CACE Education Service Center is proud to present CACE Day 2026 featuring Kim Strobel!

Kim Strobel is an internationally known motivational speaker, dynamic powerhouse, and leading happiness coach. She is also the author of Teach Happy: Small Steps to Big Joy. Kim inspires others to step into their power and live happier, less-stressed lives. Drawing on the science of positive psychology, she teaches practical, research-backed strategies that create lasting and transformative results.

Her work demonstrates that prioritizing happiness is not just a feel-good concept—it’s the key to unlocking peak performance, greater productivity, and meaningful growth in both professional and personal life.

Outside of her work, Kim is a proud mother, loving wife, and dedicated runner. She’s also a passionate animal rescuer, having saved 243 dogs (and counting!).

Learn more about Kim and order her book at www.kimstrobel.com.

Keynote: Remembering Your Why

In times of uncertainty and constant change, it is easy for professionals to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and disconnected from the work they once loved. Educators, healthcare workers, corporate teams, and nonprofit leaders are navigating rising demands, emotional strain, and workplace pressures that often leave them feeling depleted.

Many have lost a sense of joy. And when that joy fades, the impact is far-reaching. It affects personal lives, workplace culture, performance, and the very people they serve: students, patients, clients, and communities.

But sometimes it is in the midst of chaos that clarity emerges.

In this powerful keynote, Kim helps audiences reconnect with the deeper purpose that called them into their profession. Through the story of a remarkable student who profoundly shaped her own journey, she reminds participants why their work matters and how remembering their “why” reignites meaning, resilience, and motivation.

This keynote is not just about inspiration. It is about renewal. Kim equips participants with practical tools to navigate stress, sustain passion, and remain grounded in purpose—even when the work feels heavy. When professionals reconnect with their “why,” they do not simply feel better. They lead better, serve better, and live better.

Breakout Sessions

“Remembering Your Why”-Kim Strobel, CEO, Strobel Education.

Remember Your Why is a powerful, heartfelt keynote that helps educators reconnect with the deeper purpose that called them to this work. Through meaningful storytelling and research, Kim reminds educators to see the heart before the behavior while renewing their sense of purpose, resilience, and connection to the students they serve.

“ROOTS: Small Shifts That Change Behavior and Learning”-Tomelle Greenfield, Strobel Education.

ROOTS is a practical framework that helps educators create the conditions where students can regulate, engage, and thrive. In this interactive session, participants will explore the five ROOTS areas and learn simple, effective shifts in adult practices that can prevent behavior challenges, strengthen relationships, and keep learning moving. Participants will leave with strategies they can use immediately in their classrooms.

“Success is Rising One More Time Than You Fall”-Dr. Jacqui, Mari, and Dusty Lowman, Beyond Limits.

As children, we come into the world with unlimited potential. But way too soon, we start hearing the word “can’t.” So we internalize the can’ts, clip the wings of our dreams, and put bars on our insides. Instead, let’s ask Why Not? rather than Why? Jacqui will share stories of some of her “impossible” journeys and invite you along to plan and attain your dreams.

Maine DOE Mentor Teacher Training-Dr. Christina O’Neal, Maine DOE Educator Excellence Team.

This training builds upon prior collaborative work with teacher leaders, administrators, and higher education partners—and now incorporates the latest research and best practices in mentoring. Designed with direct input from educators, the training follows a scaffolded approach to provide a more personalized, just-in-time learning experience. (This is a full-day training immediately following the keynote speech)

“Keep it Simple: Practical Ways to Embed Literacy and Numeracy into Health and Physical Education”-Dr. Carolyn Gross, Maine DOE Office of School and Student Support.

This session will explore simple, practical strategies for integrating literacy and numeracy into health and physical education without adding complexity to instruction. Participants will discover easy-to-implement approaches that strengthen students’ communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and data literacy while supporting meaningful health and physical activity learning.

“Inclusive By Design: Leveraging UDL and Responsive Interactions to Support Inclusive Practices in PK-2 Classrooms”-Sue Gallant and Michelle Belanger, Maine DOE Early Learning Team.

