Annual Conference Archive

2023

Theme: Strengthening Support for the Whole School Community
Conference Program

Keynote Speakers:

Byron McClure, EdD, NCSP
Author, Speaker, School Psychologist, and Director of Innovation | 7 Mindsets  
Moving From What's Wrong to What's Strong: Harnessing Strength-Based Practices for a Positive School Climate

Stacy A.S. Williams, PhD, LP
The Child and Research Study Center | University at Albany
Self-Care and Advocacy: Meal Preps for the Soul

Rebecca Vujnovic, PhD, NCSP
Clinical Associate Professor | University at Buffalo
Strengthening Support for the Student Community

2022

Theme: Centering Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to Promote Positive School Culture and Student Well-Being

Keynote Speaker: Janine M. Jones, PhD, NCSP
Professor of School Psychology and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs | University of Washington - Keynote presentation slides
jjones2@uw.edu

Afternoon Panel:

  • Centering DEI in Williamsville - Darren J. Brown-Hall, EdD, Superintendent of Schools | Williamsville Central School District
  • Peaceful Schools Lura Lunkenheimer, EdD, President and CEO | Peaceful Schools
  • Chantele M. Thompson, MPA, MEd, Chief Diversity Officer | City of Buffalo (no slides available)
  • Tonja M. Williams, EdD, Superintendent | Buffalo City School District
    (no slides available)

Student Voices Videos:

2021

Theme: Bystander Intervention: Preventing Violence and Interrupting Social Injustices

Keynote Speaker: Victoria Banyard, PhD
Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Development, Associate Director of Center on Violence Against Women and Children | School of Social Work, Rutgers State University of New Jersey (slides not available)

Breakout Topics & Speakers:

Special Event: Free2Luv Youth Empowerment Panel

2020

Theme: Promoting Mental Health and Positive Relationships (Amidst COVID-19 and Other Crises)

Panel 1: Isolation, Inequities and Cyberbullying: Evidence-Based Approaches to Promoting Well-Being and Social Justice

Panel 2: Supporting Schools in Times of Physical Distancing and Crisis

2019

Theme: Research-Informed Bullying Preventions: Social-Emotional Learning and School Climate Improvement Approaches

Keynote Speaker: Dorothy L. Espelage, PhD, William C. Friday Distinguished Professor of Education, University of North Carolina Keynote Presentation Slides

Breakout Topics & Speakers:

2018

Theme: Inclusive Schools and Communities: Identifying and Intervening with Microaggressions

Keynote Speaker: Yolanda Flores Niemann, PhD, Professor of Psychology | University of North Texas (UNT) Keynote presentation slides

Breakout Topics & Speakers:

2017

Theme: Fostering Kindness: Using Technology to Combat Online Bullying

Keynote Speaker: Susan Swearer, PhD
Willa Cather Professor of Educational Psychology Professor of School Psychology | University of Nebraska
Co-Director | Bullying Research Network
Director | Empowerment Initiative
Keynote presentation slides

2016

Theme: Bullying and People with Disabilities: Challenges and Opportunities

Keynote Speakers: Julie M. Hertzog, Director | PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center
Presentation slides

Chad Rose, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education | University of Missouri
Presentation slides

Breakout Topics & Speakers:

2015

Theme: Ending Bullying, Harassment, and Intimidation in our Schools: The Hard Steps Not Yet Taken

Keynote Speakers: Maurice Elias, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Director of Rutgers Social-Emotional Learning Lab, Co-Director of SEL Academy | Rutgers University
Presentation slides

Jennifer Greif Green, PhD, Assistant Professor of Special Education | Boston University
Presentation slides

Panel: Best Practices and Real World Issues from Preschool through High School

  • Tracey Banks
  • Leslie Barr, LCSW-R
  • Robert Coniglio

2014

Theme: Media Violence as a Risk Factor for Aggression

Keynote Speaker: Douglas Gentile, PhD, Associate Professor of Developmental Psychology | Iowa State University

Breakout Topics & Speakers: 

2013

Theme: Student Threat Assessment and the Prevention of School Violence

Keynote Speaker: Dewey Cornell, PhD,  Professor of Education | University of Virginia - presentation handouts

Breakout Topics & Speakers:

Avoiding Courtrooms and Headlines: Strategies to Protect Your District from Legal Challenges Regarding Bullying and DASA - Tracie L. Lopardi, Esq., Marnie E. Smit, Esq., and J. A. "Tony" Olivo, LPI

Bullying and LGBTQ Youth - Amy L. Reynolds, PhD

Bullying and Students with Disabilities - Elizabeth Assad-Penner

Creating an Anti-Bullying Climate and Culture - Stanley Simmons, MSEd

2012

Theme: Understanding and Addressing Cyberbullying

Keynote Speaker: Sameer Hinduja, PhD, Co-Director of Cyberbullying Research Center and Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice | Florida Atlantic University (slides not available)

Cyberbullying Panel Discussion:

  • Eileen Buckley
  • Tpr. John C. Campanella
  • Kimberly Cirillo
  • Andrew J. Freedman, Esq.
  • Kathleen A. Gust
  • Will Keresztes, EdD
  • Terence Tryon
  • M. Daniela Wolfe, LMSW