Thursday, May 29 Breakout Information
7:45
8:30
Registration Opens
Dr. Layne Pethick (Kemper Hall)
BREAKOUT #1
9:45 am - 10:30 am
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TNTP guides participants through an in-depth briefing of The Opportunity Makers methodology, findings and school and classroom recommendations. Utilizing the baseline assessment, participants will reflect on strengths and areas of growth to improve access to trajectory-changing opportunities for their students.
Participants engage in deep dive learning sessions to improve belonging, both as an individual and learner.
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TNTP guides participants through an in-depth briefing of The Opportunity Makers methodology, findings and school and classroom recommendations. Utilizing the baseline assessment, participants will reflect on strengths and areas of growth to improve access to trajectory-changing opportunities for their students.
Participants engage in deep dive learning sessions to improve belonging, both as an individual and learner.
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This is an invitation to view your classroom walls and outdoor surfaces as a powerful tool for learning.
Vertical spaces are key as they support the development of crucial fine and gross motor skills, as well as spatial awareness. Activities on vertical surfaces help all children improve their core strength, shoulder stability, and wrist extension, all of which are essential for later writing and other fine motor tasks. Additionally, vertical surfaces encourage midline crossing and bilateral coordination, enhancing spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination.
If you think about it, most of the activities children do day to day are completed on a horizontal surface, where toys and tools remain static, in one position. Picture a vertical surface, whether it be a wall, window, an easel, or a fence. Working in this anti-gravity position activates new muscles and makes activities more challenging for kids. Think "tummy time" but for our elementary-aged students.
Let's explore the why, the where, and the how! The "what" is up to you!
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This session will explore ways to have students buy in to academics, own their learning, and have fun doing it! Be ready to shift from limiting thoughts that keep kids out of the driver seat of their learning to real classroom strategies that put them into it!
BREAKOUT #2
10:45 am - 11:30 am
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TNTP guides participants through an in-depth briefing of The Opportunity Makers methodology, findings and school and classroom recommendations. Utilizing the baseline assessment, participants will reflect on strengths and areas of growth to improve access to trajectory-changing opportunities for their students.
Participants engage in deep dive learning sessions to improve belonging, both as an individual and learner.ming soon…
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TNTP guides participants through an in-depth briefing of The Opportunity Makers methodology, findings and school and classroom recommendations. Utilizing the baseline assessment, participants will reflect on strengths and areas of growth to improve access to trajectory-changing opportunities for their students.
Participants engage in deep dive learning sessions to improve belonging, both as an individual and learner.
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In this session, we will explore how Canva can be a powerful tool for designing visually appealing and effective presentations, parent newsletters, announcements, and more! We’ll cover Canva’s user-friendly interface, key design features, and best practices for creating content that captivates your audience. Additionally, we’ll discuss how students can use Canva to showcase evidence of learning through creative projects, digital portfolios, and interactive presentations. Whether you're crafting a classroom presentation, updating parents with a polished newsletter, or empowering students to demonstrate their knowledge, this session will provide practical tips and creative inspiration. By the end, you'll have the confidence and skills to elevate communication and student engagement with Canva!
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TTESS Dimension 2.1, Achieving Expectations, emphasizes the importance of students taking ownership of their learning. In this session, you’ll explore practical strategies to transform everyday classroom activities using technology, enabling students to engage more deeply and take charge of their learning. You’ll also discover how these tech-integrated approaches can save you time while fostering a more student-centered environment.
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The latest research in autism is here and the information is amazing! This intercative session will introduce you to the trauma and anxiety world of autism and the AMAZING benefits that play and exercise are having on not just the students, but the family outcomes!
11:30
Lunch Break
BREAKOUT #3
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
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TNTP guides participants through an in-depth briefing of The Opportunity Makers methodology, findings and school and classroom recommendations. Utilizing the baseline assessment, participants will reflect on strengths and areas of growth to improve access to trajectory-changing opportunities for their students.
Participants engage in deep dive learning sessions to improve belonging, both as an individual and learner.
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The latest research in Autism is here and the information is amazing! This interactive session will introduce you to the trauma and anxiety world of autism and the AMAZING benefits that play and exercise are having on not just the students, but the family outcomes!
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Attendees of this presentation will gain a deep understanding of the six key scaffolding functions in education and how to effectively implement them in the classroom. By exploring these strategies, educators will learn how to support student learning, promote critical thinking, and foster independence. The session will provide practical tools to help tailor instruction to meet diverse student needs, improve engagement, and create a more supportive and inclusive learning environment. Attendees will leave with actionable insights to enhance their teaching and improve student outcomes.
