Many well-intentioned school leaders struggle in their efforts to reform grading and reporting due to problems that could have been anticipated and avoided. Explore these issues and how to purposefully address them to avoid the conflicts they create. Develop a deep understanding of the change process and how to engage parents and families as true partners in reform efforts.

Participants will:

• Learn about the advantages and shortcomings of different grading methods and their implications for classroom policy and practice;
• Explore evidence-based strategies for reforming grading and reporting that are supported by all stakeholders and ensure grades are fair, accurate, and meaningful for all; and
• Develop guidelines for implementing effective standards-based and competency-based grading policies and practices at all grade levels.

Visualize the worst presentation that you have ever been a part of as an adult learner. Now visualize the best one. No doubt there is a considerable difference between the two professional learning opportunities. Learn the answers to three basic questions: What are strategies that I can use to make my professional development experience unforgettable? What are techniques that result in sustained adult behavior change? What are 10 things that keep adults living well beyond the age of 80?

Participants will:

• Ascertain why it can be so difficult for adults to change their behavior and determine the order of change when asking adults to implement new behaviors;
• Examine six principles of adult learning theory to use with faculty and staff in professional learning;
• Experience ten characteristics of quality professional learning to apply when implementing professional development; and
• Plan your next professional learning experience using an original template while incorporating brain-based strategies that take advantage of how all adult and student brains learn best.

Increasingly, school leaders are being asked to assume the role of instructional coach, often without clear guidance. Grounded in 25 years of research from The Instructional Coaching Group, explore the four essentials of effective coaching and how to use Fast Track Impact Cycles to drive real change.

Participants will:

• Identify the beliefs, skills, expertise, and processes that define effective instructional coaching and explain why they matter to leaders;
• Explore how principals, assistant principals, and other school leaders can integrate coaching into their leadership practice without compromising either role;
• Learn how to implement a streamlined version of the Impact Cycle to create meaningful, measurable improvements in classroom instruction; and
• Gain ready-to-use resources and strategies that support coaching conversations and teacher growth.

Creating a classroom ready to tackle polarizing conversations requires intentional strategies that empower students to engage in discussions in a way that fosters critical thinking, empathy, and respect.

Participants will:

• Learn to implement structured dialogue protocols that promote student engagement, respectful discourse, and critical reflection; 
• Explore teaching practices that encourage student-centered discussions focused on lived experiences and fairness.; and
• Analyze student engagement data and qualitative reflections to assess the impact of courageous conversations on student learning.

Want to help teachers engage all students, including those who are disconnected, disengaged, or unconfident? Explore grab-and-go instructional "hacks" that can be immediately used to coach and support secondary classroom teachers, with little to no additional instructional planning.

Participants will:

• Learn research-informed tangible strategies that can be immediately used in any classroom environment; 
• Get guidance on using point-prove-explain instruction feedback to drive continuous improvement cycles; and
• Explore hands-on experiences practicing engagement strategies and providing feedback with other attendies.

Research shows that students are more engaged when learning aligns with their interests, needs, and experiences. We introduce Liberatory Design as a way to co-design dynamic approaches to centering student experience. Learn how understanding the needs of students can help you co-create vibrant, purposeful, and engaging learning spaces alongside young people.

Participants will:

• Gain a foundational understanding of Liberatory Design and its connection to social emotional learning competence; 
• Explore how Liberatory Design mindsets can support leadership development; and
• Understand how centering student experience connects to improved student outcomes.

Foster on-the-job learning with high-impact teams, applying a four-step formative assessment for results cycle to drive continuous improvement and use of data in classrooms. Build educator capacity and student success in the face of teacher shortages and underpreparation, and unleash the power of teacher teams to enhance collaboration, increase efficacy, and implement evidence-based practices that boost student achievement.

Participants will:

• Engage teams in collaboratively learning, taking action, and assessing the impact of evidence-based classroom practices that impact student achievement; 
• Facilitate a four-step formative assessment cycle in which teachers: clarify lesson objectives and criteria for success; infuse formative assessment throughout instruction; analyze student work frequently and in depth; and provide timely and targeted feedback, reteaching, and extension; and 
• Support teacher teams in internalizing high-quality instructional materials and implementing lessons that match the range of student learning needs.

Are you ready to transform new teacher retention and effectiveness in your district or state? Discover how a successful statewide induction program delivers tangible results, combining intensive mentoring and professional learning. This session will provide deep insights into a standards-driven, data-informed systems approach that powerfully leverages mentoring and leadership to cultivate a thriving and sustainable education system for all stakeholders.

Participants will:

• Identify key components of a comprehensive teacher induction program that accelerates teacher effectiveness and improves retention; 
• Describe the essential elements of effective instructional mentoring, including the use of mentoring processes, protocols, and high-leverage tools focused on instructional improvement; 
• Understand the role of stakeholders (state leaders, program leaders, school administrators, mentors, and beginning teachers) in creating a supportive and collaborative induction system; and
• Develop strategies for implementing culturally responsive practices and professional development that addresses the needs of all learners.

Explore a free, high-quality professional learning program that actively engages teachers in building effective math intervention strategies, implementing instructional routines with students, debriefing experiences, and strengthening strategies.

Participants will:

• Understand the key activities of the Math Intervention professional learning course; 
• Experience an instructional routine designed for math intervention and understand how the professional learning activities and resources support teachers in using the routine with students; 
• Consider ways to implement this learning in your district and leave with ready-to-use resources for leaders, facilitators, and teachers.

Grasp data literacy principles by collecting, assessing, and interpreting data. Hone skills to effectively gather, analyze, and interpret data, guiding instructional practices and leadership decisions. Formulate actionable plans from data analysis, boosting teacher and leader efficacy while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

Participants will:

• Understand the principles of data literacy, including assessment, data collection, and interpretation; 
• Effectively collect and analyze data using various tools and techniques; and
• Apply their knowledge and skills to create actionable plans based on data analysis.

Discover how to design and implement effective microcredentials for professional learning with a focus on artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Explore the structure, content, and strategies of a successful 6-week AI microcredential that includes hands-on, immediately applicable activities, balanced insights into AI tools and risks, and forward-thinking strategies for classroom and district integration.

Participants will:

• Experience hands-on, context-driven AI activities that model best practices in adult learning, fostering collaboration and immediate application of skills; 
• Deepen their understanding of how AI can enhance teaching, learning, and leading in K-12 systems by leveraging high-quality, research-based tools and strategies; 
• Learn to create professional learning programs that prioritize access for all to AI tools and strategies, address educator assumptions about AI use, and build collaborative approaches to integrating AI into schools and districts; and 
• Develop the knowledge to create classroom and district guidelines to implement AI responsibly, sustaining long-term success and transformative outcomes for educators and students.

Explore the planning and preparation needed to facilitate a weekend early career educator induction academy, taking into account the needs of early career educators. Highlight the importance of addressing educators as individuals, professionals, and practitioners—and consider how this approach informs the facilitation of meaningful, impactful learning experiences.

Participants will:

• Design a weekend induction academy that aligns with the needs of early career educators and supports their professional growth; 
• Analyze strategies for planning effective professional learning experiences that integrate educators' personal, professional, and practitioner identities; and
• Develop a framework for facilitating meaningful, needs-based professional learning that enhances early career teacher retention and instructional effectiveness.

