Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference

arrow_back View All Dates

9:00am CDT

You Can't Teach A Nervous System That's On Fire: Understanding Student Dysregulation in the Age of Social Media

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

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.

And that changes what is possible in the room.

Presenters

Kristi Bush

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 →

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

9:00am CDT

Collaboration over Chaos: Simple Systems for Powerful Group Leanring

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

Room 252

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.

Presenters

Annie Freeman

Curriculum Leader, Robertsdale High School

Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 252

Behavior Community Building eMINTS

Level All Teachers, Pre-K Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education

9:00am CDT

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

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

Room 92

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

9:00am CDT

Show Me The Money, We Up Next

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

Room 269

This session will engage the participants to understand and learn their asking style. Where every level need the understanding of the importance of fundraising and introduce the exploring post and exploring club workforce development program of 6th-12th grade.

Presenters

William Bryant

Scout Executive/CEO, Mobile Area Council, Scouting America

William Bryant, Jr. is the Scout Executive/CEO Mobile Area Council, Scouting America. He is the immediate past Revenue and Membership Growth Coach for the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America. William is a Subject Matter Expert in Fund Development. In his over 15 years of experience, Willia... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 269

Community Building Community Engagement Leadership Professionalism

Level Administrators, All Teachers, Pre-K Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Counselors

9:00am CDT

How to Start a Podcast for Your School or Program.

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

Room 95

Covering all the ins and outs of getting started with a school podcast

Presenters

Morrell Baxter

CTE Supervisor, Central Office Staff

Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 95

CTE Digital Citizenship STEM/STEAM Technology

Level Administrators, Central Office, All Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Counselors

9:00am CDT

Protecting Students in a Digital Age: Laws, AI-Generated Risks, and National Reporting Tools

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

Room 202

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

Presenters

Jeffrey Spaller

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 →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 202

Safety

Level Administrators, All Teachers, Counselors, Central Office

9:00am CDT

Illuminated Learning: Engaging Students with Blacklight Activities

Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 45 - Art Room

In this interactive workshop, educators will discover how blacklight activities can boost student engagement across subjects. Learn the science behind UV light, explore creative lesson ideas, and see hands-on demos with fluorescent materials, invisible ink, and glow-in-the-dark elements. After exploring classroom applications, participants will take part in a printmaking activity under blacklight and experiment with a variety of fluorescent and neon art materials. Teachers will leave with practical, ready-to-use strategies, along with a product list and links to all materials used in the workshop.

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 →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 45 - Art Room

Arts ELA Math Science Social Studies STEM/STEAM

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

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

10:00am CDT

Where to Begin with National Board Certification

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

Room 207

Are you ready for the ups, downs, thrills, and chills of becoming an NBCT? Join us for an informative session on the National Board Certification process. This session will cover key aspects of the program, its benefits, and practical tips for success.

Presenters

Jaime Tillman

Curriculum Leader, Daphne Middle School

Jacquelyn Wilson

Library Media Specialist, Stonebridge Elementary

I am the Library Media Specialist at Stonebridge Elementary. I have been an educator for 13 years. In our school library, I like to promote a culture of reading while also including a variety of makerspaces and research lessons. I am a National Board Certified Teacher and I also facilitate... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 207

Continuing Education Professionalism

Level All Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education

10:00am CDT

Strengthening Secondary MTSS Through High School PST and Grade Level PLC Collaboration

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

Room 252

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.

Presenters

Nancy Caruthers

Teacher, Robertsdale High School

Annie Freeman

Curriculum Leader, Robertsdale High School

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 252

Data Differentiation Google/Google Classroom Leadership PLCs

Level Administrators, All Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Counselors, Special Education

10:00am CDT

Google Gemini: Your Classroom Assistant

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

Room 96

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.

Presenters

Allie Schultze

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 96

Google Technology

Level All Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education

10:00am CDT

The Teacher’s Spellbook: Google Scripts + Gemini Edition

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

Room 3

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.

Presenters

Miranda Mosley

Instructional Technology Resource Teacher, MCPSS

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 3

Technology

Level Administrators, Central Office, All Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education, Registrars

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

From Gloom to Bloom: Four Strategies for Building Positive Learning Spaces

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

Room 214

Discover four research-based strategies to energize your classroom by cultivating joy and emotional well-being. This fast-paced session blends Prosocial Education, active learning experiences, and classroom management strategies to boost engagement and improve classroom climate. Leave with practical techniques to foster positivity, strengthen relationships, and support learner success.

