The 2008 Professional Conference theme is "Today's Students, Tomorrow's Citizens." Here’s a preview of events:

Thursday, Oct. 16

• Popular educator and author Ron Clark returns for a second year to give the conference keynote address at the general session at noon.
• Education Minnesota’s recommended candidates for federal office will appear at an 11 a.m. political forum for members only.
• Other speakers include Deborah Meier, an educator, writer and advocate for public schools; Tierney Cahill, a Nevada elementary school teacher whose students challenged her to run for public office; Minnesota children's author/illustrator Nancy Carlson; and educator and trainer Carl Olson.
• A special theatrical performance, "Bye Bye Bullies," will be presented by the National Theatre for Children.
• More than 60 workshops will be offered.
• More than 300 exhibits of education goods and services will be available.
• Flu shots will be available, and the American Red Cross will take blood donations.

Friday, Oct. 17

• We’ll offer free workshops to help teachers fulfill state license renewal requirements in reading instruction, identifying early-onset mental illness in students, or strategies to increase instructional time by reducing behavioral issues in the classroom. Sessions are two hours each and run concurrently.
• An 8:45 a.m. opening session will feature noted educational demographer Harold Hodgkinson. The session is co-sponsored by Education Minnesota and the Minnesota Education Summit, which also takes place Friday at Saint Paul RiverCentre.
• Education Minnesota members can attend the luncheon and afternoon session of the Summit for a reduced fee.