Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference

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8:00am CDT

AMSTI K-2 Choral Counting & Counting Collections

Monday July 13, 2026 8:00am - 11:00am CDT

This 3-hour session focuses on the development of an understanding of numbers, and
providing the foundation for understanding place value. Participants will participate in
counting routines and explore one-to-one correspondence, rote count sequence,
counting on, cardinality, subitizing, and their implications in K-5 mathematics
classrooms.

Presenters

Jennifer Fagerstrom

AMSTI K-5 Math Mentoring Specialist, AMSTI

I am passionate about building educator confidence, strengthening instructional systems, and ensuring all students experience meaningful mathematics learning. My career has progressed from classroom teacher to building-based math coach to multi-district mathematics specialist, giving... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 8:00am - 11:00am CDT
Room D - 9th Grade Academy

Math

Level Elementary Teachers, Special Education

8:00am CDT

AMSTI K-5 Math Alabama Course of Study Training

Monday July 13, 2026 8:00am - 11:00am CDT

Room B - 9th Grade Academy

K-5 Mathematics Foundational Training session is a pre requisite for this session. This
3-hour session is a dive into the Alabama 2019 Course of Study: Mathematics where
participants will explore the conceptual framework of the ALCOS (four critical
components: Position Statements, Student Math Practices, Math Teaching Practices,
and the Alabama Content Standards). Participants will become familiar with the
structure of the ALCOS, discover themes and learning progressions, and uncover
connections and relationships between components that are critical for effective
elementary mathematics instruction.

Presenters

Candyce Tracy

AMSTI K-5 Math Mentoring Specialist, AMSTI

Monday July 13, 2026 8:00am - 11:00am CDT
Room B - 9th Grade Academy

Math

Level Elementary Teachers, Special Education

8:00am CDT

AMSTI K-5 Math Foundations Training

Monday July 13, 2026 8:00am - 3:00pm CDT

Room C - 9th Grade Academy

This 1-day session is a prerequisite for AMSTI K-5 math content area trainings. It
focuses on an overview of pedagogical strategies, the student and teacher math
practices, and the power of collective teacher efficacy. Participants will analyze
evidence of student understanding to inform planning of next instructional steps.

Presenters

Brooke Love

AMSTI K-5 Math Mentoring Specialist, AMSTI

Monday July 13, 2026 8:00am - 3:00pm CDT
Room C - 9th Grade Academy

Math

Level Elementary Teachers, Special Education

8:00am CDT

AMSTI NUMBERS 3-5 Fractions and Decimals (Day 1 of 3)

Monday July 13, 2026 8:00am - 3:00pm CDT

Room A - 9th Grade Academy

*Note: If you enroll in this session, you must attend ALL 3 full days of the sessions to receive credit.

This 3-day module focuses on fractional equivalence, fraction magnitude, operations, and the connection between fractional and decimal representation, and operations with decimals. Days 1 and 2 will highlight fractions and day 3 will highlight decimals.

Presenters

Andrea Robinson

AMSTI Mentoring Specialist, AMSTI

Position at Company ABC.

Becky Soumeillan

AMSTI Mentoring Specialist, AMSTI

Monday July 13, 2026 8:00am - 3:00pm CDT
Room A - 9th Grade Academy

Math

Level Elementary Teachers, Special Education

8:00am CDT

Who's the Middleman: Area Models (Grades 3-8) (AMSTI - TEAMS approved)

Monday July 13, 2026 8:00am - 3:00pm CDT

Room F - 9th Grade Academy

This one-day session focuses on developing area models from upper elementary
through middle school grades. Participants will experience the foundation of area
models and how they can be extended through middle school math concepts.
Participants will practice using area models with hands-on manipulatives and materials
through applications of multiplication, division, fractions, geometry, percents, and
probability.