Engage by doing! Examine and experience a model for professional learning that enhances school culture incorporating the a range of school professionals. Educators practice, design, test, and collaborate in Universal Design for Learning and STEAM to explore learning that will engage their students.

Participants will:

• Learn about a collaborative, hands-on professional learning model, a “proof point” of what is possible, that has improved school culture, climate, and student engagement; 
• Experience hands-on projects that they can do with their staff to build a collaborative structure in their own schools; 
• Work on a plan to implement more hands-on workshops, choice, and Universal Design for Learning experiences into their professional learning plans; and 
• Have a model and supporting data that can be implemented in their schools and districts to leverage professional learning to change school culture and expand opportunities for student engagement, agency, and choice.

Explore a framework that provides instructional coaches and school administrators with actionable strategies to enhance individual teacher support within the professional learning communities model. Learn to align individual coaching with team dynamics for a comprehensive approach to teacher development.

Participants will:

• Understand the Coaching Compass framework and its role in integrating individual coaching with professional learning community practices; 
• Develop strategies to build trust, co-create goals, and provide meaningful support for teachers and teams; and
• Apply practical coaching techniques to address real-world challenges and varying teacher needs.

It is critically important that we strive to develop ourselves not just as educators and collaborative team members, but as human beings. Based on the book Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work, we will look at skills and capacities required to be more psychologically mature and emotionally intelligent collaborative educators.

Participants will:

• Learn to understand themselves and others through the lens of various identit(ies); 
• Suspend certainty and think with greater complexity and openness; 
• Take increased responsibility for their language and communications; and 
• Build resiliency and work on emotional health.

Discover how one state has reimagined teacher leadership to empower educators to develop their skills and take on new roles while remaining in the classroom. Explore their collaborative vision for teacher leadership, showcasing how teachers, administrators, community members, and policymakers have created a sustainable, statewide program.

Participants will:

• Articulate the impact of teacher leadership on teacher retention and school improvement; 
• Identify the six roles of a teacher leader and analyze how these roles contribute to a thriving school culture; 
• Evaluate the foundational aspects of one teacher leader program and generate strategies for adapting these elements to support growth in their own districts/divisions; and 
• Develop a personal vision for their own leadership journey and identify potential next steps for growth.

Explore a comprehensive approach to building and sustaining teacher leadership, which directly supports student achievement and school improvement through mentoring and peer learning. Discover practices like mentor-driven induction programs and collaborative learning groups to enhance teaching practices and self-efficacy. Understand how to use data to evaluate mentorship and peer learning initiatives, ensuring they meet teachers' needs and align with schoolwide goals for effective professional learning.

Participants will:

• Articulate 21st-century definitions of teacher leadership and recognize a variety of career pathways that support teacher leadership and professional learning; 
• Identify a mentoring model and structured pathways that sustain and deepen the development of teacher leaders, expanding their impact on school-wide initiatives and supporting professional growth, continuous improvement, and shared responsibility for improving learning; 
• Understand how mentor training can enhance both the practices of new teachers and their mentors, fostering a collaborative learning environment that prioritizes coherence and alignment in their learning; and 
• Reflect on the role of teacher leaders in their context and develop strategies to implement and sustain peer-to-peer learning models that advance institutional initiatives.

Can all students and families see themselves in your school or are some expected to check their culture at the door? Learn about steps one award-winning school took to increase sense of belonging for both students and families at their school. Leave with a roadmap that guides leaders through the key components of a professional learning plan that moves from awareness to action.

Participants will:

• Learn how to cultivate a school culture that honors the perspectives of students and families; 
• Create systems that will increase sense of belonging; and
• See real-world case studies for setting system priorities that support all students.

Does your data show a disparity in achievement for certain demographic groups in career and technical education courses? Explore ways to decrease the opportunity gap for special populations in these classrooms and ways in which to coach teachers who may be hesitant to try new approaches.

Participants will:

• Excavate perspectives and beliefs related to instructional practices; 
• Explore high-engagement, student-centered instructional practices for career and technical education courses that create safe learning spaces for all students; and 
• Learn strategies for coaching teachers to help them engage in exploring new ways to connect.

Explore of the neurobiology of stress and the unmet needs that drive student behavior, with practical strategies for proactive intervention. If we don’t address the unmet needs at the core of any unwanted behavior, a newer, even more unwelcome response will likely take its place.

Participants will:

• Analyze the relationship between stress, our neurobiological response to stress, and the unmet needs that drive students' behavior; 
• Dissect strategies for building a safe environment, emphasizing relationships, and cultivating mindsets that allow for collaborative problem-solving; and 
• Embrace a proven approach for supporting struggling students in any school, in any setting, at any age.

Discover practical strategies to transform your professional learning community into a powerful system of support for early literacy. Learn how to analyze student data, design targeted interventions, and apply research-backed instructional practices aligned with the science of reading.

Participants will:

• Learn how collaborative teams can effectively support early literacy instruction by identifying priority standards, aligning instruction and implementing the PLC at Work® process; 
• Explore science-of-reading-backed strategies to intensify and individualize reading instruction; and
• Gain tools to analyze student data, plan timely and targeted interventions, and monitor progress to ensure all students achieve their literacy goals.

Discover a structured, research-backed approach to curriculum implementation that enhances educator effectiveness and drives student success. Navigate a scaffolded implementation framework incorporating internalization strategies, structured literacy principles, and data-driven insights for sustainable curriculum impact.

Participants will:

• Understand the curriculum internalization process and its impact on student achievement; 
• Develop a structured approach to lesson planning, incorporating pacing, anchor texts, and assessment alignment; 
• Learn how to implement evidence-based instructional strategies to enhance curriculum fidelity and integrity; and 
• Apply practical strategies to analyze data and refine curriculum implementation for continuous improvement.

Explore a multi-year curriculum adoption cycle, focusing on empowering educators to implement a guaranteed and viable curriculum. Engage with research-backed strategies and collaborative discussions aimed at enhancing curriculum alignment and consistency across schools.

Participants will:

• Understand the five phases of the curriculum adoption cycle;
• Gain insights into research and data supporting curriculum alignment; 
• Identify gaps in current practices and develop strategies for improvement; and
• Share experiences with piloting, implementing, and optimizing curriculum materials and collaborate on solutions for challenges encountered during the adoption process.

Getting reluctant or less tech-savvy users to embrace AI tools, often due to fears of complexity, loss of control, or resistance to change can be a huge challenge. By flipping the traditional work pyramid — where leadership and creative functions are bogged down by administrative or repetitive work — AI offers a pathway to restoring time for the things that matter most: strategy, decision-making, and innovation.

Participants will:

• Gain a clear understanding of how AI can be integrated into education workflows to automate repetitive tasks and enhance productivity, with actionable strategies to introduce and integrate AI tools to reluctant or less tech-savvy staff; 
• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, freeing up time for teaching, learning, and innovative tasks; and
• Learn how to cater to all the learning needs within their school community, so all staff can effectively engage with AI tools.

Explore concrete strategies for turning data into action by centering student voice. Examine successes and challenges in engaging students as co-creators and improvers through tools like empathy interviews, student profiles, and the 42Q routine. Develop practical approaches to partner with students, bring their perspectives into convenings, and use data to drive meaningful, collaborative change.

