Conference keynote speakers

Former astronaut and head of NASA Education

Leland Melvin is an engineer, educator and a former two-time space shuttle astronaut who served as NASA’s associate administrator for education. He is the only person drafted by the National Football League (NFL) to have traveled in space, and his jersey hangs in the NFL Hall of Fame.

After injuries ended his football career, Melvin used his chemistry degree to land a position at NASA in the Nondestructive Evaluation Sciences Branch in 1989. He earned his spot as a NASA astronaut in 1998, and flew two missions on the Space Shuttle Atlantis as a mission specialist. As NASA’s associate administrator for education, Melvin was responsible for developing and implementing the agency’s education programs and strengthening awareness of the agency’s scientific goals and missions. He served as the co-chair of the White House Federal Coordination in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Task Force, developing the nation’s five-year STEM education plan.

Currently the host of the Lifetime TV competition series “Child Genius,” Melvin uses his life to inspire the next generation of explorers to pursue science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) careers.

Monday’s General Session is sponsored by Pepple & Waggoner Ltd.; Ross, Sinclaire & Associates LLC; and Walter Haverfield LLP.

Leader in educational media

Dr. Milton Chen has been a leading figure in educational media for more than 20 years. He joined The George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) as executive director in 1998, bringing new leadership to its mission of gathering and disseminating the most innovative models of K-12 teaching and learning in the digital age. A nonprofit foundation, GLEF shares new vision through its multimedia website Edutopia.org, award-winning magazine, Edutopia: The New World of Learning and a comprehensive library of documentary films.

Prior to joining GLEF, Chen was the founding director of the KQED Center for Education and Lifelong Learning (PBS) in San Francisco, managing its Web content and the delivery of educational services for teachers, parents and community groups in support of public TV programming. He has been a director of research at the Children’s Television Workshop in New York and an assistant professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

An authority in several areas, Chen’s interests span everything from project-based learning and social/emotional learning to global learning, technology and research on educational innovation. He is a frequent speaker on such issues and has authored more than 30 books and articles on educational media.

Peck, Shaffer & Williams, a division of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP; Scott, Scriven & Wahoff LLP; and Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP.

Respected broadcast journalist

A familiar face on morning, daytime and prime-time television, and one of broadcasting’s most respected journalists, Jane Pauley joined CBS’ “Sunday Morning” in 2014. One of broadcasting’s most respected journalists and the winner of numerous awards, Pauley began her network career as co-host of “TODAY” for 13 years, anchored “Dateline NBC” for more than a decade and hosted her own daytime program, “The Jane Pauley Show.”

She is the recipient of multiple Emmys, the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, the Edward R. Murrow Award for outstanding achievement and the Gracie Allen Award from the Alliance for Women in Media. She also is a member of the Broadcast and Cable Hall of Fame.

Pauley has written two New York Times best-selling books: a memoir, Skywriting: A Life Out of the Blue and Your Life Calling: Reimagining the Rest of Your Life, based on her award-winning series on “TODAY “about people 50 and older starting different careers, learning new skills, making a difference or pursuing their dreams.

A longtime advocate in children’s health and education, Pauley also is a highly regarded spokesperson on mental health.

Wednesday’s General Session is sponsored by CompManagement and Smith Peters Kalail Co. LPA.

Apple Leadership Forum

Join us at the Apple Leadership Forum, where school leaders will convene to explore new ideas, tools, and resources for creating a dynamic digital learning environment where today’s students can achieve and thrive.

• Network and explore ideas with other thought leaders.

• Work directly with those who are on the forefront of change and innovation.

• Learn about a framework for creating a successful one-to-one learning environment based on best practices from schools and districts worldwide.

• Hear about connections to college and career readiness, College Ready Ohio and other curriculum initiatives.

• Discover new ideas and experiences, tangible implementation resources and new connections to a community of peers who share a common purpose.

Ennis Britton Co. LPA is sponsoring this session. Registration is $100. Board members should notify their treasurer to register.

This lunch-and-learn is designed to help you collaborate with others on topics that fellow board members and administrators have indicated would be of value to them in their roles as district leaders. These facilitated small-table discussions will allow for learning and sharing and lead to a deeper understanding in areas of interest or concern. Networking with those who have already tackled perplexing issues will allow for unique individual perspectives to be shared for the collective good.

Topics will include effectively communicating with your community; charter schools, home schooling and related issues; board roles and relations; levy strategies; safety and security issues; effectively using technology in schools; shared services; school cafeteria programs; promising education practices; school transportation issues; and critical issues in your district.

Monday’s sponsor is CompManagement, Champions Inc and Ennis Britton Co. LPA.

Note: This is a ticketed event. Registration is $50. Attendees should notify their school district treasurer to register.

Ohio football star

Selected by the Bengals in the first round of the 1980 NFL draft, Anthony Muñoz became a standout, both on and off the field. During his 13-year career with the Bengals, he played in two Super Bowls, was named Offensive Lineman of the Year eight times, made 11 Pro Bowl appearances and was one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history.

Since leaving football, Muñoz has given back to his community through work with youth groups and charitable initiatives. In 2002, he created the Anthony Muñoz Foundation, which works to educate, promote and reward tri-state youth who excel in all phases of life, while reaching out to build up those who are struggling.

Tuesday’s sponsors are CompManagement Health Systems Inc.; NaviGate Prepared; and OSBA Insurance Agency in partnership with Assurant Employee Benefits.

Note: This is a ticketed event. Registration is $50. Attendees should notify their school district treasurer to register.

Former Ohio state senator 

The annual Capital Conference OSBA Black Caucus dinner will feature Nina Turner, a former Ohio state senator and current professor at Cuyahoga Community College.

During her career in public service, Nina Turner has made it her mission to empower individuals, institutions and communities. As an executive assistant for legislative affairs for Cleveland Mayor Michael R. White and director of government affairs for Cleveland Municipal Schools, she became a respected voice in her local community and developed a reputation as a fighter for working families, good schools and government that served all people.

In 2006, Turner was elected as the first woman to represent Ward 1 on the Cleveland City Council. In 2008, she was appointed to the vacant 25th District Ohio Senate seat. She served as a legislator until 2014, championing innovative solutions to critical challenges. She was at the forefront of the campaign to reform Cuyahoga County’s government into a transparent and accountable institution and sponsored legislation that laid the groundwork for the transformation of the Cleveland Municipal School District.

Turner currently is a professor of history at Cuyahoga Community College and chair of political engagement at the Ohio Democratic Party. She is co-chair of the Ohio Task Force on Community and Police Relations, a member of the Ohio State Ballot Board and serves as a board member of the Karamu House, United Way of Greater Cleveland, Cleveland Police Foundation and Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority.

This event helps raise funds for the Leo Lucas Stipend, a program that provides graduating African-American seniors funds for college. The program is named for the late Leo Lucas, a Dayton City school board member and educator who founded the Ohio Black Caucus, the forerunner of the OSBA Black Caucus.

Music and networking begin at 6 p.m., with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Dream Builders University and the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice are sponsoring the OSBA Black Caucus dinner.

Note: This is a ticketed event. Registration is $70; a limited number of tickets will be sold at the door for $75. The reservation deadline is Oct. 30. Attendees should notify their school district treasurer to register or indicate your request on your conference registration form. Please indicate any special accommodations needed. All conference attendees are invited.