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Supporting students in their learning journey requires intentional strategies that provide the right level of guidance at the right time. "Building Strong Foundations: Effective Scaffolding Strategies for Student Success" is a dynamic and interactive workshop designed for educators seeking to enhance student engagement, independence, and achievement. Participants will explore research-based scaffolding techniques, including modeling, questioning, differentiation, and gradual release of responsibility. Through hands-on activities, real-world examples, and collaborative discussions, educators will learn how to design and implement scaffolded instruction that meets the diverse needs of their students. By the end of this workshop, attendees will leave with practical tools and strategies to create a supportive learning environment that fosters confidence, critical thinking, and academic growth. Whether you’re new to scaffolding or looking to refine your approach, this workshop will provide valuable insights to elevate your teaching practice.
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We will explore the neuroscience behind effective learning and how teachers can apply it in the classroom. The brain learns best through a three-step process: hearing (processing auditory information to build understanding), seeing (using visual cues to reinforce concepts), and doing (engaging in hands-on practice to solidify knowledge). I will explain how these steps align with the brain's natural mechanisms like attention, memory formation, and neuroplasticity and offer practical strategies in the form of active participation to enhance student engagement and retention. by understanding how the brain processes and stores information, teachers can design lessons that stick, making learning more effective and enjoyable for students.
BREAKOUT #4
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
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TNTP guides participants through an in-depth briefing of The Opportunity Makers methodology, findings and school and classroom recommendations. Utilizing the baseline assessment, participants will reflect on strengths and areas of growth to improve access to trajectory-changing opportunities for their students.
Participants engage in deep dive learning sessions to improve belonging, both as an individual and learner.
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The latest research in Autism is here and the information is amazing! This interactive session will introduce you to the trauma and anxiety world of autism and the AMAZING benefits that play and exercise are having on not just the students, but the family outcomes!
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Book Creator is a versatile, multimedia tool that empowers reluctant readers and dyslexic students by allowing them to create interactive digital books with text, images, audio, and video. Its customizable text options, audio support, and visual aids enhance readability, comprehension, and engagement, making learning more accessible and enjoyable. Beyond the ELAR classroom, it can be used in science for lab reports, social studies for historical narratives, math for problem-solving explanations, and art for digital portfolios. By providing scaffolded support, encouraging collaboration, and offering regular feedback, educators can boost students' confidence and creativity. This presentation highlights how Book Creator can transform learning experiences across subjects, fostering inclusivity and success for all learners.
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We will examine resources that are available to our Live Oak and Fulton campuses. We will cover some programs and applications that our district currently pays for, as well as a few resources that are available to our district for free. These high-quality programs provide anytime, anywhere access to authoritative digital resources.
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Want to hold students accountable while reaching all learners — especially Emergent Bilinguals (EBs) and reluctant readers? Join us to explore 7 practical, proven strategies that build engagement, boost language development, and create an interactive, supportive space where every student thrives. Let’s transform your classroom together!
2:55 pm
Julia Grizzard 89th Legislative Update (Kemper Hall)
Friday, May 30 Breakout Information
8:30
SALT Student Panel with Dr. Lesley Austin (Kemper Hall)
BREAKOUT #1
9:45 am - 10:30 am
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This presentation equips teachers to understand and manage stress through the lens of Polyvagal Theory states. By tuning into neuroception and cultivating self‑awareness of bodily cues, educators learn to spot when they or their students shift out of a regulated state. Through brief co‑regulation exercises and easy‑to‑implement classroom tools teachers leave with concrete strategies to restore safety and connection—benefiting both their own well‑being and their students’ capacity to learn.
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This presentation focuses on implementing effective Tier 2 math interventions to support struggling learners in K-6 classrooms. It introduces research-based strategies, such as small-group instruction, hands-on activities, and progress monitoring, to address foundational math skills like number sense, operations, and problem-solving. The session emphasizes the importance of differentiated instruction, engaging tools, and collaborative support to meet students' unique needs. Educators will learn how to identify gaps, use data-driven approaches, and create a positive learning environment that builds confidence and mastery. The goal is to equip teachers with practical, actionable methods to help students achieve math success and close achievement gaps.
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We will explore the pivotal role that culture and climate hold in shaping the educational experience for the overall well-being and success of students, staff, and the entire school community. The presentation will provide an overview of culture and climate in schools, defining the difference, strategies for improvement, and promoting collaboration to sustain a “learning for all” culture.
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Join us for a fun fast-paced smackdown showcasing beloved apps, websites, and tech tools. Audience members will also have a chance to share their favorites. Leave with a longer list of digital tools to pull from.
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Want to hold students accountable while reaching all learners — especially Emergent Bilinguals (EBs) and reluctant readers? Join us to explore 7 practical, proven strategies that build engagement, boost language development, and create an interactive, supportive space where every student thrives. Let’s transform your classroom together!
