innovate25: Full Schedule

8:40am CST

Digital Heroes: Cisco's GPS for Genius Hour

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

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

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

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

Speakers

Arthur Vambaketes

Educator, Ferguson Florissant School District

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

DECK Digital Heroes pdf

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

Technology Culture

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

8:40am CST

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

10:10am CST

Igniting Student Interest in Careers with Discovery Education

Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 10:35am CST

Salon 1

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

Discovery

Monday February 24, 2025 10:10am - 10:35am CST
Salon 1 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Design Technology Belonging

Session Type spark

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

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

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

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

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

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 →

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

1:30pm CST

The Sixth Fitness: Exploring the Big Questions of Open-Source Learning for Fun & Profit & Solving Every Problem Ever

Monday February 24, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm CST

Salon 4

If you have ever sat in a class or a faculty meeting and asked yourself, "When are we going to learn?" the answer is NOW and this keynote is for YOU. Open-Source Learning is an educational philosophy that celebrates the humane, optimizes the digital, and connects both the people and the dots in service to preparing for an increasingly complex and uncertain future. Learn how Open-Source Learning accounts for every great teaching practice in history and invites you to develop your own. Discover the transformations that take place when students become learners and pursue interdisciplinary goals through unique personal explorations that go beyond traditional classroom experiences. Dive into the five fitnesses of Open-Source Learning, and then you'll unlock the Sixth Fitness to validate and launch your own action plan. Transform the way you view your life and your teaching – and the work starts now, with a deceptively simple question: What do you want to learn?

Speakers

David Preston

Monday February 24, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Technology Leadership Culture

Session Type Keynote

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

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

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

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

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

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

1:30pm CST

Making AI Your F.R.E.S.H. Classroom Assistant

Tuesday February 25, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm CST

Salon 4

Learn: Discover a 3-step strategy for leveraging AI to enhance student engagement with culturally responsive content. Explore how to utilize AI tools for creating station activities, weekly lessons and customized resources that address diverse student interests and needs.

Engage: Experience a demonstration of the AI strategy and practice crafting classroom activities using AI tools. Engage in collaborative discussions to share ideas and insights with fellow educators.

Apply: Be equipped to apply the 3-step strategy to streamline lesson planning, increase efficiency and create F.R.E.S.H. lessons and activities that are both relevant and engaging for all students.

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 1:30pm - 2:20pm CST
Salon 4 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Technology Leadership Culture

Session Type Keynote

2:30pm CST

Day in the Life of a Discovery Education Teacher

Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 2:55pm CST

Salon 1

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

Discovery

Tuesday February 25, 2025 2:30pm - 2:55pm CST
Salon 1 Marriott St. Louis Airport

Design Technology

Session Type Spark

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