JRGC 2024 Resources and Breakouts
Thank you for attending the 2024 Jostens Renaissance Global Conference! We had a blast with all 1,800 of our closest friends, and we hope you did too. Access resources from breakouts and the rally script below, and reach out to Renaissance@Jostens.com if you have additional questions or needs. We were “born ready” to help you create a positive culture and climate at your school!
If you missed the opportunity to receive a certificate of attendance, please email Renaissance@Jostens.com to be issued one.
RALLY MAGIC!
Thanks for attending the Renaissance School of Climate and Culture Magic in Orlando, FL to help Sara, PC, and Mike find the missing Spirit Stick! If you would like to bring the magic to your school this year, download the Renaissance Rally script below.
Breakout Presentations
Thanks to the many AMAZING educators who presented during this year’s breakouts. Below are videos and presentations, as well as other resources available for viewing. If you presented and do not see your presentation here, we’d love to post it and provide to your fellow attendees. Email Renaissance@jostens.com to submit your presentation.
Middle Majesty: Get Started with Renaissance
Content Area: Culture and Climate
Presenters: Alyxis Reeder, Jessica Gatanis, Nijee Kaashif, and Nicholas Cushing
Middle school teams: your students are in a vital time of development that is often overlooked. Learn how to start your unique journey and seamlessly integrate Renaissance principles to support these crucial grades. Leave empowered with actionable strategies to establish effective routines, foster meaningful student relationships, and garner support from fellow educators.
AI Did What?!?
Content Area: Logistics
Presenters: Amy Hamm and Jacinda Patishnock
AI is the hottest technology to burst on the scene recently, but it can feel scandalous in the classroom or school setting. This session will provide attendees with ideas and tools they need to feel more comfortable utilizing AI to assist them in planning and implementing programs and events to help achieve their Renaissance goals.
SEL Ren Tools – Making Mental Health and Wellbeing the Priority
Content Areas: Character Development
Presenter: Amy Stoddard
As a school counselor, I look through the lens of mental health and wellbeing when working alongside students and Staffulty. Renaissance is a structure with wellbeing at its core, and I will be sharing how I use my practice with Renaissance activities and recognition to positively impact student and Staffulty experiences.
Reward, Recognition, and Leadership for All
Content Area: Student Engagement, Culture & Climate, Rallies
Presenters: Beth Mooney and Julie Liford
Get ready to fill your notebooks with affordable, fun, and easily implemented ideas for recognizing and rewarding both students and Staffulty. Gain ideas on how to build student leadership opportunities for ALL students and learn all about Powell High’s Winter Wishes program.
Keeping Your Grass Green
Content Area: Educator Morale
Presenters: Bentli Lewis and Julia Solustri
In education we tend to hear “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.” But how can we stop our Staffulty from even wondering if there is greener grass out there? Come hear how we’ve built our Renaissance program in just two years, and are seeing direct results in Staffulty morale and teacher retention!
Making Magic with JRGC and Renaissance: Middle School Edition
Content Area: Culture and Climate
Presenter: Bentli Lewis
Are you ready to transform your school community? Come hear about all the ways you can make the most of JRGC to bring home ideas and strategies for implementing Jostens Renaissance at your middle school. No matter where you are in your journey, it’s never too late to change a school’s climate and culture!
True Identity: Make Your School Stand Out
Content Area: Climate and Culture
Presenters: John Jenson and Bentli Lewis
It is often said that the success of a business depends on the consistency of its message. The same is true for schools. A school that truly knows who they are and what they stand for is able to build a Renaissance program on firm bedrock, and communicate their identity with clarity to students and the community.
Ted Lasso Talk: Twelve Lasso Lessons to Supercharge Renaissance Leadership
Content Areas: Character & Wellness
Presenters: Dr. Darrin Peppard and Bradlee W. Skinner
Darrin and Bradlee will take you on an inspiring journey of self-discovery, where we’ll uncover actionable steps to grow leadership capabilities and drive positive change. From fostering a culture of inclusivity and empathy to embracing vulnerability and resilience, the Ted Lasso Leadership Playbook offers timeless principles that resonate with all.
