Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

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10:00am CDT

Measuring Growth & Achievement with Star CAT Assessments

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

Interpret growth and achievement data simultaneously to make instructional decisions.
• Lesson A: Achievement vs. Growth in Star Use Student Growth Percentile (SGP) to get a more complete idea of student growth.
• Lesson B: Star Growth Report Analyze Star growth and achievement data in the Star Growth Report.
• Lesson C: Star Growth Proficiency Chart Analyze Star growth and achievement data using the Star Growth Proficiency Chart

Presenters

Dr. Kathi Reeves

Professional Learning Consultant, Renaissance Learning

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 267

Assessment Data Technology

Level Administrators, All Teachers

10:00am CDT

PowerSchool SIS Basics / Tips and Tricks

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

Room 28

Learn the essentials and expert tips to navigate PowerSchool SIS efficiently.

Presenters

Joseph Marshall

Enterprise Systems Professional, Other

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 28

Data Technology

Level Administrators, Central Office, 504 Coordinators, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education, Registrars

10:00am CDT

General PowerSchool Q&A

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

Room 32

Get answers to your PowerSchool questions and learn how to make the most of its features.

Presenters

Lance Lewis

Supervisor Registrar and SIS Operations, Other

Tabitha Syde

Utility Registrar, BCBE

William Waldrop

Enterprise Systems Professional, Other

Daniel Brawdy

Enterprise Systems Coordinator, Education Technology

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 32

Data Technology

Level Administrators, Central Office, 504 Coordinators, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education, Registrars

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 second year teaching 6th grade after spending several years in 3rd grade, where I developed a deep passion for understanding how students learn... 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

From IEP to Independence: Transition Assessments in the Digital Age

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

Room 95

Explore how technology can transform transition planning for secondary students with IEPs. This session highlights digital tools and strategies to conduct meaningful transition assessments, analyze results efficiently, and use data to empower students toward post-school success. Participants will leave with practical ideas to streamline assessments and enhance student engagement using technology.

Presenters

Nancy Caruthers

Teacher, Robertsdale High School

Cassondra Hardy

Special Education Inclusion for Eng 12 & Case Manager, Robertsdale High School

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 95

Assessment CTE Data Google/Google Classroom Technology

Level High Teachers, Special Education

11:00am CDT

From the Wide Lens to the Deep Dive: Pinpointing At-Risk Trends and the Students behind Them

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

Room 202

Learn how to take the pulse of your school and drill down to your most at-risk students in 5 minutes or less. Save future time and effort by quickly finding those "under the radar" kids before they are consuming all your resources. Whether you're developing a school wide initiative or prepping for a parent meeting, PowerSchool's dynamic Analytics and Insights platform has everything you need to get started. Discover how to quickly and efficiently pull meaningful data into an easy to digest format. Participants will also learn about the newest at-risk module coming in the Fall of 2026.

Presenters

Kate Wellborn

Attendance Department, BCBE Prevention and Support

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 202

Data Technology

Level Administrators, Central Office, Counselors

11:00am CDT

General PowerSchool Q&A

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

Room 32

Get answers to your PowerSchool questions and learn how to make the most of its features.

Presenters

Tabitha Syde

Utility Registrar, BCBE

William Waldrop

Enterprise Systems Professional, Other

Daniel Brawdy

Enterprise Systems Coordinator, Education Technology

Joseph Marshall

Enterprise Systems Professional, Other

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 32

Data Technology

Level Administrators, Central Office, 504 Coordinators, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education, Registrars

12:00pm CDT

ACTionable ELA: Driving Student Growth in ACT ELA

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

Room 17

Discover effective strategies to accelerate your students' ACT ELA growth. In this session, educators will explore proven methods for driving intentional English Language Arts instruction and targeted remediation that directly impact ACT scores. Learn practical ways to strengthen daily classroom practice, build essential ELA skills, and promote student ownership of their test readiness. Walk away with effective, ready-to-implement strategies designed to maximize student success on the ACT English and Reading sections.

Presenters

Melanie McDonald

Success Coach, Coastal Alabama

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 17

Assessment Data Differentiation PLCs Technology

Level Administrators, High Teachers, Special Education

12:00pm CDT

“L.E.N.S.: Looking at Behavior Through the 504 Lens”

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

Room 93

Participants will explore how behavior can be understood through the **L.E.N.S. framework—Learn, Evaluate, Navigate, and Support—**to better recognize when student behavior may be connected to a disability under Section 504. This training will help educators identify potential 504 indicators, evaluate behavior within the context of student needs, navigate appropriate procedures while maintaining compliance with Section 504. Participants will leave with practical tools to shift from simply reacting to behavior to responding with informed, supportive interventions.

Presenters

Dionne Dunton

Supervisor, Central Office Staff

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 93

Behavior Data Differentiation Health/ Wellness

Level Administrators, All Teachers, 504 Coordinators, Counselors

12:00pm CDT

From Report Card to Results: Using Alabama State Data to Drive Instruction

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

Room 207

This session is designed for curriculum leaders, principals, instructional coaches, and teachers who want to move beyond reviewing data to using it to improve instruction and student outcomes.

Participants will explore key components of the Alabama State Report Card and engage in a practical process for identifying student skill gaps and aligning instruction to address them. Through interactive activities, attendees will analyze data, determine root causes, and connect findings to specific instructional strategies.

This session is especially relevant for BCBE educators, as examples are aligned to Alabama assessments (ACT, WorkKeys) and local priorities, but the strategies shared are applicable across districts.

Participants will leave with ready-to-use tools for PLCs, data meetings, and instructional planning to ensure data leads to action—and results.

