A few weeks ago, on April 20-22, 2017 the NWESD 189 hosted the 2017 AESD Conference in Lynnwood, WA at the Embassy Suites Hotel. The conference theme “Oceans of Change; Waves of Opportunity” resonated nicely with the messages from the keynote speakers and breakout sessions. Each speaker and session was electric and informative, each one striking a different chord with the 90+ attendees. The staff at the NWESD find ourselves reflecting on the messages from the speakers and sessions daily by using examples in our work or sharing stories of success and trepidation with coworkers. In addition, from the feedback we are receiving about the event it seems that others are doing the same! One participant relayed to us that the keynotes and breakout sessions, “Were exciting, inspiring, authentic and moving. I felt a wave of emotions throughout the conference.”

A special thank you goes out to Shiloh Kauzlarich for her professional advice and detail expertise, and to Embassy Suites in Lynnwood for providing the event space and the wonderful event staff.

NWESD would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the attendees, our sponsors, our colleagues, and the AESD network for your enthusiasm and participation in this conference and for continuing to collaborate on this important work in the field of education! “Nine ESDs. One Network.”