2025 CNA Instructor Conference
EmpowerED: Embracing Innovation in CNA Education
We are thrilled to announced the 2025 CNA Instructor Conference has expanded to 1.5 days!
- Check back for conference updates and announcements.
- Registration opens in January.
Date
- Thursday, April 10 & Friday, April 11, 2025.
- Meet-and-greet: Thursday, April 10, 2025.
Location
Northfield Inn, Suites and Conference Center, Springfield, IL
3280 Northfield Dr, Springfield, IL 62702
Hotel Information
Northfield Inn, Suites and Conference Center, Springfield, IL 3280 Northfield, Dr., Springfield, IL 62702
About
This year's conference is all about embracing innovation and fostering change in CNA education. Together, we’ll challenge traditional methods, share best practices and discover new approaches to unlock the potential of our students. Don't miss this opportunity to rejuvenate your teaching and make a lasting impact on your students' success!
Call for Proposals
Illinois CNA instructors or program coordinators, grow your professional reputation by presenting a concurrent session during the 2025 conference. Presentation time slots will be 50 minutes in length and should keep in mind the overall conference theme of embracing innovation in CNA education. Call for proposals will be open until Dec. 6 at 4:30 pm. All presentations (up to 3 presenters) selected for a concurrent session will receive discounted registration to the 2025 conference.
Submit a Proposal
Agenda
Thursday, April 10
12:30-1 p.m. - Conference check-in
12:50-1 p.m. - Welcome, announcements, introduction of vendors
1-2:15 p.m. - Keynote: Tomorrow Glasses presented by Matt Miller
2:15-2:30 p.m. - Break
2:30-3:30 p.m. - IDPH Updates, Randy Carey-Walden, MSN, BSN, RN, CCM
3:30-3:40 p.m. - Break
3:40-4:40 p.m. - Main session: Innovative Cool Things to do to Teach presented by Matt Miller
4:40-4:55 p.m. - Evals and closing day one
Exact Time TBD - Meet-and-greet
Friday, April 11
7:30-7:55 a.m. - Conference check-in
7:55-8 a.m. - Welcome and announcements day two
8-8:50 a.m. - Concurrent session 1
8:50-9 a.m. - Break
9-9:50 a.m. - Concurrent session 2
9:50-10 a.m. - Break
10-10:50 a.m. - Concurrent session 3
10:50-11 a.m. - Break
11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - SIU Education Coordinators: Beth Young, MSN-Ed., RN, Tabitha Reeise, MSN-Ed. RN; Angie Pavlick, BSN
12:15-1:30 p.m. - Lunch: CNAEA officer introductions and updates, vendors
1:30-2 p.m. - SIUC Updates, Darin Barham
2-3:15 p.m. - Q&A
3:15-3:30 p.m. - Evals, certificates, closing announcements
9.5 CEUs
Keynote
Tomorrow Glasses
presented by Matt Miller
Artificial intelligence is growing exponentially. Teachers are left wondering "how does it impact the classroom?" In the presentation, "Tomorrow Glasses," author Matt Miller explains the basics of AI (in terms that don’t require a computer science degree). He shares practical ways to start using it for teaching and learning. Plus, he’ll encourage you to put on your Tomorrow Glasses, providing practical steps to ensure your instruction is relevant to your students’ future. You’ll leave this presentation with more confidence to envision the classroom that your students need and to take the imperfect steps necessary to create it.
Main Session
Innovative Cool Things to do to Teach
presented by Matt Miller
In this session, attendees will get lots of ideas for using technology for student engagement and innovation. Miller will share some of his favorite technology tricks and tools, giving teachers plenty of “use tomorrow” content.
About the presenter
Matt Miller is a blogger, author, speaker and educator with more than 10 years of classroom experience. Miller is the author of six books, including "Ditch That Textbook," and has won awards for his teaching and writing. Miller is a Google Certified Innovator and Microsoft in Education Expert. He was named a 2023-24 Top 100 Influencer in EdTech by EdTech Digest. His "Ditch That Textbook" blog encourages tens of thousands of educators in more than 100 countries to use technology and creative ideas in teaching. You can email Matt at matt@DitchThatTextbook.com or follow him on X at @jmattmiller.
Questions for our experts
If you have questions you would like to ask our panel of experts (IDPH, Education Coordinators, SIU-C Testing, or CNAEA) please submit your questions in advance via the online form. Questions will be collected and given to our presenters so they can provide a thorough and accurate answer. Thanks for your cooperation.
Submit a Question
