Keynote Speakers

Monday - Dr. Trish Hatch

Answering the Call with Data-Driven Practices

Join Dr. Trish Hatch as she recounts her journey of using data to advocate for equity in our schools. Learn new strategies for leading critical conversations that improve policies, practices, and procedures. This proactive work is no longer optional. 

About Dr. Trish Hatch

Trish Hatch, PhD, is Professor Emeritus at San Diego State University (SDSU). As President and CEO of Hatching Results, LLC, Dr. Hatch leads a team of award-winning school counseling professionals who provide professional learning and consultation to school districts across the country.

She is co-author of the ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs (ASCA, 2003; 2005), a seminal document in the profession, and Evidence-Based School Counseling: Making a Difference with Data-Driven Practices (Dimmitt, Carey, & Hatch, 2007).Dr. Hatch is also the best-selling author of The Use of Data in School Counseling: Hatching Results for Students, Programs, and the Profession (2013), and co-authored three other best-selling books based on its concepts.These texts, which focus on implementing elementary and secondary school counseling programs, are used throughout the world in the preparation and professional development of school counselors.

A former school counselor, site and central office administrator, she has received multiple national awards, including ASCA’s Administrator of the Year award and its highest honor, the Mary Gehrke Lifetime Achievement award.Well regarded within the profession as a passionate advocate and national leader, Dr. Hatch served as a consultant and advisor on school counseling and educational issues for the Obama Administration and the US Department of Education.

Most recently she published Pilots, Passengers, Prisoners & Hijackers: An Educator’s Guide to Handling Difficult People While Moving Forward (2018), derived from nearly 30+ years of experience working in and with school districts.

Tuesday - Houston Kraft

Deep Kindness

We all know Kindness is a great thing - and something the world needs more than ever. In this paradigm-shifting talk, Houston will help us understand the gap between what we know is important and what we currently practice with a series of stories and questions that help us ask, “What gets in the way of a more Kind world?”

About Houston Kraft
Houston is a speaker, curriculum developer, author, and kindness advocate who has spoken at over 600 schools or events internationally. In 2016, he co-founded CharacterStrong - curriculum and trainings that transform the way schools teach social-emotional learning, character education, and Kindness. To date, they have worked with over 2500 schools globally. In 2019, his face was featured on Lays BBQ chip bags as someone who helps "spread smiles." He was once invited to play on the JV National Lasertag Team. His mom is his hero and her best life lesson is to “hug like you mean it.”