Thinking, listening, talking: three of the main tenets of learning, no matter the content nor discipline. Structured conversations, called discussion protocols, make the difference in collaborative classrooms. However, many of our students just don’t know how - we haven’t explicitly taught them! Come and discover processes which could work for you right off the bat as you start the school year.
Educational consultant for the School Reform Initiative as well as former Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Accountability for City Schools of Decatur, GA.Education: PhD; Elementary EducationED.S; K-12 Educational LeadershipM.Ed; Elementary Education
Wednesday July 23, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT BNHS AC-1122775 Bobcat Blvd, Trophy Club, TX 76262, USA
Let’s make magic happen with Padlet! Unlock new possibilities for student creativity while maintaining control over features, layouts, and settings that fit your classroom needs. In this session, we’ll explore how to provide choice, leverage a variety of tools, and integrate Padlet’s latest features, including Sandbox and text-to-image. Discover ways to customize content, enhance engagement, and make learning more interactive—no matter your grade level or subject area. We can’t wait to see you there!
Discover the two most common approaches to behavior management and explore a fresh, transformative philosophy that you can start using in your classroom today! Gain practical strategies for setting meaningful behavior goals with your students and see firsthand how it shifts their mindset—and yours—for lasting success.
Power struggles with students can quickly derail learning and create unnecessary stress for both educators and learners. In this engaging session, we’ll explore common power struggles that arise in the classroom—such as defiance, refusal to follow directions, and attention-seeking behaviors. Through real-world examples and interactive discussions, participants will gain practical, research-backed strategies to de-escalate conflicts, set clear boundaries, and foster a positive classroom environment. Walk away with proactive techniques to build respect, maintain authority without confrontation, and keep your classroom running smoothly—no tug-of-war required!
Join us for a fun and relaxing time to talk books and swap for a new read to close out your summer break. Pleasure reading books of all genres are welcome.
Looking to streamline classroom communication and engagement? Look no further than ParentSquare! From coordinating class parties and recruiting volunteers to sending reminders and organizing activities, ParentSquare makes it easy. It syncs with calendars, sends automatic reminders, and keeps families connected to the classroom. We’ll explore the Studio Editor to create eye-catching newsletters, use group codes for targeted communication, and learn how to share classroom photos to give parents a peek into daily learning moments. Join us to unlock ParentSquare’s full potential as your all-in-one communication hub!
Experience the game-changing potential of AI in rubric development. You’ll learn how to leverage AI to create robust, adaptable rubrics that align with your learning objectives. Discover how AI can save you time, ensure consistency, and enhance the quality of your assessments.
Depth & Complexity Graphic Organizers are flexible, Google Slides-based tools that make it easy to assign high-level thinking across any content area. The organizers help students internalize the iconic concepts of the Framework while providing structure to their thinking. In this session, participants will practice using several organizers and gain confidence using this resource to support meaningful engagement. Making Depth & Complexity a consistent part of instruction has never been easier.
Kim Tredick is a former Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. She has served as lead curriculum writer for J Taylor Education since 2006 and has been using Depth and Complexity for three decades as a teacher, principal, and district administrator. In 2006, she was awarded... Read More →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT BNHS AC-2052775 Bobcat Blvd, Trophy Club, TX 76262, USA
Campus and district leaders are often inundated with data but need better tools to make it truly actionable. In this session, learn how to connect your data to Looker Studio, build simple yet powerful visualizations, and update your Looker dashboards with new data over time. You’ll leave with a sample dashboard, practical skills, and a clear path to turning your data into action.
ChatGPT is more than just a search engine—it's a dynamic tool that can enhance lesson planning, differentiate instruction, and support student learning in powerful ways. In this session, teachers will explore strategies for using AI effectively, moving beyond simple searches to leveraging ChatGPT for content creation, feedback, and critical thinking activities. Walk away with practical applications and time-saving techniques to make AI work for you in the classroom!