Participants will:

• Learn about key data routines used in the CARE 8th grade on track network that have supported and integrated student voice and success; 
• Reflect on their current data collection system and identify opportunities to support the engagement of students as improvers; and 
• Apply their learning by designing actionable steps to use student-centered data practices to drive sustainable change in their own contexts.

Explore the transformational potential of site visits: a collaborative, peer-based professional learning framework which pairs classroom visits and rich, content-centered discussion. Step outside the traditional professional development box and feel empowered to build these structures as a way to deepen leaders’ and teachers’ pedagogical and content knowledge in order to accelerate student growth.

Participants will:

• Explore the concept of a site visit and how to execute one successfully from start to finish; 
• Learn how to create a space of psychological safety within the site visit in order to maximize all participants’ learning; and 
• Begin to plan how this type of structure could be implemented within their own school or system.

Engage every student with meaningful, joyful learning! Help educators struggling to implement multiple curriculum and framework standards by introducing six evidence-based strategies that accomplish several student learning outcomes. Gain hands-on experience, explore responsive practices, and use AI tools to streamline alignment.

Participants will:

• Learn and practice six evidence-based instructional strategies aligned with key frameworks to create lessons that are engaging and student-centered;
• Understand how to align instructional strategies with multiple frameworks to streamline curriculum design and deepen content mastery;
• Design lessons that promote interdisciplinary learning, knowledge transfer, and responsive classrooms; and
• Explore how to use AI tools to efficiently align instructional practices with curriculum and framework standards, saving time and enhancing lesson personalization and effectiveness.

School leaders, principals, assistant principals and teachers increasingly have to deal with polarization when working in teams, with students, and with parents and other external stakeholders. In this context, acquiring and incorporating multiple perspectives – an asset for the achievement of any goal — is especially crucial. Teams whose members authentically listen to each other, take advantage of each member’s skills, and learn, grow and continuously improve together —can get more done.

Participants will:

• Gain a strategic approach to achieving their goals in the context of a multi-viewpoint setting; 
• Use tools to develop a better understanding of others’ viewpoints; 
• Apply the insights from the tool(s) to a current problem of practice; and 
• Learn lessons from the experience of over 700 school leaders who are currently using the same tools.

Co-planning is a proven strategy that helps educators adapt lessons using data and expertise from both general and special education teachers. Learn how educators at the forefront of this pivotal work nationwide are using co-planning to ensure rigor and accessibility for all students, drive alignment in instruction across settings, and build capacity among educators.

Participants will:

• Understand what co-planning is and how it can benefit all students; 
• Engage with other educators and leaders to troubleshoot and discuss common challenges; 
• Practice using Marshall CoLab tools and resources to aid in successful implementation of co-planning; and 
• Develop an action plan for bringing co-planning to their schools.

Engage in a simulation based on a real-life case that walks through the different phases of an improvement journey. Working with others on an improvement team, be immersed in activities that practice using the key tools of improvement science and experience the personal and relational aspects of the journey.

Participants will:

• Understand and experience the different phases of an improvement journey;
• Learn about and apply improvement science tools and methods; and
• Experience what it is like to be part of an improvement team.

Examine the factors that have impacted the efforts of a large urban school district to embed the Center for Reaching & Teaching the Whole Child's (CRTWC) social, emotional, and cultural framework into the professional development pipeline in order to transform school climate. Explore how this framework can serve as a roadmap for district and school leaders to foster academic success and promote the well-being of both teachers and students.

Participants will:

• Learn about the CRTWC's social, emotional, and cultural competencies framework and how it can support school leaders to promote staff belonging, support growth mindsets, and strengthen teacher satisfaction;
• Explore how to utilize a framework to develop a common language and culture aligned with their district's overarching needs and priorities; and
• Identify 1-3 strategies to apply in their district or school setting.

Learn about the complexities of beginner and newcomer English learners/multilingual learners and how to support them. Create welcoming school and classroom communities, gather essential student information, and deliver high-quality instruction tailored to their needs.

Participants will:

• Explore the characteristics and scope of beginner and newcomer English learners/multilingual learners to better understand their unique needs; 
• Examine three guiding principles for supporting these students in schools and classrooms; and 
• Identify practical, research-based strategies and examples for creating effective learning environments.

Develop methods for multilingual learners to practice academic language through podcast creation and discussion. Empower students to refine their language skills while exploring content that resonates with their experiences and interests.

Participants will:

• Explore how using student-created podcasts in their schools can foster access to learning for multilingual learners, growing their ability to produce academic and social language for an authentic audience; 
• Delve into the research surrounding the importance of oral language practice and development for multilingual learners in all academic spaces; and
• Brainstorm how they can implement podcasting into their classrooms with authentic and rigorous topics that empower students to share their voices in a safe space.

Differentiation is an aspirational goal that many teachers find daunting and impractical. Be encouraged to move away from the conventional content/process/product model and think about differentiation in a more straightforward way: how teachers prepare units and lessons with multiple access points; how they set up scaffolding visuals in their classrooms; how they effectively present lessons and respond to learning difficulties in real time; and how they and their colleagues follow up with students who are not yet successful.

Participants will:

• Unpack and see the shortcomings of the conventional content/process/product model of differentiation; 
• Explore the history of differentiation and the current research debate; and
• Learn a more practical and effective approach to meeting the learning needs of all students.

Discover strategies to enhance cognitive engagement through the Building Thinking Classrooms frameworks. Gain practical tools to foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration, empowering educators and driving student success.

Participants will:

• Understand effective partnership strategies; 
• Learn to implement strategies that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and student-driven learning, fostering deeper cognitive skills; and
• Receive practical tools and digital resources to enhance engagement, support cognitive development, and create collaborative, empowering learning environments.

Experience how the new Anchored Inquiry Learning instructional model creates learning experiences that motivate students with significant, real-world phenomena and problems. Promote instructional parity through authentic societal challenges, cycles of inquiry, and sensemaking.

Participants will:

• Deepen understanding of the Anchored Inquiry Learning (AIL) model and its role in achieving the goals of the Framework for K-12 Science Education and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to ensure relevant learning for all students; 
• Learn how the model provides robust, three-dimensional, phenomenon-focused assessment tasks that allow students to demonstrate their understanding; and 
• Explore the development of high-quality instructional materials that form the basis for robust curriculum-based professional learning.

Explore how a dual enrollment program shapes future educators by offering high school students college-level courses and early teaching experiences, to ensure seamless transitions to higher education, focusing on mentorship, career readiness, and teaching opportunities.

Participants will:

• Gain a deep understanding of how the Teaching Academies' Dual Enrollment bridges high school and higher education; 
• Explore strategies for targeted recruitment and mentorship programs that support all high school students on their path to becoming educators; and
• Learn to integrate community-based recruitment models and local partnerships to enhance student engagement and success.

Are you struggling to unlock student's math brilliance in your school district? Do you want to build conceptual understanding, while also ensuring students have necessary content secured? Hear how one school district is leveraging dynamic math assessment practices to drive systematic improvement in student outcomes.

Participants will:

• Understand how to leverage dynamic assessment practices to drive student math outcomes; 
• Explore the impact of observational assessment practices; 
• Learn how to support system shifts in the use of varied assessments; and 
• Make a plan of action for how to implement system wide changes using dynamic assessment.

