Learn: Join Roy Moye III, aerospace engineer and founder of STEMusic, as he shares his journey through STEM and addresses the need for more Black and Brown representation in STEM fields. Gain insights into the tools and strategies to make STEM engaging and accessible for students from diverse backgrounds.
Engage: Experience high-energy, interactive performances featuring live music that demonstrate how STEM concepts can be taught in relatable and memorable ways. Engage with musical examples that bring STEM education to life, showing how creative expression can foster student belonging and excitement in any subject area.
Apply: Gain practical ideas for integrating music and storytelling into lessons, making complex concepts more relatable for students. These strategies can empower the next generation and promote diversity not just in STEM but every subject, bringing fresh energy and cultural relevance into your own classroom.
Learn: Discover how Discovery Education Experience simplifies lesson planning and enhances student engagement. Explore standards-aligned resources and tools for PreK-12 that support dynamic and interactive teaching.
Engage: Participate in a collaborative challenge to “Escape the Discovery Education Room” with your peers, solving clues while exploring innovative tools and strategies. This interactive activity showcases how Discovery Education can transform the learning experience in your classroom.
Apply: Gain actionable strategies and fresh ideas to integrate Discovery Education resources into your lessons, empowering you to captivate students and streamline planning. Prepare to implement these tools and elevate your teaching!
Learn: Discover how to design, implement and teach students to create their own personal learning hubs. These hubs can focus on a single content area or serve as a tool across multiple subjects, empowering students to organize and manage their learning.
Engage: Actively explore the structure and benefits of a learning hub, with dedicated time to develop your own hub template. Collaborate with peers and experiment with different components to create a model tailored to your classroom needs.
Apply: Gain a completed or partially developed hub, along with the knowledge to guide students in building their own. Be equipped to implement this tool in your classroom, fostering student ownership and supporting independent, organized learning.
Join us for a beginners lesson on getting a classroom podcast started. We will go through the basics of using Garage Band, setting up Spodify Creators to setup your podcast, and how to best start the process with your students. Bring your iPad and device so you can build with us and... Read More →
Monday February 24, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
Salon 2Marriott St. Louis Airport
Learn: Discover how strong formative assessment cycles contribute to improved student outcomes. Explore the challenges of designing an assessment system that meets the needs of students, teachers and administrators.
Engage: Discover how an effective assessment system can provide insightful data and guide actionable next steps. Learn how different formative assessment types can be used to support learning across various instructional needs.
Apply: Grow your understanding on how Pear Assessment simplifies the process with user-friendly tools, standards-aligned content and meaningful insights. Gain strategies to implement a streamlined assessment system that drives student progress.
Learn: Explore how curiosity can become a powerful tool for fostering student engagement and wonder in the classroom. Taylor Hughes reveals the secrets behind using storytelling and magic to inspire a love of learning.
Engage: Witness the impact of magic storytelling as Taylor models techniques educators can use to captivate and motivate students. See firsthand how blending creativity and curiosity can transform the learning experience.
Apply: Gain actionable strategies to integrate storytelling, curiosity and a sense of wonder into your teaching. Learn how to encourage students to explore, question and pursue their passions in meaningful ways.
Learn: Explore an introduction to labor-based grading, an innovative assessment model that shifts focus from outcomes to student effort and growth. Discover the educational advantages this approach offers for both students and educators, grounded in research by Joe Feldman, Asao B. Inoue, and Matthew Gomes.
Engage: Participate in online polls and Q&A sessions designed to facilitate a deeper understanding of labor-based grading practices. Engage with peers and ask questions as you explore real-world applications of this grading model.
Apply: Gain actionable knowledge and initial strategies to implement labor-based grading in your own classroom fostering a more equitable and supportive assessment environment for all students.
Dr. Simmons is a dedicated high school English teacher in Southern Illinois and an adjunct instructor at a community college. She received a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (2012) and a Master of Arts in Education (2018). Holding a Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy with a focus... Read More →
Learn: Discover how to harness the features of your learning management system (LMS) to support Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and create more inclusive, accessible learning experiences. Explore insights from a district collaboration with the DESE AEM Cohort, demonstrating how UDL principles were translated into actionable goals to make the LMS a tool for diverse learners.
Engage: Explore district-created UDL resources and experiment with tools in an Open Canvas Course designed around UDL principles. Gain insights into how other districts are addressing barriers to learning and making their LMS more inclusive.
Apply: Put UDL into action by mapping UDL principles to your LMS, adapting shared Canvas examples, and developing personalized implementation goals that make your LMS a dynamic platform for learner-centered education.
Learn: Gain a comprehensive understanding of Dabrowski's Overexcitabilities Theory and its relevance to the characteristics of exceptional learners. Delve into each overexcitability, connecting theoretical concepts to real-life experiences.
Engage: Actively discuss overexcitabilities and identify your own, experiencing "OE Breaks" to understand the energy release associated with each type. This session emphasizes experiential learning over passive listening.
