Leaders reflect on successes and challenges in their i‑Ready implementation while learning about new Back‑to‑School enhancements. Participants explore key data tools and planning resources to strengthen implementation and inform next steps. Session outcomes include: reflect on i‑Ready implementation successes and challenges, learn what’s new in i‑Ready for Back‑to‑School, and build an action plan to strengthen implementation.
THIS SESSION IS ONLY OPEN TO 6-8TH GRADE MATH TEACHERS AND TEACHERS WHO SUPPORT 6-8TH GRADE MATH. Strengthen understanding of integer operations, expressions, equations, and geometry in grades 6–8 through hands-on manipulatives. Explore how concrete models support reasoning, reveal structure, and help students connect concepts while moving from visual representations to abstract thinking. Participants who attend this session will receive a copy of the book Mastering Math Manipulatives in Grades 4-8, a class set of Ang Legs, and a class set of Algebra Tiles.
I am passionate about mathematics education – especially at the elementary and middle school level. As a previous awardee of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching, Georgia Roundtable Award for Excellence in Math Teaching, as well as the Award... Read More →
This 3-hour session that focuses on understanding the new 2019 Alabama Course of Study: Mathematics and its conceptual framework: Position Statements, Mathematical Teaching Practices, Student Mathematical Practices and the 6-12 Content Areas. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in deeper learning as they analyze learning progressions and determine how to incorporate the mathematical practices throughout math instruction.
This three-hour session focuses on helping teachers prepare students for the ACAP Math portion. Participants will review important ACAP test information, learn about ACAP Math test structure, investigate how to use the ACAP Test Item Specifications to write ACAP-like questions, and explore resources for utilizing ACAP-like questions for instruction and/or assessment. (TEAMS APPROVED)
This session is for Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers ONLY.
Join Sue O’Connell, author of Math in Practice and creator of the Navigating Numeracy Learning Progression Centers to explore a variety of engaging, hands-on tasks that elevate math practice from worksheets to games and interactive activities. Discover how carefully-crafted centers help your students master their priority standards related to numbers and operations. See how grade-specific center tasks can reinforce foundational skills, encourage strategic thinking, and support all learners in developing confidence with numbers. During this session, you will engage in a variety of math centers and each participant will receive a set of Navigating Numeracy center tasks to use with students in their classrooms following the session.
K-1 teachers who attend this session will receive a copy of the Print Pack of the Navigating Numeracy Centers for their grade level. These will be ordered and delivered following the training to ensure you receive the appropriate materials for your grade. Manipulatives will not be included, only the print materials.
Sue O’Connell has years of experience as an elementary classroom teacher, math coach, and math speaker/consultant. Sue is the lead author of Heinemann’s Math in Practice series (2016), Math by the Book series (2021), and numerous other professional books that support the teac... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 8:00am - 11:00am CDT Room 20
Participants will learn how to implement Brain Pump, a movement-based approach that connects physical activity and neuroscience to boost learning, attention, and self-regulation. This session includes hands-on strategies, simple routines, and classroom-friendly activities that promote focus, improve behavior, and support students’ cognitive, social, and emotional development.
I have been in education for 38 years and I am still learning something new each year that motivates and inspires me to want to share it with others. Last summer, I attended a "Train the Trainer" Brain Pump PD that connected many dots for me with my job and personal life. Physical movement directly affects brain function, learning and self-regulation. It should be intentionally planned into daily routines and plans in a practical/natural... Read More →
**Note: This session is a second part to the 4-5 AMSTI NUMBERS Fractions and Decimals sessions that were offered during the school year. Since those sessions did not get to the decimals component, this session will focus on decimals.
This 1 day module focuses on the connection between fractional and decimal representations and operations with decimals.
**Note: AMSTI Math Foundations Training (K-5 or 6-12) is a REQUIRED prerequisite to be able to attend and participate in this course.
This one-day session focuses on identifying, analyzing, composing, and decomposing shapes and laying the foundation for early fractional reasoning in K-2. Participants will learn that geometry in K-2 is much more than identifying shapes as they explore the learning progressions related to geometric reasoning, discover the power of purposeful geometry experiences in the classroom, discuss strategies to incorporate geometry into the full academic year, and analyze evidence of students understanding to inform planning of next instructional steps.
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.
*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.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming education, but many educators remain unsure how to use AI tools ethically, effectively, and confidently in their daily practice. This session provides a practical, educator‑centered introduction to using AI as a support—not a replacement—for teaching and learning. Participants will explore real classroom examples of how AI tools such as generative text assistants can be used to streamline lesson planning, personalize feedback, differentiate instruction, and support student engagement while maintaining academic integrity. The session also addresses common concerns, including ethical use, bias, transparency, and appropriate classroom boundaries. Designed for educators at any experience level with AI, this session emphasizes hands‑on strategies that can be implemented immediately. Attendees will leave with concrete prompts, workflow ideas, and guidance for introducing AI responsibly to students.
Explore how Pear Deck transforms formative assessment by giving you immediate visibility into student thinking and understanding. Learn to design interactive slides that reveal misconceptions, track progress in real time, and make data-informed instructional decisions on the spot. Discover practical strategies for using Pear Deck's assessment features to close learning gaps and accelerate student growth.
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 →
This will be an introductory session to learn how to create and manage your classes, assessments, and assignments. We’ll give you a tour of our mature secondary student dashboard. You’ll also learn about our variety of reports to monitor student progress and maximize student achievement.
Becca was an elementary teacher for 10 years before joining Progress Learning. She taught 4th and 5th-grade math and science in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area. She joined Progress Learning in 2021 as a Program Trainer and has led the team since 2023.
Learn the basics of creating a DnA assessment by pulling items from an item bank and using filters such as Standards and Depth of Knowledge, as well as learn the basics of creating a DnA assessment using an existing assessment.
Fabiola Doria is a Field Consultant II as part of the Renaissance Customer Education team and delivers high quality presentations on Renaissance products. She has her Bachelors degree in Biology from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and her Masters degree in Educational... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT Room 268
Something has shifted in our classrooms. Educators across grade levels and subject areas are reporting the same thing: students who cannot focus, cannot regulate, cannot tolerate uncertainty, and cannot connect the way they once could. And most professional development has responded by adding more — more curriculum, more programs, more policy, more things for already-exhausted educators to implement.
This session takes a different approach entirely.
You Can't Teach a Nervous System That's On Fire is a deep, honest, and surprisingly hopeful look at what is actually happening to the students sitting in our classrooms — through the lens of neuroscience, social media research, and the realities of growing up in an era of unprecedented collective overwhelm.