Presenters

Teressa Rocker

AMSTI Specialist, AMSTI

Monday July 13, 2026 8:00am - 3:00pm CDT
Room F - 9th Grade Academy

Math

Level Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers

10:00am CDT

Sugar and Spice...Not Always Nice: Understanding and Addressing Relational Aggression in Girls

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 254

This session provides school counselors, educators, and support staff with a practical understanding of relational aggression among girls, using key insights from the book, Queen Bees and Wannabes. Participants will explore the secret society of girls, how social dynamics, peer influence, and communication patterns impact behavior, and how adults can respond in ways that build connection, accountability, and healthy relationships.

Presenters

Sherry Rainbolt

Prevention and Support Supervisor, Central Office Staff

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 254

Behavior

Level Administrators, All Teachers, Pre-K Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education

10:00am CDT

Canva Essentials Skills

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 251

Join our workshop to build confidence using Canva in your classroom. Learn how to navigate the Home screen, find and use templates, and share activities. We will dive into the Canva editor and explore tips and tricks to level up your designs. You’ll get hands-on experience using elements, animation, and more. Please bring your laptop for some hands-on learning!

Presenters

Sasha Goman

Canva Learning Consultant, Canva Education

Sasha is a Canva Learning Consultant, and she is a former secondary education teacher. She has a master's degree in Teacher Leadership from Northwestern University, where she studied professional development and coaching. She is excited to help teachers create more engaging and dynamic... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 251

Community Engagement Professionalism

Level All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Librarians

10:00am CDT

MagicSchool Teacher Level 1: From First Login to First Win: Building a Strong MagicSchool Rollout for Back to School

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 92

New to MagicSchool? This beginner-friendly, level one training session for teachers is designed to help you hit the ground running. Learn how to use MagicSchool to quickly generate lesson plans, differentiate instruction, support diverse learners, and streamline everyday tasks. Walk away with simple, high-impact workflows you can use immediately—no prior experience required.

Presenters

Destinie Thomas

PD & Community Specialist, MagicSchool

Destinie Thomas is a Professional Development and Community Specialist at MagicSchool, where she helps educators discover how AI can make teaching more joyful, efficient, and equitable. She has spent her career creating engaging learning experiences—whether coaching teachers, leading... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 92

Digital Citizenship ELA ELL Math Reading Science Social Studies Technology

Level All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Librarians, Special Education

10:00am CDT

Using Primary Sources to Engage Your Students

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 207

In this hands-on session, I’ll show you how to use high-interest hooks that turn your students into history detectives. You’ll learn how to use primary sources to anchor your lessons and activate deep inquiry.

Presenters

Jacquelyn Wilson

Library Media Specialist, Stonebridge Elementary

I am the Library Media Specialist at Stonebridge Elementary. I have been an educator for 13 years. In our school library, I like to promote a culture of reading while also including a variety of makerspaces and research lessons. I am a National Board Certified Teacher and I also facilitate... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 207

eMINTS Reading Social Studies

Level Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, Librarians

10:00am CDT

Focused on Improving Engineering Designs

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 91

Students regularly engage in the engineering design process to solve problems, but with time constraints, we can rush through the testing and improving phases. This session will use hands-on experiences to see how you can engage students in testing and refining prototypes during EDP challenges. We will also connect to cross curricular subjects such as writing prompts and math solutions.

Presenters

Laura Ruth Hunter

STEAM Teacher, J Larry Newton Elementary

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 91

STEM/STEAM

Level Elementary Teachers

10:00am CDT

Pull a Print, Not Your Hair!

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 45 - Art Room

Discover the magic of Gelli printing—a simple, playful form of printmaking that anyone can do.
In this hands-on workshop you’ll:
Roll, press, and pull colorful prints
Experiment with layers, textures, stencils, and line
Discover the fun of ghost prints and happy accidents
Leave with a stack of beautiful one-of-a-kind papers
No art experience needed—just come ready to play with paint and creativity!