Leadership on Track? Let’s Ride the Roller Coaster
Content Areas: Character & Wellness
Presenter: Corinne Tyo
How would you define your leadership and the dynamic of your team? How do you use the talent in the room and guide your team to that next level? Using a simple and fun game, we’ll open up conversations about individual strengths and challenges. Take this back to your team and be amazed at the conversations and action steps that follow.
Leaning into Renaissance Leadership
Content Areas: Character & Wellness
Presenter: Dr. Darrin Peppard
Leading a Renaissance program is an action-packed journey, but it’s not just about rallies and rewards. It is a daunting task that consumes your time and energy and can leave you feeling overwhelmed. We’ll provide leaders with strategies, tools and some much-needed humor to find clarity in your work and walk with renewed Renaissance purpose.
Renaissance on the Road to Awesome
Content Areas: Relationships
Presenter: Dr. Darrin Peppard
Leading on the Road to Awesome means focusing on what people do right, not what they do wrong. Relationships with Staffulty and students are the keys to building and maintaining positive school culture and climate. Through stories, ideas, and a thought-provoking message, this session will help get your school’s leadership and culture on the Road to Awesome.
Building the Foundation
Content Areas: Character & Wellness
Presenter: Emily Parks
Going from nothing to something, with a new administration and new teachers, is tough but offers opportunities. Are you overwhelmed and unsure where to start with Renaissance? Here are the simple and easy ways we began to celebrate students and recognize the positives rather than being stuck and focusing on what they did wrong.
Jostens Renaissance: the PreK-12 Connection
Content Areas: Logistics
Presenters: Dr. Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder and Eric Lillis
Two experienced Renaissance administrators will discuss how to build connections between buildings, grade-levels, and departments, all while getting Staffulty buy-in for a great climate and culture using the framework of Jostens Renaissance. We’ll also discuss grant funding and fundraising to sustain and expand your program.
My Pep Talk Turned Into a Pep Rally REMIX
Content Areas: Recognition & Rallies
Presenters: Conner Mattingly and Ginger Stovall
I love pep rallies and that’s my peppin’ problem! Learn about all the different types of rallies we do at HCHS. First day rally, Renaissance rallies, athletic rallies, Spirit Week rallies, hallway rallies, teacher rallies, morning rallies, night rallies, and more! We’ll cover games to recognition and everything in between.
Spirit Week on Steroids!
Content Areas: Culture and Climate
Presenters: Conner Mattingly and Ginger Stovall
It doesn’t matter if you have 200, 1200, or 3000 students or if you’re in elementary, middle, or high school. It doesn’t matter if the event is homecoming, a big rivalry game, the week before testing, or you just need a morale boost. Whether you’re a student or Staffulty member, in 45 minutes you will max out with 30+ ideas to put your Spirit Week on STEROIDS!
Be a Champion: The Commitment to Graduation
Content Areas: Recognition & Rallies
Presenters: Jacinta Calzada-Mayronne, William Pitzer, and Kathryn Barbarczuk
We will discuss how to recognize staff members who have the champion mindset and how they can support the middle school pep rallies hosted by their feeder high school. We will also explore how champions can welcome freshmen on their transition day and encourage them to commit to graduating.
The Power of a RENergized Team
Content Areas: Logistics
Presenters: Jennifer Brooks and Alicia Riggleman
Is your school ready to #cometogether and embrace the power of Renaissance? Join us as we discuss strategies for building your team, communicating with administration, and supporting Renaissance at your school.
Activities R Us
Content Areas: Culture and Climate
Presenters: Joy Glaspy, Maddie Arellanes, Kelsey Agobian, and Dee Marquez
Why reinvent the wheel, when you can beg, borrow, and steal! A variety of activities – some short and sweet, others extensive and worthwhile – will be shared during this session. Take what you can and implement them on your campus next fall.
Let’s RAVE – Respect, Appreciate, Value, and Enjoy Your Staffulty
Content Areas: Educator Morale
Presenter: Joy Glaspy
A happy Staffulty produces a positive school culture with happy students! Give love to your staff and in return you will get multi-tasking educational rock stars who will inspire, encourage, and teach their hearts out.
We’re Not There Yet, But We Could Be: Lessons from a Renaissance Rookie
Content Areas: Culture and Climate
Presenters: Jerome Price and Bonnie Blackman
You know you have a Renaissance heart. You know your school has Renaissance DNA. You see amazing programs and results on social media and at JRGC, but now what? This session, hosted by a Renaissance rookie and his mentor of many years, will share a route to energize and utilize Renaissance in your school: an exchange of ideas to jumpstart your program with actionable plans.