Participants will leave with:
A clear, accessible understanding of how chronic social media consumption is affecting the adolescent nervous system
The ability to recognize and reframe specific student behaviors through a neurological lens — transforming how they see and respond to their most challenging students
Practical, evidence-informed strategies to support student regulation that require no new budget and no additional programs
Language and tools to share with parents navigating these same challenges at home
This is not a session about blaming phones, diagnosing students, or adding to anyone's workload. It is a session about understanding — because when you truly understand what you are looking at, everything about how you show up changes.
Keynote Speaker, Social Media Safety Educator, KNB Communications
Kristi Bush serves as a national education consultant and social media safety advocate. She is a licensed social worker with greater than 20 years of clinical practice and health care experience. She attended Troy and Auburn University where she studied social work and counseling... Read More →
Teachers are asked to communicate more than ever — but often with too many tools and not enough time.
This session focuses on how to simplify communication with students, families, and coworkers using one consistent approach. We’ll cover when to post, when to message, how to avoid duplication, and how to make sure families actually receive and respond.
The goal is simple: save time, reduce frustration, and make communication feel manageable — while improving connection with the families who need it most.
Regional Sales Director, ParentSquare | Former Chief Information Officer, Hoover City SchoolsWith over 20 years in K-12 education and technology leadership, Bryan brings a practical, student-centered approach to every conversation. He led one of Alabama’s most innovative tech departments... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT Room 201
Ready to boost your family's engagement and excitement? In this interactive session, we’ll show you how to streamline communication and boost family engagement using Groups, Post Add-Ons, and Appointment Sign-Ups. Walk away with simple, powerful tools to connect with families and staff—without adding more to your plate.
I am a Training Specialist at ParentSquare. My role is to educate ParentSquare customers on how to best utilize the product for effective school-to-home communication.
Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT Room 252
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!
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 →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT Room 251
Today’s classrooms require more than just a display — they require tools that actively engage students, support teachers, and create more dynamic learning environments. In this session, educators will explore how interactive displays and digital signage can transform the way teaching and learning happen in the classroom and across campus. Attendees will walk away with practical tips, creative classroom use cases, and simple strategies for using built-in tools from Clear Touch to increase collaboration, participation, and instructional impact.
Ready to move past simple highlighting? While many use Kami as a digital pen and paper, its true potential lies in its robust accessibility and multimedia suites. In this 50-minute deep dive, we will explore the Understand Menu—a powerhouse of inclusive tools like the Picture Dictionary, AI-powered Summarizer, and the "Relevel" feature that instantly adjusts text complexity to meet every learner where they are.We’ll also shift from "consuming" to "creating." You'll learn how to transform static assignments into dynamic portfolios using the Screencast and Video Recorder features. See how students can "think out loud" to demonstrate mastery, and how teachers can provide personalized, high-impact video feedback that saves time and builds stronger classroom connections. Session Highlights:
The Accessibility Advantage: Master the "Understand" tools to support ESL/ELL and diverse learners with instant translation, decoding, and reading level adjustments.
Show, Don't Just Tell: Use the Screen Capture and Video Comment tools to capture student voice and authentic evidence of learning.
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.
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 →
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.
This session will introduce the features and functions of Google Classroom. Participants will have the opportunity to follow along and get started creating their own digital environments.
In this one-hour session, aligned with the Alabama Courses of Study, teachers will explore strategies for using simulations to enhance student engagement and understanding of mathematical concepts in middle school statistics. Participants will learn how to teach students to reason mathematically and develop a deeper understanding of math concepts with simulations. Participants will also discuss the Standards of Mathematical Practice and how to support student learning through critical thinking, questioning, and problem-solving.
Tiffany Christian is a Professional Learning Manager with ExploreLearning serving the East Coast region. She has over 23 years of experience in educational technology and public education as a gifted math and science teacher, an academic coach, district K-12 science instructional... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT Room 253
This presentation is designed for educators, school administrators, counselors, school resource officers, and safety personnel to better understand the rapidly evolving threats involving online exploitation, sextortion, AI-generated explicit imagery, and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The session combines the legal perspective of a prosecutor, the investigative perspective of an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Investigator, and the prevention/intervention perspective of school safety leadership.
The presentation focuses on how generative AI and social media platforms are changing student victimization, what schools should do when incidents occur, and what state and federal laws apply to synthetic or AI-generated child sexual abuse material. It also provides practical reporting tools and response protocols schools can immediately implement.
Collaborative Guests for the presentation:
Cpl. David Tetreau Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Investigator/ Digital Forensic Examiner
Assistant District Attorney Sydnee Corello Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office
Safety & Security Supervisor, Baldwin County Central Office
Jeff Spaller is a retired Sergeant from the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office with extensive experience in school safety, community outreach, and law enforcement leadership. During his 25 year plus tenure, he served in multiple divisions and retired while leading and supervising the... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT Room 267
In Ink & Innovation, we explore the powerful synergy between literacy and hands-on engineering. Moving beyond the margins, this session demonstrates how writing can be elevated when students "build" their narratives using a toolkit of modern technology and classic tactile materials.
What to Expect: We will dive into practical strategies for integrating STEAM tools directly into the writing process: Coding the Narrative: Using Micro:bits to display character dialogue or environmental cues. Interactive Storytelling: Creating "touch-sensitive" storyboards with Makey Makeys that trigger sound effects or digital responses. Structural Storytelling: Utilizing Strawbees and LEGOs to prototype settings, map out complex plot structures, or build physical metaphors for abstract themes. Plot Mapping: Using Ozobots we will map out the plot of a story. The Visual Layer: Blending traditional Art and mixed media to add depth and aesthetic intent to every draft.
Hi, there! I am Josie Calloway. I have 34 years of teaching experience with 26 years in Baldwin County. My passion for using technology in the classroom began way back when Baldwin County was rolling out Moodle. It was then that I learned about Emints and begged Jeremy King to let... Read More →
This session focuses on selecting and using effective accommodations for English learners in both instruction and assessment. Participants will explore how to align accommodations to students’ language proficiency levels and consider how these supports can increase access to grade-level content. The session will also include examples of appropriate accommodations and guidance on selecting supports that match students’ instructional needs.
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 →
Join the the Office of Mathematics Improvement to take a dive into Evidence Based Practice #3, Mathematical Language. Build math language & understanding! Learn how to use visuals, manipulatives, and rich discourse to boost comprehension and confidence. Walk away with ready-to-use strategies to make math meaningful and accessible for all learners.
