innovate25: Full Schedule

8:40am CST

Changing the Future of STEM Education with STEMusic!

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

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.

Speakers

Roy Moye III

Monday February 24, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Design

Session Type Ignite

8:40am CST

Unlocking Student Engagement with Discovery Education

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

Salon 1

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!

Speakers

Discovery

Monday February 24, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
Salon 1 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Design Culture

Session Type Ignite

8:40am CST

Students Leading Their Learning

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

Salon 2

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.

Speakers

Marie Schroeder

2nd Grade Teacher, Orchard Farm School District

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 2 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Design Technology

Audience Classroom teachers, Specialist / Encore
Session Type Ignite
School / Company Orchard Farm

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

10:10am CST

Chasing Wonder

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

Salon 4

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.

Speakers

Taylor Hughes

Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Design

Session Type Ignite

10:10am CST

Labor-Based Grading in Secondary Education

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

Salon 3

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.

Speakers

Brandy Simmons

English Teacher, Dupo High School District 196

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 →

Labor Based Grading pptx

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

Design Wellness

Audience All K-12 Educators
Session Type Ignite
School / Company Dupo School District 196

10:10am CST

From One-Size-Fits-All to Learner-Centered: Using Your LMS to Support UDL

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

Salon 2

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.

Speakers

April Burton

Francis Howell School District

April Burton is the instructional technology content leader and the World Language content leader in the Francis Howell School District.

Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon 2 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Technology Design

Audience All K-12 Educators
Session Type Ignite
School / Company Francis Howell School District

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

11:10am CST

Supercharge Learning with a Professional Mindset

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

Salon 2

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.

Speakers

Drew McAllister

John Omoresemi

Monday February 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon 2 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Design Culture

Audience All K-12 Educators
Session Type Ignite
School / Company Parkway School District, St. Charles County CAPS

11:10am CST

The Sixth Fitness: What's Your Big Question? (2 of 4 in OSL Series)

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

Salon 4

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.

Speakers

David Preston

Monday February 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Design Technology

Session Type Ignite

11:10am CST

Enhancing Leadership Behaviors and PD via Arts-Based Professional Learning

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

Salon B

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.

Speakers

Daniel Jones

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

Leadership

Audience Building Principals
Session Type Ignite
School / Company Riverview Gardens School District

11:10am CST

Procedures that just make sense!

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

Salon C

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.

Speakers

Emily Hilligoss

EducationPlus

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

Leadership Culture Design

Audience Administration, K-12 Educators
Session Type Ignite, Panel

11:10am CST

Reviving Literacy: Innovative Strategies for Elementary Student’s Reading & Writing Success

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

Salon A

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.

Speakers

Maggie Bunten

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

Technology Design

Session Type Ignite
School / Company eMINTS

12:10pm CST

Building Better Humans: The Power of Prosocial Education

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

Salon A

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.

Speakers

Jen Foster

Sr. Program Coordinator, eMINTS National Center

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 →

Haylee Anderson

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

Belonging Culture

Session Type Ignite
School / Company eMINTS

12:10pm CST

Stories and Magic

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

Salon 4

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.

Speakers

Taylor Hughes

Monday February 24, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Design

Session Type Ignite

12:10pm CST

Engaging Early Learners

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

Salon B

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.

Speakers

Apple

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

Integration Technology

Session Type Ignite
School / Company Apple

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

Jennifer Ferguson

Missy Roux

Lindsay McCracken

innovate 25 Instructional Rounding.pptx pdf

Monday February 24, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon 2 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Leadership Culture

Audience Building Principals, Classroom Teachers, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches
Session Type Ignite
School / Company Special School District, Special School District

12:10pm CST

Perceptions and Influences: A Study on U.S. High School English Teachers' Attitude Towards ChatGPT Integration in Instructional Practices

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

Salon 3

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.

Speakers

Brandy Simmons

English Teacher, Dupo High School District 196

Cara Bertelmann

Secondary English Teacher

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 →

Bertelmann Simmons innovate template 25 pptx

Monday February 24, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon 3 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Technology

Audience All K-12 Educators, Classroom Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Technology Directors
Session Type Ignite
School / Company Nevada Virtual Charter School, Dupo School District 196

2:30pm CST

What’s New in Education from Apple

Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST

Salon B

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.

Speakers

Apple

Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Salon B Marriott St. Louis Airport

Integration Technology

Session Type Ignite
School / Company Apple

2:30pm CST

Code.org Programs for Your School

Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST

Salon A

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.