Building Connections Through Service Leadership
Content Areas: Relationships
Presenter: Kellie Maughan
Like the trees that we planted for our first Annual Day of Service ten years ago, relationships between students, teachers, and community members continue to grow! Our Renaissance and Student Government groups wanted to give back to the businesses and neighbors who support us, so they worked together to organize a day where students and teachers clean up our community. Our students develop leadership skills, improve the quality of life for others, and experience teamwork in action.
Five Houses, One Family
Content Areas: Culture and Climate
Presenters: Kirsten Mitchell, Katrina Stilwell, Laura Davis, and Arnold Melton
“Five houses, one family” encourages unity, promotes inclusiveness, and creates enthusiasm. Our house system for students and Staffulty proposes a set of virtues that sets expectations for the culture on campus, and we’ll share how it brings our campus together.
What You Choose to Water, is What Will Grow: Cultivating Renaissance
Content Areas: Logistics
Presenters: Kevin “KJ” Johnson and Amy Stoddard
Starting and maintaining a healthy Renaissance program is every school’s challenge. Attendees will be a part of an interactive and collaborative session about how to start Renaissance in your school, what to focus on for success, and how to sustain motivation and traditions over time.
“And the DCM Award Goes To…”
Content Areas: Recognition & Rallies
Presenter: Kristen Engle
Rockwood South Middle School developed our Renaissance Discover, Connect, and Make a Difference Awards Program to align directly with our school’s mission statement. Attendees will hear about the process and implementation of this program and how we involve the community and will leave with ideas for application in their own schools.
Leadership Class, Student Council, and Renaissance All in One
Content Areas: Culture and Climate
Presenter: Kristy Cooper
Having trouble distinguishing the difference between Renaissance, Leadership Class and Student Council? At Del City High School, we have figured out how to do all three of these rolled into one. If you are struggling to clarify which group does what, come see how this leadership teachers runs all three programs as one.
Start Small, Get Big Results!
Content Areas: Culture and Climate
Presenters: Lauren Stuart and Aly Nicholson
Getting started can be hard, especially with minimal funding and support. Learn how we were able to kick off and sustain Renaissance at Sand Creek High School, make a huge impact on student academic performance, positively impact staff/student culture, and most importantly, learn from our mistakes.
Five Surefire Ways to Ignite Student Leader Potential
Content Areas: Character & Wellness
Presenter: Lesley Sarver
Secondary advisors and educational leaders: you’ll hear five ideas to kickstart a culture of student empowerment. These suggestions have been implemented in many schools with great results. You’ll walk away with some kindling ideas to help set your student leaders ablaze!
Action Planning Workshop
Content Areas: Logistics
Presenter: Elizabeth Dalzell
This dedicated time can bridge the gap between inspiration and action. School groups will be guided through a process that will facilitate discussion, thinking and planning with the support of a Renaissance expert who will also provide insights and guidance.
Tips and Tools from Elementary Renaissance “First-Years”
Content Areas: Climate and Culture
Presenter: Michael Huff
This session will highlight the lessons we learned and victories achieved from our first year as a Renaissance elementary school. Participants will also gain valuable tips and tools to take back with them as they begin planning out their year.
A Practical Approach to Crafting Systems for Sustainable School Culture
Content Areas: Culture and Climate
Presenters: Michael Mal, Melissa Cyr, and Amy Begue
We will provide plans and examples of school-based activities you can take back to your schools to empower student and teacher voices. From campus-wide events like Bobcat Block and Freshman Academy to individual recognition like Shamrock in Your Pocket, you’ll leave with both inspiration and details to start new traditions.
How to Fund Your Renaissance Revival
Content Areas: Logistics
Presenter: Dr. Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder
There are all kinds grants and funding programs available for school culture, but the maze of paperwork is daunting. How do you find them, navigate the applications, and provide the data that tells your story in a compelling way? You’ll leave this session with a little knowledge and a lot of confidence that you can find sources to fund your Renaissance activities.
Flying to Greatness
Content Areas: Recognition & Rallies
Presenters: Patches Oliver and Payton Ragon
Yes, you can have Renaissance rallies in a middle school! We’ll share how we plan rallies around the middle school schedule, including agendas, games, and recognition.
