Each fall, we bring together educators, policymakers, business leaders and others for a multi-day conference focused on one big thing: Ensuring our students get the tools today to get ahead tomorrow.
Registration for CFES members is always free. This year, we took a deep dive into lessons we learned from a pandemic year, and ways to build on the remote learning techniques that are here to stay.
Included With Your Membership
It’s hard to put a price on the value of meeting your peers, sharing stories, trading best practices and learning from the best. So we don’t. Your school’s CFES membership includes the following.
CFES Speaker Series
A hybrid opportunity to join our CFES staff and invited guests on a monthly conversations related to our CFES 10-point plan. Join us for students and educator-targeted conversations every month throughout the year!
College & Career Readiness Advisor Training
The future is complicated, and students need good advice to make sound decisions. Become a credentialed College & Career Readiness Adviser through our virtual workshops, which help you give young people the knowledge and skills to get ahead. Learn from national experts in live and pre-recorded sessions designed to inspire and encourage, as you take on the vital task of preparing students for their next steps in life.
Career Exploration
Ever wonder how to get there from here? Our regularly scheduled sessions, held virtually, give Scholars the chance to examine the paths other professionals and college students have taken on their own roads to success. Each session focuses on a different field, as panelists share real-life examples of the ways people put the Essential Skills to use in their careers. Live chats are followed by interactive Q-and-A sessions and CFES-provided activities to help Scholars gain even more career knowledge.
Virtual College Tour
You don’t have to visit campus to get a first-hand look at what college has to offer—you can take a virtual campus tour instead! Join CFES as we take virtual tours of many of our partner colleges and universities. See residence halls, hear from current students and get a feel whether a campus is a good fit for you. If it is, you can follow up with more research about academics, financial aid and more on each campus’ website—and maybe even schedule an in-person visit.
Past Conferences Speakers
Every year, we bring inspirational, innovative presenters to the Annual Conference. Some of our past speakers include:
Joan Higginbotham (2019)
Electrical engineer, former astronaut and third African American woman in space.
“The ability to pick yourself up and dust yourself off is a skill that you will need throughout your life.”
Leilani Brown (2020)
Senior vice president, K12 Inc.
“Essential skills are a cornerstone of CFES and K12. They are interconnected, overlapping and indispensable in your life and career. Essential skills will make or break our futures.”
Paul Luna (2020)
President and CEO, Helios Education Foundation
“Every student regardless of where they’re born, skin color or zip code deserves a high quality education. Education is powerful and an equalizer in life.”
Kelli Wells (2017)
Executive Director of Education, GE Foundation
“I want you to be ready. You are smart, you are capable, and nobody can take that away from you except you.”
Rene Godefroy (2018)
Author, motivational speaker
“People are trying to write the script of your life for you. Don’t let their reality become your reality.”
Ray McNulty (2021)
President of Successful Practices Network
McNulty has been a teacher, administrator, university dean, and Vermont education commissioner over an almost 50-year career.
