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Audience: Ignite clear filter
Monday, February 24
 

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
Monday February 24, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
Salon 5 Marriott St. Louis Airport

8:40am CST

Unlocking Student Engagement with Discovery Education
Monday February 24, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
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
Monday February 24, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
Salon 1 Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Design  Culture

8:40am CST

Students Leading Their Learning
Monday February 24, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
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
Monday February 24, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
Lindbergh Marriott St. Louis Airport

8:40am CST

Attention is Everything – Capture and Keep Attention in the Classroom with Merlyn
Monday February 24, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
Learn: Discover how Merlyn, a voice-enabled AI assistant, revolutionizes classroom management and instruction by integrating seamlessly into daily teaching tasks. Learn how Merlyn supports real-time curiosity, engagement, and classroom focus, while maintaining strict K-12 privacy standards.

Engage: Experience how Merlyn functions in a classroom setting through live demonstrations and real-world examples. Explore interactive discussions on how Merlyn can address classroom challenges like managing devices, setting timers, and fostering engagement.

Apply: Walk away with actionable insights to implement Merlyn in your classroom. Gain practical strategies to enhance focus, improve classroom behavior, and create more opportunities for impactful teaching moments with this innovative tool.
Speakers
Monday February 24, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
Salon B Marriott St. Louis Airport

10:10am CST

Chasing Wonder
Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
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
Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon 5 Marriott St. Louis Airport

10:10am CST

Students and AI—Myths, Misconceptions, and Classroom Realities
Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Learn: Examine the evolving role of AI tools in student learning and uncover the myths that often accompany their use. From concerns about cheating to fears that AI stifles creativity, panelists will provide evidence-based insights to challenge these misconceptions and highlight how AI can enhance critical thinking, collaboration and innovation in the classroom.

Engage: Join the conversation through the Chat feature to share your perspectives, ask questions and discuss how students are currently using AI tools. Participate in a dynamic Q&A session where panelists will address concerns and provide examples of responsible and effective student-centered AI integration.

Apply: Explore practical examples of AI tools that students can use to support learning and creativity in real time. Learn how to empower students to use AI responsibly to solve problems, explore new ideas and develop critical skills for the future. Gain strategies for creating classroom policies and activities that encourage ethical and innovative use of AI.
Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

10:10am CST

Igniting Student Interest in Careers with Discovery Education
Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Learn: Discover how Discovery Education Experience supports career exploration from kindergarten through high school. Explore engaging tools like career path quizzes and career-focused resource collections to inspire students about their future possibilities.

Engage: Participate in an interactive career path quiz to align your interests with potential careers and discuss ways to implement similar activities with your students. Collaborate with peers to explore curated career-focused resources and strategies for integrating them into your teaching.

Apply: Gain practical methods for sharing career-focused collections within Discovery Education Experience and actionable strategies to guide students on their career journey and spark excitement about their future aspirations.
Speakers
Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon 1 Marriott St. Louis Airport

10:10am CST

Labor-Based Grading in Secondary Education
Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
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
avatar for Brandy Simmons

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

10:10am CST

Is STEM for me?
Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Learn: Explore how STEM principles can integrate into all disciplines, including PE, Art, Debate and other specialist areas. Gain insights into how STEM-focused teaching transcends traditional subject boundaries and supports innovative learning across the curriculum.

Engage: Use the Chat feature to ask questions, share ideas and engage with both panel experts and fellow educators. During the live Q&A segment, address specific challenges like assessing STEM work and supporting STEM initiatives in non-STEM subjects.

Apply: Gain practical strategies to embed STEM in your teaching, no matter your subject. Learn ways to support STEM initiatives while meeting grading and assessment requirements, ensuring you contribute to a holistic learning environment for all students.
Speakers
Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon C Marriott St. Louis Airport

10:10am CST

Beginning your AI Journey in K12
Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Learn: Discover the transformative potential of Generative AI in K-12 education through a no-cost, 90-minute virtual readiness session tailored for educators and administrators. Gain insight into the opportunities and challenges AI brings to learning environments.