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 →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 270
Discover Kagan Cooperative Learning. Discover an approach to teaching and learning that focuses on one core concept: Full Student Engagement. Kagan empowers teachers to create full student engagement using Kagan’s research-based and classroom proven cooperative instructional strategies. Instead of engaging one student at a time, Kagan’s Everyone Answers! structures create an unparalleled level of engagement for every student, every day. This high-leverage approach addresses eight pressing challenges district leaders face today. Discover how Kagan helps districts: 1) reduce teacher burnout and shortages; 2) increase achievement, reduce learning and achievement gaps; 3) drastically cut disruptive behaviors and referrals; 4) enhance engagement, reduce distractions, and student boredom; 5) reduce chronic absenteeism; 6) decrease assessment workload while increasing authentic assessment; 7) improve student well-being; 8) meet the needs of all learners. Discover what Kagan really is, how it addresses education’s pressing concerns, and how Kagan works with districts. This Discover Kagan session is an opportunity for your leadership team to come to consensus, deciding if Kagan is right for your district.
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 →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 11:50am CDT Room 271
In this session, educators will explore the five dimensions of the Alabama Teacher Observation Tool (ATOT) and build an understanding of how the Alabama Core Teaching Standards (ACTS) are correlated. This will include discussions and reflections on evidence based instructional practices for fostering a positive culture and climate, an atmosphere focused on learning, classroom environments grounded in the essentials, strategies for developing agency, and ways to build positive relationships. The goal of this session is to support teacher growth in implementation of practices, authenticity of practices, and the effect on learners.
In this session, we will explore a comprehensive, three-phase framework for integrating inquiry-based learning into your classroom using technology. . Effective inquiry goes beyond simply asking students for answers; it is about structuring lessons, empowering students to drive their own curiosity, and purposefully guiding their cognitive processes.
Learn the basics of creating a DnA assessment by pulling items from an item bank and using filters such as Standards and Depth of Knowledge, as well as learn the basics of creating a DnA assessment using an existing assessment.
Fabiola Doria is a Field Consultant II as part of the Renaissance Customer Education team and delivers high quality presentations on Renaissance products. She has her Bachelors degree in Biology from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and her Masters degree in Educational... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 268
This session empowers educators to create structured yet flexible classroom environments by providing a comprehensive understanding of classroom norms. Through interactive and practical activities, participants will explore the what, why, and how of norm-setting, fostering a positive learning atmosphere that enhances student engagement and academic success. The hands-on approach ensures that educators leave with actionable strategies ready for immediate application in their educational settings.
Haylee Anderson is currently an instructional specialist with eMINTS National Center. She has previously been a high school English and Spanish and a middle school ELA educator in Missouri. Her family is the most important thing in the world to her. She lives in Southwest Missouri... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 214
Ready to boost your family's engagement and excitement? In this interactive session, we’ll show you how to streamline communication and boost family engagement using Groups, Post Add-Ons, and Appointment Sign-Ups. Walk away with simple, powerful tools to connect with families and staff—without adding more to your plate.
I am a Training Specialist at ParentSquare. My role is to educate ParentSquare customers on how to best utilize the product for effective school-to-home communication.
Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 252
Discover how Canva’s Magic Studio can transform your classroom workflow with powerful tools like the Photo Editor, Video Background Remover, and animations to create engaging, dynamic content with ease. We’ll also explore Magic Write, your AI-powered teaching assistant, and see how it can generate rubrics, lesson content, and classroom resources saving you valuable time while supporting diverse learning needs and streamlining communication. Please bring your laptop for some hands-on learning!
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 →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 251
Get ready to spark curiosity and inspire tomorrow’s workforce! In this interactive session, we’ll explore curated career resources and student-driven career exploration tools that make real-world learning come alive. See how Discovery Education helps empower teachers, propel student growth, and connect your classroom to exciting career pathways. Walk away with ideas and resources to help students dream big and take their first steps toward the future they imagine.
Wondering how to make test prep feel less like test prep? In this session, you’ll learn how to use NoRedInk to intentionally build the skills students need for ACAP success. We’ll explore aligned resources, writing tasks, and simple instructional moves that help students grow as writers, not just test takers.
Beyond my role as a passionate ELA educator for over 15 years, I’ve served as an Academic Writing Coach and English Department Head, leading professional development, mentoring teachers, and driving schoolwide improvements. In these roles, my primary goal was to make teaching more... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 207
Tired of the "teach to the test" cycle? Join us for a hands-on exploration of assessment strategies that reflect what your students know. In this session, we’re ditching the Scantron and Google Form in favor of high-engagement alternatives. We will dive into the versatility of Choice Boards, the storytelling power of Podcasts, and the visual synthesis of One Pagers. You’ll also learn how to spark deep classroom discourse with Parlay Ideas and empower students with the “You Write the Test” approach. Leave with a digital toolkit ready to transform your next unit.
Take your MagicSchool expertise to the next level. In this advanced session, educators will learn how to build and refine powerful, repeatable workflows that drive deeper learning, personalization, and efficiency across their practice. Explore strategic use cases for data-informed instruction, complex differentiation, and cross-role collaboration. Walk away ready to lead, model, and scale high-impact MagicSchool use across your school or district.
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 →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 92
Dive into the features of Google Gemini, an AI chatbot that can help you create plans, assist in designing instruction, and customize your bot to meet your needs.
This workshop is designed to help participants deepen their understanding of the Standards for Mathematical Practice and learn to develop effective lessons grounded in the standards. These lessons will allow students to go beyond memorizing facts, formulas, and mnemonics and instead focus on developing a deep conceptual understanding of underlying principles. Teachers build skills to engage students and advance mathematical understanding through the Standards of Mathematical Practice. Participants review grade-appropriate content standards and collaborate on potential teaching strategies to achieve student understanding. Participants also work collaboratively to identify mathematical tasks to develop students' capacity to meet the Standards of Mathematical Practice.
Tiffany Christian is a Professional Learning Manager with ExploreLearning serving the East Coast region. She has over 23 years of experience in educational technology and public education as a gifted math and science teacher, an academic coach, district K-12 science instructional... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 253
Discover how to turn data into growth. This session explores how Liftoff’s adaptive diagnostic automatically builds personalized learning paths to bridge skill gaps for math, science, and reading. Learn to pair these automated journeys with targeted small-group resources to kickstart student progress and track every milestone along the way.