Peer feedback fuels teacher growth and student success. Learn how two schools are using feedback to ignite collaboration and boost learning. Discover powerful, research-backed strategies to turn observations into action and data into impact.

Participants will:

• Clarify the connection between effective feedback, collective teacher efficacy, and student success; 
• Examine the evidence-based practices that elevate peer-to-peer observation and feedback from routine to transformative; 
• Cultivate skills and dispositions necessary to deliver learner-focused feedback that drives improvement in teaching practices and student outcomes; and 
• Simulate high-quality observation and feedback cycles using structured tools, including the "WIN" framework.

Explore how a university and elementary school partnered for targeted administrative coaching and ongoing teacher leader professional learning. See how one principal, realizing that wisdom is not a by-product of a promotion, intentionally bridged the gap between new titles and the necessary leadership skills to influence and impact teacher practice and therefore outcomes for students.

Participants will:

• Anchor learning in an understanding of Learning Forward’s “Systematic Approach to Elevating Teacher Leadership” by reflecting on their own definition of teacher leadership and examining the defined assumptions; 
• Delve into leadership skills using tools and resources to empower leaders to gain greater self awareness to lead with confidence, build trust, facilitate productive conversations, strengthen coaching skills, navigate resistance, and lead high-impact teams; and 
• Create a leadership development plan to apply in their context.

What can be done now to prepare for — or better yet, mitigate — a mass exodus of principals over the next few years? Learn what current research is saying about the role of the principal, and specifically how districts can support their early career principals to lead a thriving learning community.

Participants will:

• Gain a clear understanding of the needs of early career principals in leading 21st century, post-pandemic schools in order to better understand the important role of mentoring regarding the modern role of the principalship; 
• Learn more about the skills that effective mentors need like active listening, navigating difficult conversations, effective questioning techniques, and building trust in order to better support early career principals in their position of leading learning communities; and 
• Have an opportunity to gain essential skills aligned with supporting pillars of effective principal practice to utilize in working with early career principals and in the process develop a viable leadership pipeline in their districts.

Building a culture of coaching within a building or department can have a profound impact on results. Learn coaching skills to build trust and rapport in a variety of situations, including with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and colleagues. Learn how a high school principal built a culture of coaching in the school where students and teachers receive coaching, leading to an increase in student achievement.

Participants will:

• Learn how to build a culture of coaching on teams within a school or department;
• Understand the importance of building trust and rapport with stakeholders in order to build relationships; 
• Gain practical strategies to immediately support the well being of students, teachers, administrators, and families; and
• Practice coaching strategies of paraphrasing, pausing, and posing questions effectively.

Explore a collaborative approach to enhancing teacher learning in support of multilingual learners’ linguistic and academic progress. Address key elements of these partnerships, develop new coaching skills, and learn to support partnership building.

Participants will:

• Find new ways to build or enhance professional relationships that foster a deeper understanding of multilingual learners’ talents, assets, and complex needs; 
• Evaluate a complete collaborative instructional cycle consisting of co-planning, co-teaching, co-assessing, and reflecting; 
• Establish an alignment between content attainment and language and literacy development; and 
• Review and evaluate key protocols for coaching teachers to be more effective collaborators.

Imagine a school where every team is high-functioning — not just collegial, but actually “Bridging Professional Learning & Student Success.” Clarify the role, responsibilities, assumptions, and mindsets necessary for teacher team leaders to be effective in getting more done, in less time, and with greater joy.

Participants will:

• Clarify the role of a teacher team leader in creating a culture of collaboration and inquiry; 
• Articulate the three responsibilities of a teacher team leader; 
• Raise assumptions and frame mindsets that lead to increased teacher team leader effectiveness; and 
• Explore simple, go-to moves, techniques, and strategies to improve their practice and the effectiveness of the team.

Discover strategies to create engaging classrooms for all students by embracing and leveraging student experience to build connections and mutual respect. Explore practical tools and best practices to transform classroom environments and enhance student outcomes through thoughtful and responsive teaching.

Participants will:

• Be confident in adapting teaching methods to cater to different learning styles and needs; 
• Use relevant stories and case studies to make lessons more relatable and meaningful; and
• Incorporate many perspectives, texts, and examples that reflect students' experience.

Create a system of accountability for belonging in your classroom by applying the five-step process of Teaching with Dignity, centering dignity and feedback within instruction. Develop confidence in prioritizing and advocating for belonging as a human need, engagement activator, achievement platform, and ensuring collective success is a foundation.

Participants will:

• Enrich understanding of dignity and belonging as variables that ensure people have the opportunity to thrive; 
• Learn how instructional belonging operates in classrooms as one of three essential belonging structures: instructional, institutional, and interpersonal; and 
• Explore a five-step process for creating an accountability system for dignity and belonging in the classroom.

Making significant changes in how you teach is difficult whether you are a novice or veteran teacher. Explore how teachers have applied what they learned in a professional learning program focused on asset-based teaching, as they engaged in deep reflection about their own identities and explored new ways to build relationships with all students, engage them in learning, and assess learning in multiple ways.

Participants will:

• Understand the importance of relationships in supporting all students;
• Explain ways to create an environment of caring in the classroom; 
• Examine tools and resources that support learning to engage in asset-based teaching; and
• Plan for addressing the four elements of asset-based teaching.

Examine how culturally relevant pedagogy practices enhance student engagement and support teacher retention. Explore strategies to foster learning, integrate high-quality instruction, and address systemic imbalance, emphasizing collaborative inquiry to improve outcomes for both educators and students.

Participants will:

• Understand the role of culturally relevant pedagogy in improving student outcomes; 
• Learn strategies to foster meaningful relationships with students, families, and communities while embracing students' assets in instruction; 
• Explore methods for designing and implementing high-quality curriculum and assessments that are culturally responsive; and 
• Identify approaches to strengthen teacher retention through professional learning, collaborative inquiry, and focused support systems.

Explore how structured planning tools enhance teacher collaboration, instructional coherence, and student engagement. Engage in hands-on activities using the Unit Unpacking and Lesson Planning Tools to align lessons with big ideas, standards, and assessments.

Participants will:

• See how the Unit Unpacking and Lesson Planning Tools enhance instructional coherence, support teacher collaboration, and improve student engagement and achievement; 
• Be able to use the tools to gain a deep understanding of curriculum-based units to better align lessons with unit goals, standards, and assessments, ensuring lessons are purposeful and student-centered; and
• Develop strategies for integrating these tools into professional learning communities, promoting shared decision-making, productive discussions, and comprehensive teacher contributions in instructional planning.

Rigor — one of the most disliked terms in education. Teachers struggle with how to define it in observable and actionable ways and have trouble explaining it in ways that lead to improved rigor and maintaining high expectations in their classrooms. Explore misconceptions and reclaim and redefine the term as a tool for professional growth and student learning.

Participants will:

• Define rigor and analyze class lessons to describe the level of rigor; 
• Identify 25 observable indicators of rigor; and 
• Develop talking points and coaching conversations based on their observations.

Experience a curriculum designed for newcomer students, examine its theoretical foundations, and discuss how localized, educative curricular materials coupled with curriculum-based professional learning can increase quality educational opportunities for multilingual learners.

