Milwaukee to Host National Quality Education Conference

Contact: Christel Henke 414-332-2933 [email protected]

F O R I M M E D I A T E R E L E A S E

Milwaukee to Host National Quality Education Conference: Local Schools Invited to Nominate Teachers Making a Difference

Milwaukee, Wis., Sept. 12, 2013— For the first time, Milwaukee will host educators from around the nation for the 21st National Quality Education Conference (NQEC) sponsored by ASQ, a global network of quality experts. Sessions will focus on strengthening creativity and quality teaching to improve student achievement in K-12 and higher education. The conference will be held November 17-18, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee, Wis. Wisconsin principals and administrators are invited to nominate a teacher who is making a difference and using continuous improvement skills in the classroom. Fifty teachers will be selected to receive a free registration to NQEC. Register here by October 14th. This year’s NQEC theme is Creativity and Innovation: Keys to 21st Century Learning. The conference features the following keynote speakers:

 Sunday, Nov. 17, 8:40 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. – Dr. JoAnn Sternke, Superintendent Pewaukee School District and 2013 Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year will demonstrate how a systems approach leads to transformational leadership, heightened student achievement, organizational efficiency and greater innovation.  Monday, Nov. 18, 8:40 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. – Alan M. Blankstein, Founder and President, HOPE Foundation and author of the best-selling book, Failure Is Not an Option®: Six Principles That Guide Student Achievement in High-Performing Schools, will focus his presentation on the rise of the quality movement in education, where it is today and a vision for what’s on the horizon. He will provide a clear, compelling picture of what is possible in these challenging times. “In this highly competitive world, it’s more crucial than ever that educators help students learn vital skills of collaboration, critical thinking, communication and creativity,” said Dr. Sternke.

“Attending NQEC can inspire teachers and administrators to create a new framework for improving their own school systems and raising the bar on student achievement.” Education experts are featured in five major focus areas supporting the national education agenda for high standards, data-driven decisions and increased graduation rates. These areas include:  Innovation through shared leadership  Process management to improve services and learning  Creative collaboration and common lesson planning: developing effective instruction to improve outcomes  Common core standards and student learning  Improving achievement through differentiated instruction models

Educators can take part in more than 30 in-depth sessions as well as four preconference half-day workshops. NQEC is the nation’s leading conference for teachers, administrators and support personnel to learn about the use of quality tools and concepts that can be applied to improve U.S. schools. It is an outstanding opportunity for educators seeking awareness, commitment, refinement and measurable progress in applying continuous improvement approaches and processes.

About ASQ ASQ is a global community of people dedicated to quality who share the ideas and tools that make our world work better. With millions of individual and organizational members of the community in 150 countries, ASQ has the reputation and reach to bring together the diverse quality champions who are transforming the world’s corporations, organizations and communities to meet tomorrow’s critical challenges. ASQ is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., with national service centers in China, India, Mexico and a regional service center in the United Arab Emirates. Learn more about ASQ’s members, mission, technologies and training at www.asq.org.