August 15, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT

Laughlin Room 2

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT AND JAGFORCE In this workshop, you will be provided a live walk-through of where and how Employer Engagement is captured in JAGForce, and how to extract that data by editing and manipulating reports. You will see how Employer Engagement data can work for you, and share your best practices with other states. You will also receive guidance on naming conventions and learn about the new tier capabilities to organize your employer data, such as setting up a parent account, and merging duplicate employer information. You will also be presented with the new CRM side of JAGForce.

Speakers

Michelle Cody

Data Analyst & Trainer, JAG

Friday August 15, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Laughlin Room 2 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

1:45pm EDT

Financial Wellness Resources Overview, Bank of America

Friday August 15, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT

Savoy

Come experience the financial wellness resources available for community use from Bank of America. Resources highlighted during the workshop will include the Better Money Habits® site, Bank of America volunteer-led workshops, self-led workshop topics available through Better Money Habits®, Virtual Reality modules and the Financial Literacy Simulation game. Prepare for an interactive workshop including demos of the various resources and learn how you can integrate financial wellness education into your JAG curriculum!

Speakers

Amy Gurley

Community Advancement Program Manager, Bank of America

Allison Pickens

Program Manager, Bank of America

Friday August 15, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Savoy Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

1:45pm EDT

Flight Lab: Soaring to Success through Rapid Paper Plane Prototyping

Friday August 15, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT

Virginia City 2

Learn about successes and failures through the rapid prototyping of paper airplanes. Students will work in teams to "fail cheap and fail fast" while prototyping different paper airplanes, while exploring their comparative advantage.

Speakers

Jason Filie

Sr. Training Specialist, Empowered

After more than 20 years in the classroom, Jason now provides fellow educators with the encouragement, resources, and support needed to transform their classrooms and help their students find how they can create value in the real world. He is a firm believer in giving teachers ample... Read More →

Friday August 15, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Virginia City 2 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist

1:45pm EDT

Spicy Specialist Unleashed: Organization and Community Involvement Integration Best Practices

Friday August 15, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT

Virginia City 1

This workshop equips JAG Specialists with practical organization strategies to enhance effectiveness in supporting students. Participants will explore methods to streamline planning for Project-Based Learning (PBL) lessons, cultivate a network of community resources, and foster student involvement in community activities.

Speakers

Susan Mouton

JAG Specialist, JAG Louisiana

Empowering and nurturing young people with the skills needed as they transition from high school to career and/or post-secondary education.

JESSICA QUEBEDEAUX

Specialist, JAG Louisiana

Fostering strong communication skilled and diverse minded future leaders, one student at a time. JAG(Jobs for America’s Graduates) Specialist, with Bachelors degree in I/O Psychology & an MPA

Friday August 15, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Virginia City 1 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Specialist

1:45pm EDT

The Eyes Have It

Friday August 15, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT

Mesquite

You don't want to miss this session as we learn about intergenerational dynamics and how varying perceptions impact the way we see (navigate) "differences" in the world. In today's workplace major conflict often centers around different perceptions according to generations and degrees of emotional intelligence. Join us for strategies to work across differences that lead to stronger, more connected teams/classrooms.

Speakers

Pam Confer

Board Vice Chair, Jobs for Mississippi Graduates

Workforce development

Friday August 15, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Mesquite Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Leadership

1:45pm EDT

The Gamification of Follow-Up

Friday August 15, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT

Carson City 1

Gamifying follow-up creates fun and engagement for students and teachers. Hear from JAG Specialists in Kansas who have applied a clinically proven habit-formation technology to gamify the follow-up experience. Future Ready by Ringorang® offers badges, prizes, statewide recognition, and competency reports that can be viewed in real time. It gives the graduate a sense that someone has got their back. It gives the specialist a data-driven view of what’s working and not working, to focus attention where needed. Come to this interactive, storytelling presentation followed by a hands-on demonstration to use this gamified technology for your students and graduates.

