DAY ONE
Scarlett Lewis – Chief Movement Officer
Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement
Scarlett Lewis founded the nonprofit Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement in honor of her son, Jesse, who was murdered during the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in December 2012. Shortly after his death, Scarlett decided to be part of the solution to the issues that we’re seeing in our society — that also caused the tragedy — and turned it into an opportunity to build a culture of love, resilience, forgiveness, and connection in our communities at a time when it is needed the most.

Scarlett became an advocate for social and emotional learning (SEL) and character development to help children manage their emotions, feel connected, and have healthy, meaningful relationships. She created the Choose Love For Schools program, a no cost, comprehensive, lifespan, next generation character and social emotional development (CSED) program that teaches children how to thoughtfully respond with love in any situation by using the Choose Love Formula (Courage + Gratitude + Forgiveness + Compassion-in-Action), and offer ways for children to handle adversity, have courageous conversations, and to respond with love. Choose Love extends beyond the classroom through additional no-cost programs, including programs for the home, communities, athletics, and the workplace. In addition, the movement offers Choose Love C.A.R.E.S. (Cultivating Authentic Relationships in the Education System) and Experiential Educator Wellness Workshops for school leaders and educators, and multiple extension programs. The Choose Love programs have been accessed in all 50 states and in more than 120 countries, reaching 3 million children. 

DAY TWO
Damen Lopez – Founder
No Excuses University

In 2004, Damen Lopez founded the No Excuses University Network of Schools. This endeavor helps to build a bridge for all students to attend college as it begins promoting a comprehensive college readiness model starting in pre-kindergarten. Ten years after Damen first began sharing this message with thousands of educators across the country, there are now hundreds of schools participating as part of the No Excuses University revolution. To date, this work, which is now influencing the lives of more than 150,000 students in twenty-two different states, has received national attention and has been featured in numerous television and newspaper stories.

Damen completed his B.A. and M.A. at Point Loma Nazarene University. He is the youngest educator to earn the University of San Diego Remarkable Leader in Education Award and has also been given the coveted Alumnus of Point Loma award from his alma mater. Today he works with schools, districts, and educational organizations throughout the country. Damen’s groundbreaking book No Excuses University describes Six Exceptional Systems that promote academic results for all students under the umbrella of college readiness. He continues to inspire educators, especially school leaders, with his new book titled No Excuses Leadership: Nine Bold Choices Exceptional Leaders Make. Damen’s enthusiasm for providing leadership so every student, especially those living in poverty, will be both academically successful and college ready is widely respected.