Joy Jam2026
Hosted by Eastern Hancock Schools
🎉 100% free for educators · seats are limited
A taste of Joy Jam.
Two days of unbridled joy for educators.
Join us for an incredible event filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Get ready to immerse yourself in two days full of excitement and happiness! At Joy Jam 2026, you'll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, participate in joy-filled activities, and learn from renowned experts in education. This event aims to create a vibrant atmosphere where you can explore cutting-edge teaching strategies, engage in collaborative discussions, and learn with and from peers during networking opportunities. Whether you're a teacher, an administrator, or simply seeking a day filled with happiness, Joy Jam 2026 is the place to be. Don't miss out on this extraordinary experience! Mark your calendars, gather your friends, and get ready for two days that will fill your heart with joy. We can't wait to see you there!
The voices bringing the joy.
Four incredible educators and leaders who will inspire, challenge, and celebrate alongside us across two unforgettable days.
Dr. Tyler Thigpen
Education innovator whose work spans public, private and charter schools — co-founder of Chattahoochee Hills Charter School, founder of The Forest School: An Acton Academy, former founding partner at Transcend, and guest lecturer at Harvard. Tyler helps leaders design learner-centered schools that put innovation, joy and community impact at the center.
Learn more
Todd Whitaker
Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Missouri and one of the nation's leading authorities on staff motivation, teacher leadership and principal effectiveness — author of more than 60 books including What Great Teachers Do Differently.
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Buddy Berry
Founder of the School on FIRE model and a passionate reinventor of the K–12 experience. Buddy's work has been featured nationally for putting joy, purpose and student voice at the center of school design.
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Dr. Tinkhani White
Director of Systems Transformation at the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, leading work on how systems transform to make education more engaging and relevant. Former Director of School Improvement in Chesterfield County Public Schools (VA), building administrator, principal and math teacher — and an adjunct professor mentoring future education leaders at the University of Virginia.
Learn moreThe flow of the festival.
A near-final look at the two-day flow. Tap any Break Out row to see every concurrent session, room, and presenter.
- 8:00 AMDoors Open · Registration & Light Breakfast
Sign in, grab breakfast and explore vendor booths in the lobby and gym.
- 9:00 AMOpening Session · Buddy Berry
Superintendent of Eminence Independent Schools (KY) and founder of the "School on FIRE" model kicks off Day 1 in the Auditorium, followed by Round Table Session #1 from 10:30 AM–12:30 PM in the HS Library.
- 10:15 AMBreak Out Session #1
Ten concurrent sessions across the building.
View 10 sessions▾
Room 105 · MoormanGet Ready to Restore Joy with Mindfulness! (Part 1 of 2)
Kathy Flynn-Somerville & Natalie Sommerville
All Staff / Admin
An experiential session using mindfulness to reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and restore joy in school and life.
Room 107 · Mattingly🔁 Repeats laterFueling Futures: Connecting Student Interests to Careers with RIASEC
Taylor Philhower, Liz Ferris & Laura Hamm (ECESC)
All Staff / Admin
Hands-on activities to embed RIASEC into everyday instruction and increase student motivation and future readiness.
Room 109 · EbertTime Management for Teachers
Greg Judy (Eastern Hancock)
Elem / MS / HS
Simple time-management tips to help new and experienced teachers stay effective in their daily responsibilities.
Room 111 · Stonerock🔁 Repeats laterPositive Narration in the Elementary Classroom
Anne Fillmann (Noble Crossing Elementary)
Elementary
Tier One strategies and intentional teacher language that bring joy, connection, and positivity to elementary classrooms.
Room 202 · JudyInfusing Joy into the Science of Reading Literacy Instruction
Suzanne Thomson, M.Ed. (IU Bloomington)
PK–6
Infuse joy, play, and games into the literacy block with quick tricks and participation structures framed by the Science of Reading.
Room 310 · BurrisEH Connect – PBL
Erin Harmon & Jenn Lightcap (EHHS)
HS / Admin
An innovative project-based program connecting students with local businesses and community partners for authentic, real-world learning.
Room 401 · Survant🔁 Repeats laterThe Mystery and Magic of AI in Education
Amanda Hoagland (Greenfield-Central)
All Staff / Admin
Explore the mechanics of AI and its magic across industries — walk away with free AI literacy lessons for all grades.
Room 404 · Allen🔁 Repeats laterAre there lizards in your classroom? Primitive reflexes & school readiness
Samantha Duttlinger, PT (New Castle)
Elem / Coaches / Admin
Learn how 5 primitive reflexes show up in the classroom and easy movements that improve student focus and regulation.
Room 406 · Jennings🔁 Repeats laterTeach Smarter, Not Harder: EduProtocols in Action
Jamie Anderson & Michelle Armstrong (New Palestine JH)
All Staff / Admin
Experience EduProtocols as learners and gain repeatable, high-impact strategies for engagement and retention.
Room 408 · Gaylord🔁 Repeats laterFind Your Genius & Rediscover the Joy of Teamwork
Patrick Haney & Lindsey Lovern (ECESC)
All Staff / Admin
Combine The Ideal Team Player and Six Types of Working Genius to build trusting, energized teams that rediscover joy.
- 11:00 AMNetworking Break
Vendor booths open in the lobby and gym.
- 11:15 AMBreak Out Session #2
Ten concurrent sessions across the building.
View 10 sessions▾
Room 105 · MoormanRestore Joy with Mindfulness! (Part 2 of 2)
Kathy Flynn-Somerville & Natalie Sommerville
All Staff / Admin
Continuation of the Part 1 experiential mindfulness session.
Room 107 · MattinglyFueling Futures with RIASEC
Taylor Philhower, Liz Ferris & Laura Hamm (ECESC)
All Staff / Admin
Repeat of the morning RIASEC session — hands-on career-connection strategies for the classroom.