Speakers

Learning Technology Center

Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Salon A Marriott St. Louis Airport

Integration Technology Belonging

Session Type Ignite
School / Company ITC

2:30pm CST

AI Tools for Teachers: Boosting Student Engagement and Learning

Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST

Salon 2

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.

Speakers

Lindsey Weatherby

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 2 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Technology

Audience All K-12 Educators
Session Type Ignite
School / Company Special School District

2:30pm CST

Creating Songs for STEM Success with STEMusic!

Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST

Salon 4

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.

Speakers

Roy Moye III

Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Technology Culture Belonging

Session Type Ignite

2:30pm CST

Feeding the Learning Brain

Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST

Salon 3

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.

Speakers

Denise Ford

Gifted Teacher, Kirkwood School District

Passionate about Gifted Education, innovation, creativity, and learning.

Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Salon 3 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Wellness Design

Audience All K-12 Educators
Session Type Ignite
School / Company Kirkwood School District

8:40am CST

Family Engagement for Growth and Belonging

Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:40am - 9:05am CST

Salon 3

Learn: Discover the impact of family and community involvement on student success and explore various strategies for fostering meaningful connections. Explore effective, actionable methods for welcoming parents and community members into schools in a way that is both frequent and productive.

Engage: Participate in activities designed to map out your current family and community engagement efforts. Identify what is working well, uncover areas needing improvement and collaborate with colleagues to share insights and ideas. Use planning tools and resources to develop ideas that build upon your school’s existing practices.

Apply: Gain a framework to create or enhance a family engagement plan tailored to the unique needs of your school and a clear path for strengthening partnerships that support growth, belonging and the overall success of your students.

Speakers

Jess Payne

Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:40am - 9:05am CST
Salon 3 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Belonging Culture

Audience All K-12 Educators, Building Principals
Session Type Ignite
School / Company MNPS

8:40am CST

Unpacking the F.R.E.S.H. Approach to Culturally-Responsive, Standards-Based Instruction

Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST

Salon 4

Learn: Take a deep dive into the principles behind culturally responsive, standards-based (CRSB) instruction and how to integrate into the F.R.E.S.H. framework. Explore the “why” and “what” of CRSB instruction and understand its crucial role in fostering student success in diverse classrooms.

Engage: Through collaborative exercises and targeted discussions, analyze real-world scenarios that illustrate the impact of culturally responsive strategies. Engage in dialogue with peers, share insights and experiences related to implementing CRSB instruction enhancing your understanding of its practical applications.

Apply: Gain actionable ideas for integrating culturally responsive elements into your lesson planning. With guided discussions and collaborative activities, develop a clear understanding of how to identify and apply strategies that align with academic standards, making learning more meaningful for students from all backgrounds.

Speakers

Stephanie Boyce

Chief Educational Officer, The FRESH Classroom

Dr. Stephanie R. Boyce is an Edupreneur driven by her passion to reshape the educational landscape by making culturally responsive teaching a way of life.For the last decade, Boyce has focused her studies and work on matters of racial justice and equity for historically marginalized... Read More →

Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Belonging Design Culture

Session Type Ignite

8:40am CST

Task Talk

Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST

Salon 1

Learn: Discover quick and effective strategies for designing tasks that boost student engagement. Explore practical approaches that can be applied across various subject areas.

Engage: Take part in a hands-on, station rotation discovery model. This interactive setup will guide participants in creating a high-quality task tailored to their subject area and instructional goals.

Apply: Gain ready-to-use sample tasks that can be implemented immediately in the classroom, ensuring an impactful takeaway for engaging students.

Speakers

Robyn Haug

Director of Assessment and Professional Learning, School District of Clayton

Robyn Haug is a veteran classroom teacher with over twenty years of experience in K-12 classrooms. After stepping out of the classroom for four years to work as a secondary instructional coach on aligning grading and professional learning practices across a building and a district... Read More →

Task Talk Innovate 25.pptx pdf

Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
Salon 1 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Design

Audience All K-12 Educators
Session Type Ignite
School / Company Clayton School District

8:40am CST

Elevate Your Teaching with AR app Reality Composer

Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST

Salon B

Learn: Transform your classroom with Augmented Reality! During this session we will introduce the power of AR in education. Learn to use Apple's Reality Composer to create immersive learning experiences.

Engage: Explore the pedagogical benefits of AR, from boosting engagement to fostering deeper understanding.

Apply: We'll provide hands-on Reality Composer instruction and share practical AR examples across subjects, empowering you to integrate AR into your curriculum and elevate your teaching.