Presenters

Haylee Anderson

Instructional Specialist, eMINTS National Center

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 →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 214

Community Building eMINTS Health/ Wellness

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

11:00am CDT

CAPP Process

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

Room 255

Go over with referring administrator's the process on a referral to the CAPP program.

Presenters

Michael Cook

Director of Services, Drug Education Council

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.

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 255

Community Engagement

Level Administrators, Counselors

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

12:00pm CDT

Magical Strategies for Modern Classrooms with Magic School

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 3

This workshop will focus on the in's and out's of Magic School. You will learn to navigate the platform and explore core features designed to save you time. Figure out how easy it is to generate lesson plans, assessments, and engaging materials in minutes. Lastly, we will learn how to easily adapt instruction for diverse learners without the extra workload. This session is geared toward teachers at all levels/contents.

Presenters

Andrea Niblock

English Teacher, Daphne High School

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 3

Artificial Intelligence Assessment Differentiation Technology

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

12:00pm CDT

National Boards? Yes, You Can!

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 91

Attendees will receive information on the process of achieving National Board Certification. You will learn how to navigate the NBCT site, download materials for your area of certification, and plan work for your components. Details on component weights and scoring, available resources, and tips and tricks will be shared from a National Board certified teacher.

Presenters

Shay Stewart

ESL Resource Teacher, Daphne High School

I began my teaching career in Baldwin County as a French teacher at Robertsdale High School in 1993. Since 2002, I have been an ESL Resource Teacher. My passion is to support ELs in their language and content learning and to help teachers learn scaffolds that accommodate English learners... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 91

Assessment Continuing Education

Level All Teachers, Pre-K Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education

12:00pm CDT

Sugar and Spice...Not Always Nice: Understanding and Addressing Relational Aggression in Girls

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 202

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.

Presenters

Sherry Rainbolt

Prevention and Support Supervisor, Central Office Staff

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 202

Behavior

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

12:00pm CDT

AI-Powered Studying with NotebookLM

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 96

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.

Presenters

Allie Schultze

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 96

Google Technology

Level All Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education

12:00pm CDT

Executive Functioning-Why we act like we do!!!

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 243

This session will provide an in-depth training on Executive Functioning to better understand why students act like they do and how we can support positive changes.

Presenters

Leigh Anne McPherson

Spec Ed Supervisor, Central Office Staff

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 243

Continuing Education

Level Administrators, All Teachers, Counselors, Special Education

1:00pm CDT

CTE Updates and Review

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 95

Reviewing all things CTE especially Curriculum Rules for CCR.

Presenters

Morrell Baxter

CTE Supervisor, Central Office Staff

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 95

CTE

Level Administrators, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Counselors

1:00pm CDT

Maximizing Intervention Periods with Student Data to Improve Academic Achievement

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 20

This presentation will focus on utilizing prior student data points from the Pre-ACT, ACT, and other assessment platforms to build a school wide ACT study plan during student "intervention/skinny" periods. The attendees will learn to how to collect and analyze data and how to group student data sets to optimize student learning and engagement during ACT prep. Attendees can expect to have an action plan that includes: data collection/analysis, committee formation, creating planning time, teacher selection, and student and teacher incentives for ACT preparation, growth, and achievement.

Presenters

Monica Shaner

Curriculum Leader, Spanish Fort High

Hello, I am Monica Shaner, the Curriculum Leader at Spanish Fort High School. With sixteen years experience in education, my focus is on academic growth and achievement through problem-based learning, differentiated instruction, and data driven resources. I strive to support teachers... Read More →

Zachary Wenzel

Assistant Principal, Spanish Fort High

I am currently an assistant principal at Spanish Fort High School. I have over ten years of experience in education. My background is in data management and analysis. I am currently working on my doctorate in educational leadership at the University of South Alabama. The focus of... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 20

Data Leadership PLCs

Level Administrators, Central Office, Counselors

1:00pm CDT

From the Wide Lens to the Deep Dive: Pinpointing At-Risk Trends and the Students behind Them

Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 92

Learn how to take the pulse of your school and drill down to your most at-risk students in 5 minutes or less. Save future time and effort by quickly finding those "under the radar" kids before they are consuming all your resources. Whether you're developing a school wide initiative or prepping for a parent meeting, PowerSchool's dynamic Analytics and Insights platform has everything you need to get started. Discover how to quickly and efficiently pull meaningful data into an easy to digest format. Participants will also learn about the newest at-risk module coming in the Fall of 2026.

Presenters