Speakers

Robert Feeney

Founder, Future Ready by Ringorang

The Future Ready National Game Tournament gives students a pocket coach on success habits, just 1-3 mins a day.Workforce readiness, automated, scaled, gamified, badges and prizes, mobile and PC app, delivering data that reveals real-time predictors of failure. Before it’s too l... Read More →

Friday August 15, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Carson City 1 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

1:45pm EDT

What's the Buzz? Careers in the Pest Management Industry

Friday August 15, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT

Laughlin Room 3

Feedback Survey

Discover careers that protect public health, property, and our food supply. We have it all in the pest management industry! One of the biggest misconceptions people have about working in pest control is that it is only a bug business. Don’t get us wrong, there are bugs and lots of them. However, pest control at its core is a people business. From hands-on roles as pest control technicians to specialized positions in research and innovation, business operations roles to business ownership, hear our success stories and learn how to set your students on these paths to fulfilling and stable careers.

Not able to attend the session? Provide your contact information for more pest control industry career information: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7915081/Career-and-Internship-Interest-JAG

Speakers

Elizabeth Bicer

Director of Workforce Development, National Pest Management Association

I am the pest management industry champion for workforce development - talk with me about partnerships, recruitment, retention, and career development!

Noelle Goins

Owner, Get Goins Pest Control

Rian Goins

Owner, Get Goins Pest Control

I’m a man who is blessed to have a wife like Noelle whom I love dearly. My life has greatly improved since meeting, falling in love with and marrying Noelle. I believe in God’s grace over my life! It is why I do what I do and why I’m passionate about having empathy for people... Read More →

Friday August 15, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Laughlin Room 3 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

3:00pm EDT

Beyond the Resume: Crafting a Future for Students in a World of AI and Online Profiles

Friday August 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Virginia City 3

Discover the future of job applications in our dynamic workshop! Learn how resume parsing is evolving into profile parsing and why this matters. Uncover the transformative power of AI in crafting resumes and guide students through this exciting shift while avoiding common pitfalls. Delve into the impact of job scams, remote work, and influencer scams on the application process, and explore how both employers and job seekers must adapt. This engaging session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate and thrive in the changing landscape of job applications. Don’t miss this workshop. Stay ahead of the curve!

Speakers

Steven J Smith, SHRM-CP, PHR

Chief Hiring Expert, ApplicantPro

Steve will be the first to tell you that recruiting is marketing. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance at Brigham Young University and started his career in recruiting in Feb 2005. In 2008, he took a risk during a recession to help start a new company with Ryan Kohler, called... Read More →

Friday August 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Virginia City 3 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

3:00pm EDT

Bid Wars: Unleashing Economic Magic through Auction Mastery!

Friday August 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Virginia City 2

Auctions are a powerful way to distribute scarce goods. The purpose of an auction is to teach real-world markets, economic thinking, and decision-making skills. The magic of auctions is bringing out the principles, incentives, and market concepts, and seeing them work together. What are your motivators?

Speakers

Jason Filie

Sr. Training Specialist, Empowered

Cearra A. Jones

Training Specialist, Empowered

Cearra is an accomplished educator and passionate advocate for transforming education. Based in Kansas City, MO, Cearra dedicates her work to training educators on implementing effective instructional strategies that empower students to become better decision-makers. She believes... Read More →

Brandi Newry

Training Specialist, Empowered

Friday August 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Virginia City 2 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

3:00pm EDT

Employer Engagement & Partnerships in Headrush

Friday August 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Mesquite

Unlock the power of Headrush task boards to boost Employer Engagement & Partnership support in your organization. Dive into a treasure trove of national to local partnership content, including exclusive opportunities from esteemed partners such as Honeywell, Weyerhaeuser, IHG, Achievery, and more. Discover how to cultivate and disseminate state-specific employer resources, job boards, and tools within your network. Bringing a device is encouraged. There will be opportunities to explore and dive into these resources during the workshop. Elevate your partnership strategy and expand your organization's reach with actionable insights from this dynamic workshop.