Speakers

Apple

Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
Salon B Marriott St. Louis Airport

Integration Technology

Session Type Ignite
School / Company Apple

10:10am CST

Feeding the Learning Brain

Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Salon 2

Speakers

Denise Ford

Gifted Teacher, Kirkwood School District

Passionate about Gifted Education, innovation, creativity, and learning.

Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon 2 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Design Wellness

Audience All K-12 Educators
Session Type Ignite
School / Company Kirkwood School District

10:10am CST

Best Practices for Integrating and Enhancing Creativity in the Classroom

Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Salon B

Learn: Understand why creativity is essential for problem-solving, analytical thinking and collaboration in today’s classrooms. Explore the challenges of defining and fostering creativity as part of the learning process.

Engage: Join an interactive discussion on best practices for integrating creativity into your school’s curriculum. Share ideas and examples with peers on how iPad can support innovative teaching and learning strategies.

Apply: Gain practical tips for embedding creativity into lessons across various subject areas. Use iPad tools to empower students to think critically, collaborate effectively and express their ideas in unique ways.

Speakers

Apple

Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon B Marriott St. Louis Airport

Integration Design

Session Type Ignite
School / Company Apple

10:10am CST

Code.org Programs for Your School

Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Salon A

Speakers

Learning Technology Center

Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon A Marriott St. Louis Airport

Integration Technology Belonging

Session Type Ignite
School / Company ITC

10:10am CST

Embracing AI in Education—Challenges, Myths, and Opportunities

Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Salon C

Learn: Uncover the transformative potential of AI in education, from reshaping traditional teaching methods to supporting differentiated instruction. Panel experts will share perspectives on high-impact AI tools, practical applications and how to discern value amidst an ever-growing landscape of AI resources.

Engage: Participate in the discussion by using the Chat feature to ask questions, share insights and connect with both panelists and peers. A dedicated Q&A segment will allow you to explore specific questions, including how AI can enhance your role and support your teaching goals.

Apply: Gain actionable knowledge of current high-impact AI tools and examples of their use in educational settings. Learn strategies for leveraging AI to meet diverse student needs and enrich learning outcomes in ways that align with your teaching style and classroom objectives.

Speakers

Erin Lawson

Education Plus

Erin serves EdPlus member districts by developing tailored learning opportunities and professional development programs. Erin has 20 years of education experience in a variety of roles including 6th-grade teacher, district technology coach and Director of Professional and Program... Read More →

Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon C Marriott St. Louis Airport

Integration Culture Leadership

Audience All K-12 Educators
Session Type Ignite, Panel

10:10am CST

Physical Fitness: How to Train your Body with Open-Source Learning (3 of 4 in OSL Series)

Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST

Salon 4

Learn: Discover how Open-Source Learning not only builds knowledge and skills but also fosters self-awareness and personal growth. Understand why learning is an endurance sport that requires physical and mental stamina.

Engage: Explore simple, no-cost practices—including exercise, rest and nutrition—that boost cognitive and physical energy for learning. Participate in hands-on activities designed to fuel both your brain and body.

Apply: Practice techniques during the session that you can immediately use to enhance focus and energy. Gain actionable strategies to share with your students and classroom community for sustained learning success.

Attendance of this session will earn you an NFT-backed digital badge; and earn a grand slam badge by attending all 4 sessions.

Speakers

David Preston

Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Technology

Session Type Ignite

11:10am CST

Bringing F.R.E.S.H. to Life – Designing Culturally-Responsive, Standards-Based Lessons

Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST

Salon 4

Learn: Explore how to apply the F.R.E.S.H. approach in real classroom scenarios. Discover methods to develop Fun, Relevant, Engaging, Standards-Based and Higher Order lessons that elevate student learning and engagement.

Engage: Participate in interactive exercises designed to craft your own F.R.E.S.H. activities while collaborating with peers. By sharing examples from the field and engaging in group discussions, gain valuable insights into creating impactful lesson plans that resonate with diverse learners.

Apply: Gain a designed personalized F.R.E.S.H. activity tailored to your curriculum in addition to the skills to integrate the F.R.E.S.H. principles to implement inclusive and engaging lessons in your classroom enhancing the educational experience for all students.