Engage: Collaborate with seasoned consultants from Advanced Learning Partnerships (ALP) and CDW in exploring practical strategies for AI implementation. Participate in guided discussions and real-world scenario planning to understand how AI can shape your district’s educational practices.

Apply: Leave equipped with actionable insights and a strategic framework to define and scale AI-infused learning environments in your district. Start your AI journey with confidence and clarity.
Speakers
Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon B Marriott St. Louis Airport

10:10am CST

Code.org Programs for Your School
Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
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
Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon A Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Integration  Technology  Belonging

10:10am CST

Enhancing Leadership Behaviors and PD via Arts-Based Professional Learning
Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
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
Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Spirit of St. Louis Marriott St. Louis Airport

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
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
avatar for April Burton

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

11:10am CST

Get Excited about Overexcitabilities: Harnessing the Energy of the Exceptional Learner
Monday February 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
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
avatar for Carly Mansfield

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

11:10am CST

Improving Instructional Alignment Through Lesson Internalization
Monday February 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Learn: Discover how to use a lesson internalization protocol to enhance collaborative planning and instruction in critical content areas. This session targets districts using scripted lessons or those focused on developing teacher-created lessons, providing strategies applicable even in non-mandatory lesson planning environments.

Engage: Analyze video clips from lesson internalization meetings and examine protocols from various districts. Engage in discussions with peers and small groups to share insights and key takeaways throughout the session.

Apply: Gain hands-on experience with a planning template to guide portions of a lesson internalization protocol and how to implement these strategies in your school fostering best practices and instructional alignment.
Speakers
Monday February 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon 1 Marriott St. Louis Airport

11:10am CST

Supercharge Learning with a Professional Mindset
Monday February 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
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.
Monday February 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon 2 Marriott St. Louis Airport

11:10am CST

The Sixth Fitness: What's Your Big Question?
Monday February 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Learn: Discover a powerful framework for sparking curiosity and driving learning. Explore  how developing a "Big Question" can inspire students to dive into meaningful, interdisciplinary exploration with the support of their communities and global mentors. 

Engage: Through interactive activities, role-playing and collaborative discussions, practice building networks of support within your communities and connecting with expert mentors worldwide. Experience hands-on strategies and effective techniques for integrating
Open-Source Learning principles into classrooms or other learning environments.

Apply: Gain a foundational Open-Source Learning model, complete with your own
“Big Question” to guide further inquiry and community-based exploration in addition to practical tools for fostering collaborative learning environments that encourage curiosity, interdisciplinary connections and impactful discoveries.
Speakers
Monday February 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon 5 Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Design  Technology

11:10am CST

Procedures that just make sense!
Monday February 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
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
Monday February 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

11:10am CST

Reviving Literacy: Innovative Strategies for Elementary Student’s Reading & Writing Success
Monday February 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
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.
Monday February 24, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon A Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Technology  Design

12:10pm CST

Stories and Magic
Monday February 24, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
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
Monday February 24, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon 5 Marriott St. Louis Airport

12:10pm CST

Building Better Humans: The Power of Prosocial Education
Monday February 24, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
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
avatar for Jen Foster

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

12:10pm CST

Engaging Early Learners
Monday February 24, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Learn: Understand how intentional, age-appropriate use of technology can enhance learning for young students. This session explores strategies for incorporating technology naturally into the classroom to meet the unique abilities and developmental stages of early learners.

Engage: Experience interactive demonstrations showcasing how tools like iPad can empower young learners to communicate, create, and explore at their own pace. Participants will also engage in small-group discussions to share ideas and insights on technology's role in early childhood education.

Apply: Gain practical tips for implementing technology in your classroom in ways that align with developmentally appropriate practices. Leave with a toolkit of strategies to foster creativity, self-expression, and individualized learning for your youngest students.
Speakers
Monday February 24, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon B Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Integration  Technology

12:10pm CST

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

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
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
avatar for Brandy Simmons

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 →
avatar for Cara Bertelmann

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

2:30pm CST

What’s New in Education from Apple
Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Learn: Discover the latest Apple products, tools, and programs designed to transform education. Explore how innovative technology supports productivity, collaboration, and enhanced learning experiences in the classroom.

