Thursday, May 30 Breakout Information

7:00

8:15

Registration Opens

Eric Sheninger (Kemper Hall)

Disruptive Thinking in Our Classrooms: Preparing Learners for Their Future - The world has and continues to change in ways that are difficult to predict, especially when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI). Regardless of the forces at hand, educators play a pivotal role in preparing students for success now and in the future. The best way to do this is to create a disruptive thinking culture in our classrooms and schools that future-proofs learning for ALL kids! Get ready for a roller coaster journey that weaves stories, practical ideas, and insights from thousands of classrooms to create meaningful learning experiences that will withstand the test of time. It’s time to challenge the status quo regarding teaching and learning in our classrooms. Our learners—and their future in a bold new world—depend on us.

BREAKOUT #1

9:30 am

  • How are you or your school making learning personal? If all kids are doing the same thing the same way at the same time, a change of course is warranted. Personalized learning is not about putting all kids in front of a device at the same time on an adaptive learning tool to “collect” data. It’s about a fundamental shift from the “what” to the “who” to emphasize personal ownership of learning through relevant contexts and applications. The goal is equity for all. In this session, participants will explore blended strategies and examples of how to personalize learning with and without technology in any classroom.

  • In this session, teachers in all content areas will model quick, effective, and practical reading strategies; and implement simple and consistent writing requirements (“Sentences start with a capital letter and end with a period.” The commandment that was lost…) that are guaranteed to elevate student performance in all subject areas!

  • Escape the ordinary review and discover innovative ways to enhance your review process with engaging hands-on activities such as escape rooms, spoons and more! You will experience an actual escape room that can be used in the classroom and then dive into how to create your own (both digitally or in person). Additionally, we will uncover the effective uses of the game spoons and trashketball to reinforce key concepts. You will leave this session with practical templates and ideas tailored for use in your classroom!

  • If you ever feel like teaching is an uphill battle, or you're starting to burn out, this presentation is for you. I will be going through different ways of engaging students, from the learning environment to getting students to enjoy the classwork itself. Engaging learners not only makes it more fun for students, but it makes this job into one you will enjoy and be excited for everyday.

  • Is small group instruction effective? How do we best instruct our students in small groups? What is considered small? What are our goals? How do we maximize our instruction? What about emergent bilinguals and special populations? In this session, we dive into research in search of answers to these important questions.

BREAKOUT #2

10:30 am

  • How are you or your school making learning personal? If all kids are doing the same thing the same way at the same time, a change of course is warranted. Personalized learning is not about putting all kids in front of a device at the same time on an adaptive learning tool to “collect” data. It’s about a fundamental shift from the “what” to the “who” to emphasize personal ownership of learning through relevant contexts and applications. The goal is equity for all. In this session, participants will explore blended strategies and examples of how to personalize learning with and without technology in any classroom.

  • In this session, teachers in all content areas will model quick, effective, and practical reading strategies; and implement simple and consistent writing requirements (“Sentences start with a capital letter and end with a period.” The commandment that was lost…) that are guaranteed to elevate student performance in all subject areas!

  • Dive into mindfulness amidst the school's bustling waves to discover how educators finding focus can create a calmer, confident atmosphere where students become adept problem-solvers. Join us for a beach-themed journey to unlock tranquility, connect with calm, and commit to a harmonious educational experience.

  • Learn how to use Canva to create engaging presentations AND as a tool for students to showcase their acquired knowledge and skills.

  • Is small group instruction effective? How do we best instruct our students in small groups? What is considered small? What are our goals? How do we maximize our instruction? What about emergent bilinguals and special populations? In this session, we dive into research in search of answers to these important questions.

11:15

Lunch and Learn with Melanie Mayer

This is Not Your Practice Classroom! Teachers get one opportunity to create wow moments for students. These six strategies for success in every classroom will create a more engaged learning community, elevate student achievement, and help you make the most of your time. This is Not Your Practice Life. And it’s not your practice classroom, either.

BREAKOUT #3

1:15 pm

  • How are you or your school making learning personal? If all kids are doing the same thing the same way at the same time, a change of course is warranted. Personalized learning is not about putting all kids in front of a device at the same time on an adaptive learning tool to “collect” data. It’s about a fundamental shift from the “what” to the “who” to emphasize personal ownership of learning through relevant contexts and applications. The goal is equity for all. In this session, participants will explore blended strategies and examples of how to personalize learning with and without technology in any classroom.

  • In this session, teachers in all content areas will model quick, effective, and practical reading strategies; and implement simple and consistent writing requirements (“Sentences start with a capital letter and end with a period.” The commandment that was lost…) that are guaranteed to elevate student performance in all subject areas!

  • In this session, we'll explore how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, combined with the innovative capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI), can revolutionize teaching practices to save valuable time and promote inquiry-based learning. Discover strategies for streamlining lesson planning and delivery while maintaining a focus on student-centered instruction. From personalized content recommendations to automated assessment tools, we'll uncover how AI can support educators in creating more inclusive and engaging learning environments. Join us as we reimagine the role of technology in education, empowering teachers to reclaim time for meaningful interactions and inquiry-driven exploration in the classroom.