Participants will:

• Deepen their understanding of curriculum-based professional learning that centers multilingual students and its alignment with the Standards for Professional Learning; 
• Engage in tasks from the curriculum and analyze how rigorous content, scaffolding, and opportunities for meaningful classroom talk support multilingual learners; and
• Discuss how professional learning communities and leadership engagement, paired with curriculum-based professional learning, contribute to sustained instructional improvement.

Consider how to write about your professional learning insights, experiences, and journeys for publication. Identify writing goals and ideas, gain strategies and tips for communicating effectively, and practice writing in response to prompts.

Participants will:

• Understand strategies for communicating insights, experiences, and stories about professional learning; 
• Practice writing for an audience of educators and/or policymakers; 
• Give and receive feedback from peers on quick-write drafts; and
• Explore publication venues.

Join a Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year in an interactive discussion on how innovative and personalized professional learning strategies can directly impact and improve student outcomes.

Participants will:

• Understand the connection between effective, personalized professional learning for educators and measurable improvements in student performance; 
• Explore innovative pathways and strategies used by award-winning school leaders to drive change; and 
• Develop actionable plans to integrate relevant professional growth opportunities into their schools to foster a culture of success for both educators and students.

Unearth the narratives that guide our work and explore how sensemaking can support us to reshape these stories to deepen awareness and increase efficacy. Hear how one school uses sensemaking to interrupt harmful narratives about students and co-construct new understandings about what is possible in their classrooms.

Participants will:

• Understand how narratives about our work are constructed and the impact they have on our decisions and our students; 
• Practice concrete skills that support data-driven sensemaking to interrupt harmful narratives and/or reshape the narratives we tell ourselves; and
• Hear a real-life example of a K-12 school engaging in this work.

Explore how educational data mining leverages big data to improve learning outcomes using artificial intelligence. Examine data collection methods, predictive insights into student performance, and applications for personalized learning.

Participants will:

• Gain insights into how educational data mining aligns with Learning Forward's vision of evidence-based practices for school improvement and educator performance; 
• Interpret key data trends and use predictive analytics to identify at-risk students, supporting actionable strategies to improve student outcomes in their own schools or districts;
• Learn how to use educational data mining tools and techniques to design personalized learning experiences that meet all student's needs; and
• Experience hands-on engagement, leaving with concrete examples of how professional learning can directly impact their instructional practice, team collaboration, and long-term improvement plans.

Unlock the power of collective intelligence by establishing a mastermind group in your school or district. Discover how structured collaboration among educators fosters innovation, problem-solving, and professional growth. Learn practical strategies to create, sustain, and maximize the impact of a mastermind group that drives continuous improvement and leadership development.

Participants will:

• Understand the purpose and benefits of a mastermind group in an educational setting; 
• Learn key strategies to establish and facilitate an effective mastermind group; 
• Develop a plan to implement a mastermind group that fosters collaboration and professional learning; and 
• Gain tools to sustain and evaluate the long-term impact of their mastermind group.

Observe and analyze a live coaching demonstration, listen to the coach’s reflection on the demonstration and explore feedback for the coach. Leverage the resources provided to practice coaching with your fellow participants and create a plan for continuing to grow as a coach in your home setting.

Participants will:

• Identify a growth goal around a specific coaching skill that they would like to practice; 
• Both practice their identified skill as well as receive coaching on that skill; and
• Ceate a plan for continuing to practice and grow their skills in their own context.

Witness one school's remarkable transformation from the lowest-performing middle school to a student-centered learning hub. Explore the key strategies that enhanced teacher efficacy, engaged parents and community, and boosted student success.

Participants will:

• Explore pivotal strategies to enhance teacher efficacy, engage parents, and foster community involvement as well as the 90-day monitoring system the school utilized to reach their goals; 
• Plan to implement similar strategies in their schools using the 90-day template; and
• Utilize the collective knowledge of the group to develop progress monitoring measurements for implemented strategies and develop systems to continually refine and enhance their educational approaches.

Fostering teachers’ growth and K-12 students’ success requires intentional practices. Partake in professional learning focused on cultivating an environment of inquiry through lesson reflection and teacher communities to enhance educator performance, capitalizing on teacher expertise using the ORCA (Observe, Reflect, Create, Apply) framework to build capacity of educators while sustaining a culture of learning, and supporting the mentoring process for early career induction participants through professional learning to improve practice.

Participants will:

• Commit to continuous improvement as they identify what lesson study is and how the ORCA framework supports lesson study; 
• Build collaboration skills and capacity while applying the ORCA framework to lesson study analysis in an environment of collaborative inquiry with other attendees; 
• Identify a focus area in their own instructional practice/content area and utilize lesson study analysis to support their professional development and their K-12 students’ success; and 
• Find strategies for applying information from this session to foster collaborative inquiry and mentoring practices in their schools/districts.

When educators co-create an evaluation plan grounded in research and explicitly designed to center learning and promote agency — for students and leaders — systemic change occurs. Meet an educator growth plan that improves learning for everyone, rather than focusing on outdated systems that stifle growth and consume time and energy.

Participants will:

• Delve into collective inquiry and develop an understanding of continuous improvement; 
• Craft personal goals and plan system changes to maximize educator and student growth; and
• Imagine teaching and learning as iterative processes under constant improvement.

How can education leaders ensure that the work to support all students is moving forward in their district? Experience how one school district used Facing History & Ourselves’ Equity Reflection Tool to make a thoughtful review of their current practices while setting goals for what they wanted for students, curriculum, school culture, and much more. Set realistic goals for your classroom, school, or district using the provided Equity Reflection Tool as well as additional resources to take back to your schools and districts.

Participants will:

• Reflect on current practices using the Facing History & Ourselves’ Equity Reflection Tool to identify areas to improve;
• Use data from their classroom, school, or district to draft one-year goals to support all students to succeed; and
• Begin to create a plan to share the updated goals with their teams.

Explore the complex work of responding to both the language and literacy development needs and the individualized education programs or 504s of multilingual learners with exceptionalities. Review one district’s success story regarding identification and program design for dually identified students.

Participants will:

• Define an asset-based approach to working with multilingual learners with exceptionalities; 
• Evaluate Universal Design for Learning-informed strategies that support affirming pedagogies and safe places for these students; and
• Apply or adapt Universal Design for Learning as a viable instructional framework to support all multilingual learners and create short-term and long-term action plans to enhance instructional and professional learning practices in their schools.

Shift the narrative of grading actions away from the culture of completion compliance and cultivate curiosity, risk-taking, and student ownership of learning. Reframe the model of grades for students and parents to emphasize growth-producing feedback, progress toward understood goals and targets, and seeking new challenges.

Participants will:

• Explore grading practices that honor students’ experience, encourage risk-taking, and promote a culture of growth and challenge;
• Recognize the need for alignment between research and evidence to grading practices at the school and classroom level;
• Determine the current reality of four core actions in your school that can drive impact into grading and feedback; and
• Discuss commonly held beliefs which can impede effective classroom practice.

Enhance student learning through a cohesive, standards-aligned, and research-based approach to instructional planning. Prioritize student outcomes through enhanced districtwide resources surrounding a shared vision and common language of instruction. Engage teachers in meaningful collaboration, deepening their understanding of content standards, addressing potential student misconceptions, and practicing evidence-based strategies with peers to foster clear, measurable student outcomes and a unified commitment to high-quality, impactful instruction.

