Keynote on August 5th
Billions and Trillions of Stuff? Exploring Brain Development
-Christy Prulhiere, WFYI Ready to Learn
At birth, we have 100 billion brain cells! Our brains continue to grow and change as a result of stimulation from the environment. Christy will discuss this process and the multiple ways adults can help build those vital connections in children of all ages. Remember: build synapses!

About Christy
Christy Prulhiere manages the Ready To Lead in Literacy initiative at WFYI, providing training and resources to parents and early care and education professionals throughout Central Indiana. She has a long history of providing care and education for young children working with Marine Corps Child Development Services as the Training and Curriculum Director at Camp LeJeune and Family Child Care Director at Marine Corps Air Station New River. When she is not facilitating workshops she stays active advocating for children and families by serving on the Indiana Association for Child Care Resource and Referral Board of Directors, the Child Care Answers Advisory Board and as Treasurer of the Indiana Association for the Education of Young children. Christy has been a member of the Indianapolis Area Chapter of the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children Board of Directors for the past ten years and has participated in the IAEYC Conference planning Committee for the past four. Christy also participates on the United Way of Central Indiana's Success By Six Public Awareness Committee, the Indianapolis Public Schools Even Start Family Literacy Advisory Committee and the Boner Center Parents As Teachers Advisory Committee. She has a degree in Child Development and Family Studies from Indiana State University. Christy resides in Camby, Indiana with her husband and two children.

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(Please note this schedule is subject to change but you will get a good idea of what to expect!)

Keynote on August 7th
Strategies For Saving Your Sanity With A Splash Of Character Ethics
-Dr. Mike Thomson, It's All About Character
The title says it all!  Whether you’re dealing with stress and change, teamwork or leadership development, let Dr. Mike’s captivating and entertaining style help you unleash the hidden strategies for saving your sanity in all areas of life.  You’ll learn 3 themes you better know before you get out of bed in the morning, 6 critical questions guaranteed to solve any problem that comes up, 3 simple categories you must know right now, 8 strategies and secrets of the most successful people ever, the secret behind the 2-minute theory, the strategy for turning all problems into opportunities, why the way you choose to think is really everything, how to create massive job and life success and why successful people and schools know the difference between a rut and a grave.  Dr. Mike doesn’t just talk about problems, he delivers solutions.

About Dr. Mike
Dr. Mike Thomson has extensive professional experience, including Supervision in the Department of Psychology and Psychiatry at The Mayo Clinic, Director of healthcare centers in Minnesota, Ohio and Sweden, an Adjunct Associate Professor with The Ohio State University and Ashland University, Certified Reality Therapist and President of Thomson ETC., Inc. and It’s All About Character.  Dr. Mike, as he is known around the country, is the host of the award winning PBS series “In Search of Character” as well as the upcoming ABC Special “The Learning Lunch Box” with his co-host Patricia Richardson, formerly the mother on the hit television sitcom Home Improvement.  Dr. Mike is the author of “Strategies for Saving Your Sanity In The Classroom,” “Strategies for Saving Your Sanity In Parenthood,” “Getting Your Parents Off Your Back…And On Your Side,” and “It’s All About Character” with more books on the way. He's lectured to over 1.5 million people worldwide.