Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference

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

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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

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

Tie Dye - Good Vibes

Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 45 - Art Room

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!

Presenters

Joyce Garrison

teacher, Rosinton Elementary

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 →

Nancy Timmons

Middle School Art Teacher, Central Baldwin Middle

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 →

Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 45 - Art Room

Arts STEM/STEAM

Level All Teachers, Pre-K Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Special Education

12:00pm CDT

Ignite Your Classroom with PBLs

Tuesday July 14, 2026 12:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 93

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.

Presenters