Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference

10:00am CDT

Mind vs. Machine

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

In the ultimate battle for AI supremacy, humans will put various AI tools through a series of challenges
and see which one creates the best output. Chatbots, image generators, and more compete in this interactive
Promptetition to see which tools are truly the best and which we should toss aside.

Presenters

Carl Hooker

Keynote Speaker, Hooker Technology

Carl Hooker is an educator, consultant and speaker from Austin, TX. He spent the past 27 years as a teacher and administrator supporting the he has held a wide range of roles. From teacher to administrator, he’s always had one common belief – that kids need to drive their own... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Library

Artificial Intelligence

Level All Teachers, Administrators, Librarians

10:00am CDT

Spark It Up! IXL Studio Style

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 95

We're excited to share Spark It Up!, a hands-on session all about IXL Spark Studio. We’ll show you how to use this tool to make skill practice fun, personalized, and meaningful for middle school students—so you can think smarter, not harder, when planning and teaching. We’ll explore ways to track student progress, engage learners, and integrate the platform into your ELA and Math lessons. This session is geared toward all teachers of all ages. Ready-to-use strategies to boost student learning will find something useful. You’ll leave with ideas you can use right away—and a little extra inspiration to light up your classroom!

Presenters

Melissa Sessions

Teacher, Daphne Middle School

Anna Hunt

Curriculum Leader, Bay Minette Middle

Monday July 13, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 95

Artificial Intelligence Differentiation Technology

Level All Teachers

11:00am CDT

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

Monday July 13, 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 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 →

Monday July 13, 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

12:00pm CDT

Let the Games Begin: Simple Strategies to Increase Student Engagement

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 206

In this session, you will learn quick and easy activities to use in any classroom to boost student engagement. This session will be interactive! You will have a time to try out some of the activities you will be learning about.

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 →

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 206

Artificial Intelligence Assessment Community Building Community Engagement Differentiation eMINTS Technology

Level All Teachers

12:00pm CDT

How to Time Travel

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 3

How to create AI videos, placing you in the middle of your content.

Presenters

Will Carnley

Social Studies Teacher, Robertsdale High School

Monday July 13, 2026 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 3

Artificial Intelligence ELA Social Studies

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers

1:00pm CDT

The Essential Teacher Tech Toolbox

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 207

Is your 'tab anxiety' real? In this fast-paced, high-impact session, we’re opening the ultimate digital toolbox designed for the modern educator. We are diving straight into the essential, 'can’t-live-without' tools that streamline your workflow, automate the boring stuff, and spark instant engagement. Whether you’re a tech-pro or just trying to survive the next bell, you’ll walk away with a curated kit of digital shortcuts to make your teaching life smoother, faster, and much more fun.

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 →

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 207

Artificial Intelligence Digital Citizenship Technology

Level Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Librarians

1:00pm CDT

From Source to Syllabus: Using NotebookLM as Your Inquiry-Based Thought Partner

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 5

In the age of AI, the challenge for educators isn't just finding information—it's synthesizing it into meaningful, inquiry-driven experiences. Enter NotebookLM, Google’s AI-powered research assistant that stays grounded in the documents you provide.

This session moves beyond generic AI prompting. You will see a "behind-the-curtain" look at how to use NotebookLM as a sophisticated thought partner to design high-level curriculum. We will walk through a live case study: planning an Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) unit centered on advanced questioning strategies.

Presenters

Jeremy King

Instructional Technology Coorindator, Central Office Staff

Monday July 13, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 5

Artificial Intelligence Technology

Level Central Office, All Teachers, Librarians

2:00pm CDT

Mind vs. Machine

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Library

Presenters

Carl Hooker

Keynote Speaker, Hooker Technology

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Library

Artificial Intelligence

Level All Teachers, Administrators, Librarians

2:00pm CDT

Kagan Meets AI: Cooperative Learning in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Room 3

Artificial intelligence tools are quickly becoming part of today’s classrooms—but how do we ensure students remain active thinkers rather than passive consumers? This session explores how educators can combine AI tools with Kagan Cooperative Learning structures to increase engagement, collaboration, and critical thinking. Participants will experience practical classroom activities where AI helps generate prompts, discussion topics, and review questions that students process through cooperative structures. Walk away with ready-to-use ideas for blending emerging technology with proven instructional strategies.

