International Bullying Prevention Association Hosts 14th Annual Conference

This year’s conference will focus on the importance of adult-youth partnerships. Keynote presenters include motivational speaker Karen Vadino, MSW, LPCC, OCPSII, who will touch on humor and laughter in working with youth, and Marc Brackett, Ph.D., of Yale University, who will present his findings on emotionally intelligent bullying prevention. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to attend over 40 workshops and a research panel that includes Drs. Peter Smith, Dorothy Eslage and Jeff Sprague.

“Bullying is a serious problem among today’s youth, making our prevention efforts increasingly relevant,” stated Lynn Lonsway, executive director of the IBPA. “Our conference focuses on providing attendees with strategies and tools they can immediately implement in their schools and communities, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to share these with Nashville.”

Open to school counselors, administrators, social workers, mental health coordinators and student service coordinators, the conference will feature three days of workshops and sessions that focus on practical, hands-on solutions and theoretical, research-based presentations for individuals who work closely with youth.

Conference registration is currently open. Individuals who register before Sept. 15 will receive early-bird pricing which saves $100 per person. Team discounts provide additional savings.

Thank you to our sponsors, Ford Motor Company Fund, Facebook, Microsoft, The HCA Foundation, Hazelden Publishing, Sprigeo, HIBster, Tennessee Department of Education and Second Step, for helping make this conference possible.

For more information on IBPA and the annual conference, visit ibpaworld.org or contact [email protected].

Featured

  • Hawaii Elementary School Reopens Following $25M Campus Modernization

    Haʻaheo Elementary School in Hilo, Hawaii, has reopened to students following a three-year, $25-million campus modernization and expansion project that significantly increases the school's instructional space while preserving one of the island's oldest educational institutions, according to local news.

  • Homewood-Flossmoor High School NetZero Addition

    Homewood-Flossmoor High School NetZero Addition

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Homewood-Flossmoor High School NetZero Addition has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • Nashville Elementary School Receives LEED Gold Certification

    Goodlettsville Elementary School, part of Metro Nashville Public Schools in Nashville, Tenn., recently achieved LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), according to a news release. The 81,750-square-foot school opened in 2023 and was designed by Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC).

  • Designing Third Spaces That Do What AI Can't

    In 2026, education is evolving faster than ever. With AI reshaping everything from lesson planning to personalized instruction, schools and universities are turning their attention to what AI can’t replicate: spaces that foster collaboration, community, and creativity.