Apply: Move beyond theory to practical insights on creating conducive learning environments that support emotional well-being and concentration. Gain strategies for fostering self-awareness and emotional regulation in gifted students, including routines, activities and tools to manage overstimulation and enhance learning experiences for those with overexcitabilities.
Carly Mansfield is a dedicated Gifted Specialist at the Kirkwood School District, bringing over 20 years of teaching experience to her role. She has taught elementary education, middle school social studies, served as a building STEM coordinator, and now focuses on gifted education... Read More →
Learn: Explore key elements of career readiness that have proven successful in diverse educational settings. Identify modules and mini-lessons that connect curriculum to profession-based relevance, tailored to fit your unique classroom context.
Engage: Collaborate with shoulder-partners to practice various strategies, contribute questions that guide the workshop’s direction, and co-create a list of valuable resources and ideas. This collaborative approach will enable you to expand on resources shared while addressing real-world applications.
Learn:Explore how Open-Source Learning not only builds knowledge and skills but also strengthens self-awareness and cognitive capacity. Discover the science behind neuroplasticity and how daily habits can boost brain function and protect against conditions like Alzheimer’s.
Engage:Participate in practical exercises designed to enhance mindfulness, focus, memory and creativity. Experience firsthand how intentional mental workouts can sharpen your thinking and emotional awareness.
Apply:Discover techniques you can use daily to build healthier brain habits and improve cognitive performance. Gain actionable strategies to help both you and your students think, feel, and remember more effectively. Attendance of this session will earn you an NFT-backed digital badge; and earn a grand slam badge by attending all 4 sessions.
Learn: Explore the transformative value of integrating the arts into leadership development and professional learning for principals and district-level administrators. Discover how Arts-Based Professional Learning (ABPL) can enhance your own leadership skills while also benefiting your teachers and school communities.
Engage: Move beyond traditional professional development formats with engaging, hands-on activities that participants can introduce in their own schools. Experience interactive techniques such as sketching, role-playing, and mask-making, designed to enliven professional development and foster creativity.
Apply: Reflect on how to enhance your leadership behaviors through the arts and consider practical ways to incorporate ABPL into your school’s professional development programs. Gain innovative strategies and activities to enrich your leadership approach and inspire your teams.
Learn: Explore the foundational procedures that make daily decision-making more efficient and effective for educators at every stage of their career. Gain insights into how thoughtful routines can support teachers, build consistency and free up cognitive space to focus on what truly matters—student success. Learn strategies to help leaders, mentors and coaches differentiate support for staff and foster a culture of growth, even during challenging times.
Engage: Participants will actively engage through the Chat feature to share their thoughts, ideas and experiences. During the Q&A portion of the panel, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and gain insights directly from experienced leaders and experts. This collaborative approach ensures you leave with practical, personalized strategies.
Apply: Gain a tool kit of actionable ideas to implement in your school immediately. Create a plan for introducing or refining key procedures that resonate with both new and veteran educators. Develop a road map for differentiated professional support that meets your team’s unique needs and keeps everyone motivated through the toughest stretches of the school year.
Learn: Discover how to incorporate students' personal vocabulary and experiences into literacy instruction, making the learning more meaningful and relevant. Identify various literary structures found across curriculums and learn how to use these structures to enhance students' reading and writing skills. Explore how dictation technology can be leveraged to support struggling readers and writers in capturing their thoughts and ideas.
Engage: Participate in interactive activities that model classroom practices and foster a positive learning environment. Create your own literary examples and experiment with dictation technology on your own device to understand its application for students.
Apply: Gain practical examples of literary structures and techniques for integrating students' personal language into literacy instruction. Reflect on how to use dictation technology to support struggling students and leave with strategies that can be transferred directly into your teaching practice.
Learn: Discover evidence-based prosocial education strategies that can be used with any age and content area. Examine successful Prosocial and Active Learning (PAL) Classrooms project data to gain insights into enhanced student climate and increased student engagement.
Engage: Discuss experiences and challenges related to student behavior and classroom management to discover new strategies. Analyze case study scenarios of prosocial strategies and discuss the implications and potential applications in your own setting.
Apply: Gain specific, implementable strategies for integrating prosocial elements into your existing curricula and concrete examples of how these principles can be applied in various educational settings.
Jen Foster has been harnessing the power of technology to support instruction for more than 20 years. Over the last 12 years, Jen has provided professional development to a wide variety of educators, school administrators, instructional coaches, etc. to enhance and grow their tech... Read More →
Learn: Uncover the fundamentals of storytelling and discover how to captivate your students with engaging narratives. Taylor Hughes will share simple strategies and practical tools to help you craft more compelling stories for the classroom.
Engage: Experience the wonder of magic as Taylor demonstrates strategies you can replicate with your students. Explore how storytelling and magic can combine to create unforgettable learning moments.
Apply: Gain actionable strategies and practical tools to improve your storytelling and be equipped to inspire and connect with your students through compelling narratives and a touch of magic.
Learn: Examine what effective learning looks like for young students and how it aligns with their developmental needs. Explore how technology can be purposefully integrated to enhance learning experiences.