Presenters

Shastady L Bridges

Curriculum Leader, Foley High School

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 207

Data

Level Administrators, High Teachers

1:00pm CDT

Better Together - Using Star Assessments and Freckle

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

Room 267

Identify where your students are, where they need to go, and how personalized practice can help get them there.
Session Goal: Pair Star Computer Adaptive Tests as a screener with Freckle as a targeted practice tool to enhance academic performance and track skill progress.
• Lesson A: Assessment-led Skills Practice: Explore assessment-led skills practice with Freckle and Star Computer Adaptive Tests.
• Lesson B: Star Screening Data: Use Recommended Skills and instructional groups in the Record Book.
• Lesson C: Freckle Targeted Practice: Assign targeted and Focus Skills practice to students based on Star CAT data.
• Lesson D: Monitoring Student Progress: Leverage the power of Renaissance Next and reports to effectively progress monitor your student's skills practice

Presenters

Dr. Kathi Reeves

Professional Learning Consultant, Renaissance Learning

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 267

Assessment Data ELA Math Technology

Level Administrators, All Teachers

1:00pm CDT

Section 504 101: From Questions to Confidence

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

Room 93

This training will cover the purpose of Section 504, eligibility criteria, and the process for identifying, evaluating, and supporting students with disabilities.By the end of the training, coordinators and administrators will feel more confident navigating the 504 process and supporting staff, students, and families. 📚

Presenters

Dionne Dunton

Supervisor, Central Office Staff

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 93

Behavior Data Differentiation

Level Administrators, All Teachers, 504 Coordinators, Counselors, Special Education

1:00pm CDT

PowerSchool SIS Reporting and SubReports

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

Room 28

Dive into reporting features to gather valuable insights from PowerSchool SIS data.

Presenters

William Waldrop

Enterprise Systems Professional, Other

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 28

Data Technology

Level Administrators, Central Office, 504 Coordinators, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education, Registrars

1:00pm CDT

General PowerSchool Q&A

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

Room 32

Get answers to your PowerSchool questions and learn how to make the most of its features.

Presenters

Lance Lewis

Supervisor Registrar and SIS Operations, Other

Tabitha Syde

Utility Registrar, BCBE

Daniel Brawdy

Enterprise Systems Coordinator, Education Technology

Joseph Marshall

Enterprise Systems Professional, Other

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 32

Data Technology

Level Administrators, Central Office, 504 Coordinators, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education, Registrars

2:00pm CDT

RTI Scheduler: Tips, Tricks, and Tea

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

Room 95

Ready to slay your RTI schedule? Join Audrey, Anna, and me as we dive into the pros and cons of the RTI Scheduler! We’ll show you the tips, tricks, and little hacks that make scheduling less stressful and more strategic—so you can spend less time juggling and more time teaching. This session is perfect for BCBE teachers, but anyone who wants to work smarter (not harder!) with RTI will leave with practical, ready-to-use ideas. Come for the laughs, stay for the strategies, and leave ready to own your RTI game!

Presenters

Audrey Anna Rabalais

Curriculum Leader, Foley Middle

Anna Hunt

Curriculum Leader, Bay Minette Middle

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 95

Community Engagement Data Differentiation PLCs Technology

Level Administrators, All Teachers

2:00pm CDT

Click to Compliance: Creating 504 Plans in Frontline

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

Room 93

Participants will learn how to use Frontline Education to efficiently create and manage student Section 504 plans. This training will guide participants through the step-by-step process of entering student information, documenting eligibility, selecting appropriate accommodations, and completing required forms within the system. Session participants will feel confident navigating Frontline to build clear, compliant, and effective 504 plans.

Presenters

Dionne Dunton

Supervisor, Central Office Staff

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 93

Data Differentiation

Level Administrators, 504 Coordinators, Counselors

2:00pm CDT

Maximizing Intervention Periods with Student Data to Improve Academic Achievement

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

Room 17

This presentation will focus on utilizing prior student data points from the Pre-ACT, ACT, and other assessment platforms to build a school wide ACT study plan during student "intervention/skinny" periods. The attendees will learn to how to collect and analyze data and how to group student data sets to optimize student learning and engagement during ACT prep. Attendees can expect to have an action plan that includes: data collection/analysis, committee formation, creating planning time, teacher selection, and student and teacher incentives for ACT preparation, growth, and achievement.

Presenters

Monica Shaner

Curriculum Leader, Spanish Fort High

Hello, I am Monica Shaner, the Curriculum Leader at Spanish Fort High School. With sixteen years experience in education, my focus is on academic growth and achievement through problem-based learning, differentiated instruction, and data driven resources. I strive to support teachers... Read More →

Zachary Wenzel

Assistant Principal, Spanish Fort High

I am currently an assistant principal at Spanish Fort High School. I have over ten years of experience in education. My background is in data management and analysis. I am currently working on my doctorate in educational leadership at the University of South Alabama. The focus of... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 17

Data Leadership PLCs

Level Administrators, Central Office, Counselors

2:00pm CDT

Tiered Instruction: Igniting Curiosity

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

Room 269

Explore Tier I Instruction Strategies for engagement.

Presenters

Kristie Shankles

MTSS-Specialist, ALSDE

Jonathan Thompson

HPE and AL-MTSS Specialist, ALSDE

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 269

Data Leadership PLCs

Level Administrators, Central Office, All Teachers

2:00pm CDT

Interpreting Student Data in Freckle

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

Room 267

Master the essential Freckle reports and data views that can help you analyze student performance and take strategic actions to accelerate student growth.
Session Goal: Inform instructional decisions using student data in Freckle.
• Lesson A: Key Student Data in Freckle Navigate essential reports and data views in Freckle.
• Lesson B: Leverage Freckle Data Take strategic action based on student data in Freckle.
• Lesson C: Additional Freckle Data Access supplemental and specialized data displays in Freckle

Presenters