Creating Safe Spaces that Inspire Learning!
An Angel-Warrior Educator Forum
This is Going To Be Different…
June 20, 2024
Marian University Wisconsin – Stayer Center
*Forum limited to 250 participants*
Click here for the AWEN Forum schedule!
A message from each of the co-founders
Ben Vogel
Director/Licensing Officer for Marian University’s Education Department
Frank Kros
Former Director, NAREN, National At-Risk Education Network
Anthony Dallmann-Jones
PhD, Director, At-Risk and Alternative Education Program for Marian University, NAREN Founder
Sharing What Works
At the AWEN Forum, our participants are the experts. Each participant is tasked with bringing the best instructional and classroom management strategies they employ and sharing them with your AWEN colleagues. Imagine walking away with scores of strategies your colleagues use every day with success—strategies that are field-tested and immediately applicable to your classroom and school. Also imagine the satisfaction of contributing your strategies to the benefit of your fellow participants and their students, knowing you’ve made a meaningful difference at schools across the country.
Exploring the BIG Ideas
Participants will not only bring their best strategies and tools to share but also choose from a variety of “Big Ideas in Education” resources provided to them before the forum. During the event, they will engage in discussions, debates, and evaluations of these transformative concepts, with a primary emphasis on their practical application in their respective roles. In addition, Exploring BIG Ideas will provide participants with a guided learning framework to take back to their home school. This framework will serve as a tool for motivating and assisting their colleagues in the exploration of innovative and impactful ideas, with the ultimate goal of empowering their fellow educators and fostering thriving in their students.
Collaboration Solves Problems
Our discussion forums, known as Jam Sessions, will provide the opportunity for us to problem solve real, timely, and most challenging problems in the classroom and school building through a collaborative process. Traditional conferences promote an expert or model, often the “latest thing” in education that promises to cure all ills. But this is never actually the case. Real, raw, effective problem-solving begins with engagement, the sharing of diverse experiences, and the search for new thinking and behavior. Our Jam Sessions will be facilitated problem-solving forums where the people actually experiencing these challenges use their collective knowledge and experience to generate practical, effective solutions.
Connection Opportunities
Our primary goal in this forum is that each participant leaves with a new, vibrant network of relationships and resources that provide them with ongoing support and a consistent place to go to access additional resources, share big ideas, and find support and encouragement. Throughout the forum, AWEN will provide concrete activities to create and maintain these critical connections—not through blogs, websites, podcasts, or videos, but through direct human connection. AWEN believes in establishing and supporting this network so that each participant leaves stronger and more enthusiastic, their student interactions more effective, their schools more resilient, and their students more successful.
AWEN really is different. You won’t want to miss this.
Our Intended Audience
“A day dedicated to educators, youth advocates, administrators, and everyone passionate about championing marginalized youth toward the meaningful lives they deserve.” Organizers Anthony Dallmann-Jones (Dr. DJ), Ben Vogel, and Frank Kros, MSW, JD.
What’s an Angel-Warrior?
Authentic learning begins with an intense focus on the “I-Thou” relationship between student and teacher. It is this connection that makes the difference in effectiveness with students at risk. Research shows that successful at-risk educators are different. They exhibit traits that fall into one of two categories (or, often a combination of the two): Gentleness, compassion, caring, and a positive focus. They also have traits that reflect that they are resilient, tough, street-savvy, goal-focused, and adept at overcoming obstacles. They share two common characteristics: 1) They want to be working with “those” kids, and 2) They not only make learning meaningful but also view it as essential. You feel fortunate if you have had an Angel-Warrior Educator. You never forget them. Nor will they forget you.
Forum Fees and Costs
*Limited Seating: We can only accept the first 250 registrants*
AWEN Forum Individual Registration(s) — Early Bird Registration $169 ($199 after May 15) –- For Forum attendees (includes continental breakfast and lunch buffet). Click here to register for this option.
AWEN Forum Group Registrations — Early Bird Registration $129 each ($149 after May 15) – For 3 or more from the same school district (includes continental breakfast and lunch buffet). Click here to register for this option.
Go-Getter’ Dinner and Reception — $50 per person – Click here to register for this option.
*What is the “Go-Getter Dinner”?
The June 20th AWEN Forum has multiple objectives, one of which is to relaunch the National At-Risk Education Network (NAREN) under a new name, the Angel-Warrior Educator Network (AWEN). During this dinner event, AWEN co-founders Dr. DJ, Ben Vogel, and Frank Kros will introduce the new charter, invite input and discussions, and seek individuals interested in joining the steering committee to help shape the future of AWEN. The Go-Getter Dinner is exclusively for Forum attendees, includes any single meal from a varied menu (including a drink, dessert, taxes, and tip), and will take place at the Stayer Center Dining Room on campus from 6PM – 8PM. The purpose of this dinner is to discuss the formation and future of the new Angel-Warrior Educator Network. AWEN is the rebirth of a bigger and better National At-Risk Education Network (NAREN), which dissolved in 2018.
NOTE: Each registration fee also includes:
- A 1-year charter membership in the Angel-Warrior Educator Network (First-year dues normally $99),
- Access to the quarterly online AWEN Jam Sessions (normally $29 each),
- AWEN newsletters (free), and
- A copy of “The AWEN 9 – Nine Facets of a Quality Program for Students At-Risk” (normally $149).
To register with a check: Make it out to “Angel-Warrior Educator Network” and mail to: Ben Vogel, Marian University Education Department, Marian University, 45 S. National Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI 54935. Please include this Registration Form with the check.
Want More?
For more information about any aspect of the Forum, email Dr. Anthony Dallmann Jones at: adallmannjones@marianuniversity.edu