BREAKOUT #2
10:45 am - 11:30 am
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This presentation equips teachers to understand and manage stress through the lens of Polyvagal Theory states. By tuning into neuroception and cultivating self‑awareness of bodily cues, educators learn to spot when they or their students shift out of a regulated state. Through brief co‑regulation exercises and easy‑to‑implement classroom tools teachers leave with concrete strategies to restore safety and connection—benefiting both their own well‑being and their students’ capacity to learn.
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Come to this session for a dynamic conversation around assessment where we will think about how and why we measure student learning. Most importantly, we will think about how we use data once we have it. Let's spruce up our assessment literacy as educators in as we remain focused on GROWTH.
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Trying to engage your students to embrace essential literacy standards and instill a passion for reading? This session will provide a simple yet effective idea to make reading social, comfortable, and exciting for the students in your classroom. You will learn how to elevate the student experience by using flashlights to align your lessons with RLA guidelines and ELAR TEKS. You will interact with colleagues and participate in how this idea can encourage reading and make a memorable difference in how your students respond to their learning. Intentional, purposeful, and playful learning will happen here!
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In this session, we will explore how Canva can be a powerful tool for designing visually appealing and effective presentations, parent newsletters, announcements, and more! We’ll cover Canva’s user-friendly interface, key design features, and best practices for creating content that captivates your audience. Additionally, we’ll discuss how students can use Canva to showcase evidence of learning through creative projects, digital portfolios, and interactive presentations. Whether you're crafting a classroom presentation, updating parents with a polished newsletter, or empowering students to demonstrate their knowledge, this session will provide practical tips and creative inspiration. By the end, you'll have the confidence and skills to elevate communication and student engagement with Canva!
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What to expect:
The Science of Well-Being: What really makes us happy (hint: it’s not more work!)
Teaching Happiness in the Classroom: Simple, powerful practices to build a positive
culture!
Bonus Wave: The often-overlooked impact of sleep and movement on mood, focus, and creativity.
Sun & Sand Reflection: Quick guided moment to reset, breathe, and realign.
11:15
Lunch Break
BREAKOUT #3
1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
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From interest to buy in. Getting a club or program started from scratch. ill go over gauging student interest, garnering community support and how to create bylaws to keep the club or program going year after year.
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Come to this session for a dynamic conversation around assessment where we will think about how and why we measure student learning. Most importantly, we will think about how we use data once we have it. Let's spruce up our assessment literacy as educators in as we remain focused on GROWTH.
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As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more prevalent, understanding why people adopt AI can provide valuable insights into its potential in education. In this session, we’ll explore findings from recent research on why individuals use AI and discuss how these insights translate into practical applications for the classroom. You’ll also gain hands-on experience with a few AI tools that can enhance teaching, save time, and empower student learning.
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In this presentation, you'll discover the tricks and trades of creating effective sub plans that set both your students and substitute up for success. Learn how to leave clear, organized, and engaging plans that ensure a smooth day for everyone--plus a few extra tips to make your absence stress-free!
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Just like athletes train in phases to build strength, endurance, and performance, educators can apply a similar mindset to develop high-impact, data-driven classrooms. In this dynamic session, participants will explore four key "training phases" that translate into effective instructional strategies.
BREAKOUT #4
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
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This session will explore ways to have students buy in to academics, own their learning, and have fun doing it! Be ready to shift from limiting thoughts that keep kids out of the driver seat of their learning to real classroom strategies that put them into it!
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Are you struggling with classroom routines that feel disorganized or ineffective? Do you want to create a structured, engaging learning environment where students thrive? In this hands-on workshop, educators will explore practical strategies for designing and implementing classroom systems that streamline daily operations, enhance student engagement, and reduce teacher stress. Attendees will leave with a customized action plan to transform their classroom from chaotic to structured and student-centered. Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned educator, this workshop will equip you with the tools to create a well-managed, high-functioning classroom.
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Managing stress in the classroom is essential for teacher well-being and student success. Common stressors like behavioral challenges, administrative demands, and workload overload can be addressed through mindful breathing, structured time management, and fostering a positive classroom climate. Long-term strategies such as setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and prioritizing physical well-being help build resilience. Additionally, peer support groups, school wellness programs, and professional development on mental health provide essential support. By implementing small, sustainable changes, teachers can create a healthier work-life balance and improve overall job satisfaction.
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No longer are we just looking for the newest technology tool to use in the classroom. We are now looking at fine tuning technology-infused lessons focused on student learning growth. In this presentation we will dive into different models of learning with technology, what procedures should be in place, and discovering if tech tools meet data safety requirements.