Ready to level up your Edugence skills—together? With students now testing online, it’s game time for you and your teammates to conquer the platform! In this co-op session, we’ll show you how to assign assessments like a pro, activate the lockdown browser or unassigned absent students for secure play, and understand online proctoring. You'll also pick up quick fixes and insider tips to defeat common lockdown triggers and troubleshoot challenges like a true team. Join forces, share strategies, and walk away ready to win the Edugence game.
Behavior Interventionists, Prairie View and 7-Hills Elementary
I was the Inaugural SEAC teacher at Leo Adams. I currently work as the campus BI for 7- Hills Elementary. I enjoy family vacations with my extended family. I am passionate about empowering and encouraging educators to manage challenging behaviors by taking a proactive approach... Read More →
This course will look at the characteristics and behaviors prevalent in gifted learners. We will have discussions on students in our classroom that may have some of these characteristics. This will give teachers in the general education classroom concrete ways to identify and better understand exceptional students.
Lisa Degnan was a GT Specialist and advocate for gifted students in Northwest ISD. She is transitioning back to the classroom and is looking forward to using her knowledge of gifted students to help students stay challenged and focused in class.
Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, all NISD teachers will have the ability to manage student Chromebooks with Lightspeed Classroom. This platform empowers teachers to view and control student screens in real-time, limit browsing and close off-task tabs, send messages or links directly to student devices, and monitor AI activity in class. Come to this informational session to learn about the platform, get a preview of what it can do, and ask questions.
Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach school staff, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
Chrome Extensions, Keyboard Shortcuts, and Hacks, OH MY! We are SO excited to share our FAVORITE THINGS with you! This is a session you will not want to miss! Whether you are Admin, Office Staff, Teachers, or someone who uses a computer daily, this session is. for. you. Come learn about all the ways to make your life easier with all these magical tricks. We promise, you will not be disappointed!
Ready to turn your spreadsheets from basic to brilliant? In this session we’ll explore time-saving tips, clever tricks, and powerful hacks to help you work smarter—not harder—with Google Sheets. Whether you’re a teacher tracking data, an admin making sense of reports, or office staff streamlining systems, there’s something here for you. Come learn some of our favorite spreadsheet secrets and leave feeling like a spreadsheet superhero!
Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Northwest ISD
Technology enables us to extend our reach and become more effective, relevant, and connected educators. Effective teachers are expected to design, implement, and assess learning experiences to engage students and prepare them to be competitive and successful in a global marketplace... Read More →
Set your students up for success by giving them the tools to "boss up" their executive functioning skills! In this engaging session, you'll explore practical strategies to help students improve focus, time management, and organization. From creative planning techniques to brain-boosting routines, you'll leave with fresh ideas that empower students to take charge of their learning. Whether your students need help prioritizing tasks, remembering deadlines, or staying on track, this session will provide actionable tips to turn scattered minds into strategic thinkers — all while having a little fun along the way!
Caitlin Andrews is a GT Specialist in Northwest ISD with over 14 years of experience in providing gifted services in both self-contained and pull-out classrooms. She is advocate for twice-exceptional students, a passion that has only grown since her own son was identified as dyslexic... Read More →
Lindsey Hart is a GT Specialist in Northwest ISD with over 16 years of experience in providing gifted services in both classroom and pull-out settings. She advocates tirelessly for twice-exceptional students, and works closely with teachers and other specialists to develop curriculum... Read More →
Looking for strategies to get your students thinking, struggling productively, and truly processing their learning? This session will dive into practical ways to use Lead4Ward resources to create meaningful learning experiences that increase student success. You’ll leave with ready-to-use strategies that encourage deeper engagement, critical thinking, and student ownership of learning. Come ready to collaborate, reflect, and transform your instruction!
Join us as we explore creative ways to gauge student comprehension in the classroom. Discover interactive techniques that provide valuable insights into student learning in real-time, empowering teachers to make timely instructional decisions and address misconceptions effectively.
No power tools required, but we will help you equip yourself with cross-curricular tools and strategies to serve any student in any class without being a content expert. Open to all Special Ed and Gen Ed teachers who provide CC support.
