innovate25: Full Schedule

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8:40am CST

Digital Heroes: Cisco's GPS for Genius Hour

Monday February 24, 2025 8:40am - 9:05am CST

Learn: Discover Cisco’s Global Problem Solvers (GPS) program as a powerful framework for Genius Hour, guiding students to tackle real-world issues. Learn how GPS cultivates critical thinking and digital storytelling to address local, national and global challenges.

Engage: Through live polls, collaborative brainstorming and Q&A, actively explore digital storytelling techniques and educational tools to enrich student-led projects. Small group discussions will foster idea-sharing and practical insights.

Apply: Gain ready to implement Genius Hour projects with Cisco's GPS resources, using digital storytelling to empower students to address contemporary challenges with creativity and precision.

Speakers

Arthur Vambaketes

Educator, Ferguson Florissant School District

Arthur Vambaketes has taught American History and Computer Science in the St. Louis region for over 15 years.. He has lived in the St. Louis area for all of his life. Arthur attended St. Mary’s elementary school in Alton and completed his secondary education at Alton High School... Read More →

DECK Digital Heroes pdf

Monday February 24, 2025 8:40am - 9:05am CST
Salon 3 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Technology Culture

Audience Building Principals, Classroom Teachers, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
Session Type Spark
School / Company Ferguson Florissant School District / Cisco Corp.

8:40am CST

Creating an Effective Assessment System: Utilizing Pear Assessment to Drive Student Outcomes

Monday February 24, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST

Salon B

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.

Speakers

Ryan Hetchler - Pear Deck Learning

Monday February 24, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
Salon B Marriott St. Louis Airport

Integration

Audience K12 Educators, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches, Technology Directors
Session Type Ignite
School / Company CDW

11:10am CST

Get Excited about Overexcitabilities: Harnessing the Energy of the Exceptional Learner

Monday February 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST

Salon 3

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.

Speakers

Cindy Voller

Carly Mansfield

Gifted Specialist, Kirkwood Schools

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 →

Jennifer Moore

Monday February 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon 3 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Belonging Wellness

Audience All K-12 Educators, Building Princiapsl, Classroom Teachers, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches, Specialist / Encore
Session Type Ignite
School / Company Kirkwood School District

12:10pm CST

Breaking Down the Myths and Misconceptions of Restorative Practice in the School Setting

Monday February 24, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST

Salon 1

Learn: Gain a clear understanding of restorative practices in education by exploring their purpose, principles and potential impact. Panelists will share what inspired them to embrace this approach and debunk common myths and misconceptions that may create resistance in schools.

Engage: Participate in dynamic discussions by using the chat feature to share your thoughts, ask questions and exchange ideas with experts and attendees. During the dedicated Q&A portion, ask specific questions about implementation and overcoming challenges.

Apply: Gain actionable insights to practical steps for introducing restorative practices in your school, strategies for supporting teachers resistant to this approach and evidence-based methods for tracking the impact of restorative practices. Discover real-life success stories to inspire your journey toward a restorative school environment.

Speakers

John Converse

Director of Restorative Practices, EducationPlus

John Converse is a restorative practitioner who brings 19 years of educational experience to life in his interactions with others. He has a set of skills that foster belonging and connection through the art of restorative practices. He is a certified trainer with the International... Read More →

Monday February 24, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon 1 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Leadership

Audience All K-12 Educators, Classroom Teachers, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches, Technology Directors
Session Type Panel
School / Company EducationPlus

12:10pm CST

Rounding Revelations: Navigating Instructional Rounds

Monday February 24, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST

Salon 2

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.

Speakers