Presenters

Joyce Garrison

teacher, Rosinton Elementary

Hello!I am excited to be returning to GRITC as a presenter!
I graduated with my bachelors of fine art and master's of education from the University of Montevallo, which is located in Montevallo, AL.
I am married and we live in Loxley. I teach elementary art and I absolutely love it... Read More →

Nancy Timmons

Middle School Art Teacher, Central Baldwin Middle

I have been teaching visual arts in Baldwin County for seven years, working with students from Pre-K through 8th grade. I studied art, religion, and philosophy at the University of West Florida and currently teach 8th grade art, where I enjoy blending creative skill-building with... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 45 - Art Room

Arts STEM/STEAM

Level All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers

10:00am CDT

From Grip to Growth: Fine Motor Skills that Power Classroom Success in K-1

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT

Room 268

Fine motor development is a critical foundation for writing, independence, and overall classroom success in primary grades. Research shows a strong correlation between fine motor skills and various aspects of language and cognitive development, highlighting their significance in early education. Additionally, proficient handwriting is linked to later academic achievement, underscoring the importance of nurturing fine motor skills throughout childhood. Participants will explore developmentally appropriate, classroom-ready activities that strengthen hand muscles, improve pencil control, and build coordination—all using materials commonly found in primary classrooms. Teachers will leave with practical strategies they can implement immediately to support young learners in building the fine motor strength and confidence they need for success.

Presenters

Mandi Boyd

Hand2Mind Rep, Hand2Mind

Kayla Benak

Hand2Mind Educational Consultant, Hand2Mind

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 268

ELA Math

Level Elementary Teachers

10:00am CDT

Math Talk That Works: Building Language into Every Math Lesson in K-6

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT

Room 20

English learners have to juggle learning math and a new language at the same time. In this session, we’ll look at easy, practical ways to weave language supports into your daily math routines using the WIDA language standards. Walk away with ready-to-use strategies and examples to boost both math and language learning.

Presenters

Danielle White

ALSDE ESL Education Specialist, ALSDE ESL Department, Region 10

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Room 20

ELL Math

Level Elementary Teachers

11:00am CDT

Teaching Magic Without a Wand: AI Tools That Actually Save Time

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 16

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing education, but many teachers are unsure where to start. This session introduces Magic School AI as a practical classroom and planning tool that supports differentiation, lesson design, assessment creation, and student engagement. Participants will explore real classroom examples and leave with ready-to-use AI prompts aligned to curriculum standards.

Presenters

Stacey Tatum

6th Grade Science/Social Studies, Elberta Elementary

Hello! My name is Stacey Tatum, and I am a 6th Grade Science and Social Studies teacher at Elberta Elementary School. This year marks my first year teaching 6th grade after spending several years in 3rd grade, where I developed a deep passion for understanding how students learn to... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 16

Artificial Intelligence Data Differentiation ELA ELL PLCs Reading Science Social Studies

Level All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers

11:00am CDT

If I Knew Then What I Know Now

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 207

If I could go back 13 years and hand myself a survival guide, this would be it. Whether you are just starting your journey and looking for a roadmap, or a seasoned veteran ready to trade old habits for fresh joy, the secret to longevity in education isn't working harder, it’s working happier.
From the classroom to the library, we’ll explore a curated collection of 'wish I’d known' tips that bridge the gap between surviving and thriving. We’ll cover everything from stress-free management hacks to building a professional tribe that keeps you inspired. Come learn how to implement the small, high-impact shifts that lead to big wins for your sanity, your students, and your soul.

Presenters

Jacquelyn Wilson

Library Media Specialist, Stonebridge Elementary

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 207

Community Building eMINTS Health/ Wellness Technology

Level Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, Librarians

11:00am CDT

MagicSchool Teacher Level 2: Level Up Your AI-Powered Teaching

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 92

Ready to go beyond the basics? In this Level 2 session, educators will deepen their use of MagicSchool to design more targeted instruction, refine differentiation, and create higher-quality materials with greater efficiency. Learn how to customize outputs, build reusable workflows, and apply MagicSchool across planning, assessment, and student support. Walk away with advanced strategies that elevate your practice and maximize impact in the classroom.

Presenters

Destinie Thomas

PD & Community Specialist, MagicSchool

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 92

ELA ELL Math Science Social Studies

Level All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Special Education

11:00am CDT

PowerSchool SIS Incidents

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 28

Manage and track student incidents with ease using Simple.