Becca was an elementary teacher for 10 years before joining Progress Learning. She taught 4th and 5th-grade math and science in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area. She joined Progress Learning in 2021 as a Program Trainer and has led the team since 2023.
Step into The Teacher’s Spellbook and discover how to transform your daily tasks into automated “magic” using Google Apps Script and Google Gemini. This session is designed for educators with little to no coding experience who want to save time, reduce repetitive work, and streamline classroom and administrative workflows.
Participants will explore how Google tools like Sheets, Forms, and Slides can be enhanced with simple scripts to automate tasks such as sending emails, organizing data, generating reports, and creating presentations. The real “cheat code” of the session is learning how to use Google Gemini to write these scripts—no coding background required.
Through real-world examples, including large-scale event management and classroom applications, attendees will leave with practical strategies, ready-to-use prompts, and the confidence to begin automating their own workflows immediately.
Learn to Tie Dye! Make and take your very own original tie dye! This is great session for teacher teams, field trips, clubs, field day grade colors, or just a reward for the students you love! Tie-Dye a class or the whole school! We will show you how easy it is to set up and have PEACE that it's something everyone can accomplish with fun success!!
Please bring ONE 100% cotton T-shirt and drop in the bucket of solution that morning before you go to the other wonderful sessions, so it will be ready for you to create your colorful creation!
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 →
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 →
This 2-hour learning lab will allow you to really go into deep adult learning mode to learn all about what Padlet has to offer. This versatile tech tool goes beyond a simple space to brainstorm ideas! With this longer format session, participants will have time to explore resources and to start planning / thinking about how they could apply these tools in their teaching.
Leaders reflect on successes and challenges in their i‑Ready implementation while learning about new Back‑to‑School enhancements. Participants explore key data tools and planning resources to strengthen implementation and inform next steps. Session outcomes include: reflect on i‑Ready implementation successes and challenges, learn what’s new in i‑Ready for Back‑to‑School, and build an action plan to strengthen implementation.
THIS SESSION IS ONLY OPEN TO 6-8TH GRADE MATH TEACHERS AND TEACHERS WHO SUPPORT 6-8TH GRADE MATH. Strengthen understanding of integer operations, expressions, equations, and geometry in grades 6–8 through hands-on manipulatives. Explore how concrete models support reasoning, reveal structure, and help students connect concepts while moving from visual representations to abstract thinking. Participants who attend this session will receive a copy of the book Mastering Math Manipulatives in Grades 4-8, a class set of Ang Legs, and a class set of Algebra Tiles.
I am passionate about mathematics education – especially at the elementary and middle school level. As a previous awardee of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching, Georgia Roundtable Award for Excellence in Math Teaching, as well as the Award... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:15am - 12:15pm CDT Room 8
Baldwin County teachers from across the district who teach the same course will collaborate together. Collaboration topics may include quarters one to four, from activities, PLCs, preparing students for ACAP/ACT/AP assessments, curriculum/pacing guides, common formative assessments, IXL, AI, math strategic plan, or other topics. Please bring ideas to talk about or share with fellow 8th grade teachers.
My name is Ashley Burnett, and I've been teaching Math at Elberta Middle School for 4 years. My teaching career started in Katy, Texas where I taught 6th grade math for 4 years and Read 180 for 1 year. I have also taught Math and ELA in Escambia County, Florida for 3 years. ... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT Room 16
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming education, but many educators remain unsure how to use AI tools ethically, effectively, and confidently in their daily practice. This session provides a practical, educator‑centered introduction to using AI as a support—not a replacement—for teaching and learning. Participants will explore real classroom examples of how AI tools such as generative text assistants can be used to streamline lesson planning, personalize feedback, differentiate instruction, and support student engagement while maintaining academic integrity. The session also addresses common concerns, including ethical use, bias, transparency, and appropriate classroom boundaries. Designed for educators at any experience level with AI, this session emphasizes hands‑on strategies that can be implemented immediately. Attendees will leave with concrete prompts, workflow ideas, and guidance for introducing AI responsibly to students.
In this session, participants will explore an ACAP Bootcamp model in which students are strategically grouped across classrooms and rotate through a series of focused instructional stations led by multiple teachers. Each data-driven station is designed to address a specific ACAP-aligned standard or skill, allowing students to engage in concentrated practice through varied instructional approaches that directly address student needs and support improved performance on the ACAP assessment.
Generative AI is here—make it work FOR you to protect authentic learning. In this AI deep-dive session, secondary teachers will preview and build five practical strategies to AI-proof instruction and assessment while keeping humans squarely in the loop.
In this interactive training, you will discover or create:
AI literacy lessons and awareness activities Classroom-ready usage policies and syllabus language AI citation requirements and source disclosure protocols Modified assignments that focus on visible thinking and process Assessment rubrics that value human reasoning over AI outputs
Protecting academic integrity is possible with an intentional approach and an AI toolkit that empowers teachers with customizable and premade resources that will be ready for school year 2026-2027!
Build a roadmap to ACAP success with Progress Learning. Learn how to construct standards-aligned common assessments that mirror state rigor and utilize premium subject-area content. Once the data is in, we’ll show you how to instantly pivot to remediation.
Becca was an elementary teacher for 10 years before joining Progress Learning. She taught 4th and 5th-grade math and science in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area. She joined Progress Learning in 2021 as a Program Trainer and has led the team since 2023.
This session is geared towards non-tenured, new teachers who desire guidance on how to make connections with students. In today’s ever-evolving educational landscape, school teachers are given the power and the responsibility of building student confidence while building and sustaining their self-efficacy. This complex relationship requires sound judgment and authentic positive relationships. This interactive session offers the opportunity to participate in a scenario-based conversation rooted in real-world teaching events. Participants will examine each case, consider multiple perspectives, and determine the best course of action. Through guided facilitation, this session will enhance awareness of the uniqueness of students, sharpen decision-making, and promote collaborative problem-solving among educational leaders.
Dr. Bailey brings 24 years of experience in secondary education and five years in administration, with a focus on teacher self-efficacy and student relatedness. Having taught general sciences as well as advanced and full-inclusion science courses — including Biology, Life Science... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT Room 5
Teachers are asked to communicate more than ever — but often with too many tools and not enough time.
This session focuses on how to simplify communication with students, families, and coworkers using one consistent approach. We’ll cover when to post, when to message, how to avoid duplication, and how to make sure families actually receive and respond.
The goal is simple: save time, reduce frustration, and make communication feel manageable — while improving connection with the families who need it most.
