South Shore Summer of Learning Conference
June 12, 2026
Join the School of Education and Counseling at Purdue University Northwest for a free opportunity for educators to learn, grow and connect. Featured speakers will include education innovators Matt Miller and Buddy Berry.
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Don’t miss this free learning opportunity on June 12, 2026. The speaker proposal form is now open, and registration will be available soon.
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Hosted by Purdue University Northwest’s School of Education and Counseling.
Conference Schedule
7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast / Registration
8:30 to 9:50 a.m.
Welcome and Keynote: Matt Miller
Tomorrow Glasses: Preparing Our Students for Their Future (Even If We Can’t See It)
The Tomorrow Glasses keynote helps educators wrap their brains around the basics of artificial intelligence (in simple terms that don’t require a computer science degree). It demonstrates practical ways it can be implemented in classes today. But it also has an eye on the future.
The Tomorrow Glasses keynote empowers teachers with steps they can take to adjust their instruction so it’s relevant to students’ future, not our present or past. This speech shares ideas from Matt’s book, “AI for Educators: Learning Strategies, Teacher Efficiencies, and a Vision for an Artificial Intelligence Future.”
10 to 10:50 a.m.
Matt Miller: Book Signing
After the keynote presentation, join Matt Miller for a book signing! Matt has presented to thousands and thousands of educators at hundreds of events all over the United States and beyond. He combines a conversational, engaging speaking style with loads of resources.
Matt’s most recent book, “AI for Educators: Learning Strategies, Teacher Efficiencies, and a Vision for an Artificial Intelligence Future,” translates AI through a teacher lens, provides practical ideas you can use in class right away and unlocks powerful ways to streamline teaching and save time.
Matt is also the author of five more books on key education topics, including, “Ditch That Textbook,” “Ditch That Homework,” and “Don’t Ditch That Tech.” One of his biggest goals is to write interesting page-turners that keep you reading. (No dry academic jargon.)
Buddy Berry: How To Set Your School on F.I.R.E.!
Dr. Buddy Berry will take us through his journey in reimagining Eminence Independent Schools to design a next generation “Dream School” rooted in personalized learning, and centered around innovation and creativity.
The Eminence Independent school district has redesigned its instructional experience for kindergarten through 12th-grade students with its School on F.I.R.E.(Framework of Innovation for Reinventing Education) model using personalized, blended and competency-based education in their quest to be the Disney World of Schools.
Eminence has utilized creativity, passion and technology as the main drivers for their success combined with “Yes, And” thinking; Surprise and Delight; and starting to “Think Differently” about solutions.
11 to 11:50 a.m.
Matt Miller: Yes, AI CAN support critical thinking in the classroom
When people hear “AI and education,” many immediately think of ChatGPT doing students’ homework. Writing their essays. Doing all of the thinking for them.
But AI is TECH, a tool, and technology has always been only as valuable as how we use it. In this session, you’ll see how AI tools and technology can be used in the classroom to support and elevate student critical thinking.
Buddy Berry: Big Brand Brilliance
What’s your brand as an educator? How are you known by your students? What is your teacher “street cred”? Whatever your brand is, this session can help make you more purposeful about your instruction.
Come learn how to “better your brand” by taking a deep dive into how the “Big Brands” run things. Learn from some of the principles that drive Disney, Starbucks, Apple, Buc-ees, and the Savannah Bananas! This is a one-of-a-kind session with a chance to connect mainstream innovation into game-changing instruction!
Noon to 12:50 p.m.
Lunch
1 to 1:50 p.m.
Matt Miller: AI vs. Cheating, Plagiarism, and Academic Integrity
When AI assistants were first released, among teachers’ first questions was: “What will we do about cheating?” In this session, we’ll take a look at cheating, plagiarism, and academic integrity.
We’ll discuss the place that AI should have in classrooms—and what AI shouldn’t be used for. We’ll also address how to move forward with changes so we get this right.
Buddy Berry: Blue Lobster Ideas and How to Grow Them
Calling all World Changers! Blue Lobsters only occur in one out of every 2 million lobsters due to a rare genetic trait. What traits, habits, and dispositions can schools or teachers focus on to grow one in a million ideas?
This session will be inspirational, humorous, and practical. Everyone will leave with ideas for immediate implementation.
2 to 2:50 p.m.
Matt Miller: 20 AI Tools to Save Time in the Classroom
What if you had a virtual assistant who could do tasks for you and free up your time? Science fiction has become reality. You do!
Lots of artificial intelligence tools can help you with tedious tasks like writing emails, providing feedback and creating teaching resources. Learn about them—and how to use them to make time for what matters most—in this session.
Buddy Berry: Creating the Coolest Lessons Ever
This session is a guide for how to better engage students through making your lessons awesome. Participants will hear numerous examples of how to make their instruction, lessons and “Teacher Street Cred” rise instantly.
This a must for those looking to breathe new life into their classrooms. Don’t miss out on the culminating, hands-on workshop experience that everyone will be talking about.
3 to 4 p.m.
15 Ways to Make Your School Fun!
Presented by School Town of Munster’s Wilbur Wright Middle School Administration Team