Presenters

Makenzie Cunningham

Instructional Coach, Rosinton Elementary

Makenzie Cunningham is an instructional coach at Rosinton with 11 years of experience in education. She has taught second, third, and fourth grades, as well as special education for pre-K through first grade. Makenzie has completed both Kagan Coaching and Instructional Coaching certifications... Read More →

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 3

Artificial Intelligence Community Engagement

Level Elementary Teachers

2:00pm CDT

Battle of the Platforms: Canva vs. Adobe

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Room 207

Join us for this fast paced, head-to-head showdown between Canva and Adobe Express. We’re taking away the fluff to show you the features that actually save teachers time and get students excited to create. Come ready to pick a side, learn new shortcuts, and discover which platform will define your next creative era.

Presenters

Jaime Tillman

Curriculum Leader, Daphne Middle School

Jacquelyn Wilson

Library Media Specialist, Stonebridge Elementary

Monday July 13, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 207

Artificial Intelligence Technology

Level All Teachers, Librarians

10:00am CDT

Empowering Thinkers: Mastering the Three Phases of Classroom Inquiry

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

Room 5

In this session, we will explore a comprehensive, three-phase framework for integrating inquiry-based learning into your classroom using technology.
. Effective inquiry goes beyond simply asking students for answers; it is about structuring lessons, empowering students to drive their own curiosity, and purposefully guiding their cognitive processes.

Presenters

Jeremy King

Instructional Technology Coorindator, Central Office Staff

Tuesday July 14, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 5

Artificial Intelligence eMINTS Technology

Level Central Office, All Teachers, Librarians

1:00pm CDT

How to Time Travel

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

Room 3

How to create AI videos, placing you in the middle of your content.

Presenters

Will Carnley

Social Studies Teacher, Robertsdale High School

Tuesday July 14, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 3

Artificial Intelligence ELA Social Studies

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers

2:00pm CDT

Digital Literacy for Secondary Students

Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Room 5

Here we'll review 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. Topics will revolve around reliable sources, bias, and triangulation. Widely useful for any course that requires students to complete online research assignments and even for teachers and administrators who need an updated and modern 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 →

Tuesday July 14, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 5

Artificial Intelligence Digital Citizenship ELA Reading Science Social Studies

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Librarians

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

Beyond the Tool: Using AI to Simplify Tech and Amplify Learning

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

Room 5

Why spend half a class period teaching technology if your goal isn't to teach technology? It’s time to let AI handle the heavy lifting. In this session, we’ll identify the "hidden tasks" that drain your time and demonstrate how AI can automate the parts of a lesson that aren't being assessed. Learn how to minimize tech-instruction fatigue and maximize the content and skills that define your classroom. The class will focus on both teacher tools and student tools that help maximize instructional time and content focus.

Presenters

Jeremy King

Instructional Technology Coorindator, Central Office Staff

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 5

Artificial Intelligence Assessment Technology

Level All Teachers

10:00am CDT

Spark It Up! IXL Studio Style

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

Room 95

I’m excited to share Spark It Up!, a hands-on session all about IXL Spark Studio. I’ll show you how to use this tool to make skill practice fun, personalized, and meaningful for middle school students—so you can think smarter, not harder when planning and teaching. We’ll explore ways to track student progress, engage learners, and integrate the platform into your ELA and Math lessons. This session is geared toward all teachers of all ages. Ready-to-use strategies to boost student learning will find something useful. You’ll leave with ideas you can use right away—and a little extra inspiration to light up your classroom!

Presenters

Melissa Sessions

Teacher, Daphne Middle School

Anna Hunt

Curriculum Leader, Bay Minette Middle

Wednesday July 15, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 95

Artificial Intelligence Differentiation Technology

Level All Teachers

11:00am CDT

Let the Games Begin: Simple Strategies to Increase Student Engagement

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

Room 20

Presenters

Monica Shaner

Curriculum Leader, Spanish Fort High

Wednesday July 15, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 20

Artificial Intelligence Assessment Community Building Community Engagement Differentiation eMINTS Technology

Level All 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

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

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

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