Engage: Participate in a discussion on the importance of using technology in ways that feel intentional, natural and age-appropriate for early learners. Share ideas and strategies with peers to meet the diverse abilities of young students.
Apply: Discover how iPad can empower your youngest learners to communicate, create and learn at their own pace. Gain practical approaches to incorporate technology into your classroom in meaningful ways.
Learn: Delve into the practice of Instructional Rounding as implemented in the Mehlville and Affton school districts, and discover its positive impacts in special education. Discover how Instructional Rounding can foster a culture of continuous learning, strengthen educator capacity and promote a community of personalized professional growth.
Engage: Participate in hands-on activities, partner and group discussions, and interactive Q&A session. Through these collaborative experiences, gain deeper insight into how Instructional Rounding supports educator and student development.
Apply: Reflect on the impacts of Instructional Rounding and begin planning how to incorporate this practice in your own setting. Gain actionable ideas for implementing Instructional Rounding to cultivate a supportive and growth-oriented culture within your educational community.
Learn: Explore the findings of our nationwide survey involving 119 high school English teachers regarding their attitudes toward ChatGPT integration in instructional practices. Gain insights into ethical concerns, common usage patterns and current perceptions of ChatGPT in the classroom.
Engage: Learn how English teachers are utilizing ChatGPT for personal planning and classroom instruction as you are guided through the process of creating a ChatGPT account. Learn how to differentiate lesson plans for various learning levels, develop new lesson plans and streamline administrative tasks. Depending on compurter availability, work independently or interact with demonstrations.
Apply: Get hands-on experience with ChatGPT as you explore its capabilities using your own classroom materials. Gain practical strategies for integrating ChatGPT into your teaching, along with take-home materials such as printouts and access to our presentation to support future application.
Dr. Simmons is a dedicated high school English teacher in Southern Illinois and an adjunct instructor at a community college. She received a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (2012) and a Master of Arts in Education (2018). Holding a Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy with a focus... Read More →
Dr. Cara Bertelmann holds a Bachelor's in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2015), a Master's in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University (2018), and a Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy with a specialization in English Language from... Read More →
Learn: Discover how great teaching combined with effective technology creates impactful learning experiences. Explore Apple’s latest products, tools and programs designed specifically for education.
Engage: In this interactive session, explore how Apple’s innovative solutions enhance productivity and collaboration in the classroom. Connect with peers and experts to discuss practical applications of these tools in education.
Apply: Gain actionable insights to integrate Apple technology into your teaching practice. Discover strategies to empower educators and students with tools that drive engagement and success.
Learn: Discover the expansive, free curriculum offered by Code.org, created to make computer science education accessible in every classroom. Attendees will explore the K-12 resources that align with state standards, focusing on foundational digital skills and computer science principles.
Engage: Through interactive discussion, participants will examine how Code.org’s curriculum integrates with their own teaching goals and classroom settings. We’ll also dive into available support, including teacher training funded through DESE, ensuring a fully supported rollout of these resources.
Apply: By the end of this session, participants will be prepared to bring Code.org's curriculum into their schools. They will leave with actionable steps and knowledge on accessing the resources, securing teacher training, and engaging students in computer science.
Learn: Discover the latest AI resources and how to leverage them to streamline daily tasks, enhance instructional practices and engage students meaningfully, prioritizing effective learning outcomes.
Engage: Actively explore and utilize AI tools to design a classroom-ready lesson that incorporates practical applications, enabling students to engage actively with an AI platform.
Apply: Gain a ready-to-implement lesson plan that integrates AI, enhancing student engagement and facilitating deeper learning experiences in the classroom.
Owner, Ctrl + Alt + Teach Professional Development
Lindsey Weatherby is a dedicated special education teacher with a passion for creating engaging, well-developed, and effective lesson plans that support all learners. With expertise in fostering critical thinking, she designs instructional activities that challenge students to infer... Read More →
Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Salon 2Marriott St. Louis Airport
Learn: Discover how music can enhance STEM education! Explore the power of creating songs as a tool to reinforce key concepts, making learning both memorable and engaging.
Engage: Dive into a hands-on STEM activity, then work in groups to create a simple, catchy song about the STEM principles you explored. Through collaboration, experience the excitement of combining learning with creativity and discover firsthand how music can deepen understanding and retention in any subject area.
Apply: Each group will showcase their song teaching a STEM concept, modeling how this approach can spark interest and aid retention for students. Gain a memorable strategy to energize learning in your classroom.
Learn: Discover how teachers can leverage their unique position to positively influence students' brain development. This session will explore research in mind, brain, and education, providing practical strategies to enhance learning, memory, critical thinking, and confidence in the classroom.
Engage: Participants will be actively involved through movement, curiosity, humor, play, music, and interactive discussions, making the learning experience enjoyable and memorable.
Apply: Walk away with a wealth of immediately applicable, low-cost strategies to nurture every student's brain and engage their interest daily. Understanding how the brain learns will transform your teaching practice and enrich your own learning experience as well.
