Local educators, alumni share expertise at SFA Lifelong Learning Conference

Stephen F. Austin State University's Department of Education Studies held its second annual Lifelong Learning Conference June 27 at the Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center. This year's keynote speaker was Larrian Menifee, pictured, an SFA alumnus who earned his Bachelor of Music in music education in May 2021 and who serves as a music educator and volleyball coach at Ball High School in Galveston.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- While classrooms are empty, the students play in the summer sun and teachers take their well-deserved break, Stephen F. Austin State University offered educators the opportunity to reinvigorate their teaching strategies by sharing expertise at the second annual Lifelong Learning Conference, created by educators for educators.

The annual Lifelong Learning Conference, hosted by SFA's Department of Education Studies, was held June 27 at the Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center. This collaborative event encourages educators to discuss novel teaching practices and emerging research in a variety of presentation styles, emphasizing this year's theme of "Inspire! Create! Collaborate!"

"The faculty and staff in the Department of Education Studies are excited to offer this event for the educators in East Texas and beyond," said Dr. Jannah Nerren, chair of the Department of Education Studies. "While our department's primary work is to prepare future teachers and school leaders, this conference is an effort to extend that work into ongoing support and community building for the outstanding teachers in this state once they have entered the profession."

This year's keynote speaker was Larrian Menifee, an SFA alumnus who earned his Bachelor of Music in music education in May 2021. Menifee is a music educator and volleyball coach at Ball High School in Galveston. With a strong commitment to fostering musical talent and creativity, Menifee has been honored as a two-time semifinalist for the prestigious Grammy Music Educator Award.

"It was such a wonderful experience and I highly recommend attending the conference," Menifee said. "I was anxious to speak because I had never done anything like it, but I felt very honored to be invited to speak and I knew that it was the little nudge I needed to push myself out of my comfort zone. I learned that a sense of community in education is the most important thing, now more than ever."

The Lifelong Learning Conference offered a variety of educational presentation styles including workshops, panel discussions, oral presentations and seven-minute graphic talks. Alumni, local educators and current education preparation students were invited to present topics, or enjoy the conference as attendees, and exchange ideas and network. Topics covered a variety of education subjects, including innovations in artificial intelligence, strengthening educator preparation, classroom engagement, stress management and more. The event also serves as an opportunity for educators to earn continuing professional education hours.

"Having our amazing alumni who are out there teaching across Texas come back to campus to connect with faculty, in-service teachers, community partners and current students was one of our primary goals," said Dr. Heather Olson Beal, professor in the Department of Education Studies and co-chair of the conference planning committee. "We designed the conference to be a meaningful space for sharing ideas, learning from one another and strengthening the network of educators connected to SFA. Seeing that vision come to life - with such strong participation and energy - was incredibly rewarding."

This year's conference hosted nearly 100 attendees and featured over 40 presenters. In addition to SFA, presenters visited from CASA of Deep East Texas, Bayes Achievement Center, Tyler Junior College, Texas Woman's University, Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, Nacogdoches ISD, Lufkin ISD, Hudson ISD, Taylor ISD, Sheldon ISD, Lorena ISD, Goose Creek Consolidated ISD, We Teach CS, Panola College and Fort Bend ISD.

"Events like the LLC are impactful because they're both informational and inspiring," Menifee said. "One of the best things to do as an educator is to be a lifelong learner."

The field is constantly changing and presenting new challenges, and events like these help attendees ensure they're equipped with the necessary tools for success, he added.

"It is also really nice to be in a room of people who get it," Menefee said. "People have so many opinions about teachers, education and the politics that control them, but it's always nice to be surrounded by other educators who also feel the weight of these external pressures."

To learn more and see photos of the 2025 conference, visit gosfa.com/lifelong-learning-conference.