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

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

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

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

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

Assistant Principal, Summerdale 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

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

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 second year teaching 6th grade after spending several years in 3rd grade, where I developed a deep passion for understanding how students learn... Read More →

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

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

12:00pm CDT

Newcomer Strategies for English Learners

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

Room 201

This session highlights considerations and practical strategies for supporting newcomer English learners as they transition into U.S. schools. Participants will explore factors rhat affect second language acquisition, what students need in those first days, and ways to support access to grade-level content.

Presenters

Stephanie Montiel

ESL Supervisor, BCBE

I acquired my love for teaching while working in Paraguay as a Peace Corps volunteer. I hold a master's degree in English as a second language (ESL) and an education specialist degree in teacher leadership, both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I completed a schoo... Read More →