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

“L.E.N.S.: Looking at Behavior Through the 504 Lens”

Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

Participants will explore how behavior can be understood through the **L.E.N.S. framework—Learn, Evaluate, Navigate, and Support—**to better recognize when student behavior may be connected to a disability under Section 504. This training will help educators identify potential 504 indicators, evaluate behavior within the context of student needs, navigate appropriate procedures while maintaining compliance with Section 504. Participants will leave with practical tools to shift from simply reacting to behavior to responding with informed, supportive interventions.

Presenters

Dionne Dunton

Supervisor, Central Office Staff

Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 92

Behavior Data Differentiation Health/ Wellness

Level Administrators, All Teachers, 504 Coordinators, Counselors

10:00am CDT

Section 504 101: From Questions to Confidence

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 92

This training will cover the purpose of Section 504, eligibility criteria, and the process for identifying, evaluating, and supporting students with disabilities.By the end of the training, coordinators and administrators will feel more confident navigating the 504 process and supporting staff, students, and families. 📚

Presenters

Dionne Dunton

Supervisor, Central Office Staff

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 92

Behavior Data Differentiation

Level Administrators, All Teachers, 504 Coordinators, Counselors, Special Education

10:00am CDT

Big Feelings, Big Behaviors: Helping Students Reset in K–6

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 19

Elementary teachers are increasingly encountering students who struggle to manage big emotions that lead to disruptive or escalating behaviors. This session will equip educators with practical, classroom-tested strategies to recognize early warning signs of escalation and respond with calm, effective techniques that help students reset while maintaining a productive learning environment.

Participants will explore the stages of behavioral escalation, learn de-escalation language that prevents power struggles, and discover proactive strategies that support emotional regulation in K–6 classrooms. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use tools, teacher scripts, and behavior supports they can implement immediately.

Presenters

Angela Hurst

K3 Project Success Teacher, Pine Grove Elementary

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 →

Savanah Miller

Special Education Teacher

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 19

Behavior Differentiation Safety

Level Administrators, Pre-K Teachers, Elementary Teachers, 504 Coordinators, Counselors, Special Education

11:00am CDT

F.A.M.I.L.Y. - Fair Access, Meaningful Inclusion, Leadership, and You (Belonging)

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 207

The goal of this research-informed session is to introduce Nancy Schlossberg’s concepts of marginality and mattering through demonstrating how they can transform K-12 practice for Hispanic (ELL) and African American Students. These concepts are crucial for understanding how people adapt and thrive in environments. Participants will learn accessible definitions of marginality and mattering and why they matter for student engagement, identity, and achievement. Furthermore, we will examine common classroom and school level indicators of marginality for Spanish speaking ELL’s, and black students through short case studies and reflect on how this looks in our schools. Lastly, the goal is to explore evidence-based strategies teachers, assistant principals, and supervisors can implement immediately to increase students’ sense of mattering such as family engagement practices, targeted mentoring, and peer network interventions.

Presenters

Sharrell Edmond

Assistant Principal, Foley High School

Sharrell Edmond is a native of Mobile, Al. She is a proud graduate of Auburn University. While on the plains, she was able to obtain both a B.A. in Spanish and a B.A. in Theatre. She returned to Mobile where she began her teaching career with MCPSS teaching both Spanish and theatre... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 207

Behavior Community Building ELL

Level Administrators, All Teachers, 504 Coordinators, Counselors, Special Education

11:00am CDT

Big Feelings, Big Behaviors: Helping Students Reset in K–6

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 19

Presenters

Angela Hurst

K3 Project Success Teacher, Pine Grove Elementary

Savanah Miller

Special Education Teacher

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 19

Behavior Differentiation Safety

Level Administrators, Pre-K Teachers, Elementary Teachers, 504 Coordinators, Counselors, Special Education

11:00am CDT

Click to Compliance: Creating 504 Plans in Frontline

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 92

Participants will learn how to use Frontline Education to efficiently create and manage student Section 504 plans. This training will guide participants through the step-by-step process of entering student information, documenting eligibility, selecting appropriate accommodations, and completing required forms within the system. Session participants will feel confident navigating Frontline to build clear, compliant, and effective 504 plans.

Presenters

Dionne Dunton

Supervisor, Central Office Staff

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 92

Data Differentiation

Level Administrators, 504 Coordinators, Counselors

Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference - GRITC 2026

9:00am CDT

Dionne Dunton

10:00am CDT

Dionne Dunton

10:00am CDT

Angela Hurst

Savanah Miller

11:00am CDT

Sharrell Edmond

11:00am CDT

Angela Hurst

Savanah Miller

11:00am CDT

Dionne Dunton

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