Regional Sales Director, ParentSquare | Former Chief Information Officer, Hoover City SchoolsWith over 20 years in K-12 education and technology leadership, Bryan brings a practical, student-centered approach to every conversation. He led one of Alabama’s most innovative tech departments... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT Room 201
Using cooperative learning in the classroom can be a challenge! Let’s break this down and discuss specific steps and examples that keep team members involved and working positively towards your lesson goals.
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!
Are your lessons strong individually but sometimes feel disconnected across the week? This session explores how an intentional classroom schedule can transform daily instruction into a cohesive learning cycle that builds literacy skills with purpose and consistency. Designed specifically for secondary ELA teachers, this presentation introduces a structured weekly framework: vocabulary development, grammar instruction, targeted ELA skill teaching, authentic reading application, and collaborative practice through stations.
Participants will learn how predictable instructional routines reduce cognitive load, increase student independence, and strengthen skill retention while simplifying long-term planning. Through practical examples, classroom snapshots, and implementation strategies, teachers will leave with a clear model they can adapt immediately to their own classrooms—without sacrificing flexibility or creativity.
Whether you are refining your current pacing or looking for a sustainable instructional structure, this session will help you make every instructional day intentional and connected to student growth.
I am certified in English Language Arts and General Social Science, and this is my 12th year teaching. My favorite content to teach is British Literature, and I absolutely loved writing research papers in college. I have three amazing children, and my husband and I have been married... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT Room 20
This professional learning session is designed to support educators in understanding how meaning is constructed across multiple levels of reading – from the word and beyond. This session highlights the role of oral language, vocabulary, and background knowledge in supporting students’ ability to make meaning at the word, phrase, sentence, and paragraph levels. Educators will engage in practical strategies that demonstrate how these components work together to strengthen reading comprehension. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to intentionally connect instruction at all levels, ensuring that literacy practices support all learners in becoming meaning-focused readers.
I have the privilege of answering Helpdesk calls everyday. It is so rewarding to solve issues that our fellow employees are having with technology. My session will talk about the MacBook, the interactive board, and the Chromebox. I encourage you to write down your questions and we... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT Room 91
Join the the Office of Mathematics Improvement to take a dive into Evidence Based Practice #4, Assessment and Feedback. Turn feedback into a game-changer! Learn how to use it as a tool for student ownership, motivation, and growth. Walk away with strategies to make feedback meaningful and impactful in your classroom.
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 →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 12:50pm CDT Room 270
Teachers will learn navigation, class controls, and best practices. The session will highlight features such as screen monitoring, site restriction controls, and real-time student feedback tools that support differentiation by enabling teachers to customize instruction, provide targeted interventions, and foster student independence. Participants will leave equipped with strategies to use Lightspeed Classroom effectively to meet diverse learner needs.
Learn to identify specific executive function skills and how they influence academic, behavioral, and social development in children and young adults. Leave with practical activities you can implement in the classroom to bolster students’ executive function skills!
Transform your classroom from a teacher-led lecture into a vibrant, student-driven community with Parlay Ideas. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore the Parlay Universe to find ready-made prompts that spark critical thinking and dive into the Written Round Table to see how anonymous peer feedback empowers even your quietest students. You’ll experience a Live Round Table firsthand to see how real-time data and discussion mapping can facilitate civil discourse and provide instant engagement analytics. Join us to learn how to step back as a lecturer and step up as a coach, using Parlay to make every student’s voice visible and every discussion measurable.
In this session, you’ll get an overview of the different reports available in Progress Learning, learn which reports to bring to a parent/teacher conference or PLC meeting, pull small groups, and more.
Becca was an elementary teacher for 10 years before joining Progress Learning. She taught 4th and 5th-grade math and science in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area. She joined Progress Learning in 2021 as a Program Trainer and has led the team since 2023.
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.
Effective collaboration does not happen by chance — it is intentionally designed through structured routines, purposeful tasks, and a classroom culture that values student thinking.
Participants will experience collaborative structures from a learner perspective and examine practical systems that support productive group work, including flexible grouping methods, role development, formative monitoring strategies, and reflection protocols.
If you’ve ever felt your classroom shift in seconds from calm to chaos, this session is for you. Join us for an energizing, no-fluff deep dive into how to confidently handle escalating behaviors without power struggles, shutdowns, or lost learning time.
You’ll learn how to catch the early warning signs before things blow up, use game-changing de-escalation language that actually works, and put proactive strategies in place that help students regulate and refocus. Built for K–6 educators, this session is packed with real talk, real strategies, and ready-to-use teacher scripts you can take back and use immediately.
Walk in curious—leave feeling confident, equipped, and ready to take back your classroom.
I am a dedicated educator with 22 years of experience teaching 3rd and 4th grade. I currently serve as a Project Success Teacher, where I work closely with Tier 3 behavior intervention students to support their growth and success. I’m a proud wife to David and mom to DJ and Zach... Read More →
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.
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 →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Room 17
Coaches and club leaders—this one’s for you. Learn how to set up and manage your team using Groups, from adding guest users to organizing practices and games with the calendar. We’ll also cover post permissions and powerful add-ons so you can keep everyone informed, engaged, and ready for game day. Bring all of your questions and let's go!
I am a Training Specialist at ParentSquare. My role is to educate ParentSquare customers on how to best utilize the product for effective school-to-home communication.
Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Room 91
Get ready for a hands-on video workshop built for collaboration. Explore how Canva Video makes it easy to co-create, from planning a parent communication piece to designing instructional content and capturing student learning. You’ll dive into real classroom examples and walk away ready to bring video into your teaching toolkit. Please bring your laptop for some hands-on learning!
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 →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Room 251
Teachers often feel overwhelmed by new strategies layered on top of existing expectations. What if engagement didn’t require adding one more thing to your plate? In this interactive session, participants will learn how Kagan cooperative learning structures can replace traditional instructional routines within lessons. Discover simple “structure swaps” that transform lecture, questioning, and practice into highly engaging learning experiences. Teachers will leave with practical strategies that increase participation and accountability—without increasing planning time.
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 →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Room 3
Whether you never logged in or just scratched the surface, this session meets you exactly where you are. We will discuss how to confidently navigate NoRedInk, create aligned assignments, and use data to support student growth. You’ll leave with practical tools, prepared materials, and a plan you can implement immediately.
Beyond my role as a passionate ELA educator for over 15 years, I’ve served as an Academic Writing Coach and English Department Head, leading professional development, mentoring teachers, and driving schoolwide improvements. In these roles, my primary goal was to make teaching more... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Room 207
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.
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.