Engage: Participate in a dynamic session featuring live demonstrations of Apple’s newest educational tools. Collaborate with peers in small-group discussions to exchange ideas and explore how these innovations can benefit your teaching environment.

Apply: Leave equipped with practical knowledge and inspiration to integrate Apple’s cutting-edge solutions into your teaching. Take actionable steps to leverage technology for better productivity, seamless collaboration, and enriched student engagement.
Speakers
Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Salon B Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Integration  Technology

2:30pm CST

AI Tools for Teachers: Boosting Student Engagement and Learning
Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
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.
Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Salon 2 Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Technology

2:30pm CST

Creating Songs for STEM Success with STEMusic!
Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
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
Monday February 24, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Salon 5 Marriott St. Louis Airport
 
Tuesday, February 25
 

8:40am CST

Family Engagement for Growth and Belonging
Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:40am - 9:05am CST
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
Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:40am - 9:05am CST
Salon 2 Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Belonging  Culture

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
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
avatar for Stephanie Boyce

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 5 Marriott St. Louis Airport

8:40am CST

Task Talk
Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
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
Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
Lindbergh Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Design

8:40am CST

Immersive Learning through Augmented Reality
Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
Learn: Discover how augmented reality (AR) can transform learning experiences, offering students unique opportunities to explore concepts and engage with content in innovative ways. Gain insight into how AR can be effectively integrated across subjects, from science to social studies and more, using iPads.

Engage: Participate in an interactive session where you’ll explore AR applications, engage in hands-on demonstrations, and collaborate with peers to brainstorm ways to align AR activities with your curriculum goals.

Apply: Walk away with actionable strategies and best practices for incorporating AR into your teaching. Learn how to design immersive AR experiences that captivate students while enhancing their understanding of complex concepts across various subject areas.
Speakers
Tuesday February 25, 2025 8:40am - 9:30am CST
Salon B Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Integration  Technology

10:10am CST

Embracing AI in Education—Challenges, Myths, and Opportunities
Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
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.
Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

10:10am CST

Best Practices for Integrating and Enhancing Creativity in the Classroom
Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Learn: Explore how fostering creativity supports essential skills like problem-solving, analytical thinking, and collaboration. Gain clarity on what creativity looks like in the classroom and discover how iPads can serve as powerful tools to cultivate it.

Engage: Participate in interactive discussions to share ideas, challenges, and strategies for weaving creativity into your curriculum. Experience examples of creative classroom activities and collaborate with fellow educators to brainstorm innovative approaches.

Apply: Leave with practical methods to integrate creativity into your teaching practice using iPads. Equip yourself with techniques to inspire your students, encourage out-of-the-box thinking, and enhance learning outcomes across subjects.
Speakers
Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon B Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Integration  Design

10:10am CST

Code.org Programs for Your School
Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
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
Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon A Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Integration  Technology  Belonging

10:10am CST

A Healthy Balance: Tech vs. Tradition
Tuesday February 25, 2025 10:10am - 11:00am CST
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
avatar for Sophie Chambers

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 10:10am - 11:00am CST
Salon 3 Marriott St. Louis Airport

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
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
avatar for Stephanie Boyce

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 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon 5 Marriott St. Louis Airport

11:10am CST

Building a Comprehensive Behavioral Support System: From Strategy to Implementation
Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Learn: Understand the essential components of a district- or building-wide behavioral support system and how to ensure it meets the diverse needs of all students. Explore real-world examples of effective implementation across schools and districts, and discover strategies for building a culture of consistent behavioral expectations and support.

Engage: Join a panel of administrators, behavior specialists and district leaders as they share their experiences and best practices. Use the Chat feature to collaborate with peers, share ideas and ask questions. Participate in a dedicated Q&A session to address your specific concerns and challenges in developing or refining a behavioral support system.

