NSLDHH Conference

St. Augustine, Florida

July 7-11, 2025

Welcome from FSDB President

Dear NSLDHH Attendees,

Welcome to the Sunshine State! On behalf of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB), it is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to our beautiful campus in historic St. Augustine, Florida.

We are honored to host this year’s National Student Life for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Conference and to share our amazing community with you. Nestled in the nation’s oldest city, FSDB is surrounded by centuries of rich history, coastal charm, and a spirit of resilience that is reflected in the work we all do in our schools every day.

At FSDB, we believe that Student Life is the heartbeat of our school. Whether working with students in kindergarten or supporting young adults up to age 22, your role is vital. You are mentors, caregivers, role models, and champions. You create safe, nurturing environments where students can grow, thrive, and discover who they are. The impact of your work reaches far beyond the classroom—it shapes lives and creates lasting memories.

This conference is a celebration of that impact. It is a time to connect, reflect, and grow together as professionals. Through shared learning, collaboration, and inspiration, we hope you leave this conference feeling energized, validated, and equipped with new ideas to bring back to your schools. Our goal is that every student you serve continues to grow where they are planted, supported by the strong roots you help nurture.

Thank you for the work you do and for being here with us. We are thrilled to have you in St. Augustine and look forward to a meaningful and memorable conference experience.

All my best,
Tracie C. Snow
President
Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind

Welcome from the Conference Co-Chairs

Greetings Everyone!

Welcome to the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind! We are absolutely thrilled to have each and every one of you join us for the 2025 Conference.

This year’s theme—"Building Bridges: Connecting Communities, Inspiring Change"—is more than just a title. It’s a powerful call to action. It invites all of us—student life staff, leaders, educators, and partners—to step outside of our familiar spaces, to seek out new perspectives, and to intentionally work toward building more inclusive, connected, and compassionate communities.

Let’s challenge ourselves to guide our students beyond the boundaries of their everyday experiences. Let’s equip them to see the beauty in diversity, to engage with empathy, and to collaborate across differences. That’s how we create lasting impact—not just on our campuses, but in the world beyond them.

We hope that your time here at FSDB is filled with meaningful learning, powerful conversations, and fresh inspiration that you can take back and share with your schools, colleagues, and communities.

Take a moment to enjoy the beauty of our historic campus, which has stood proudly since 1885, spanning over 80 acres in the heart of the nation’s oldest city—St. Augustine. We also encourage you to explore the rich history, culture, and charm that this city has to offer during your stay.

Let’s commit to doing more, being more, and achieving more—together. Our students are watching. They deserve the best of us—and when we show up as our best selves, we model the very excellence we hope to instill in them.

Mel Botterbusch-Goodall

2025 Conference Chair

Director of Student Life, Deaf Department

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