Speakers

Stephanie Boyce

Chief Educational Officer, The FRESH Classroom

Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Culture Belonging Design

Session Type Ignite

11:10am CST

Reviving Literacy: Innovative Strategies for Elementary Student’s Reading & Writing Success

Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST

Salon A

Speakers

Maggie Bunten

Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon A Marriott St. Louis Airport

Design Technology

Session Type Ignite
School / Company eMINTS

11:10am CST

A Healthy Balance: Tech vs. Tradition

Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST

Salon B

Learn: Explore how to achieve a healthier balance between technology and traditional skills in your classroom. This session addresses concerns about excessive screen time and the impact on essential soft skills, drawing from discussions held within my school district.

Engage: We will cover diverse topics, including virtual reality, traditional geography skills, handwriting versus speech-to-text, library resources, and the importance of face-to-face communication. Attendees will have opportunities for Q&A throughout the presentation to foster engagement.

Apply: Participants will receive a T-chart to assess their current balance between technology and traditional skills, along with actionable strategies for reinforcing soft skills in their classrooms. Leave with practical ideas to enhance your curriculum and promote student success in both realms.

Speakers

Sophie Chambers

Gifted Instructor, Chillicothe R-II School District

STEAM Club Facilitator; Innovation & Learning Coach for PK-5th Grades; Gifted Instructor for K-8th Grades; METC 2018 Spotlight Educator; Presenter at METC (2 yrs), ISTE (2 yrs), MOREnet (1 yr), MSBA (1 yr), District PD (5 yrs); Chillicothe EdCamp Co-Founder; Grant Recipient from MPER... Read More →

Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon B Marriott St. Louis Airport

Integration Wellness Culture

Audience All K-12 Educators, Building Principals, Classroom Teachers, Curriculum Coordinators, Instructional Coaches, Library Media Specialists, Technology Directors, Specialist / Encore
Session Type Ignite
School / Company Rhilicothe R-II School District

11:10am CST

MTSS with the Head and the Heart

Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST

Salon 2

Learn: Discover how the SSD MTSS Facilitator Team has effectively embedded cognitive, affective and tangible aspects of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) into their coaching and learning practices. Gain insights into how to support leaders in fostering a holistic approach to MTSS implementation.

Engage: Engage in exploration of the crosswalk matrices, MTSS playbook and other resources, plus, have meaningful conversations with peers and facilitators to explore practical ways to incorporate effective tips, strategies and practices into your own work. Collaborative dialogue will enhance understanding and inspire actionable ideas.

Apply: Gain information and resources that best fit contextually into your school systems to make data based decisions around equitably supporting all students within their settings ensuring that both cognitive and emotional aspects are considered in their MTSS systems.

Speakers

Breeya Perry

Trish Diebold

Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon 2 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Leadership Culture

Session Type Ignite
School / Company Special School District

12:10pm CST

Building Better Humans: The Power of Prosocial Education

Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST

Salon A

Speakers

Jen Foster

Sr. Program Coordinator, eMINTS National Center

Haylee Anderson

Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon A Marriott St. Louis Airport

Culture Belonging

Session Type Ignite
School / Company eMINTS

12:10pm CST

Building Thinking Classrooms: Transforming Math Education Through Collaboration and Understanding

Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST

Salon C

Learn: Gain insights from experienced educators as they share their journey of implementing the Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) framework in math education. Panelists will discuss what initially inspired them to adopt BTC, the challenges they faced and the transformative impact it has had on their teaching and student learning. This session will explore key aspects of BTC, including the mindset shifts, classroom management strategies and relationship-building techniques that contribute to its success.

Engage: Throughout the session, participants will use the chat feature to ask questions, share reflections and exchange ideas with panelists and fellow attendees. A live Q&A segment will provide an opportunity to delve deeper into topics like overcoming initial hurdles, refining practices and fostering collaborative learning in math classrooms.

Apply: Gain practical insights and advice to start your own BTC journey or enhance your current practices. Whether you're a BTC novice or looking to refine your approach, you'll gain actionable strategies for creating a thinking-centered environment that engages students, builds problem-solving skills, and transforms your math instruction.

Speakers

Tim Levine

Becky VanSant

Olivia Strazewski

Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon C Marriott St. Louis Airport

Design

Audience All K-12 Educators, Math, Elementary
Session Type Ignite, Panel

12:10pm CST

Unlocking Student Engagement with Discovery Education

Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST

Salon 1

Speakers

Discovery

Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon 1 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Design Culture

Session Type Ignite

12:10pm CST

Video Lesson Teaching

Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST

‎ Video On Demand

The On Demand session linked below will cover:

Learn: Explore how to effectively use video to record and teach lesson demonstrations that can be uploaded to a dedicated YouTube channel. Discover how recorded lessons can capture students' attention through step-by-step modeling for projects, skill development or desired behaviors.

