Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference

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9:00am CDT

The Librarian’s Secret Stash: Meeting Standards with Picture Books

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

Join a school librarian for a deep dive into the stacks! Discover how to leverage the library's most versatile tools, picture books, to target rigorous state standards. You’ll leave with a librarian-curated book list and a suite of lesson blueprints designed to make your state standards shine through visual storytelling.

Presenters

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 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 207

ELA Reading

Level Elementary Teachers, Librarians

9:00am CDT

Every Student Engaged, Every Lesson--A Taste of Kagan Cooperative Learning

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

Room 271

This session is a dynamic, hands-on session designed to give teachers, district leaders, and school leaders a firsthand look at the power of Kagan Cooperative Learning. Led by a certified Kagan trainer, participants will experience first-hand the power of structuring learning intentionally. Come learn how to transform student engagement by replacing Call On One with structures that engage EVERY learner.

Presenters

Aaron Diaz

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 →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 9:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 271

Arts Community Building ELA ELL Math Reading Science Social Studies

Level Administrators, Central Office, All Teachers, Special Education

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

Scaffolding for ELs with Easy-to-Implement Strategies & AI

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

Room 91

Teachers of English learners will walk away from this session with ideas for how to accommodate any level of English learner in their classrooms. We will examine the most common barriers to learning for ELs and how to easily bridge the gap between their native language and English for them to be successful in any content area class. Real-life examples of EL strategies from the teachers who use them every day will be shared. We will show you easy-to-use strategies, including the use of AI-produced scaffolds, to reach your English learners with equitable academic content.

Presenters

Debbie Frey

Baldwin County Schools

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 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 91

Artificial Intelligence Assessment Differentiation ELA ELL

Level All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers

10:00am CDT

In District Fundraising for Clubs/Teams

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

Room 255

Baldwin County Public School’s After School Care program introduces the In-District Contract. These contracts allow high school and middle school organizations to earn funds by making presentations and teaching lessons to elementary school students during the After School program. These contracts are available for summer, fall, and spring semesters, offering opportunities for all groups to earn money for their organizations and recruit future members.

Presenters

Jacque Helms

ASC Coordinator, Central Office Staff

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 255

10:00am CDT

History That Feels Real: Teaching Critical Thinking with Retro Report

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

Room 16

Students often struggle to connect historical events to modern issues. This session introduces Retro Report, a resource that uses journalism and documentary storytelling to connect past events to current conversations. Teachers will explore ready-to-use lessons that promote inquiry, media literacy, and civil discourse while aligning with social studies and literacy standards.

Presenters

Stacey Tatum

6th Grade Science/Social Studies, Elberta Elementary

Hello! My name is Stacey Tatum, and I am a 6th Grade Science and Social Studies teacher at Elberta Elementary School. This year marks my first year teaching 6th grade after spending several years in 3rd grade, where I developed a deep passion for understanding how students learn to... Read More →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 16

ELA Reading Science Social Studies

Level All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers

11:00am CDT

Teaching Magic Without a Wand: AI Tools That Actually Save Time

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

Room 16

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing education, but many teachers are unsure where to start. This session introduces Magic School AI as a practical classroom and planning tool that supports differentiation, lesson design, assessment creation, and student engagement. Participants will explore real classroom examples and leave with ready-to-use AI prompts aligned to curriculum standards.

Presenters

Stacey Tatum

6th Grade Science/Social Studies, Elberta Elementary

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 16

Artificial Intelligence Data Differentiation ELA ELL PLCs Reading Science Social Studies

Level All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers

11:00am CDT

Digital Literacy for Secondary Students

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

Room 5

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. Widely useful for any course that requires students to complete online research assignments and even for teachers and administrators who need an updated 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 →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 5

Artificial Intelligence Digital Citizenship ELA Reading Science Social Studies

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Librarians

11:00am CDT

From Routine to Results: Intentional Scheduling in the ELA Classroom

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

Room 201

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 →

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 201

Differentiation ELA Reading

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers

12:00pm CDT

ACAP Bootcamp: Mastery in Motion

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

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 252

Assessment Community Building Data Differentiation ELA Math PLCs Science Social Studies

Level Middle Teachers

12:00pm CDT

Every Student Engaged, Every Lesson--A Taste of Kagan Cooperative Learning

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

Room 271

Presenters

Aaron Diaz

Director of Implementation Support, Kagan Publishing and Professional Development

Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 271

Arts Community Building ELA ELL Math Reading Science Social Studies

Level Administrators, Central Office, All Teachers, Special Education

1:00pm CDT

Math in Action - Kagan Engagement

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

Room 91

My session is geared toward K-6 BCBE teachers. I will share how I use Kagan engagement strategies in the kindergarten classroom. The presentation will include several examples of math instruction as well as ways to incorporate the engagement strategies in ELA.

Presenters