Speaking

Principal of Balance

Leading at work and having a life.

Keynote and Workshop Available

“We may be superheroes, but we are not made of steel”
— Jessica Cabeen

Reports of burnout, stress, and compassion fatigue are on the rise. These issues push many out of the profession, leading to high turnover and sub-optimal student outcomes. How can school leaders combat

these problems? Leaders can manage their own wellness and priorities. Healthy leaders who learn balance can create motivation, confidence, quality collaboration, and enthusiasm among staff and other stakeholders. Principal in Balance offers principals strategies and tools to take more ownership of their lives at work and home, so everyone in the K–12 educational community can thrive. Participants will walk away with a plan that they can put into action during the summer that is sustainable throughout the school year.

Leading with Grace

Leaning into Necessary Soft Skills for Success.

Keynote / Breakout

Do you ever find yourself deeply passionate about your work but challenged by the nuances of interactions and communication? Especially in today’s digital age, where distance and screens dominate our interactions, the importance of clear and empathetic communication cannot be overstated.

In this transformative session, we’ll uncover practical strategies to enhance effective communication, bridging the divide between our intentions and the impact of our words and actions. Whether in our professional roles or personal relationships, mastering this skill is crucial for fostering understanding and connection.

Jessica shares practical examples from her successes and epic failures of utilizing skills to build authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy in your day to day interactions. Participants will walk away with practical tips and ways to apply these skills in their communications, relationships, and when navigating the world of social media. 

Expect   the Best 

Creating a High Performing Culture.

Keynote / Breakout

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, what does it truly mean to learn and lead effectively? Drawing from both research and her own extensive experience across all levels of the K-12 educational system, Jessica will unveil essential strategies for thriving in today’s classrooms and schools.

Through a blend of research-backed insights and practical examples, this session will empower educators to bridge the gap between theory and practice. From leveraging the latest social media applications to enhancing classroom engagement, participants will discover actionable ways to elevate their teaching and leadership skills.

Get ready to be motivated and inspired as we reconnect with the passion and purpose driving our work in education. Join us in embracing the call to create a high-performing culture where every student can thrive and succeed.

Individualizing the Institution

Unconventional Ways to Make Connections with Our Students.

Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all education. Today, we recognize the importance of personalized learning experiences that connect with students on a deeper level. It’s no longer just a nice idea; it’s a necessity for fostering engagement and preparing our students for meaningful post-secondary experiences.

In this session, Jessica will guide you through innovative approaches to building connections with students, fostering collaboration among colleagues, and effectively communicating high expectations to stakeholders. Through engaging stories and practical examples, participants will leave with a curated playlist of strategies ready to implement in their classrooms tomorrow. 

Join us as we reignite the excitement for teaching and learning, reimagining our work to meet the diverse needs of every student. Let’s create an educational experience where every student feels seen, heard, and valued.

Are you ready to thrive, not just survive?

Learning to lead in work and life

Jessica is sought after for speaking around unconventional leadership, innovative learning environments for students, self-care for educators and early learning. As a regular contributor to outlets such as Edutopia and SavED by Grace, Jessica continues to find ways to build relevancy into real life topics and current concerns for those seeking to lead well….and live a life. 

Due to her diverse leadership experiences, Jessica is able to draw on stories and examples that span PreK-12th grade. She utilizes research-based strategies, puts them into practice, and share them with stakeholders in an easy to use format.

Educators enjoy the authentic style of leadership she shares in her sessions. Her humor and examples of what to do (and what not to do) resonate with educators across the globe.

I know about loss, grief, and grace.

Videos

Want to learn how to gain balance in under a minute? Watch this video with Jessica and Tom Murray.

What is an Unconventional Leader?

How about Learning to Create an Ideal Week? Building a Schedule that You Run, Not One that Runs You. NAESP Principaling in Place Webinar

Endorsements

“Jessica’s significant energy and professional balance between school, home, and serving principals is a great model and successfully inspires principals to embrace the challenges of their day-to-day responsibilities. It is no surprise that she has been selected by her peers to be the 2018 National Distinguished Principal from Minnesota. Jessica’ presentation style is infused with enthusiasm while grounded in research and best practice. She is an engaging and inspiring speaker who draws rave reviews from her audience. I have no doubt that you will thoroughly enjoy working with her.”

 

JON MILLERHAGEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTORMINNESOTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS’ ASSOCIATION

“Jessica delivered an engaging morning of dialogue with our kindergarten team that affirmed, provoked, and challenged past practice and future planning. Jessica’s ability to be vulnerable as she provided insights into her own educational journey as a parent, as a mother, and as a leader afforded her the needed credibility to resonate with our teaching staff and their administrators. Jessica’s use of humor and candor were appreciated and left lasting impressions that continue to have meaning ripple effects on our planning for “what’s next?” for our youngest learners and their teachers and school leaders.”

 

BRIAN BERESFORD, LEADER OF PERSONALIZED LEARNINGEASTERN CARVER COUNTY SCHOOLS

“Jessica is not only an incredible leader, and speaker, but she is truly an outstanding facilitator of adult learning. She has served as a facilitator in our Minnesota Principals Academy at the University of Minnesota for the past five years and also assisted the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Elementary Principals Association in launching a PK-3 Academy for Minnesota leaders. She engages adult learners where they are at and helps them to grow in a safe environment.”

KATIE PEKEL, EDD, COORDINATOR OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

“Jessica Cabeen is an outstanding presenter! I have had the pleasure of attending a large session she presented at a national conference. It was energizing, informative, practical, and inspirational. She is adept at speaking to classroom teachers as well as school and district administrators. We invited her to speak at one of our major educational conferences and the feedback we received from attendees was phenomenal!”

DR. JEFF ZOUL, PRESIDENTCONNECTEDD