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 →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Room 92
Ready for new ways to engage your students with more dynamic lessons? In this session, we'll explore the powerful tools and templates within Explain Everything to build effective, interactive activities. You'll leave with the confidence and practical skills to create your own high-quality, instructional content.
Kristin is a former middle school educator from Ascension Parish with 17 years of classroom experience. She received her undergraduate degree from Louisiana Tech University and her graduate degree from Southeastern Louisiana University. Kristin has been honored with the title of Teacher... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Room 95
Unleash the power of your personalized and protected AI assistant with NotebookLM. Find out how to create accessible study guides and learning aides for you and your students.
Teaching for Understanding in Math is designed to help participants use Gizmos to help students reason mathematically and develop a deeper understanding of math concepts. The instructor discusses and models best practices for inquiry-based teaching with Gizmos in mathematics. Teachers learn how to use Gizmos to develop effective mathematics instruction that strengthens students' understanding of mathematics.
Tiffany Christian is a Professional Learning Manager with ExploreLearning serving the East Coast region. She has over 23 years of experience in educational technology and public education as a gifted math and science teacher, an academic coach, district K-12 science instructional... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Room 253
This session is intended to provide new-to-BCBE faculty and staff with the need-to-know info about PLCs in Baldwin County, including, but not limited to, the 3 Big Ideas of PLCs, the team cycle, and your role in your new PLC team. This session will be presented by members of the BCBE Secondary District Guiding Coalition.
Create community, improve communication skills, and incorporate problem-solving through engaging project-based learning lessons. PBLs are a great way to build creativity in students and cover many standards at once. They connect to real-world occupations and inspire students' futures. These lessons make learning fun and more memorable. They are easy to develop for your classroom no matter which subject you teach. For this 2-hour session, we will use Gemini's GEMs as AI helps us to build a PBL unit to use in your classroom next year.
This session is for 2nd and 3rd grade teachers ONLY.
Join Sue O’Connell, author of Math in Practice and creator of the Navigating Numeracy Learning Progression Centers to explore a variety of engaging, hands-on tasks that elevate math practice from worksheets to games and interactive activities. Discover how carefully-crafted centers help your students master their priority standards related to numbers and operations. See how grade-specific center tasks can reinforce foundational skills, encourage strategic thinking, and support all learners in developing confidence with numbers. During this session, you will engage in a variety of math centers and each participant will receive a set of Navigating Numeracy center tasks to use with students in their classrooms following the session.
2-3 teachers who attend this session will receive a copy of the Print Pack of the Navigating Numeracy Centers for their grade level. These will be ordered and delivered following the training to ensure you receive the appropriate materials for your grade. Manipulatives will not be included, only the print materials.
Sue O’Connell has years of experience as an elementary classroom teacher, math coach, and math speaker/consultant. Sue is the lead author of Heinemann’s Math in Practice series (2016), Math by the Book series (2021), and numerous other professional books that support the teac... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 3:00pm CDT Room 20
This three-hour session focuses on developing a plan for instruction using multiple resources aligned to the 2019 ALCOS: Mathematics standards, ACT, and formative assessments. Participants need to bring their teacher textbook guide or student textbook. It might also be helpful if a participant brings district/school pacing guides to help determine when and how ACAP resources can be used in daily instructional practices.
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 →
This session is designed for K–12 school personnel, including teachers, coaches, administrators, and support staff, who want to learn lifesaving emergency response skills. Participants will complete the American Heart Association Heartsaver® CPR AED course, which teaches high-quality CPR, AED use, and first aid for adults, children, and infants. The course emphasizes practical, hands-on skills and prepares participants to recognize and respond confidently to cardiac and breathing emergencies in the school setting. Certification through the American Heart Association will be provided upon successful course completion. Certification card processing fee is $5.00.
Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 3:30pm CDT Band Room
Teachers will learn navigation, class controls, and best practices. The session will highlight features such as screen monitoring, site restriction controls, and real-time student feedback tools that support differentiation by enabling teachers to customize instruction, provide targeted interventions, and foster student independence. Participants will leave equipped with strategies to use Lightspeed Classroom effectively to meet diverse learner needs.
In this session, you’ll learn how to intentionally use NoRedInk to strengthen the specific skills assessed on the ACT. We’ll explore the Standards & Tests page, review high-impact reading and writing activities, and ground our work in what actually shows up on the test. You’ll have time to build and leave with an assignment you can implement right away.
Beyond my role as a passionate ELA educator for over 15 years, I’ve served as an Academic Writing Coach and English Department Head, leading professional development, mentoring teachers, and driving schoolwide improvements. In these roles, my primary goal was to make teaching more... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT Room 207
Learn the basics of creating a DnA assessment by pulling items from an item bank and using filters such as Standards and Depth of Knowledge, as well as learn the basics of creating a DnA assessment using an existing assessment.
Fabiola Doria is a Field Consultant II as part of the Renaissance Customer Education team and delivers high quality presentations on Renaissance products. She has her Bachelors degree in Biology from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and her Masters degree in Educational... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT Room 268
How often have you heard someone say "I am bad at math"? In this session we will discuss what 'Math Therapy' is and how it looks inside your math classroom. We will explore math trauma, where is comes from, and the impact it has on our students. What can we do to help these students to believe and achieve! We will discuss some small changes that we can make inside our classroom to help support out students and build that math confidence. Come explore the 5 steps to helping student build a better relationship with math!
Join us to learn about Canva’s Latest tools. This session offers a seamless introduction to what’s new and how you can use these updates to enhance your creative projects. Join us for an engaging walkthrough and leave inspired to take your Canva experience to the next level. Please bring your laptop for some hands-on learning!
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 →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT Room 251
Looking for some simple, effective strategies and routines that will enhance your classroom during the upcoming school year? Did you know that eMINTS has a ton of free tips, resources and strategy cards on various topics including technology integration, building classroom culture, and using reflective practice with students? Come experience the tips live and in person, and then feel free to use them all year long!
Designed for principals and administrators, this session focuses on turning insights into action. Explore how to leverage ParentSquare reports to monitor engagement and make informed decisions, while also learning how to securely share important documents with families. We’ll also cover best practices for launching StudentSquare at your site and how to use data to keep a real-time pulse on communication across your school. Walk away with practical strategies to communicate with confidence.
I am a Training Specialist at ParentSquare. My role is to educate ParentSquare customers on how to best utilize the product for effective school-to-home communication.
Strong schools don’t just communicate more — they communicate consistently.