Wanna level up you're reading and writing strategies for all learners? This session explores innovative reading and writing strategies designed to engage diverse learning styles and needs across all content areas. Participants will discover practical techniques to support all learners through differentiated instruction, with a focus on research-backed approaches that foster comprehension, creativity, and critical thinking for all students.
Grab your teammates and get ready to squad up with Edugence reports! In this session, you’ll work together to decode the data that powers strong whole-class and small-group instruction. We’ll guide you through error analysis reports, the SE Analysis for STAAR prep, and key tools like the Teacher Dashboard and SE Performance Roster to help you form targeted small groups. You’ll also learn how to use quintile reports to find students on the verge of a breakthrough and track whole-class trends like a data boss. It's a team effort—and your next instructional win is just a few clicks away!
Looking for ways to maximize parent involvement and support? Get ready to take-away practical ideas for how to avoid "the parent trap" and engage parents like a pro. Great for new teachers or anyone who works with parents!
In this workshop-style session, we delve into the intricacies of accommodations, modifications, and specialized strategies, focusing particularly on aiding students on the autism spectrum. As educators, we recognize the importance of creating inclusive environments where every student feels valued and supported in their unique learning journey.
Teaching is a social profession – and not just with the students! Social drivers and threats are a real thing in the workplace and having some strategies can improve the quality of adult: adult interactions in schools. Come to assess your own social drivers and threats as well as plan how to meet other’s needs. This session is open to all, and particularly welcome for colleagues who work together at the same campus.
Educational consultant for the School Reform Initiative as well as former Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Accountability for City Schools of Decatur, GA.Education: PhD; Elementary EducationED.S; K-12 Educational LeadershipM.Ed; Elementary Education
Wednesday July 23, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT BNHS AC-1122775 Bobcat Blvd, Trophy Club, TX 76262, USA
Perhaps you have caught yourself nodding your head as someone is talking about differentiation. Later you determine you’re not even sure if the two of you share the same definition of differentiation! In this session, we will use a clear, practical definition of differentiation to assess various lesson plans and consider our own next steps with differentiating for our students.
Educational consultant for the School Reform Initiative as well as former Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Accountability for City Schools of Decatur, GA.Education: PhD; Elementary EducationED.S; K-12 Educational LeadershipM.Ed; Elementary Education
Wednesday July 23, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT BNHS AC-1122775 Bobcat Blvd, Trophy Club, TX 76262, USA
In this session, we will explore effective strategies and practical approaches to foster verbal thinking skills in our youngest learners. We will delve into the foundational elements of verbal reasoning and provide insights into how educators can foster and develop these skills in the most manageable way. This session will be geared toward K-2 teachers.
Explore the power of VOICE with us! While the idea of voice notes may sound simple, Mote offers big wins for all educators. Experience how Mote not only saves time, but also helps build relationships by personalizing learning and feedback. Mote can be integrated within all Google Apps and opens doors for ESL learners, younger learners, & anyone with oral accommodations. For students, Mote allows for creativity and personal voice.
In this hands-on session, we’ll experience Mote firsthand, preview examples of Mote usage throughout NISD, explore ready-made templates, and share ideas. We’ll learn how to share voice notes via link, embed code, and QR code. We’ll also provide time for you to create experiences for your learners using Mote.
Get ready to level up your teaching game with Digital Breakouts! Uncover how Digital Breakouts empower students to take control of their learning journey, working at their own pace, collaborating with classmates, and assessing their progress as they conquer challenges and unlock clues. In this interactive session, you'll unlock the secrets to boosting student engagement, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. We will showcase how to take curriculum and design breakout questions for students. We'll explore how to design engaging Digital Breakouts using ChatGPT, Canva, and Google Forms, while discovering strategies to craft challenges that foster collaboration, creativity, and perseverance.
These session will explore gifted learners through popular culture. Teachers will watch one of the movie options on their own, complete a short task, and then come together to discuss giftedness through the lens of Hollywood. Visit the GT Update site for directions.