Presenters

Lance Lewis

Supervisor Registrar and SIS Operations, Other

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 28

Technology

Level Administrators, Central Office, All Teachers, Pre-K Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, 504 Coordinators, Career Tech Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education, Registrars

11:00am CDT

K-6 Math Evidence Based Practice #1: Systematic Instruction

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 12:50pm CDT

Room 270

Join the the Office of Mathematics Improvement to take a dive into Evidence Based Practice #1, Systematic Instruction. Unlock the power of Systematic Instruction! Learn how clear goals, sequenced steps, scaffolds, and timely feedback boost student success. Walk away with practical tools and fresh ideas to energize your teaching!

Presenters

Connie Arnold

OMI Region 10 Coordinator, Office of Mathematics Improvement

Connie Arnold is the Regional Coordinator for the Office of Mathematics Improvement (OMI) at the Alabama State Department of Education. With over 15 years of experience in education, she has served as a classroom teacher, librarian, and Secondary Math Specialist with the Alabama... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 12:50pm CDT
Room 270

Math

Level Elementary Teachers, Special Education

12:00pm CDT

Set the Stage, Spark the Learning: Space + Strategy for Student Engagement

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 16

Bring learning to life! Discover how to turn standards into high-energy, engaging experiences through strategic instruction, flexible spaces, and impactful room transformations. Walk away with ready-to-use ideas that amplify student voice, support all learners, and make engagement the norm, not the exception.

Presenters

Sarah Nisewonger

Third Grade Teacher, Fairhope East Elementary

Sarah Nisewonger has been teaching for 12 years. After spending 11 years teaching first grade, she recently completed her first year as a third grade teacher at Fairhope East Elementary. She is EMINTS and Kagan trained, STEAM certified and attended the Ron Clark Academy, an experience... Read More →

Tori Erdossy

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 16

Community Building ELA eMINTS Math Reading Science Social Studies STEM/STEAM Technology

Level All Teachers, Pre-K Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers

12:00pm CDT

Math in Action - Kagan Engagement

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 91

My session is geared toward K-6 BCBE teachers. I will share how I use Kagan engagement strategies in the kindergarten classroom. The presentation will include several examples of math instruction as well as ways to incorporate the engagement strategies in ELA.

Presenters

Stephanie Merritt

Kindergarten Teacher, Belforest Elementary

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 91

ELA Math

Level Elementary Teachers

12:00pm CDT

7 Challenges that Showcase STEM in the Middle Grades (4-8)

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 254

Discover seven classroom-tested STEM missions designed to shift students from passive observers to active problem-solvers with minimal setup and maximum curiosity. In this session focused on middle grades (4-8) learning, participants will explore and adapt 7 ready-to-implement STEM challenges that directly connect math/science concepts to Alabama's new 2025 Digital Literacy & Computer Science (DLCS) Standards. These intentionally designed student activities promote collaboration and build skills like computational thinking, iterative processing, and real-world application of learning. This session will include time for unpacking grade level standards to make meaningful connections, trying out STEM challenges that increase student engagement, and collaborating on how to customize a STEM experience that lets students apply their math, science and engineering skills.

Presenters

Timothy Johnson

Regional Technology Specialist, Alabama Technology in Motion, Region 10

Angela Clark

Regional Technology Specialist, Alabama Technology in Motion, Region 7

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 254

Coding Community Building Makerspace Math Robotics Science Technology

Level Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, Librarians, Special Education

12:00pm CDT

AMSTI 3-5 Counting Collections and Choral Counting

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Room D - 9th Grade Academy

In this ½ day session participants will discuss the importance of counting and how fundamental it is to learning mathematics in elementary school. It is the basis upon which operations with whole numbers, estimation, and algebraic thinking build. Through the powerful instructional routines of Choral Counting and Counting Collections,
students are engaged in rich mathematics, which can be utilized to pursue a broad range of mathematical goals throughout the upper grades in elementary school. By increasing the magnitude of the counting collection or by including packaged items, students can explore several mathematical concepts and develop a deep, conceptual understanding of quantity. The math routines in this professional learning are tailored for grades 3-5.

