Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference

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9:00am CDT

Practical AI for Educators: Enhancing Instruction, Feedback, and Efficiency Without Losing the Human Touch

Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

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.

Presenters

Roland Weldon

Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 206

Assessment Chromebook CTE Data Digital Citizenship ELA Google Professionalism Safety Science Social Studies Technology

Level All Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education

9:00am CDT

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

Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am 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

Professional Learning and Community Engagement Specialist, MagicSchool AI

Destinie Thomas is a Professional Learning and Community Engagement 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... Read More →

Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 92

ELA ELL Math Reading Science Social Studies

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

9:00am CDT

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

Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am 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

Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 255

ELA ELL Math Science Social Studies Technology

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

9:00am CDT

Ink and Innovation: How do we transform a static story into an interactive experience?

Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 7

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.

Presenters

Josie Calloway

Teacher, Spanish Fort Middle

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 →

Tuesday July 14, 2026 9:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 7

Differentiation ELA Makerspace STEM/STEAM Technology

Level All Teachers

10:00am CDT

ACAP Ready: Using NoRedInk with Purpose

Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 207

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.

Presenters

Taylirre Andre

Professional Learning Specialist, NoRedInk

Nikki Korte

Professional Development Consultant, NoRedInk

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

Data ELA

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers

10:00am CDT

Flip the Script: Assessment Remix

Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 206

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.

Presenters

Nikki Minoso

Teacher, ELA, Spanish Fort High

Dianne Casolaro

ELA Teacher, Baldwin County Public Schools

Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 206

Differentiation Digital Citizenship ELA Reading Social Studies

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers

10:00am CDT

MagicSchool Teacher Level 3: Transform Your Practice with Advanced AI Workflows

Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 92

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.

Presenters

Destinie Thomas

Professional Learning and Community Engagement Specialist, MagicSchool AI

Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 92

ELA ELL Math Science Social Studies Technology

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

11:00am CDT

Practical AI for Educators: Enhancing Instruction, Feedback, and Efficiency Without Losing the Human Touch

Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 206

Presenters

Roland Weldon

Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 206

Assessment Chromebook CTE Data Digital Citizenship ELA Google Professionalism Safety Science Social Studies Technology

Level All Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education

11:00am CDT

ACAP Bootcamp: Mastery in Motion

Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 252

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.

Presenters

Tyler Barber

Teacher-Math, Daphne Middle School

Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 252

Assessment Community Building Data Differentiation ELA Math PLCs Science Social Studies

Level Middle Teachers

11:00am CDT

Build an AI-Proof Classroom to Promote Academic Integrity

Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 254

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!

Presenters

Angela Clark

Regional Technology Specialist, Alabama Technology in Motion, Region 7

Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 254

Assessment Digital Citizenship ELA Professionalism Technology

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Librarians

11:00am CDT

Targeted ACAP Prep

Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 202

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.

Presenters

Becca Baker

Training Manager, Progress Learning

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.

Gabriella Unanue

Program Trainer, Progress Learning

Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 202

Assessment ELA Math Reading Science Social Studies

Level Middle Teachers

11:00am CDT

From Routine to Results: Intentional Scheduling in the ELA Classroom

Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 20

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.

Presenters

Hollye Dueitt

Teacher, Bay Minette Middle

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

Differentiation ELA Reading

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers

11:00am CDT

Unlocking Meaning: From the Word Level and Beyond

Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 267

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.

Presenters

Jennifer Alberstadt

Regional Literacy Specialist, Alabama Reading Initiative

Amy Barker

Regional Literacy Specialist, Alabama Reading Initiative

Tuesday July 14, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 267

ELA Reading

Level Elementary Teachers

12:00pm CDT

The Discussion Revolution: Building Student Agency, One Round Table at a Time with Parlay Ideas

Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 206

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.

Presenters

Nikki Minoso

Teacher, ELA, Spanish Fort High

Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 206

Assessment Differentiation Digital Citizenship ELA Professionalism Reading Social Studies

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers

12:00pm CDT

Diving into the Data

Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 202

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.

Presenters

Becca Baker

Training Manager, Progress Learning

Gabriella Unanue

Program Trainer, Progress Learning

Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 202

Assessment ELA Math PLCs Reading Science Social Studies

Level Middle Teachers

12:00pm CDT

Not One More Thing: Embedding Kagan Structures into Instruction

Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 3

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.

Presenters

Makenzie Cunningham

Building Based Math Coach, Rosinton Elementary

Makenzie Cunningham is the Building Based Math Coach at Rosinton with 12 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... Read More →

Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 3

Community Engagement ELA Math Reading Science Social Studies

Level Elementary Teachers

12:00pm CDT

From Login to Launch: Your NoRedInk Starter Session

Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 207

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.

Presenters

Taylirre Andre

Professional Learning Specialist, NoRedInk

Nikki Korte

Professional Development Consultant, NoRedInk

Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 207

Data ELA

Level All Teachers

12:00pm CDT

MagicSchool Student Level 1: Getting Started with AI for Learning

Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm 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

Professional Learning and Community Engagement Specialist, MagicSchool AI

Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm 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

12:00pm CDT

Level Up Learning with Explain Everything Whiteboard Activities

Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 95

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.

Presenters

Kristin Dupuy

Teaching & Learning Consultant, Trafera

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

ELA Math Science Social Studies

Level All Teachers

1:00pm CDT

Crack the ACT Code with NoRedInk

Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 207

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.

Presenters

Taylirre Andre

Professional Learning Specialist, NoRedInk

Nikki Korte

Professional Development Consultant, NoRedInk

Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 207

Assessment Data ELA ELL

Level High Teachers

1:00pm CDT

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

Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm 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

Destinie Thomas

Professional Learning and Community Engagement Specialist, MagicSchool AI

Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 92

Digital Citizenship 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

Retro Report: Bringing Real-World Relevance to Science, History, and ELA

Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 206

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.

Presenters

Nikki Minoso

Teacher, ELA, Spanish Fort High

Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 206

Digital Citizenship ELA Reading Science Social Studies

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers

2:00pm CDT

Digital Literacy for Secondary Students

Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Room 5

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.

Presenters

Michelle Stockman

Teacher, Robertsdale High School

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 →

Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 5

Artificial Intelligence Digital Citizenship ELA Reading Science Social Studies

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Librarians

2:00pm CDT

Practical AI for Educators: Enhancing Instruction, Feedback, and Efficiency Without Losing the Human Touch

Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Room 206

Presenters

Roland Weldon

Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 206

Assessment Chromebook CTE Data Digital Citizenship ELA Google Professionalism Safety Science Social Studies Technology

Level All Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education

2:00pm CDT

From Pre-Writing to Publishing: Streamlining Writing with NoRedInk Guided Essays

Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Room 207

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.

Presenters