In this session, district and school leaders will explore how to create a unified communication approach that reaches every family, reduces staff confusion, and builds trust across the community. We’ll walk through practical ways to align principals, central office teams, and school staff around one system, clear expectations, and simple workflows that actually get used.
This is not about adding another tool. It’s about using one system well — so families know where to look, staff know what to do, and communication works when it matters most.
Regional Sales Director, ParentSquare | Former Chief Information Officer, Hoover City SchoolsWith over 20 years in K-12 education and technology leadership, Bryan brings a practical, student-centered approach to every conversation. He led one of Alabama’s most innovative tech departments... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT Room 201
Married three children and six grand children. Retired from a 30 year career in Law Enforcement went to work with The Drug Education Council in 2015 and now the director of services. Would love to talk to administrators about the CAPP program and the referral process.
Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT Room 255
Discover how Robertsdale High redesigned its Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Problem Solving Team (PST) processes to strengthen Tier 1 instruction and guide targeted interventions through collaboration with Grade Level PLCs. Participants will explore how PLCs and PST teams analyze academic, attendance, and behavioral data through a shared problem-solving framework. The session highlights practical tools including meeting protocols, RTI-Scheduler integration, teacher feedback systems, and collaborative decision-making structures. Attendees will leave with replicable strategies for aligning PLC collaboration with MTSS systems to increase teacher ownership, strengthen collaboration, and improve student outcomes.
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.
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 →
How does a 40-year-old news story help a student understand today’s biology lab, tomorrow’s history essay, or next week’s novel? Join us for a hands-on exploration of Retro Report, a free library of short-form documentaries that bridge the gap between historical events and modern-day impacts. Whether you are a Science teacher exploring the ethics of medical breakthroughs, a History teacher connecting past policies to current headlines, or an English teacher analyzing bias and narrative structure, Retro Report offers the primary source material you need. We will dive into their subject-specific collections, explore ready-to-use lesson plans, and learn how to use investigative storytelling to build critical thinking and media literacy skills in every classroom.
This session explores how academic language supports English learners in accessing grade-level content. Participants will learn practical strategies for building vocabulary, language structures, and student discourse within their content areas. The session will focus on how intentional language support can help students better understand, engage with, and demonstrate their learning.
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 →
Discover how to maximize the potential of Gemini AI within Google Classroom and Google Vids. Learn how to optimize your workflow by instantly generating assignment templates, custom rubrics, and differentiated reading passages directly inside Classroom. We will also explore the creative capabilities of Google Vids, demonstrating how to use AI to draft scripts, generate scenes, and add professional voiceovers for high-impact instructional videos and student projects—all starting from a simple prompt. Master the seamless integration between these tools to reduce prep time and reclaim your day for direct student engagement.
Kristin is a former middle school educator from Ascension Parish with 17 years of classroom experience. She received her undergraduate degree from Louisiana Tech University and her graduate degree from Southeastern Louisiana University. Kristin has been honored with the title of Teacher... Read More →
Learn how to engage and assess your students using Pear Deck! Create interactive slide decks that students will love to interact with while delivering content or for gauging learning.
Are you new to Gizmos and curious about how interactive simulations can transform your math instruction? This workshop is designed to introduce educators to the ExploreLearning Gizmos platform and demonstrate how simulations can make abstract concepts concrete, foster student engagement, and support inquiry-based learning. Participants will learn how to navigate the Gizmos platform, explore key features, and engage in hands-on activities that model how Gizmos can support math standards and instructional goals.
Tiffany Christian is a Professional Learning Manager with ExploreLearning serving the East Coast region. She has over 23 years of experience in educational technology and public education as a gifted math and science teacher, an academic coach, district K-12 science instructional... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT Room 253
Learn to Tie Dye! Make and take your very own original tie dye! This is great session for teacher teams, field trips, clubs, field day grade colors, or just a reward for the students you love! A class or the whole school! We will show you how easy it is to set up and have PEACE that it's something everyone can accomplish with fun success!!
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 →
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 →
This overview of trauma-informed education equips educators with the knowledge and tools necessary to cultivate a compassionate classroom culture. Participants will gain insights into the neurological, emotional, and social effects of trauma on learning.(Condensed Version)
Leaders explore strategies for strengthening a data‑driven culture while using i‑Ready to support both instructional decision‑making and student ownership of learning. Participants develop an action plan to help students track their progress and growth toward goals. Session outcomes include strengthen a data culture using i‑Ready, increase student engagement through data tracking, and create a plan to support student monitoring and growth.
THIS SESSION IS ONLY OPEN TO 6-8TH GRADE MATH TEACHERS AND TEACHERS WHO SUPPORT 6-8TH GRADE MATH. Strengthen understanding of integer operations, expressions, equations, and geometry in grades 6–8 through hands-on manipulatives. Explore how concrete models support reasoning, reveal structure, and help students connect concepts while moving from visual representations to abstract thinking. Participants who attend this session will receive a copy of the book Mastering Math Manipulatives in Grades 4-8, a class set of Ang Legs, and a class set of Algebra Tiles.
I am passionate about mathematics education – especially at the elementary and middle school level. As a previous awardee of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching, Georgia Roundtable Award for Excellence in Math Teaching, as well as the Award... Read More →
This session provides a practical, up-to-date deep dive into Alabama’s school accountability system, with a focus on the 2025 Alabama State Accountability Technical Guide and the Alabama Report Card. Designed for school and district leaders, instructional coaches, and data teams, this workshop moves beyond surface-level understanding to help participants confidently interpret accountability data and use it to drive strategic improvement. Participants will begin by analyzing 2024–2025 district Report Card data as a foundation for understanding system trends and performance indicators. From there, the session transitions into the 2025 updates to the accountability model, including refined calculations, performance categories, and accountability indicators such as academic achievement, growth, graduation rate, English learner progress, and college and career readiness. Special attention will be given to how scores are calculated under the 2025 framework, what has changed from prior years, and how those changes impact school ratings. Attendees will engage in guided exploration of Report Card categories, including: • Key background and purpose of each indicator • Step-by-step breakdown of calculation methods based on the 2025 Technical Guide • Identification of strengths and gaps within their own data Who should attend: Principals, assistant principals, district administrators, instructional coaches, data specialists, and school leadership teams seeking to strengthen their understanding of Alabama’s 2025 accountability system.
Mistakes are often viewed as obstacles to be erased and forgotten. However, when we shift the focus from erasing to inspecting, errors become the most powerful diagnostic tools in the classroom. Classroom strategies will be shared for supporting students’ inspection of mistakes.