Room 109 · EbertNBA Math Hoops
Kayla Short (RESC)
Elem / MS
An interactive game that pairs basketball with math skills for grades 3–8, including a 5th grade NBA stats deep-dive.
Room 111 · StonerockJoy Is a Leadership Strategy: Building Resilience, Hope, and Impact
Brandi Kelly (Spark HOPE Edu)
Coaches / Admin
Hope as a leadership strategy for navigating challenges, preventing burnout, and building thriving school cultures.
Room 202 · JudyInfusing Joy into the Science of Reading
Suzanne Thomson, M.Ed.
PK–6
Repeat of the morning Science of Reading joy session.
Room 310 · BurrisThe Secret Sauce: Community Partnerships & Work-Based Learning
Adam Barton, Jenn Lightcap, Diana Arellano & Steve Brock
HS / Coaches / Admin
How strong community partnerships elevate student learning and career readiness through authentic work-based experiences.
Room 401 · SurvantThe Mystery and Magic of AI in Education
Amanda Hoagland
All Staff / Admin
Repeat of the morning AI session.
Room 404 · AllenPrimitive Reflexes & School Readiness
Samantha Duttlinger, PT
Elem / Coaches / Admin
Repeat of the morning primitive reflexes session.
Room 406 · JenningsTeach Smarter, Not Harder: EduProtocols in Action
Jamie Anderson & Michelle Armstrong
All Staff / Admin
Repeat of the morning EduProtocols session.
Room 408 · GaylordFind Your Genius & Rediscover the Joy of Teamwork
Patrick Haney & Lindsey Lovern
All Staff / Admin
Repeat of the morning teamwork session.
- 12:05 PMLunch · Sponsored by The Nutrition Group
Lunch + Team Time #1. Roundtable rooms are open from 12:00–1:00 PM to eat with current friends and connect with new colleagues.
View 10 sessions▾
Room 105 · Moorman1st & 2nd Grade Teachers
Open table
Informal grade-band gathering — come and go as you please.
Room 107 · Mattingly3rd & 4th Grade Teachers
Open table
Informal grade-band gathering.
Room 109 · Ebert5th & 6th Grade Teachers
Open table
Informal grade-band gathering.
Room 111 · Stonerock7th & 8th Grade Teachers
Open table
Informal grade-band gathering.
Room 202 · JudyHS & Elementary Fine Arts
Open table
Fine arts educators connect across grade levels.
Room 310 · BurrisCounselor Connection
Jenn Lightcap (EHHS Director of Counseling)
MS / HS
A moment for counselors to talk shop — programs, ideas, and finding joy in the work.
Room 401 · SurvantHS Math & Science
Open table
High school math and science teachers gather.
Room 404 · AllenHS English & Social Studies
Open table
High school English and social studies teachers gather.
Room 406 · JenningsHS
Open table
Open high school gathering.
Room 408 · GaylordSpecial Education
Mary Pat Parrigan & Kelly McKeeman (EH Special Ed)
Special education educators connect and share.
- 1:00 PMNetworking Break
Vendor booths open in the lobby and gym.
- 1:15 PMBreak Out Session #3
Ten concurrent sessions across the building.
View 10 sessions▾
Room 105 · MoormanBuilding Culture Through Connection
Brian Bowen (EHMS Principal)
Middle School
Practical strategies for creating intentional opportunities for connection that strengthen school culture.
Room 107 · MattinglyPositive Narration in the Elementary Classroom
Anne Fillmann
Elementary
Repeat of the morning Positive Narration session.
Room 109 · EbertNBA Math Hoops
Kayla Short
Elem / MS
Repeat of the late-morning basketball-and-math session.
Room 111 · StonerockJoy Is a Leadership Strategy
Brandi Kelly
Coaches / Admin
Repeat of the leadership + hope session.
Room 202 · JudyStrong Enough to Be Human
Dan Cox (Endurance Edge)
PK–12 Educators & Leaders
Authentic stories, reflection, and practical strategies for sustainable resilience and rediscovering purpose.
Room 310 · BurrisDesign-Driven Solutions for Schools
Kyle Schwind & Andrew Jackson (Architects)
Educators & Admin
How thoughtful facility design supports safety, wellness, and flexible learning environments.
Room 401 · SurvantStreamline, Create, and Celebrate: AI for the Joyful Classroom
Amanda Pyle (EH Director of Curriculum)
All Staff
Bring your laptop — a hands-on session using Google Gemini as a co-teacher for scheduling, files, and lesson design.
Room 404 · AllenLaunching a K–12 Microschool in 60 Days
Erin Wolski & Emma Kersey (Nature's Gift)
Any
Inside the rapid design of a hybrid microschool — wins, pivots, and reinventing the model in 60 days.
Room 406 · JenningsUsing Games and Task Cards to Engage Learners
Julie Dickmander (EH 5th Grade)
Elem / MS / HS
Board games and task cards that build critical thinking, teamwork, and joy in the classroom.
Room 408 · GaylordMomentum: Sustaining Your Passion in the First Years of Teaching
Lexi Pleak (EH Elementary)
Educators in years 1–5
Move out of survival mode and build a sustainable, thriving career in the first years of teaching.
- 2:05 PMNetworking Break
Vendor booths open in the lobby and gym.
- 2:15 PMFeatured Session · To Be Announced
A special featured session in the Auditorium — details coming soon.
Capturing the Joy
Moments from last year — and a wall ready for photos from Joy Jam 2026.
🎬 Recap from Joy Jam 2025
Questions? We're here.
Drop us a note — about registration, logistics, bringing your team, or just to say hi. A real human will get back to you.