Participants will:

• Examine current planning practices and identify needed operational shifts to leverage facilitation and resources in order to ensure planning time is valuable, effective, and leads to measurable improvements in student outcomes;
• Explore collaborative learning experiences focused on subject matter, standards, and evidence based pedagogy;
• Acquire a systems approach for leading and supporting teachers to implement a common vision of instruction through the development and implementation of clear, tangible resources; and
• Develop strategies for leading teachers in reflective and focused high-quality instructional planning and delivery across the school and district.

Explore the development and sustainability of a rural regional mentor program, with strategies for training effective mentors, fostering collaborative professional learning opportunities for both mentors and new teachers, and utilizing assessments to track the growth of new educators.

Participants will:

• Gain insight into how to structure long-term, sustainable mentorship and new teacher support programs; 
• Explore actionable strategies, tools, and frameworks for supporting mentors and mentees that can be applied in a variety of educational settings; and 
• Understand how to track teacher growth through pre- and post-assessments and how to use data to refine support systems for new teachers.

Are your students building foundational knowledge, wrestling with disciplinary concepts, and applying their skills and understanding to new contexts? Do your teachers have routines and strategies for building surface, deep, and transfer learning, as well as the dispositions needed for rigorous thinking? Learn high-impact instructional strategies and coaching techniques that will make rigorous routines sustainable.

Participants will:

• Explore research concerning surface, deep, and transfer learning, habit science, high-leverage instructional practices, and instructional coaching; 
• Experience, facilitate, and coach several four-step instructional strategies and hear students discuss the impact of these strategies on their learning; and 
• Discover ways to collect and analyze impact.

How can we reverse the downward spiral of the mental health of our students? Teachers model the emotional regulation strategies and competencies for students, so it is important to empower any teacher or school or district leader to embed evidence-based wellness skills inherent in emotional intelligence into already existing daily classroom routines and state-standards-aligned curricula.

Participants will:

• Take home, and be able to implement, one practical, evidence, research and brain-based strategy that increases all staff and students’ overall wellness; 
• Embed CASEL SEL Competencies and Executive Function skills inherent in emotional and social intelligence into already existing classroom routines; and 
• Choose from a wide range of measurement tools to take back to their districts to measure and progress monitor staff and student learning and application of all wellness approaches.

Participate in hands-on activities and reflective discussions to uncover assumptions and their impact on teaching and relationships. Analyze real-world scenarios, explore personal perspectives, and develop strategies to foster empowering classrooms.

Participants will:

• Define and differentiate key terms as they relate to education;
• Reflect on personal perspectives and assumptions about students, colleagues, and families;
• Engage in case studies and group discussions to evaluate the impact of their perspectives in decision-making and interpersonal interactions; and
• Identify actionable steps to rethink teaching practices and school community interactions to ensure that practices benefit all students.

Discover effective strategies for observing novice teachers and providing constructive, immediate feedback, promoting teacher self-reflection, and encouraging continuous improvement. Empower new educators to analyze their practice and grow through focused, real-time response.

Participants will:

• Gain best practices for analyzing and responding to novice teachers' instructional practices;
• Learn how to incorporate video into the observation process, allowing novice teachers to reflect on their teaching and identify areas for improvement; and 
• Develop skills to provide immediate, specific, and constructive feedback that helps novice teachers understand their strengths and areas for development.

Reimagine mentorship by focusing on hospitality and creating a culture of connection, care, and belonging. Discover how this approach has enhanced teacher confidence, promoted mental health, and increased retention, while also improving instructional practices in one district.

Participants will:

• Reflect on their current mentoring and school culture practices and evaluate the impact of teacher shortages and attrition on their context; 
• Explore the intersection of high-quality instructional practices and hospitality; and 
• Access tools to redesign mentoring programs and infuse hospitality into their schools.

Explore how artificial intelligence enhances teaching and learning by promoting personalization and deeper learning. Engage with AI tools that streamline instruction, reduce administrative tasks, and foster collaboration among educators.

Participants will:

• Examine how AI can enhance student engagement, personalize learning experiences, and addressing varied learner needs; 
• Explore AI applications that maximize their time for deeper learning experiences;
• Create actionable strategies for integrating AI into their schools or districts, ensuring transparency, data privacy, and responsible AI use in alignment with the Stadards for Professional Learning; and 
• Engage with case studies and emerging data from real-world applications of AI in schools, gaining evidence-based insights to drive informed decision-making and policy development.

Discover how one district designed and launched an instructional coaching model that transformed teacher and principal practice and focuses on student-centered learning through a clear vision, collaborative purpose, and defined roles. Build actionable strategies to create scalable coaching systems, from impactful meeting routines to personalized learning and reflective practices, that foster staff development and align with continuous improvement.

Participants will:

• Articulate a shared vision and collaboratively establish coaching roles and processes aligned to district goals, professional learning standards, and continuous improvement strategies;
• Explore innovative, evidence-based strategies, including meeting protocols, data-tracking suggestions, and reflective practices, to build coaching models that advance teaching and learning;
• Gain practical tools to personalize professional learning for coaches, foster collaborative problem-solving, and implement reflective practices that enhance teacher and principal efficacy; and
• Learn to identify data needs and feedback loops to measure the success of coaching systems and drive sustainable changes in educator and student outcomes over time.

How can school districts design and implement high-quality professional learning experiences that equip teachers to meet all learners? Explore how educators implement a Learning Design process that is a standards-focused, evidence-based approach to designing unique thinking-learning experiences for students.

Participants will:

• Understand the definition of rigor and cognitive engagement as a product of the five design elements of the Powerful Task Matrix; 
• Be equipped with practical strategies for measuring and improving the impact of teaching and learning through analyzing student work; and
• Recognize how and when technology has the most significant impact on thinking and learning.

Imagine leading a learning experience where participants make meaningful connections, encounter surprising shifts in their thinking, and leave inspired to explore further. Successfully implemented across preK-20 and adult education settings, the Challenge Mosaic is a powerful tool that consistently generates meaningful "aha" moments and lasting mindset shifts.

Participants will:

• Explore the Challenge Mosaic structure; 
• Discover the neuroscience foundation of the Challenge Mosaic and how educators and professional learning facilitators can utilize the structure to enhance learning and encourage shifts in beliefs and practices; and 
• Develop adaptive expertise in designing learning experiences for both students and educators.

How do you know your students are learning deeply? Deep dive into designing measurement systems that provide insight into core concerns, and create a simple set of measures to improve learning experiences for your students and teachers.

Participants will:

• Explore a current problem of practice in their own context and develop a measurement tree to track improvement; 
• Create a focused set of actionable measures; and
• Mock-up a data dashboard and data routine to evaluate progress to take back to their own systems.

Learn to use Kotter’s 8-Step Process framework for leading change in your school or district. Engage in innovative strategies that will help you communicate urgency, build a guiding coalition, develop a shared vision, address resistance, and engage educators in professional learning that addresses both the head and heart.

