Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference

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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

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

Every Student Engaged, Every Lesson--A Taste of Kagan Cooperative Learning

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

Room 271

This session is a dynamic, hands-on session designed to give teachers, district leaders, and school leaders a firsthand look at the power of Kagan Cooperative Learning. Led by a certified Kagan trainer, participants will experience first-hand the power of structuring learning intentionally. Come learn how to transform student engagement by replacing Call On One with structures that engage EVERY learner.

Presenters

Aaron Diaz

Director of Implementation Support, Kagan Publishing and Professional Development

Dr. Aaron Diaz has served as a bus driver, coach, teacher, assistant principal, and principal. He is passionate about improving pedagogy, teacher support, community engagement, relationshipbuilding, and strategic planning—especially through the use of Kagan Cooperative Learning... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 271

Arts Community Building ELA ELL Math Reading Science Social Studies

Level Administrators, Central Office, All Teachers, Special Education

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

Unlock the Power of Kami

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

Room 254

Join us to discover how Kami empowers every learner by turning everyday lessons into interactive experiences. During this hands-on session, we will explore the tools together and learn how to easily enhance lessons you are already teaching in the classroom. You'll leave with ideas that will support students throughout the learning journey and make student engagement soar.

Presenters

Janet Burnett

Teacher Success Manager, Kami & Book Creator

Janet Burnett is a Teaching & Learning Coordinator for Kami and Book Creator, but also a lifelong educator. With 28 years of experience in education as a teacher and Technology Specialist, she is passionate about helping teachers “power-up” daily lessons while bringing joy to... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 254

Assessment Community Building ELA ELL Math Reading Science Social Studies Technology

Level All Teachers, Librarians, Special Education

11:00am CDT

Unlocking the Reluctant Writer: Practical Strategies to Boost Secondary Students' Writing Craft

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

Room 252

Reluctant high school writers often shut down when facing an essay—blank-page panic, weak ideas, poor structure, or zero motivation for timed prompts. This session delivers practical, ready-to-use strategies to help even the poorest writers succeed.

Presenters

Patsy Brantley

ESL teacher, Robertsdale High School

I LOVE what I get to do every day! I hold a Doctorate in Teacher Leader and National Board Certification in English as a New Language.

Maria Diaz

EL Teacher, Robertsdale High

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 252

Differentiation ELA ELL

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Special Education

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

12:00pm CDT

English Learners & Resources in Baldwin County

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

Room 19

Introduction to ESL resources; including but not limited to the ESL Tile, Program Guide, Enrollment, on-going PD, ELLevation platform, analysis of data, & documentation of progress.

Presenters

Stephanie Montiel

ESL Supervisor, BCBE

I acquired my love for teaching while working in Paraguay as a Peace Corps volunteer. I hold a master's degree in English as a second language (ESL) and an education specialist degree in teacher leadership, both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I completed a schoo... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 19

ELL

Level Administrators, All Teachers

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

Teach Smarter, Not Harder: Curriculum‑Aligned Content with Discovery Education

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

Room 255

Discover how Discovery Education simplifies planning with ready‑to‑use, standards‑aligned videos, activities, and lesson supports across all subjects K-12. Walk away with resources you can teach with tomorrow.

Presenters

Tomi Rush

Sr. Partner Success Manager, Discovery Education

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 255

ELA ELL Math Science Social Studies Technology

Level Administrators, All Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education

1:00pm CDT

ELLevation - Get to Know Your English Learners!

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

Room 19

ELLevation is THE platform to learn all about your English Learners! You can see your student's plans, test scores, accommodations, and so much more! This session is an overview of the platform and will provide guidance for supporting your ELs during the 2026-2027 school year.

Presenters

Stephanie Montiel

ESL Supervisor, BCBE

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 19

ELL

Level All Teachers

1:00pm CDT

Every Student Engaged, Every Lesson--A Taste of Kagan Cooperative Learning

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

Room 271

Presenters

Aaron Diaz

Director of Implementation Support, Kagan Publishing and Professional Development

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 271

Arts Community Building ELA ELL Math Reading Science Social Studies

Level Administrators, Central Office, All Teachers, Special Education

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

Basics to Breakthroughs: Designing intentional learning with Kami

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

Room 254

Join us to explore how to strategically leverage Kami’s features to create highly engaging, personalized learning experiences. In this hands-on session, you will learn to create custom content scaffolding and provide critical, in-the-moment student support. We will discuss how to use Kami tools to tailor the environment for every learner. You’ll leave with a versatile toolkit of instructional strategies and a proven roadmap for fostering student independence.

Presenters

Janet Burnett

Teacher Success Manager, Kami & Book Creator

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 254

Assessment Chromebook Digital Citizenship ELA ELL Guided Reading Math Reading Science Social Studies Technology

Level All Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education

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