  • This presentation will provide a plethora of engaging activities, games, and valuable classroom data collection for all elementary/Math math teachers. Tier 2 interventions can be done in class! This will help teachers learn how to close the gaps while keeping up with lesson plans, and keeping students engaged.

  • Embark on a journey to develop confident readers in this immersive session. Learn and practice strategies to boost reading fluency, from pacing to expression. Discover effective ways to overcome obstacles and personalize instruction for every learner. Leave equipped to empower students with the fluency skills they need to thrive academically and beyond.

BREAKOUT #4

2:15 pm

  • How are you or your school making learning personal? If all kids are doing the same thing the same way at the same time, a change of course is warranted. Personalized learning is not about putting all kids in front of a device at the same time on an adaptive learning tool to “collect” data. It’s about a fundamental shift from the “what” to the “who” to emphasize personal ownership of learning through relevant contexts and applications. The goal is equity for all. In this session, participants will explore blended strategies and examples of how to personalize learning with and without technology in any classroom.

  • In this session, teachers in all content areas will model quick, effective, and practical reading strategies; and implement simple and consistent writing requirements (“Sentences start with a capital letter and end with a period.” The commandment that was lost…) that are guaranteed to elevate student performance in all subject areas!

  • Do you dread the idea of stations because of the time and effort it takes to plan, prep, and execute? It doesn’t have to be that hard! In this session, you’ll learn how to let stations WORK FOR YOU! We’ll explore a simplified approach to running a rotation-style learning environment at any grade level.

  • Use podcasting in your classroom to allow students to become creators of content, not just consumers. Let's take student engagement, creativity, and fun to the next level.

  • Embark on a journey to develop confident readers in this immersive session. Learn and practice strategies to boost reading fluency, from pacing to expression. Discover effective ways to overcome obstacles and personalize instruction for every learner. Leave equipped to empower students with the fluency skills they need to thrive academically and beyond.

3:30

Chase Young (Kemper Hall)

Artfully Teaching the Science of Reading Explore the dynamic fusion of teaching artistry and evidence-based science in reading instruction. This session delves into the research on key components and explores ways to teach them in authentic and creative ways. The science is solid, but we need your personal and creative touch to maximize the effects of literacy instruction.

Friday, May 31 Breakout Information

8:00

Amanda Morgan (Kemper Hall)

Intentional Interactions Intentional Interactions The most important asset in any education program is its people. Research consistently tells us that the key factor separating high-quality early education from the rest is the quality of the interactions in the classroom. That’s because all human development happens in the context of human relationships! In this session, we’ll discuss why this is true and learn key tools for powerful interactions we can put to work every day to build relationships and enhance learning.

BREAKOUT #1

9:30 am

  • Brain research allows us to have a deeper understanding of behavior. This session will discuss recent brain research and its impact on better supports and interventions. Research on the skills needed to be good at working with all human behavior will be shared . These skills can be learned by everyone and can have a vital impact on all of our teachers and students. Participants are encouraged to laugh, be challenged, interact, ask questions, smile, and have some fun while learning.

  • We know children learn best from meaningful literacy experiences, but sometimes it becomes too easy to slide into mundane patterns of teaching. In this session, we’ll take a look at the science-backed principles behind emergent literacy and how to incorporate them in playful, joyful ways to build a solid foundation for real literacy. You’ll walk away with book lists and activities for building language and literacy skills, ready to put them to work in your classroom right away!

  • In the theme of Taylor Swift-- I will present technological tools to be used in the classroom that I learned about at the TCEA conference.

  • As teachers, we want students to grow from year to year. Good news: the accountability system wants that as well. But what does growth really mean? It’s pretty simple. It means that a student maintains or increases his/her level of proficiency as he/she advances to a higher level of curriculum. In other words: don’t go backwards! This session explores the concept of growth – and how teachers can monitor student growth during the school year.

  • Students need to write every day to improve their stamina and fluency. Jodi Ramos has micro-write activities that you can use daily to engage the most reluctant writers. This will be a fast paced engaging session that will bring the writing out of you. Please bring a device to access slides and your favorite pen and paper.

BREAKOUT #2

10:30 am

  • Brain research allows us to have a deeper understanding of behavior. This session will discuss recent brain research and its impact on better supports and interventions. Research on the skills needed to be good at working with all human behavior will be shared . These skills can be learned by everyone and can have a vital impact on all of our teachers and students. Participants are encouraged to laugh, be challenged, interact, ask questions, smile, and have some fun while learning.

  • We know children learn best from meaningful literacy experiences, but sometimes it becomes too easy to slide into mundane patterns of teaching. In this session, we’ll take a look at the science-backed principles behind emergent literacy and how to incorporate them in playful, joyful ways to build a solid foundation for real literacy. You’ll walk away with book lists and activities for building language and literacy skills, ready to put them to work in your classroom right away!

  • Do you dread the idea of stations because of the time and effort it takes to plan, prep, and execute? It doesn’t have to be that hard! In this session, you’ll learn how to let stations WORK FOR YOU! We’ll explore a simplified approach to running a rotation-style learning environment at any grade level.