Participants will:

• Gain a broad understanding of Kotter's 8-Step Process as model and how it intersects with the Standards for Professional Learning; 
• Examine why people are inherently resistant to change and how leaders can use effective strategies to overcome this barrier; and 
• Leave with a plan for applying the model to successfully lead and manage change for school improvement.

Tune up your district’s mentorship program! Discover how to customize mentorship, offering tailored support for new and experienced teachers — an opportunity to drive impactful, fun, and effective collaborations that keep teachers on track for excellence.

Participants will:

• Receive a roadmap for new teacher mentorship, providing clear direction while allowing for differentiation based on district needs; 
• Access editable tools to fine-tune mentorship plans based on the district’s landscape and teacher needs; 
• Learn how to choose the right mentors; and
• Explore how automation can streamline communication between mentors and mentees, ensuring regular check-ins and tracking progress efficiently.

Educators are the greatest assets in education and their well-being impacts the ability to create thriving schools. Explore ways to navigate the unique stressors that educators face, by learning strategies to address chronic stress, shift unhealthy mindsets and behaviors, and create a more balanced lifestyle.

Participants will:

• Understand the phases of the stress cycle and utilize multiple strategies for managing their own stress cycle;
• Identify and address common perceptions, behaviors, and structures in education that negatively impact educators’ abilities to manage stress and engage in their work; and 
• Create a plan for integrating well-being into their leadership practices.

How can schools move beyond traditional leadership hierarchies to foster a culture of shared responsibility and continuous improvement? Learn how leaders from one school have embraced distributive leadership to empower educators and drive meaningful schoolwide change. Participants will explore the principles that guide this leadership model—autonomy, experimentation, and partnerships—and examine how these principles have shaped growth initiatives.

Participants will:

• Understand the core principles of distributive leadership and how they drive school improvement; 
• Analyze applications of distributive leadership through case studies of committees, systems, and structures; and
• Engage in collaborative discussions to explore how distributive leadership can transform professional learning and educator collaboration.

Learn the importance of crafting standards-aligned Individual education program goals that drive meaningful progress for students, and explore how to collaborate effectively with general educators, interventionists, and families to develop goals that bridge grade-level expectations with individual student needs.

Participants will:

• Learn how to collaboratively write individualized education program goals with general education teachers and special education teams that align with grade-level standards while addressing individual student needs; 
• Explore strategies for working effectively with general educators, interventionists, and families to create and implement programs that are student-centered, actionable, and impactful; and
• Gain tools to scaffold instruction, monitor progress, and adjust goals to promote student independence and real-world application.

Systemic learning cycles support increased teacher engagement, planning for adult learning, and leveraging distributive leadership for improved student learning. Explore a model that can be applied to any school-based problem.

Participants will:

• Use courageous conversations, protocols, and team building to establish a collaborative culture within a team;
• Collaborate with a team to use a variety of data to determine student learning needs, write a clear and actionable statement, and use protocols for consensus building to select a responsive, research-based instructional strategy; 
• Write a clear and actionable plan for instructional implementation of the selected research-based strategy; and
• Identify resources to support the implementation of research-based strategies using an adult learning plan.

How do we bring all students to the center of data inquiry? Examine the Data Wise Improvement Process, a field-tested continuous improvement model. Participants will practice protocols to strengthen teamwork and reflect upon questions that help educators focus on all learners throughout collaborative data inquiry.

Participants will:

• Learn about the eight steps of the Data Wise Improvement Process and the ACE Habits of Mind that guide continuous improvement work; 
• Explore critical questions to the work of improvement; 
• Learn and practice protocols that support building a community where everyone is known and belongs; and 
• Hear examples of how school and system leaders have integrated Data Wise into their work.

We often experience lots of talk about academic improvement, ideas are tossed around as possible steps to address the problem, and then nothing happens. New initiatives fizzle quickly when the next round moves in. By using a three-step model of challenge-practice-results for professional learning, we link student results to educator practices.

Participants will:

• Explore the idea of “Try In” instead of “Buy In” as a way to change beliefs about practices; 
• Understand the differences between action research and clinical research, as well as know the components of action research to be implemented in the classroom, school, or district; 
• Practice using data to identify specific strategies that will address learning, behavior, or attendance challenges and link the anticipated measures of success to those strategies; and
• Devise a template and draft of a plan to implement when they return to their classrooms, schools, and districts.

Gain insights from an innovative, urban high school's three-year journey to establish a culture of learning through non-negotiables and bylaws centered on collective responsibility for student learning, efficacy-building relationships, and teacher leadership. Examine the collaboration protocols utilized to foster educators' commitment to a research-informed culture of learning.

Participants will:

• Learn the why, what, and how of non-negotiables and bylaws; 
• Surface the visible and invisible versions of these in their school, department, team, or professional learning community;
• Articulate the characteristics of a culture of learning and connect them to research; and 
• Create an action plan to implement and reinforce non-negotiables and bylaws to increase student and educator support.

Educators are reimagining professional learning to create meaningful, future-ready classrooms. By embracing AI as a thought partner, schools can elevate teaching through ethical use, digital citizenship, and intentional instructional design. Join Dyane Smokorowski and Rob Dickson to see how empowered educators spark innovation, build student agency, and create relevant learning experiences. When professional growth aligns with classroom needs, learning becomes more engaging, impactful, and full of possibility — for both students and teachers. Dyane Smokorowski is the Coordinator of Digital Literacy for Wichita Public Schools, where she leads professional learning that helps educators design classroom experiences grounded in strong pedagogy and purposeful technology integration. A nationally recognized educator, Smokorowski was named the 2013 Kansas Teacher of the Year and inducted into the National Teacher Hall of Fame in 2019. She leads with optimism, grounded in the belief that great teaching transforms lives. Rob Dickson is the Chief Information Officer for Wichita Public Schools, where he heads technology strategy for 50,000 students and nearly 10,000 staff across 94 schools and programs. A 2021 Kansas City CIO of the Year (Public Sector) and a leader in digital transformation, Dickson has propelled Wichita to national recognition—including Microsoft Showcase School honors and innovative partnerships with higher education and industry. His work also includes founding the Education Imagine Academy, a thriving K-12 virtual school. He is driven by a passion to evolve education for the future of work — ensuring technology accelerates lifelong learning and student success.

High-quality curriculum is essential, but is undermined by “curriculum DJs” who cobble together materials rather than using approved district curriculum, and the impact is diminished rigor. In this session, we equip you with tools to help educators ensure that instructional materials support deep learning. Participants will explore practical strategies to align curriculum with authentic rigor, fostering access to meaningful, high-impact instruction for all students.

Participants will: 

• Distinguish between true rigor and excessive difficulty in curriculum and instructional materials;
• Identify key indicators of rigorous content and instructional design; and
• Develop action plans for collaborative curriculum planning that fosters student success.

How do you avoid teacher burnout? In this engaging workshop based on the book by the same title, educators will learn how to restore their passion for teaching and explore 12 brain-based principles for avoiding burnout, increasing optimism, and supporting physical well-being for optimal work/life balance.

Participants will: 

• Identify the factors that contribute to teacher burnout and learn how to determine purpose and restore the passion inherent in the profession;
• Discover the correlation between humor, optimism, games, and increased immunity;
• Gain an understanding of the importance of quality nutrition, exercise, and sleep to support physical well-being; and
• Learn how to create a classroom that leads to optimal student success.