Speakers

Natalie Toney

Learning Solutions Coordinator and Coach, Jobs for America’s Graduates

Friday August 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Mesquite Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

3:00pm EDT

JAM for Humanity a Junior Advocacy Movement

Friday August 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Carson City 1

JAM for Humanity, Junior Advocacy Movement. EUF will provide a comprehensive program that emphasizes the importance of kindness, love, peace, & unity. Future leaders require soft skills and through the It’s All About Love Movement. EUF will provide tools to empower youth to advocate for positive change, engage their school, community and local government. Students will become advocates to change the climate of hate, bullying, cyber bullying, antisemitism, violence, and addiction to one of love, kindness, unity, peace, and empowerment. EUF will guide youth to create a life that matters, learning how to use the power of social media responsibly.

Speakers

Leah Olstein

Founder & President, ENLIGHT UNITE FOUNDATION INC

I am a Meliorist as she lives with the belief that through love, kindness, and unity, we can unfold a better world. By developing compassionate and empathetic youth leadership, for the past 8 years she has been creating & implementing content, activities, and contests on Youth Vaping... Read More →

Friday August 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Carson City 1 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

3:00pm EDT

The Practice of Hope: Looking through the Lens of Restoration

Friday August 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Virginia City 1

The Practice of Hope: Looking Through the Lens of Restoration. JAG Specialists and JAG sites do the work of heroes every day. In this workshop, we'll look at our mission through the principles of Restorative Practice, and share ideas about the larger implications of what it means to be a JAG Specialist! Cynthia Gomez from Minnesota JAG will share resources a nd ideas for "restorative curriculum", and participants will be asked to share from the richness of their own experiences. Repairing harm and restoring hope. Let's talk about it.

Speakers

Cynthia Gomez

Friday August 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Virginia City 1 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

3:00pm EDT

The Scarcity of Initiative - The Real Threat To Our JAG Participant's Confidence & Career Purpose

Friday August 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Laughlin Room 3

Feedback Survey

During this session, attendees will be challenged and provoked to reimagine everything they knew about the traditional job interview! Emanuel Wilder, Executive Director of the Interview Institute, will share proven strategies designed to help your clients reimagine the most important value they can bring to any organization, perspective! You'll learn to help your clients solve their own "formula of career purpose" and enjoy a new inspiration to continue coaching your clients to success!

Speakers

Emanuel Wilder

Executive Director, Interview Institute

Emanuel Wilder, Executive Director of the Interview Institute, offers a unique approach and keen insight that helps clients master the ability to communicate their understanding of the word “initiative” to any employer and how to reimagine themselves as an authentic leader within... Read More →

Friday August 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Laughlin Room 3 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Specialist

4:15pm EDT

AI and the Future of Work: Simple Tips to Introduce AI to your Workflow

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT

Sunset Ballroom

The landscape of work is undergoing a seismic shift, and artificial intelligence stands as a central driver of this transformation. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2023 predicts that by 2030, activities that consume up to 30% of our working hours could be automated, clearly accelerated by generative AI. However, contrary to misinformed public opinion this doesn't paint a dystopian picture of mass unemployment. Instead, as Forbes highlights, AI is poised to become a "force multiplier for human intelligence and productivity." Join to learn about Generative AI and how you can utilize it in your own classroom.

Speakers

Nicholas Martino

JAG

Nicholas J. Martino is an expert in innovative education with a strong focus on the human aspects of teaching and learning. After teaching and leading global learning expeditions for a decade, Nicholas now works to implement higher-level educational change. His mission is to utilize... Read More →

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT
Sunset Ballroom Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

4:15pm EDT

Canva & JAG Go Hand In Hand: Canva Basics & Canva: A NEW JAG ALTERNATIVE TO SCRAPBOOKING

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT

Carson City 1

Canva can be used in the classroom for many purposes, including creating lesson plans, presentations, and instructional materials. It can help students develop critical thinking skills, improve their imagination, and learn to communicate ideas visually. Canva can also help teachers reach and motivate students, and provide a way for students to reflect on their learning. /////Utilize Canva as an alternative and efficient way to gaining NCA Outstanding Chapter recognition. Learn how to format your plan of work with a focus on the development of leadership skills, career opportunities, and service learning among chapter members, and to document achievements in the form an electronic scrapbook.

