Featured Speakers
Nora McInerny Purmort
A "reluctant grief expert and notable widow” (her words), Nora miscarried her second baby, lost her dad to cancer, and lost her husband to a brain tumor, all within six hellish weeks in 2014.
A prolific creator, Nora wrote the critically-acclaimed memoirs It’s Okay to Laugh (Crying is Cool Too) and No Happy Endings, as well as The Hot Young Widows Club. She hosts the award-winning podcast Terrible, Thanks for Asking, founded the non-profit Still Kickin, recently spoke at an official TED Conference, and has written essays for Elle, Cosmopolitan, Time, Slate and Vox. A master storyteller, Nora is known for bringing heart and humor to tough topics.
Erin Walsh, M.A.
Erin is a dynamic speaker on brain development and digital media topics. She was instrumental in developing the MediaWise movement and worked with her father for 10 years at the National Institute on Media and the Family before creating Mind Positive Parenting in 2010.
In addition to writing articles for several organizations, including Bolster Collaborative and Psychology Today, she co-authored the 10th Anniversary Edition of the national bestseller Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen. Erin also consults with schools, school districts, parent groups, and other youth-serving organizations.
Linda Rodriguez, Ed.D
Linda has built her career in education, working with at-risk children and youth for more than 30 years. She worked as a district coordinator for the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Program for Pasadena ISD. Linda is a former bilingual elementary teacher, counselor, assistant principal, principal, and director of education for a career and vocational training school.
She has worked at all school levels – elementary, middle, and high school – in traditional, charter, and alternative settings. Linda is also an adjunct professor at the University of St. Thomas and is a certified youth mental health first aid instructor.
Dexter A. Chaney II
Dexter is the School Leader at KIPP Destiny Elementary. He is driven by the desire to inspire current and future KIPPsters to become CHAMPIONS inside and outside of the classroom, in the academics and the arts. He previously served in Houston ISD and Chicago Public Schools before joining KIPP Public Charter Schools as Founding School Leader at KIPP Pleasant Grove Primary, where his CHAMPION teachers and CHAMPION scholars prioritized social emotional learning, culturally relevant pedagogy, and data driven coaching.
Dexter is a Milken Educator Award recipient and served as a Classroom Teaching Ambassador Fellow with the United States Department of Education.
Speakers coming soon!
Have a question? We have answers.
Who should attend this conference?
If you teach, counsel, mentor, live with or work with teens, this conference is for you!
What is the cost of the conference?
Early Bird Registration is $65 through June 31. Registration is $75 beginning July 1.
Do you offer a group discount?
Yes—for groups of five or more! Early Bird Group Registration is $60 per person through June 31. Registration is $70 per person with groups of five or more beginning July 1.
Can I pay with a PO?
Yes. Download and fill out our PO form and email it us or mail to Grant Halliburton Foundation at 6390 LBJ Freeway, Suite 100 Dallas, Texas, 75240. Early Bird PO forms must be received by June 30 to receive the Early Bird discount.
Are there CEUs for this event?
Yes! Participants will receive ~4.5 hours of LPC/Social Work CEU credits for the conference. Special thanks to CEU provider Medical City Green Oaks.
What’s included with registration?
Registration includes a light breakfast, boxed lunch, all-day beverages, conference packet with handouts and notepad, sponsor exhibits, four keynote presentations, and two TeenEd Talks.
What about sponsor opportunities?
We love our sponsors! When you sign up as a conference sponsor your organization will gain valuable exposure while supporting teen mental health. You can also download a Sponsor Form and email it to us or call us at 972.744.9790 if you have any questions. But hurry—sponsorships go fast!
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!