Engage: Utilize project materials, acquired skills and a cell phone camera to practice teaching and demonstrating a lesson that will be uploaded to your YouTube channel created for this purpose.

Apply: Gain skills to launch your own YouTube video lesson demonstration to support students who may struggle, provide resources for absent learners and maximize preparation time during lessons, especially when teaching multiple classes back-to-back.

Video Links:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Speakers

VIELIA M JEFFRIES-EVANS

Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
‎ Video On Demand Marriott St. Louis Airport

Design Technology

Audience Specialist / Encore
Session Type Ignite
School / Company University City School District

12:10pm CST

Pear Deck - Time Saving Techniques for Building Rigorous Engagement

Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST

Salon B

Learn: Discover how engagement, differentiation and rigor work together to drive student success. Explore the challenges teachers face in balancing these pillars while managing their workload.

Engage: Learn how Pear Deck supports teachers in creating high-quality learning experiences that keep students actively involved. Explore real examples of how technology can simplify lesson planning and instruction.

Apply: Discover practical strategies for using Pear Deck to enhance engagement, personalize learning and maintain rigor without adding extra stress. Gain tools to create dynamic, student-centered classrooms with ease.

Speakers

Ryan Hetchler - Pear Deck Learning

Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon B Marriott St. Louis Airport

Technology

Session Type Ignite
School / Company CDW

12:10pm CST

Civic & Technological Fitness: How to Build and Steward Learning Networks Online and IRL with Open-Source Learning (4 of 4 in OSL Series)

Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST

Salon 4

Learn: Discover how Open-Source Learning fosters both skill development and self-awareness, helping us grow individually and collectively. Explore how neural, social, and online networks amplify learning and shape our understanding of the world.

Engage: Join a discussion on how collaboration accelerates learning, from building stronger social connections to leveraging online communities. Examine how culture, government systems, and AI influence information processing and knowledge sharing.

Apply: Gain practical strategies to nurture learning networks that empower both you and your students. Walk away with tools to foster connection, collaboration, and deeper learning in your classroom and beyond.

Attendance of this session will earn you an NFT-backed digital badge; and earn a grand slam badge by attending all 4 sessions.

Speakers

David Preston

Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Technology Leadership

Session Type Ignite

2:30pm CST

Is AI Transformational?

Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST

Salon 2

Learn: Discover the latest AI tools and their potential applications in the classroom. Discover cutting-edge technology and showcase how AI can create new learning opportunities, sparking innovation for both educators and students.

Engage: Actively experiment with AI tools while engaging in thought-provoking discussions on the broader impact of AI on education. Collaborate with peers to explore AI's role in transforming the learning experience.

Apply: Gain practical ideas and strategies for leveraging AI in your classroom. Be prepared to create transformative learning experiences that harness AI's potential to engage and inspire students.

Speakers

Bob Deneau

Chief Information Officer, Rockwood School District

Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Salon 2 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Leadership Technology

Audience All K-12 Educators, Classroom Teachers, Curriculum Coordinators, Technology Directors
Session Type Ignite
School / Company Rockwood School District

2:30pm CST

AI Tools with Students

Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST

Salon 4

Learn: Delve into the latest and most effective AI for all students but especially those who require additional support.

Engage: Take part in a hands-on, station rotation discovery model to create high-quality task(s) tailored to your subject area and instructional goals.

Apply: Gain new found insights that are ready to be applied into your classroom fostering an open-minded approach to integrating AI responsibly.

Speakers

Lindsey Weatherby

Owner, Ctrl + Alt + Teach Professional Development

Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Technology

Audience All K-12 Educators
Session Type Ignite
School / Company Special School District

2:30pm CST

Moving the Needle - AI and the Attainability of Instructional Best Practices

Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST

Salon B

Learn: Explore the key pedagogical practices—differentiation, high-quality instructional materials and personalized learning—that have the greatest impact on student outcomes. Understand why, despite years of training, these strategies often fall short in real classrooms.

Engage: Discuss the biggest barrier to implementing best practices... time. Examine how the expansion of generative AI presents new opportunities to streamline instruction and support educators at scale.

Apply: Discover how AI-driven tools can help bridge the gap between theory and practice, making effective teaching strategies more accessible. Gain actionable insights on integrating AI to enhance instruction and improve student outcomes.

Speakers

Ryan Hetchler - Pear Deck Learning

Tom Ashley

Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Salon B Marriott St. Louis Airport

Technology

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