Character Education Conference
Join us for a day of sharing and learning as we explore the important role that character education and social emotional learning play in improving school culture and academic achievement. Through breakout and keynote sessions, along with pre-conference workshops, participants will interact with like-minded colleagues to share and learn strategies to engage their students and help them develop into ethical citizens.
2025 Conference Keynote,
CharacterStrong's Kat Pastor!
"The Character Journey: Thriving Together through Well-Being, Belonging, and Engagement"
Session Description:
Educators play a pivotal role in guiding the character journey of students while fostering a culture of care and connection on campus. How can we intentionally shape the climate in our schools to support the holistic growth of both students and staff? Today’s school systems must prioritize well-being, belonging, and engagement—not just for students but for educators as well. This keynote offers practical, low-burden strategies that empower staff to align their actions with shared values, driving meaningful change and strengthening students’ academic, social-emotional, and character development. Together, we can build thriving, inclusive school communities where every individual flourishes on their character journey.
About Kat:
Kat has passionately served as a student and educator advocate for over 20 years in the roles of coach, student council advisor, school counselor at the secondary level and financial aid counselor/coordinator of student employment and adjunct professor at the post-secondary level. Through Kat’s leadership, her school counseling department received both state and national recognition, including the American School Counselors Association (ASCA) RAMP recognition in 2020. Kat has facilitated professional development with various state and national associations, along with individual schools and districts. Kat exudes a commitment to community, having served on numerous local, state and national associations, boards and committees. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Masters in Education in Student Affairs and School Counseling from Northern Arizona University. Kat was named the ASCA 2016 National School Counselor of the Year and Northern Arizona University’s President’s Alumni Awardee in 2021.
Conference Sponsors
The School District of South Milwaukee in partnership with Alverno College and WCEP