The Best School Ever: a Work in Progress
Content Areas: Logistics
Presenters: Shanna Mills, Kerra Wheeler, Ellie Jo Clark, Addison Orr, Brooklyn Williams, and Keile Allen
This session will include practices that Graves County High School has implemented to improve our school and our leadership classes as we aim to be the best school ever!
Fundraising 101
Content Areas: Logistics
Presenter: Samantha Grimes
It takes money to run a successful Renaissance program, and in this session, we will show you quick and easy ways to raise money. We will focus on how to earn thousands of dollars by doing a 5K/Fun Run – our event averages $4,000-$6,500!
How to Celebrate and Show Love to Your Seniors
Content Areas: Recognition & Rallies
Presenter: Samantha Grimes
Every high school needs to send someone to this session. We will discuss how we honor seniors with Senior Spotlight, College Acceptance Wall, ACT Benchmarks/Rewards, and our favorite, Senior Decision Week. Our last week of school recognizes seniors for what they will be doing next, and wraps up with presenting Honorary Diplomas to Staffulty members and the Senior Walk through campus.
How to Execute a Renaissance Rally
Content Areas: Recognition & Rallies
Presenter: Samantha Grimes
Whether you are thinking about having a short Renaissance Rally or are ready to take your rally to the next level, you don’t want to miss this session. Greenbrier High School has some of the best Renaissance Rallies in the country – we have produced twelve rallies, some lasting more than 2.5 hours! We will share our themes, game ideas, unique recognition categories, and much more.
Ideas Ideas Ideas: Rally Edition
Content Areas: Recognition & Rallies
Presenters: Tina Dietrich and Steve Bollar
Renaissance Rallies are a way for students and Staffulty to come together to celebrate students’ accomplishments. Tina and Steve have decades of combined experience organizing and leading rallies in their school and for others. We will share everything we know to help you make yours awesome!
It’s ALL Elementary!
Content Areas: Culture and Climate
Presenters: Tina Dietrich and Lisa Barenbaum
Jostens Renaissance is a perfect fit for your elementary school! Come let us share with you how we got started, how we keep things going, and what we do to keep things fresh and new after 17 years! Don’t shy away from the word “elementary” – we have ideas for everyone!
Using Social Media to Build Your Community
Content Areas: Logistics
Presenters: Therese Kulas and Emma Syring
Social media is a tool that can assist in building a sense of community in the digital world. In this session you will learn how to use various platforms to promote positive school culture, and also get tips to increase engagement.
Senior Survivor: Building Community Through Competitions With a Cause
Content Areas: Relationships
Presenters: Tracy Mossburger, Kelly Cole, Hope Eriks, and Zibby Zuber
Senior Survivor is a week-long event where a select group of students moves into the school and competes to become the Ultimate Survivor. To stay in the game Seniors must fundraise, complete/win challenges, and connect with our entire district and community. In just 6 years of doing this event we have raised almost $200,000 for local charities!
Creatively Boosting Staffulty Morale
Content Areas: Educator Morale
Presenter: Tiffany Shepherd
Are you looking for creative, meaningful, and fun ways to show appreciation to your Staffulty? Come learn about several crafty things we’ve done to show Staffulty how much we care and to help build a strong school community.
Ren Cards Sound Great…But How Do They Work?
Content Areas: Recognition & Rallies
Presenter: Tiffany Shepherd
Everyone loves the ideas of using Renaissance Cards to recognize student achievement, but the implementation can be daunting! Come learn step by step how we do it at Fox Creek High School.
Renaissance: The Beginning Stages
Content Areas: Logistics
Presenters: Vicki Huey and Holly Griffin
Eastland Career Center is currently in the early stages of implementing Renaissance. We will talk about how we began our Renaissance journey and how we celebrate our students and staff.
Build It Before They Come
Content Areas: Culture and Climate
Presenters: Will Roberts, Chelsea Johnson, and Misty Shaw
How can you prepare and convey the climate and culture for students, parents, and the community before they ever enter the building? Especially for those transitioning from another school, the look and feel of the school set the stage for your Renaissance efforts. We’ll show how to do that effectively, while introducing how we do rallies and recognition and build relationships on campus.