Apply: Discover how to initiate or improve a behavioral system in your district or building. Gain practical tools to monitor fidelity, assess effectiveness and maintain consistency across diverse learning environments while fostering a supportive culture for students and staff.
Speakers
Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

11:10am CST

Reviving Literacy: Innovative Strategies for Elementary Student’s Reading & Writing Success
Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
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.
Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon A Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Design  Technology

11:10am CST

MTSS with the Head and the Heart
Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
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.
Tuesday February 25, 2025 11:10am - 12:00pm CST
Salon 1 Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Leadership  Culture

12:10pm CST

Building Better Humans: The Power of Prosocial Education
Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
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
avatar for Jen Foster

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

12:10pm CST

Building Thinking Classrooms: Transforming Math Education Through Collaboration and Understanding
Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
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.
Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

12:10pm CST

Unlocking Student Engagement with Discovery Education
Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
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
Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon 1 Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Design  Culture

12:10pm CST

Video Lesson Teaching
Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
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.
Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon 2 Marriott St. Louis Airport

12:10pm CST

The Sixth Fitness: Become a Lead Learner
Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Learn: Discover the transformative role of becoming a lead learner in the Open-Source Learning model. Dr. David Preston will guide you through the principles of full engagement, vulnerability and restorative dialogue that empower educators to inspire learners by example.

Engage: Participate in reflective exercises and discussions that help you uncover opportunities for personal growth and empathetic facilitation. Collaborate with fellow participants to explore strategies for building meaningful connections and fostering resilience in learning environments.

Apply: Gain actionable steps to embody the lead learner mindset. You’ll gain clarity on how to model risk-taking and vulnerability while supporting your students' learning journeys, ensuring every moment becomes an opportunity for growth and discovery.
Speakers
Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon 5 Marriott St. Louis Airport

12:10pm CST

Improve Curriculum and Instruction with Pear Deck by Go Guardian
Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Learn: Explore how Pear Deck by Go Guardian enhances classroom learning through an integrated suite of tools designed for instruction, engagement, assessment, and intervention. Understand how these tools are rooted in learning science and tailored for K-12 classrooms.

Engage: Discover best practices for using Pear Deck to actively engage students, gather real-time feedback, and assess understanding. Engage in interactive demonstrations that highlight how Pear Deck can transform your teaching approach and improve student outcomes.

Apply: Leave with practical strategies and the confidence to incorporate Pear Deck into your curriculum. You’ll learn how to utilize the platform’s features to enhance instruction and support student learning, helping both teachers and students reach their full potential.
Tuesday February 25, 2025 12:10pm - 1:00pm CST
Salon B Marriott St. Louis Airport
   Integration  Design  Technology

2:30pm CST

Day in the Life of a Discovery Education Teacher
Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Learn: Explore how Discovery Education Experience can enhance every part of your school day, from sparking curiosity with immersive videos and virtual field trips to providing engaging, standards-aligned content for lesson planning.

Engage: Bring your laptop and dive into hands-on activities that demonstrate how to use Discovery Education for transitions, recess or downtime. Collaborate with fellow educators to uncover creative ways to integrate these tools seamlessly into your daily routines.

Apply: Gain strategies to captivate students and extend learning beyond the classroom by sharing resources with students and families. Whether you’re new or experienced with Discovery Education, you’ll gain practical tools to elevate your teaching and engage your students.
Speakers
Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Salon 1 Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Design  Technology

2:30pm CST

Is AI Transformational?
Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
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
avatar for Bob Deneau

Bob Deneau

Chief Information Officer, Rockwood School District
Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Salon 2 Marriott St. Louis Airport

2:30pm CST

AI Tools with Students
Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
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.
Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Salon 5 Marriott St. Louis Airport
  Technology

2:30pm CST

Create an AI Transformation vision for your school/district
Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Learn: Discover the essential components of an AI Transformation vision, including strategies for data protection, fostering student well-being, and preparing staff and students for AI integration. Gain insights into best practices for creating a forward-thinking plan that balances innovation with responsibility.

Engage: Collaborate with peers through interactive discussions to identify common challenges and share ideas. Participate in guided exercises to outline initial steps for building an AI vision tailored to your school or district's unique needs.

Apply: Leave the session equipped with a structured framework for developing a comprehensive AI Transformation vision. Gain practical steps to kick-start your journey, from addressing readiness gaps to planning for implementation and monitoring progress effectively.
Speakers
Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CST
Salon B Marriott St. Louis Airport
   Leadership  Technology  Integration
 
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