Speakers

Jesus Rubalcava

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT
Carson City 1 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

4:15pm EDT

Employer Engagement: Rural Style/How we Became Executive Directors for a Museum

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT

Carson City 2

In this workshop, we will discuss how to navigate employer engagement barriers in a rural setting. Even though it can be a challenge, it’s possible to get all three tiers of employer engagement in a smaller demographic. Topics will include data, resources in your backyard/community, increased visibility, and more. Even though this session is geared towards new to three year specialists, some seasoned specialists will share their wisdom and one will be able to walk away from this session with some new tools in their belt.

Speakers

Marcus Mitchell

Career Specialist, JAG-Kansas

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT
Carson City 2 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

4:15pm EDT

J4NG: Bring your Career Association to Life!

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT

Savoy

JAG Career Association The workshop will provide a insight to running an effective Career Association. You will be able to learn ways to communicate with chapter members and the community partners. This workshop will consist of 4 pillars, each pillar will have a topic of discussion. Lastly you will have an opportunity to ask questions and share creative ideas with others attending the workshop.

Speakers

Josh Arrondondo

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT
Savoy Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

4:15pm EDT

Let's Start FLEXIN Those Grades!

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT

Mesquite

JAG specialists are always aiming to keep young people in school through their high school graduation, but the struggle to keep learners motivated enough to pass their courses each and every semester is REAL. This workshop aims to provide specialists (new and experienced) with a simple, yet creative, process that is guaranteed to motivate learners to take charge of their grades and to actively seek guidance for their academic success. All participants will receive printouts and a digital file that can be customized to fit the needs of their program.

Speakers

Dr. Michele Margavio

JAG Specialist, St. Tammany Parish Public Schools

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT
Mesquite Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist

4:15pm EDT

Offering State-Wide Scholarships & Awards in Headrush

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT

Laughlin Room 3

Unlock the secrets to administering State-Wide Scholarships & Awards effortlessly through Headrush. Join us for an exclusive peek into JAG National's inner workings as we navigate information sharing, submission collection, guest assessment, and award distribution—all seamlessly orchestrated within the Headrush platform. Harness these invaluable national insights to implement tailored solutions at the state level. Don't miss out on this opportunity to revolutionize your scholarship and award processes!

Speakers

Natalie Toney

Learning Solutions Coordinator and Coach, Jobs for America’s Graduates

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT
Laughlin Room 3 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

4:15pm EDT

Racing to Indianapolis for the NCDC

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT

Virginia City 1

This workshop gives a sneak peek at making the most of the National Career Development Conference (NCDC) experience. Learn about the destination, participant roles, and trip experiences. Ask questions, get hyped, and prepare for an unforgettable journey!

Speakers

Christine Shaffer

Associate Director of Professional Development, JAG Indiana

Striving to impact the world, one human at a time.

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT
Virginia City 1 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager

4:15pm EDT

Utilizing Kuder Navigator® for JAG's Individual Graduation Plans

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT

Virginia City 2

Join seasoned presenters Tyrella Bushnell and Ramona McCraney in this interactive workshop, where they will delve into the effective utilization of Kuder Navigator® for JAG's Individual Graduation Plans. Drawing from over 15 years of experience in education and a decade of expertise using Kuder software, Tyrella & Ramona will guide participants through practical strategies to empower students in their career and educational endeavors. Through engaging discussions and hands-on activities, attendees will gain valuable insights into leveraging Kuder Navigator® to support student career planning and development. This workshop promises to leave participants inspired and equipped with the necessary tools to guide students toward a successful future.

Speakers

Tyrella Bushnell

Teacher, Sulphur

Ramona McCreary

Friday August 15, 2025 4:15pm - 5:15pm EDT
Virginia City 2 Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Specialist, Manager