Managing 40 to 65+ students during hands-on, collaborative projects can feel overwhelming—especially when working with unenthusiastic learners and high-risk materials like paint, hot glue, and papier-mâché. This interactive session provides educators with practical, field-tested frameworks to transform large, potentially chaotic classrooms into safe, dynamic, and highly collaborative creative studios. You will learn actionable strategies for setting up clear safety protocols, structuring groups to ensure every student remains accountable, and managing the distribution of messy materials without losing valuable instructional time. Designed for teachers/staff who need to command attention with a large group. This session will leave you equipped with a "Studio Management Blueprint" to inspire even your toughest crowds and turn reluctance into active engagement.
Hi, I’m Aubree! I spend my days teaching 9–12th Theatre and 9th English, where I specialize in turning "I can't" into "I did it myself." My colleagues say I’m organized and hilarious; my students say I’m sarcastic, dramatic, and "mostly nice."I live for building community... Read More →
Here we'll review the current requirements for Digital Literacy in the Alabama ELA course of study and how to move beyond them to help students navigate a web of AI fakes and misinformation. Topics will revolve around reliable sources, bias, and triangulation. Widely useful for any course that requires students to complete online research assignments and even for teachers and administrators who need an updated and modern understanding of source reliability.
I am currently serving as a senior English and AP English Language teacher at Robertsdale High School, but I have taught ELA in grades 6-12 in both Alabama and Tennessee during my time as a teacher. I have also served as a Reading Intervention teacher and mentor on the elementary... Read More →
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming education, but many educators remain unsure how to use AI tools ethically, effectively, and confidently in their daily practice. This session provides a practical, educator‑centered introduction to using AI as a support—not a replacement—for teaching and learning. Participants will explore real classroom examples of how AI tools such as generative text assistants can be used to streamline lesson planning, personalize feedback, differentiate instruction, and support student engagement while maintaining academic integrity. The session also addresses common concerns, including ethical use, bias, transparency, and appropriate classroom boundaries. Designed for educators at any experience level with AI, this session emphasizes hands‑on strategies that can be implemented immediately. Attendees will leave with concrete prompts, workflow ideas, and guidance for introducing AI responsibly to students.
Build a roadmap to ACAP success with Progress Learning. Learn how to construct standards-aligned common assessments that mirror state rigor and utilize premium subject-area content. Once the data is in, we’ll show you how to instantly pivot to remediation.
Becca was an elementary teacher for 10 years before joining Progress Learning. She taught 4th and 5th-grade math and science in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area. She joined Progress Learning in 2021 as a Program Trainer and has led the team since 2023.
Learn the basics of creating a DnA assessment by pulling items from an item bank and using filters such as Standards and Depth of Knowledge, as well as learn the basics of creating a DnA assessment using an existing assessment.
Fabiola Doria is a Field Consultant II as part of the Renaissance Customer Education team and delivers high quality presentations on Renaissance products. She has her Bachelors degree in Biology from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and her Masters degree in Educational... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT Room 268
Teachers are asked to communicate more than ever — but often with too many tools and not enough time.
This session focuses on how to simplify communication with students, families, and coworkers using one consistent approach. We’ll cover when to post, when to message, how to avoid duplication, and how to make sure families actually receive and respond.
The goal is simple: save time, reduce frustration, and make communication feel manageable — while improving connection with the families who need it most.
Regional Sales Director, ParentSquare | Former Chief Information Officer, Hoover City SchoolsWith over 20 years in K-12 education and technology leadership, Bryan brings a practical, student-centered approach to every conversation. He led one of Alabama’s most innovative tech departments... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT Room 201
Discover how Canva’s AI tools, Magic Activities and Canva Code (no coding knowledge required), can transform your classroom. In this session, you’ll explore how these innovative features make it easier than ever to create engaging instructional materials, streamline classroom management, and design interactive games and activities aligned with academic standards. Learn how to harness AI to promote higher-order thinking skills, encourage creativity, and save valuable planning time while making learning more dynamic and meaningful for your students. Please bring your laptop for some hands-on learning!
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 →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT Room 251
Join the RHS Guiding Coalition as they share how they drive student learning by analyzing data using the “Here’s What, So What, Now What” framework and how that thinking translates into real decisions at the classroom and school level. Learn how the GC clarifies schoolwide priorities, keeps PLCs aligned to essential outcomes, and protects teams from initiative overload. Discover how they build capacity in teacher leaders, model effective collaboration, and share best practices across teams. The session will also highlight how the GC monitors work of the PLCs. Walk away with practical strategies to strengthen leadership, collaboration, and results in your own team or .
Looking for a way to better support students through the writing process without doing all the heavy lifting? This session will walk you through how to use Guided Essays to scaffold student thinking, structure strong drafts, and streamline your writing instruction. You’ll explore real student results and leave with a clear plan for integrating Guided Essays into your next unit.
Beyond my role as a passionate ELA educator for over 15 years, I’ve served as an Academic Writing Coach and English Department Head, leading professional development, mentoring teachers, and driving schoolwide improvements. In these roles, my primary goal was to make teaching more... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT Room 207
This professional learning session is designed to support educators in understanding how meaning is constructed across multiple levels of reading – from the word and beyond. This session highlights the role of oral language, vocabulary, and background knowledge in supporting students’ ability to make meaning at the word, phrase, sentence, and paragraph levels. Educators will engage in practical strategies that demonstrate how these components work together to strengthen reading comprehension. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to intentionally connect instruction at all levels, ensuring that literacy practices support all learners in becoming meaning-focused readers.
This session helps district and school administrators use English learner data to inform program planning and instructional support. Participants will review indicators related to English language development, academic outcomes, and program effectiveness, and explore how these data can inform decisions and strengthen services for ELs.
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 →
Jump into the world of video production with Google Vids. Utilize the familiar tools found throughout the Google ecosystem to create engaging and professional video presentations.
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.
In this one-hour session, aligned with the Alabama Courses of Study, teachers will explore strategies for using simulations to enhance student engagement and understanding of mathematical concepts in high school statistics. Participants will learn how to teach students to reason mathematically and develop a deeper understanding of math concepts with simulations. Participants will also discuss the Standards of Mathematical Practice and how to support student learning through critical thinking, questioning, and problem-solving.
Tiffany Christian is a Professional Learning Manager with ExploreLearning serving the East Coast region. She has over 23 years of experience in educational technology and public education as a gifted math and science teacher, an academic coach, district K-12 science instructional... Read More →
Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT Room 253
