The Central Aroostook Council on Education is proud to present CACE Day 25!

With special guests:

Maureen Healy

Maureen Healy is an award-winning author, international speaker and consultant to schools, as well as families. His Holiness the Dalai Lama stated, “I hope Maureen Healy’s book, The Emotionally Healthy Child, contributes to a more wholesome education for future generations.” Her other books include: The Happiness Workbook for Kids, and Growing Happy Kids, which was praised by Ed Hallowell, MD. Maureen’s Psychology Today blog has also been read by millions worldwide.

Over the last 15+ years, Maureen has guided thousands of people including parents and children, school systems, and child-centered professionals throughout North America, Europe and Asia. She also has appeared across all media outlets including ABC’s “Midday Live” in San Francisco, The New York Times, PBS’s “This Emotional Life” series, and podcasts such as Sunshine Parenting and Calm & Connected, as examples.

Complementing her experience, Maureen holds a BA in Psychology and MBA from Clark University in Worcester, MA and A PhD program in Child Development from Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, CA. Additionally, Maureen has studied with happiness teachers globally, which has bolstered her joy immensely. She says, “I love to learn”, especially as she continues to grow from every experience she has and person she meets.

Purchase her books here: http://growinghappykids.com

Keynote: Strengthening Student Resilience

Resilience is a skill that students can learn to develop regardless of their circumstances. Being able to understand the science of childhood resilience, as well as the ideas and skills that help students get unstuck from problems, as well as form a resilient mindset can be game changing for the home or classroom.

Breakout: Emotional Health-What Really Helps Kids Become Emotionally Healthy Today

Understanding children’s emotional health and how to help children build emotional regulation, and intelligence is the focus of this program. Participants gain a completely fresh perspective, and tools to nurture emotional health in themselves, as well as their students and families.

Kim Strobel

Kim Strobel is an internationally-known motivational speaker for educators, school leaders, and organizations and travels the globe sharing the impact of happiness and well-being and student achievement. 

She is the author of Teach Happy: Small Steps to Big Joy, which provides a clear path to reclaiming joy and happiness within and outside the teaching profession.

As a former teacher and curriculum director, her goal is to inspire you by providing thought-provoking research, heartwarming stories, and simple action steps that get you life-changing results.

Because of her own challenges and adversities, Kim teaches others how to overcome their fears, discover their joy, activate their potential, and boldly pursue a life that feels good to them from the inside-out. 

Purchase her book and online courses here: www.strobeleducation.com

Keynote: The Science of Happiness

In this thought-provoking and compelling keynote, Kim shares how we can reprogram our brains to become more positive and step into our power. When our happiness and well-being are at the forefront, employees are ten times more engaged, 31% more productive, and three times more creative.

Breakout: Reimagining Education

We have an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine education in a BIG way. one that supports our students’ abilities, yet pushes them to accept new challenges. One that recognizes the sacrifices teachers make, yet encourages them to embrace new perspectives, professional development, and techniques. One that understands administrative limits, yet pushes for the reform and resources our schools need and deserve.

Eric Herlan

For more than 30 years, Eric Herlan has been representing public school districts on a wide variety of legal issues, focusing on both special education and general school law questions.

Eric gives his clients practical guidance on how to resolve problems consistent with the law, often coming up with creative solutions to help them achieve their goals, even with the most complicated legal issues. He has represented Maine and New Hampshire school districts in more than 100 special education due process hearings, in addition to state complaint investigations, human rights proceedings, and the Federal Office for Civil Rights investigations. Eric has also practiced in both federal and state courts, including many cases before the First Circuit Court of Appeals as well as the US District Court, and he has also appeared before the Maine Supreme Court.

In addition to his legal practice, Eric regularly lectures on school law topics in Maine, New Hampshire, and across the country to a wide variety of audiences. His presentations are energetic and entertaining, whether in front of school staff in a local school district or in front of attorneys at a national conference.

Eric publishes frequently on special education and other school law topics. He has written and published Maine Special Education Law, the premier book on special education in Maine. He co-authored New Hampshire Special Education Law, and is a contributing author to Maine School Law. He has been a regular contributor to the School Law Advisory and served as its editor for many years. He has written for the Maine Law Review and was its editor in chief while in law school. Eric has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America, a guide to leading lawyers in the country, and in New England Super Lawyers in the category of Education Law every year since 2010.

Breakout 1: Regular Education Supporting Special Education Requirements

This presentation explores how regular education teachers in Maine can effectively support students with special education needs in compliance with state and federal requirements. It will outline strategies for collaboration between general and special educators, highlight instructional practices that promote inclusion, and review legal obligations under Maine’s special education regulations. Participants will gain practical tools for adapting curriculum, fostering a supportive learning environment, and ensuring all students have equitable access to education.

Breakout 2: Restraint, Seclusion, and Dangerous Student Behavior

This presentation provides an overview of Maine’s laws and best practices regarding the use of restraint and seclusion with students who present dangerous behaviors. It will address legal definitions, reporting requirements, and the circumstances under which these interventions may be used. Attendees will learn strategies for preventing crises, de-escalating unsafe situations, and ensuring the safety and dignity of all students and staff.

Emily Daniels

Emily Read Daniels is the creator and author of The Regulated Classroom-an evidence-based framework that enables educators to cultivate conditions for felt safety in the classroom.

She developed this framework after spending years as a school counselor working with dysregulated students and staff, knowing that teachers needed tools and practical strategies for coping with and recovering from trauma. 

Emily has a BA in Sociology and Women’s Studies and a Master’s of Education in School Counseling from the University of Delaware. She also holds an MBA in Organizational and Environmental Sustainability from Antioch University of New England.

She is a Nationally Certified Counselor through the National Board of Certified Counselors and continually refines her understanding of the applied science of trauma.

She has completed more than 120 hours of training in Somatic Experiencing. She has trained in SMART (Sensory-Motor Arousal Therapy) as well as trauma-informed sensory modulation with Dr. Tina Champagne. She’s participated in small group consultation with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk and completed an introductory class in Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics. 

Emily is also a Reiki practitioner and completed a certificate in the Penn Program for Mindfulness. She relishes opportunities for nerding out-refining her skills, broadening her knowledge, and improving her effectiveness as a trainer, consultant, facilitator, and leader.

See her work here: www.regulatedclassroom.com

Breakout 1: Understanding the Essential Priority in Addressing Student Behavior Post-COVID

Post COVID, educator burnout and disruptive student behavior has soared to record highs. It has left fragile educational systems stretched to the max. In this session, audience members will gain a new lens, the Polyvagal Theory, through which to interpret the current state of education. Not only will participants be able to view the current criss differently, they will begin to understand what needs to be done differently to effectively address the current moment.

REGISTRATIONS FULL

Breakout 2: Sustaining in Education with More Energy, Fun, and Hope in the Classroom

In this highly interactive session, participants will experience the 4 core practices of The Regulated Classroom. Participants will have the chance to experience their nervous system states and notice how the regulations/dysregulation continuum feels on the inside of their body. Moreover, they may notice how their state shifts with context and experience, practical tools and simple practices.

REGISTRATIONS FULL

Join us on September 19, 2025 at 8:00am at Presque Isle High School!

@cace.maine

CACE