Audra has been involved with gifted education for the majority of her career. Having taught 5th GT, she was involved in curriculum writing and professional development. Upon leaving the classroom, she became a GT coordinator for elementary services in Irving for 9 years. For the past... Read More →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT BNHS AC-2012775 Bobcat Blvd, Trophy Club, TX 76262, USA
Join us for a dedicated work session where you can focus on building, refining, and organizing your Canvas courses. This professional development session provides structured time, support, and resources to help you enhance course content, streamline navigation, and incorporate best practices for online learning. Collaborate with colleagues, ask questions, and leave with a more polished and effective Canvas course ready for your students!
we will facilitate a conversation about what GTs are super excited about in Middle school, what works and what doesn't. not content specific, just great practices that they love.
Have you been questioning whether AI has a place in your classroom? Are you looking for talking points to address parent concerns? Do you need practical examples of how AI can streamline tasks, personalize learning, and boost classroom engagement? We’ve got you covered! Through hands-on exploration and practical examples, participants will learn how to use AI to enhance teaching and prepare students for a future where AI competence is crucial. Join us to discover how to make AI an ally in the classroom, fostering an environment where both educators and students are future-ready. Explore district policies on AI integration, ethical considerations, and strategies for empowering students with responsible AI skills. Leave inspired and equipped with actionable insights to navigate the AI landscape confidently and unlock its full potential in education!
Planning rigorous, differentiated lessons doesn’t have to be time-consuming. In this practical, hands-on session, you’ll break lesson design into five key steps that make on-the-fly planning both simple and powerful. Using your own content, you’ll build lessons infused with the Depth & Complexity Framework—ensuring every student is appropriately challenged and engaged. Walk away with real examples, practical strategies, and a planning approach you can put to work immediately.
Kim Tredick is a former Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. She has served as lead curriculum writer for J Taylor Education since 2006 and has been using Depth and Complexity for three decades as a teacher, principal, and district administrator. In 2006, she was awarded... Read More →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT BNHS AC-2052775 Bobcat Blvd, Trophy Club, TX 76262, USA
Join us for an in-depth session on the creation and effective use of 3D learning targets and their impact on student success. During this session, you will explore the research supporting this practice, collaborate with colleagues, and engage in practical strategies for implementation.
Get ideas for planning engaging and interactive lessons that get kids up and moving through simulations. We will look at unique ways for students to apply their knowledge in fun ways that requires critical thinking. These extension ideas are not multi-day projects, but 1 day activities that give students the opportunities to teach other students and learn in multiple ways.
Tips and steps to hel pyou you think through and plan out conversations with families to ensure you have the students' best interest at the forefront AND get a good outcome from the conversation?
Want to reduce daily stress, minimize repetitive tasks, and create a more student-centered learning environment? This session will explore practical strategies for streamlining classroom management and instruction using a combination of student-led responsibilities, AI tools, and digital automation. Learn how to implement effective student jobs that empower learners while improving classroom flow, integrate AI tools to enhance lesson planning and feedback, and leverage digital solutions like Securly Pass Kiosk and Canvas templates to simplify administrative tasks. Walk away with actionable strategies to boost efficiency, reclaim valuable teaching time, and create a more engaging and organized classroom experience for both you and your students. Time will included to incorporate teacher creation of the automations.
This session will go over tips for creating new assessments and improving your existing ones with the help of AI. Then we will go over some useful methods to convert them into canvas quizzes that can be shared with your PLC members. Bring your grade level PLC and get multiple assessments knocked out in a single session!
Do you want to ignite your student's thinking before your lessons even begin? What about student engagement and teamwork during a break or transition time? Come learn and play some games that incorporate the 4C's - creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication! With these games student engagement will increase, and their brains will be ready to learn!
I am a 23 year experienced teacher having taught grades K-5. I have been, both, departmentalized (ELA/SS) and self-contained, and have served as a Dyslexia Specialist. I am currently a Gifted and Talented Specialist at Hughes Elementary.