  • Cougar U.N.I.T.- Stacking Days to Build a Championship Culture through multiple lenses at College Station High School.

    ● United

    ● Normalization

    ● Intentionality

    ● Trust

    Upholding high expectations of each other as professionals as well as our student athletes is paramount to a successful athletic program. In order to continue to strive to be the best we must make winning a habit, so losing is not. Working hard is a prerequisite.

  • Students need to write every day to improve their stamina and fluency. Jodi Ramos has micro-write activities that you can use daily to engage the most reluctant writers. This will be a fast paced engaging session that will bring the writing out of you. Please bring a device to access slides and your favorite pen and paper.

11:15

Lunch and Learn with John Fessenden

Are You a Swiftie? Using the Taylor Test to Connect Assessment to Instruction STAAR, MAP, Interim, TTAP, TFAR – sometimes it can feel like assessments are being done “To” us, with a dizzying array of data to try to process. Using the Taylor Swift Test as an example, this session is designed to help instructional leaders think about assessments differently – particularly district-created benchmarks and teacher created unit test – with an eye toward making assessments work “For” us to improve teaching and learning.

BREAKOUT #3

1:15 pm

  • Brain research has provided the recipe for all brains to learn. This session will discuss the ingredients for that recipe and how to create learning opportunities for ALL students in any classroom! various ideas, topics, and activities will be a part of this learning session. Participants are encouraged to think beyond traditional practices and supports, laugh, talk, ask questions, smile, and have some fun!

  • This presentation will show you why that’s true! We’ll explore current research about how play drives learning and development and find the words for confidently sharing the power of play with others. People simply don’t value what they don’t understand. So we’ll not only dive into how to implement play-based learning in your early childhood classroom, but also how to help others in your learning community understand and value play. They’ll begin to see the power behind what you do every day and eventually even advocate for play right along with you!

  • This session will focus on the importance of productive struggle. We will discuss why struggle is important, how to foster an identity and class community of struggle, how to plan for it, and how to support students during the struggle.

  • Are you struggling to understand kids these days? Trying to avoid power struggles and non-compliance? Learn how to build classroom culture and relationships by adapting to the new generation.

  • Jodi Ramos will guide you through articles, images, sentences, memes, and more from the NYtimes that helped Jodi's students hold civil discourse and write essays that matter -- all while improving their vocabulary,sentence structure, comprehension, speaking skills, global awareness and more... Jodi was part of the NYTIMES Learning Cohort of sixty educators from across the U.S. for 2020-2021. Her article "Sentences that Matter, Mentor, and Motivate" was co-written with a high school teacher and published in the NYTimes in December 2020.

BREAKOUT #4

2:15 pm

  • Brain research has provided the recipe for all brains to learn. This session will discuss the ingredients for that recipe and how to create learning opportunities for ALL students in any classroom! various ideas, topics, and activities will be a part of this learning session. Participants are encouraged to think beyond traditional practices and supports, laugh, talk, ask questions, smile, and have some fun!

  • This presentation will show you why that’s true! We’ll explore current research about how play drives learning and development and find the words for confidently sharing the power of play with others. People simply don’t value what they don’t understand. So we’ll not only dive into how to implement play-based learning in your early childhood classroom, but also how to help others in your learning community understand and value play. They’ll begin to see the power behind what you do every day and eventually even advocate for play right along with you!

  • Use your curriculum to get your students out of their seats and "learning out loud" with their peers. In this session, you will be introduced to the basics of debate and public speaking and learn how to apply them to any curriculum for increased collaboration and student success.

  • As teachers, we want students to grow from year to year. Good news: the accountability system wants that as well. But what does growth really mean? It’s pretty simple. It means that a student maintains or increases his/her level of proficiency as he/she advances to a higher level of curriculum. In other words: don’t go backwards! This session explores the concept of growth – and how teachers can monitor student growth during the school year.

  • Jodi Ramos will guide you through articles, images, sentences, memes, and more from the NYtimes that helped Jodi's students hold civil discourse and write essays that matter -- all while improving their vocabulary,sentence structure, comprehension, speaking skills, global awareness and more... Jodi was part of the NYTIMES Learning Cohort of sixty educators from across the U.S. for 2020-2021. Her article "Sentences that Matter, Mentor, and Motivate" was co-written with a high school teacher and published in the NYTimes in December 2020.

3:15

Layne Pethic (Kemper Hall)

Our Brains, Change, and Implementation: This is Going to Hurt...But Only for a Little While With all of the new information coming out regarding learning and behavior, why is it our education system is still relying on practices that are outdated (some are over a century old). Well, research is showing that change and the brain play a vital role in our "stuck in a rut" condition. We will take a look at the brain research behind creating change and how to bring it out in the classrooms, schools, and throughout the district. We will also look at the most important aspect of change in our education system...US! What do we as the adults need to realize, recognize, and readjust for better outcomes at all levels! Laughter, good attitude, and good times are highly encouraged for this closing talk!