The keynote speaker is

Dr. Dennis Sparks

, Emeritus Executive Director of the National Staff Development Council (NSDC).  Dr. Sparks will discuss the need for transformative change and how it can help school personnel reach what he refers to as the “Final 2%.” Dennis Sparks is the Emeritus Executive Director of the National Staff Development Council. He served as the Council's executive director from 1984-2007. Dr. Sparks has also been a teacher, counselor, co-director of an alternative high school, and director of the Northwest Staff Development Center, a state and federally-funded teacher center in Livonia, Michigan. He completed his Ph.D. in counseling at the University of Michigan in 1976, and has taught at several universities. He speaks frequently throughout North America on various topics related to professional learning and leadership.

He is author of Leading for Results: Transforming Teaching, Learning, and Relationships in Schools, 2nd Edition (Corwin, 2007); Designing Powerful Professional Development for Teachers and Principals (NSDC, 2002); Conversations that Matter (NSDC, 2001), a collection of his JSD interviews since 1991; co-author with Stephanie Hirsh of Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn (NSDC, 2000); co-author with Joan Richardson of What is Staff Development Anyway? (NSDC, 1998); and co-author with Stephanie Hirsh of A New Vision for Staff Development (ASCD/NSDC, 1997).

Dr. Sparks' articles have appeared in a variety of publications, including Educational Leadership, Phi Delta Kappan, The American School Board Journal, The Principal, and The School Administrator.

Breakout Descriptions:  Breakout topics and descriptions will be available soon.