Inclusive classrooms are built through intentional design and responsive pedagogical practices, not retrofitted through accommodations alone. This session explores how educators can use Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to strengthen curriculum and instructional approaches so all children can access, engage in, and demonstrate their learning.

“Evidence-Based Practices Promoting Increased Attendance”-Sarah Nelson, M.Ed, SELI and Jess Anderson, M.Ed.

This session explores practical, evidence-based strategies schools can use to improve student attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism through MTSS-aligned, supportive approaches. Participants will learn high-impact Tier 1 practices, including relationship-building, positive recognition, communication, early data monitoring, and engaging classroom practices, as well as targeted strategies for addressing root causes such as transportation, disengagement, and anxiety. Through real-world examples, especially from rural schools, attendees will leave with ready-to-use, low-cost strategies to strengthen attendance, belonging, and student support. 

“New Teacher Mentor Group”-Dr. Wendi Malenfant.

Join us for an engaging breakout session designed to inspire, connect, and support you in your teaching journey. Whether you are brand new to the profession or have up to five years of experience, we will focus on reconnecting with your “why” while building a strong support network for the year ahead. Come share your input on scheduling and preferences for our first dinner and speaker event of the year, and connect with fellow educators who share your experience.

“Supporting Increased Attendance through the Integration of Regulated Classroom (TRC™) Practices”-Sarah Nelson, M/Ed. SELI, Maine DOE Office of School and Student Supports.

As educators face chronic absenteeism and declining engagement, the Maine Department of Education has partnered with The Regulated Classroom™ (TRC™) to help schools shift from surviving to thriving by restoring joy, purpose, and well-being for students and staff alike. With nearly 1,800 Maine school and community members trained, this session with Sarah Nelson, Student Engagement Specialist, will explore how four core regulating practices—delivered in brief “micro-doses” throughout the day—can reduce stress, strengthen school culture, increase engagement and attendance, and support optimal learning. Please bring your Regulated Classroom Guidebook if you have been trained in the TRC framework.

School Nursing Updates and Discussions-Emily Poland and Nick Oyler, Maine DOE Coordinated School Health Team.

We will provide an overview of school nursing requirements and pertinent updates related to school health services. This will be an opportunity for open discussion among participants and Maine DOE on challenging case studies, common questions, and resource sharing.

“Exploring the Literacy and Numeracy Playbooks”-Maine DOE Interdisciplinary Instruction Team.

This session is an interactive introduction to the MDOE Literacy and Numeracy Playbooks. These resources are designed for flexibility; they aim to support SAU planning, strengthen classroom instruction, and align local systems with statewide action plans.

“Positive, Proactive, and Practical: Behavior Support Strategies for Ed Techs”-Courtney Angelosante, UMaine, Maine DOE.

This interactive session will provide practical, evidence-based strategies for preventing challenging behavior, teaching expected behaviors, reinforcing student success, and responding effectively when challenges occur. Participants will explore how everyday interactions—including directions, prompts, choices, praise, redirection, and responses to behavior—can influence student engagement and behavior. Through discussion, examples, and real-world classroom scenarios, participants will leave with positive behavior support strategies they can use immediately while maintaining strong relationships and helping students build greater independence.

“Positive, Predictable Classrooms for Strong Starts”-Karen Robbie, Maine PBIS.

This session introduces educators to practical strategies that support young children’s social-emotional and behavioral development across early learning environments. Participants will explore how intentional relationships, predictable routines, supportive environments, and explicit teaching can help create classrooms where PreK–2 students feel safe, connected, and ready to learn. An overview of Maine’s Pyramid Model Project will also be shared.

“Reimagining Education/Embracing All Abilities: Inclusive Education in Maine”-Erin Frazier and Tracy Whitlock, Maine DOE Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education.

This session will provide an overview of the Inclusive Education work being done in Maine and opportunities for professional learning and leadership supports to ensure that all students have access to inclusive educational settings, curriculum and experiences.