Presenters

Jennifer Fagerstrom

AMSTI K-5 Math Mentoring Specialist, AMSTI

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room D - 9th Grade Academy

Math

Level Elementary Teachers, Special Education

12:00pm CDT

AMSTI K-5 Math Alabama Course of Study Training

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Room B - 9th Grade Academy

Presenters

Candyce Tracy

AMSTI K-5 Math Mentoring Specialist, AMSTI

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room B - 9th Grade Academy

Math

Level Elementary Teachers, Special Education

1:00pm CDT

The Essential Teacher Tech Toolbox

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 207

Is your 'tab anxiety' real? In this fast-paced, high-impact session, we’re opening the ultimate digital toolbox designed for the modern educator. We are diving straight into the essential, 'can’t-live-without' tools that streamline your workflow, automate the boring stuff, and spark instant engagement. Whether you’re a tech-pro or just trying to survive the next bell, you’ll walk away with a curated kit of digital shortcuts to make your teaching life smoother, faster, and much more fun.

Presenters

Jacquelyn Wilson

Library Media Specialist, Stonebridge Elementary

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 207

Artificial Intelligence Digital Citizenship Technology

Level Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Librarians

1:00pm CDT

Show Me The Money, We Up Next

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 269

This session will engage the participants to understand and learn their asking style. Where every level need the understanding of the importance of fundraising and introduce the exploring post and exploring club workforce development program of 6th-12th grade.

Presenters

William Bryant

Scout Executive/CEO, Mobile Area Council, Scouting America

William Bryant, Jr. is the Scout Executive/CEO Mobile Area Council, Scouting America. He is the immediate past Revenue and Membership Growth Coach for the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America. William is a Subject Matter Expert in Fund Development. In his over 15 years of experience, Willia... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 269

Community Building Community Engagement Leadership Professionalism

Level Administrators, All Teachers, Pre-K Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Counselors

1:00pm CDT

One Screen to Run the Room: Engagement and Management Made Simple

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 16

Managing transitions, attention, and pacing can make or break a lesson. Classroom Screen provides a simple digital solution for timers, directions, grouping tools, and engagement supports. In this session, teachers will learn how to streamline routines, increase student independence, and create visually structured learning environments.

Presenters

Stacey Tatum

6th Grade Science/Social Studies, Elberta Elementary

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 16

Community Building Community Engagement Technology

Level All Teachers, Pre-K Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Librarians, Special Education

1:00pm CDT

MagicSchool Student Level 1: Getting Started with AI for Learning

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 92

New to MagicStudent? This introductory session helps students and educators understand how to use AI as a tool for learning, not shortcuts. Explore how MagicStudent can support brainstorming, studying, writing, and organization while promoting responsible and ethical use. Walk away with simple, practical ways to help students build confidence, stay engaged, and use AI to enhance—not replace—their thinking.

Presenters

Destinie Thomas

PD & Community Specialist, MagicSchool

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 92

ELA ELL Math Science Social Studies Technology

Level All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Librarians, Special Education

1:00pm CDT

Illuminated Learning: Engaging Students with Blacklight Activities

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Room 45 - Art Room

In this interactive workshop, educators will discover how blacklight activities can boost student engagement across subjects.
Learn the science behind UV light, explore creative lesson ideas, and see hands-on demos with fluorescent materials, invisible ink, and glow-in-the-dark elements.
After exploring classroom applications, participants will take part in a printmaking activity under blacklight and experiment with a variety of fluorescent and neon art materials.
Teachers will leave with practical, ready-to-use strategies, along with a product list and links to all materials used in the workshop.

