Wright State celebrates educators, innovative practices at Learn Local Conference

The annual Learn Local Conference drew 217 educators and preservice teachers from 42 school districts to Wright State for a valuable professional development experience.

Educators and administrators came together to exchange ideas and strategies that drive real classroom impact at Wright State University’s 13th annual Learn Local Conference.

Hosted by Wright State’s College of Health, Education and Human Services on March 8, the event celebrated the vital contributions of local educators through service and education.

The conference drew 217 educators and preservice teachers from 42 school districts, offering a series of breakout sessions on topics such as career readiness, self-directed learning, STEM and the role of artificial intelligence in education.

Attendees also had the chance to network with local schools and community organizations, strengthening connections that support student success.

“The conference offered not only valuable professional development but also a sense of community and camaraderie among educators,” said Amy Elston, Ph.D., assistant director of the Office of Partnerships and Field Experiences at Wright State.

The Learn Local Conference was sponsored by Wright-Patt Credit Union, Ohio STEM Learning Network and the Dayton STEM Hub.

Wright State also recognized two exemplary educational initiatives with the Outstanding Instructional Practices Awards:

Fairborn City School District recognized for tackling chronic absenteeism

The Fairborn City School District was honored for addressing chronic absenteeism.

During the 2023-2024 school year, the district, which serves approximately 4,300 students, took a data-driven, methodical approach to improve attendance across its four school buildings.

Through collaboration between district and building leadership teams and teacher-based solution teams, Fairborn engaged in proactive efforts to strengthen teacher-student relationships, educate parents on the impact of absenteeism and implement effective attendance protocols.

As a result, all four school buildings met the Chronic Absenteeism indicator on the state report card in August 2024.

This initiative ensured that students were present for consistent, high-quality instruction, allowing teachers to identify and address learning gaps. The district’s focus on improving student attendance has helped enhance the learning environment and ensured that every student receives the full benefits of education.

Laura Windholtz honored for transformative play room

Laura Windholtz, speech language pathologist at Montgomery County Learning Center, was honored for creating the “Say ‘n’ Play” dramatic play room. This innovative space provides a transformative environment for students, fostering language development, social interaction and personal growth.

Through curation of props and scenes, Windholtz provides an environment tailored to meet each student’s needs, encouraging them to take risks in a safe and supportive setting.

Over the past three years, approximately 60 students have benefited from this space annually, showing remarkable progress in language development and social skills. The room has also had a profound impact on students with autism, helping them engage in play with peers for the first time.

The space has been especially valuable for service providers and educational assistants, offering an ideal setting for delivering interventions and working on specific skills with students.

“Windholtz’s commitment to creating a nurturing and empowering environment has made a difference in the lives of her students, and she was rightfully honored for this remarkable achievement,” Elston said.

Looking ahead to 2026

Wright State will host the 14th annual Learn Local Conference on Saturday, March 7, 2026, promising another day of networking, learning and celebrating the vital work of educators in the region. Details will be available at a later date at wright.edu/learnlocal.