Wednesday July 23, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT BNHS AC-2012775 Bobcat Blvd, Trophy Club, TX 76262, USA
This session is designed to support educators in k-5 who have completed the required 30 hours of gifted education training. It will focus on practical, classroom-ready strategies to differentiate instruction, foster creativity and critical thinking, and provide appropriate challenges for gifted students. Participants will explore innovative lesson ideas, tools for enrichment and acceleration, and ways to create a supportive learning environment that nurtures the unique needs of gifted learners across content areas.
Caitlin Andrews is a GT Specialist in Northwest ISD with over 14 years of experience in providing gifted services in both self-contained and pull-out classrooms. She is advocate for twice-exceptional students, a passion that has only grown since her own son was identified as dyslexic... Read More →
Lindsey Hart is a GT Specialist in Northwest ISD with over 16 years of experience in providing gifted services in both classroom and pull-out settings. She advocates tirelessly for twice-exceptional students, and works closely with teachers and other specialists to develop curriculum... Read More →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT BNHS AC-2102775 Bobcat Blvd, Trophy Club, TX 76262, USA
Work Smarter, Not Harder: AI Tools That Save You Time! What if AI could handle the busywork so you can focus on what truly matters—your students? The right AI tools can help you create standards-aligned content, provide instant feedback, and keep students engaged with minimal effort.
In this session, we’ll explore time-saving AI tools like Brisk, Curipod, Class Companion, Diffit, and MagicSchool—designed to get you 80% of the way there so you can fine-tune and make it your own. Whether it’s generating interactive lessons, simplifying differentiation, or streamlining assessment, these tools are here to lighten your load and maximize impact.
Join us for a hands-on dive into AI-powered teaching and walk away with strategies you can use tomorrow!
You may have used a discussion protocol or two in a meeting at school with adults. Many of these discussion structures can be modified to be used with students of all ages. We will engage in several processes so you can feel what it would be like for the students you teach.
Educational consultant for the School Reform Initiative as well as former Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Accountability for City Schools of Decatur, GA.Education: PhD; Elementary EducationED.S; K-12 Educational LeadershipM.Ed; Elementary Education
Wednesday July 23, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT BNHS AC-1122775 Bobcat Blvd, Trophy Club, TX 76262, USA
A session for any secondary staff who want to know more about what we do at DAEP. We are a support campus and our mission is to teach in all aspects. We will discuss our routines and procedures of course. But more importantly, we will discuss how we try to have our classrooms mirror those of the home campus, through restorative practices, our behavior framework, and through alignment with the district scope and sequence.
In this session, we will looked at how planning for tiered instruction with Depth and Complexity supports all learners in your classroom. You will leave this session with a lesson planned to start the year and a learning target ready to go!
This session is for those who have a strong understanding of the depth and complexity icons and how to use them in your classroom.
Thinking Like a Disciplinarian (TLAD) is a core component of the Depth & Complexity Framework—and a powerful way to enrich and expand student thinking. This session explores how students can approach content through the lens of real-world experts: examining like historians, questioning like philosophers, or problem-solving like engineers. By stepping into these roles, students don’t just think like experts—they become them. They approach content with greater purpose, make stronger cross-curricular connections, and gain a deeper understanding of how disciplinarians use perspective
Kim Tredick is a former Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. She has served as lead curriculum writer for J Taylor Education since 2006 and has been using Depth and Complexity for three decades as a teacher, principal, and district administrator. In 2006, she was awarded... Read More →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT BNHS AC-2052775 Bobcat Blvd, Trophy Club, TX 76262, USA
Embark on a transformative journey through the boundless skies of accessibility and accommodations using technology. We soar through Canvas, Kami, Chromebook Profiles, Built-in Chromebook tools, Mote and more! You'll discover a treasure trove of tools designed to elevate learning for all. Together, we'll equip you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the limitless skies of accessibility and accommodations, ensuring every learner's needs are met. Let's chart a course towards a more inclusive future in education!
Anchor charts are powerful tools that make thinking visible and help students retain key concepts. In this hands-on session, teachers will explore best practices for creating effective anchor charts and then have dedicated time to design charts they can immediately use in their classrooms. Walk away with ready-to-use resources that support student learning and engagement!