Presenters

Joyce Garrison

teacher, Rosinton Elementary

Nancy Timmons

Middle School Art Teacher, Central Baldwin Middle

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 45 - Art Room

Arts ELA Math Science Social Studies STEM/STEAM

Level All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education

1:00pm CDT

K-6 Math Evidence Based Practice #2: Multimodal Instruction

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Room 270

Join the the Office of Mathematics Improvement to take a dive into Evidence Based Practice #1, Multimodal Instruction. Make math meaningful with Multimodal Instruction! Use hands-on tools, visuals, symbols, and talk to support all learners. Help students deepen their understanding and apply math in real-world ways.

Presenters

Connie Arnold

OMI Region 10 Coordinator, Office of Mathematics Improvement

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 270

Math

Level Elementary Teachers, Special Education

1:00pm CDT

From Grip to Growth: Fine Motor Skills that Power Classroom Success in K-1

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Room 268

Presenters

Mandi Boyd

Hand2Mind Rep, Hand2Mind

Kayla Benak

Hand2Mind Educational Consultant, Hand2Mind

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 268

ELA Math

Level Elementary Teachers

1:00pm CDT

Math Language Traps for English Language Learners in K-6

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Room 20

English learners have to juggle learning math and a new language at the same time. In this session, participants will look at math tasks through the lens of language traps. Teachers will learn practical strategies for identifying and addressing a number of hidden barriers that interfere with an English learner’s ability to access the task and demonstrate their understanding.

Presenters

Danielle White

ALSDE ESL Education Specialist, ALSDE ESL Department, Region 10

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Room 20

ELL Math

Level Elementary Teachers

2:00pm CDT

Kagan Meets AI: Cooperative Learning in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Room 3

Artificial intelligence tools are quickly becoming part of today’s classrooms—but how do we ensure students remain active thinkers rather than passive consumers? This session explores how educators can combine AI tools with Kagan Cooperative Learning structures to increase engagement, collaboration, and critical thinking. Participants will experience practical classroom activities where AI helps generate prompts, discussion topics, and review questions that students process through cooperative structures. Walk away with ready-to-use ideas for blending emerging technology with proven instructional strategies.

Presenters

Makenzie Cunningham

Instructional Coach, Rosinton Elementary

Makenzie Cunningham is an instructional coach at Rosinton with 11 years of experience in education. She has taught second, third, and fourth grades, as well as special education for pre-K through first grade. Makenzie has completed both Kagan Coaching and Instructional Coaching certifications... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 3

Artificial Intelligence Community Engagement

Level Elementary Teachers

2:00pm CDT

Brain Pop Unleashed: Master The New Features for Fall!

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Room 5

Join us for a hands-on exploration of BrainPOP's newest tools and features designed to transform your classroom instruction. Learn how to personalise learning, leverage powerful analytics, and boost student engagement with practical strategies you can implement immediately. Walk away confident and ready to unlock the full potential of BrainPOP in your teaching.

Presenters

Jenny McAllister

Ed Tech, Central Office Staff

Hello! My name is Jenny McAllister. I'm a fifteen-year veteran middle school science teacher who recently left the classroom to join Ed Tech. I'm the point of contact for Pear Deck, BrainPOP, and Magic School (secondary). This fall, I will be leading the STEAM cohort for BCBE and... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 5

Assessment Differentiation Reading Science Social Studies

Level Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers

2:00pm CDT

Revolutionary Writing: Helping Students Think Through Sentences

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Room 16

Strong writing begins with strong thinking. This session introduces the Writing Revolution (Hochman Method) and shows how explicit sentence-level instruction improves student writing across all subjects. Teachers will learn practical strategies that support struggling writers while strengthening academic writing for all learners.

Presenters

Stacey Tatum

6th Grade Science/Social Studies, Elberta Elementary

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 16

Differentiation ELA Math Reading Science Social Studies

Level All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers

2:00pm CDT

MagicSchool Student Level 2: Deeper Learning with AI-Powered Support

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Room 92

Take student learning to the next level with MagicStudent. In this session, participants will explore more advanced ways students can use AI to strengthen critical thinking, refine writing, and engage in meaningful problem-solving. Learn how to guide students in using AI for feedback, revision, and deeper understanding—while reinforcing academic integrity. Walk away with practical strategies to help students use MagicStudent as a true learning partner.

Presenters