Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference

arrow_back View All Dates

10:00am CDT

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

Looking for a quick, versatile way to boost collaboration, check for understanding, and streamline resource sharing in your classroom? Welcome to Padlet! In this fast-paced, 50-minute introductory session, you will discover how this intuitive digital bulletin board can transform student engagement across all grade levels and subject areas.

Presenters

Larissa Walder

Digital Learning Specialist, Padlet

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 17

Technology

Level All Teachers

11:00am CDT

Just Add Games

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

Room 17

The presentation explores the use of math games in secondary classrooms (6-12). Put those digital devices away because are talking actual games! We will be exploring how games can enhance student engagement and reinforce foundational skills that can be helpful in their current learning. Attendees will be able to participate in actual game play and debrief and collaborate on how they see these fitting into their current classroom environment.

Secondary students often lose the opportunity for play within the classroom and show a decreased motivation in mathematics. Math games provide an opportunity for active learning, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and giving all learners the chance at low-stakes practice.

Presenters

Melissa Sessions

Teacher, Daphne Middle School

Monday July 13, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 17

Math

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers

12:00pm CDT

Smart, Strategic, Intentional: Using CERT to Drive ACT Success

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

Room 17

Discover how to use CERT strategically, not just as an assessment tool, but as a powerful resource for driving intentional instruction, targeted remediation, and meaningful ACT growth. In this session, high school teachers and leaders will explore practical ways to leverage key CERT features, reports, and student supports to strengthen classroom instruction, inform PLC conversations, and promote student ownership of learning. Walk away with actionable ideas and practical strategies.

Presenters

Lauren Lavender

ACT AIM Presenter, ACT AIM

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

Assessment Data Differentiation PLCs Technology

Level Administrators, High Teachers, Special Education

1:00pm CDT

The RoboWorld Cup: Kicking Off Soccer-Inspired Robotics Challenges

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

Room 17

Bring the excitement of the World Cup to your classroom with robot athletes. In this hands-on session, educators will explore how to turn any rolling or driving robot into a soccer star, designing challenges that build coding and collaboration skills. Participants will experience a series of soccer-inspired activities—from dribbling drills and passing challenges to small-sided matches—that can be adapted for different grade levels and robot kits.

Presenters

Robert Mayben

Alabama Technology in Motion Specialist, ALSDE

Dr. Robert Mayben is the Alabama Technology in Motion Specialist for The UA-UWA Inservice Center. He received his PhD in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Instructional Technology from The University of Alabama. His dissertation focused on the impact of Instructional Geocaching... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 17

Coding Robotics Technology

Level All Teachers

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