Distinguished Lecture Sessions
The 2025 MCEC GTS – Atlanta Distinguished Lecture series offers a comprehensive lineup of sessions designed to empower educators, families, and community members in supporting the academic and personal growth of military-connected students. Two sessions offered in the morning, two sessions in the afternoon. Practical advice, real-world examples, and a platform for sharing experiences, GTS Atlanta brings these distinguished lectures to you:
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Compact 201: Engage, Learn, Apply
Lindsey M. Dablow
Training and Operations Associate, Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3)
The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children provides uniform treatment for military children transferring between states by addressing key educational transition issues such as eligibility, enrollment, placement, and graduation.
MIC3 Compact 201: Engage, Learn, Apply is an interactive, hands-on session focused on small groups discussing case studies to apply, understand, and demonstrate the correct implementation of the Compact. The scenarios presented will explore technology and how it assists military students and schools before, during, and after a permanent change of station move, as well as how it can hinder the process and create opportunities for miscommunication. Participants will learn of the legal provisions related to education that protect military children as they transition interstate between public and Department of Defense Education Activity schools. They will also discuss Compact gray areas and learn about Commission resources and best practices for military families, school districts, and states.
MTSS: Leading Efficient Systems, Building Stronger Schools
Dr. Jason Pederson, NCSP
School Psychologist, Derry Township School District, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Discover how effective MTSS implementation can yield measurable results, enhance student outcomes, and maximize resource efficiency. This session will highlight the real-world return on investment of MTSS by showcasing data-driven successes and the tangible value it brings to schools. Participants will explore how strategic leadership, efficient systems, and focused collaboration can transform support structures, reduce long-term costs, and strengthen academic and behavioral outcomes for all students. Drawing from practical examples and national-level expertise, this session will equip school leaders with compelling evidence and actionable strategies to advocate for and sustain MTSS in their schools. Whether you’re refining an existing framework or building from the ground up, this session will inspire and inform your leadership in building stronger, more resilient schools through MTSS.
2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
The Hidden Child: Recognizing, Supporting, and Using Technology for Reserve Connected Students
Dominic Cirincione
Motivational Speaker, Military Family Advocate, and Certified Career Coach
The Hidden Child: Recognizing, Supporting, and Using Technology for Reserve-Connected Students: explores the unique challenges faced by students whose families are connected to the military reserves. These students often go unnoticed within traditional support structures due to their non-continuous exposure to active military life. The work emphasizes the importance of identifying these students, understanding their specific needs, and providing support tailored to their experiences. It highlights the role of technology as a bridge to foster academic and emotional growth, offering tools that ensure these students can thrive in both educational and social contexts despite the unique circumstances of their family dynamics.
Welcome to Youville
Natalya Rice
Federal Trade Commission
Explore Youville, a free, standards-based, in-class educational program from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) designed to help kids ages 8–12 build digital literacy skills to navigate safely online. Go on a guided virtual tour through the “streets” of Youville, making twelve brief stops around town to learn about the skills kids will develop at each location. Put yourself in the seat of the learner in a hands-on demonstration of a Youville lesson. Complete a Youville activity, work together to help the Youbies (Youville’s residents) defeat The Claud, a sinister, chaos-causing energy — and learn real-life skills about privacy and online safety. Learn first-hand how to use Youville’s scripted lesson plans, slides, activity sheets, and answer keys to facilitate digital literacy conversations for the kids in your life.
