"You had to be there" - but now you still can be

rkoliver84
May 2
2 min read

How Untapped Tools and Cultural Mindsets Are Changing the Game for School Social Work

What happens when nearly 1,000 school social workers come together to connect, grow, and ignite change? You get the biggest—and arguably boldest—conference in our association’s history. The theme was Unite to Ignite, and wow, did we ever!

If you felt the energy in that opening keynote session, you know what we mean. If you weren’t there—don’t worry. There’s still a chance to catch the spark.

We’re bringing the most popular, high-impact sessions—including that unforgettable keynote—directly to you through our upcoming Virtual Conference. Whether you were one of the lucky ones in the room or you missed the magic this time around, this is your second chance to soak it in.

Why This Keynote Hit Different:

“Framing for Change: The Science of Effectively Communicating on Challenging Social Issues” wasn’t just about communication. It was about transformation. The kind of shift that doesn’t just change how we talk—it changes how people hear us, how they respond, and what they do next.

In a profession that too often goes unheard or misunderstood, how we frame our message can be the bridge—or the barrier—to being seen and valued.

Here are just a few powerful truths shared:

🔹 Framing isn’t fluff—it’s fuel. It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. Every pronoun, metaphor, and value we lean into either opens doors or shuts them.

🔹 Culture is deeper than demographics. We’re talking shared assumptions, automatic reasoning, and invisible ways of thinking that shape what people believe to be “true.”

🔹 We all have untapped tools. And these tools can bring forward the mindsets that actually help people connect with what we’re saying—if we use them well.

4 Takeaways You’ll Want to Tattoo on Your Brain:

Data needs a backstory. Numbers don’t speak for themselves. Give them a voice, a face, and a purpose.
Stop myth-busting the wrong way. Repeating falsehoods—even to correct them—can backfire. There are better ways.
Urgency without hope = burnout. Don’t just ring the alarm. Give people a reason to believe they can make a difference.
Always be storytelling. Not just a story, but the right kind of story—aligned, strategic, and filled with purpose.

This keynote left attendees thinking differently about everything—from how they advocate for services, to how they explain their role, to how they engage families, educators, and policymakers. It was a full-on mindset shift.

Still Wondering If You Should Sign Up for the Virtual Event?

Ask yourself this:

📍 Do you ever feel like you’re not being heard, even when you know your message matters?

📍 Do you want to be more effective in how you advocate, communicate, and influence change?

📍 Are you ready to elevate your work—not just by working harder, but by working smarter?

Then you can’t afford to miss this.

The virtual event offers on-demand access to the sessions people couldn’t stop talking about. This is more than a replay—it’s your opportunity to recharge, reframe, and re-engage with fresh insights that can change how you show up in your school, your district, and your community.

Don’t Miss the Second Wave of This Movement!

Sign up. Tune in. Reignite. Because this year, we didn’t just host a conference—we sparked a movement. And it’s still going.