For Immediate Release

Innovative Classrooms, ‘Closing the Gap’; Topics of ASQ ’06 Education Conference

Nation’s educators to meet in Dallas to share, learn best practices to eliminate roadblocks, engage staff, and tap student potential.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 11, 2006 – Innovation is a concept being embraced by leaders in many professions.  But how does it translate to the classroom?  “Innovation Guru” Elaine Dundon, MBA, shares powerful insights on strengthening innovation in schools as part of her keynote at the 14th annual National Quality Education Conference.  Dundon, who is chief strategist for The Innovation Group, is a thought-leader in the field of innovation.

NQEC 2006: “Connecting Results to Excellence” will be held November 12-14 at the InterContinental Hotel Dallas.

The 14th NQEC will feature a revitalized format including educational experts and guests from school systems across the United States.  They’ll take part in 42 in-depth sessions, five half-day workshops and, a brand new feature called Counsel From the Experts.  This NQEC-exclusive networking opportunity enables attendees to reserve a one-on-one 30-minute private consultation session with one of seven prominent educational experts.  These experts have collectively helped hundreds of schools and districts successfully implement a system of continuous improvement nationwide.

In addition to Dundon’s keynote presentation “Creating a Powerful Innovation Environment,” which takes place at 9:00 a.m., Sunday, November 12, two other popular speakers have been scheduled to address the attendees:

• “Dispel the Mists: Act With Courage” — 8:30 a.m., Monday, November 13, by Kirby A. Lehman, Ed. D., superintendent, Jenks Public Schools, Jenks, Oklahoma.  Dr. Lehman will present the compelling story of Jenks schools’ quality journey which led the district to a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

• “Stuff You Can Use for Motivating Staff and Students” — Noon on Tuesday, November 14,presented by International Educational Consultant Rick Smith, a highly-rated presenter at last year’s NQEC.  He returns with a humor-filled, high-energy hour filled with a multitude of new tools that will rejuvenate both staff and students.  Smith has shared teaching strategies with thousands of teachers and teacher-trainers worldwide.  His book Conscious Classroom Management Training:  Unlocking the Secrets of Great Teaching is currently being used by the majority of new teachers in the ten largest school districts in America.

Another highlight will be a lunch presentation on Monday, November 13, by Dr. Stephen K. Mittelstet, president of 2005 Baldrige Award-winning Richland College.  Dr. Mittelstet will share “The 4 P's of Seamless P-16 Excellence: Partner, Plan, Persist, Perform.”   Those attending this year’s NQEC will also have the chance to become acquainted with the Baldrige Education Criteria for Performance Excellence through a variety of educational sessions. 

NQEC is the nation’s leading conference for teachers, administrators, and support personnel to learn about the use of quality tools and concepts that can be applied to improve U.S. schools.  It is an outstanding opportunity for educators seeking awareness, commitment, refinement, and measurable progress in applying continuous improvement approaches and processes.  In addition to numerous special sessions for K-12, it’s also is a venue for educators and administrators to interact with their peers from school districts across the country and around the world.

The American Society for Quality www.asq.org is the world's leading authority on quality.  With more than 90,000 individual and organizational members, the professional association advances learning, quality improvement, and knowledge exchange to improve business results, and to create better workplaces and communities worldwide.  As champion of the quality movement, ASQ offers technologies, concepts, tools, and training to quality professionals, quality practitioners, and everyday consumers, encouraging all to Make Good Great®.  ASQ has been the sole administrator of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award since 1991.  Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., the 60-year-old organization is a founding partner of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), a prominent quarterly economic indicator.