Examine and apply strategies from a mentoring cycle focused on diagnosing new teacher needs, providing coaching support to address those needs, and monitoring progress to measure growth and evaluate impact. Learn and practice skills to build strong relationships and communicate effectively with beginning teachers. Apply adult learning theory and understanding of new teacher mindset to the mentoring role. Design and implement a mentoring support plan that grows new teachers’ knowledge and skills.

Participants will: 

• Learn the “why” behind mentoring and the impact mentoring can have on new teachers;
• Understand and apply mentor roles, responsibilities, expectations, and key attributes in their work with new teachers;
• Recognize and apply strategies from the Mentor Cycle framework for developing new teachers’ knowledge and skills; and
• Apply tools and strategies that establish trust between a mentor and a new teacher to build strong, learning-focused relationships.

Explore the keys to student engagement and learn how to help students make meaning and connect their learning to relevant artificial intelligence experiences. Tackle five strategies that work to engage students at every grade level and inspire innovative work: choice-based instruction, inquiry-based projects, authentic audience, competitive challenges, and launching to the world.

Participants will: 

• Focus on using artificial intelligence as a tool with specific engagement purposes;
• Develop an action plan to make learning meaningful and relevant in any classroom context; and
• Explore real strategies and structures that drive engagement in a 21st-century learning environment.

Coaching is high-impact professional learning, but its impact depends on the coaching skills of the person providing the coaching. Too often, coaches receive training at the start of their careers but very little support for the continued development of their skills. We will focus on the skills and structures that coaches and coach champions can use to foster sustained improvement in even the most experienced coaches.

Participants will: 

• Learn to use and recognize advanced coaching skills that surface and challenge self-imposed limitations;
• Embrace the concept of coaching the person rather than the problem to challenge and shift mindsets; and
• Learn protocols for safe coaching practices.

Develop clarity on the purpose and initial steps for beginning instructional coaches, with an emphasis on the importance of building relationships through coaching to enhance teacher practice. Explore strategies to improve initial instruction, promoting student growth and achievement for all learners. Collaborate and reflect with others to gain confidence in establishing impactful coaching relationships and driving instructional improvement in your setting.

Participants will: 

• Define the purpose and responsibilities of beginning instructional coaches;
• Identify initial steps for building coaching relationships and fostering trust;
• Find strategies for enhancing initial instruction to boost student growth and achievement; and
• Increase confidence and clarity in navigating the coaching role within current systems.

Learn how AI can open new doors for coaching by helping teachers coach each other, creating time for leaders to have coaching conversations, and making formal coaching faster and easier to scale. Discover what AI can and can’t do and why it should be a tool for coaches, not a replacement for human interaction. Walk away with practical tools and strategies you can use in many coaching roles and contexts.

Participants will: 

• Explore how AI can enhance and support coaching conversations;
• Consider cases of when to use AI and when not to use it; and
• Learn how to use tools that incorporate AI into coaching.

Gain step-by-step guidance to maximize collaborative learning time for teachers to solve specific student learning challenges by implementing a five-stage cycle of teacher-led professional learning. Examine a process for using student data to craft student and educator learning goals leading to learning plans, implementation steps, and progress monitoring. Focus on the role of learning teams in implementing high-quality instruction and what that means for student and educator learning goals.

Participants will: 

• Make the connection between collaborative, teacher-led learning and improved instruction and student learning;
• Take steps to launch a learning team cycle with five key stages and examine how to implement each with specific strategies and supporting protocols;
• Adapt the cycle to fit specific school and district calendars and initiatives; and
• Leave with a road map to focus on the day-to-day actions in classrooms among students, educators, and instructional materials for maximum impact.

Dive into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a focus on practical, powerful, and effective ways teachers can use this technology in the classroom, bringing to life the content of The Artificial Intelligence Playbook: Time-Saving Tools for Teachers that Make Learning More Engaging. Get involved through hands-on learning, peer conversations, and live demonstration teaching with a group of high school students.

• Learn about all the available AI platforms and responsible use for teachers and students;
• Explore how AI can assist daily teaching functions; and
• Learn various student-facing tools for effective teaching strategies.

Using the Leadership Compass assessment, identify which of four leadership styles you embody. Examine the strengths and weaknesses of this style, and explore ways to supplement weaknesses through cooperation with leaders who have complementary strengths. Discuss a series of leadership scenarios experienced by educators and collaborate across style categories to identify optimum leadership approaches that draw on everyone's strengths.

Participants will:

• Identify and understand their personal work/leadership styles so they can build more effective teams with colleagues who have complementary strengths; 
• Experience authentic advocacy work going on in states and analyze that work to identify ways in which it could be improved through an awareness of leadership styles; and 
• Pinpoint one issue in their current professional environment they could address through advocacy, in collaboration with other professionals.

Curriculum implementation takes a collaborative effort. Creating structures, establishing systems, setting expectations, and developing expertise are necessary for lasting change and improved performance. Discover a collaborative effort between school leaders, teachers, and a software development team, learning together to build coherent practices, alignment, collective efficacy, and measurable positive outcomes for all.

Participants will:

• Explore how an urban charter network — including leaders, coaches, and teachers — partnered to foster a culture of excellence through K-5 math curriculum implementation;
• Learn how data visualization tools and collaborative protocols were used to build teacher capacity in using evidence to support high-quality instruction;
• See the path leaders and educators used to co-develop systems to guide instructional decisions grounded in assessment data from the adopted curriculum; and
• Reflect on key components of successful curriculum implementation, including leadership, vision, and systems that promote measurable learning outcomes for all students.

AIM Institute builds its implementation and coaching practice on three key drivers: knowledgeable educators, high-quality curriculum and instruction, and MTSS fidelity. Build expertise to strengthen instructional practice through evidence-based literacy practices, and explore how structured literacy, intentional lesson planning, and instructional routines empower teachers to internalize curriculum and deliver high-impact instruction.

• Understand how structured literacy principles support curriculum implementation and inform high-quality instruction;
• Identify key educator knowledge and practices that drive curriculum integrity and student achievement;
• Apply professional learning strategies that build teacher capacity for planning and delivering evidence-based literacy instruction; and
• Use practical tools to guide instructional knowledge of structured literacy practices.

Explore research on the role of teacher coaching programs as part of a broader school-wide commitment to continuous improvement and professional growth. Use research findings to design teacher coaching programs to be effective, sustainable, and scalable. Leverage coaching as a tool to increase teacher satisfaction, performance, and retention.

Participants will:

• Understand key program design features of effective teacher coaching programs based on rigorous research and meta-analyses; 
• Learn about common pitfalls and obstacles that arise when scaling coaching programs; and 
• Explore how coaching programs fit within a broader career ladder for teachers.

Research has illuminated the complex processes involved in learning to read, with important implications for how educators teach and how school systems support them to align their instruction with evidence and best practices. Principals, coaches, teachers, and other educators need to be on the same page about reading instruction, and research provides the foundation for that coherence. This session will zoom in on the research behind a particular challenge for many students, making sense of content-rich text, and on strategies for addressing it.

Participants will:

• Understand why students often struggle with reading comprehension in science and social studies;
• Explore what research reveals about the role of vocabulary and background knowledge;
• Identify small but powerful shifts in curriculum, instruction, and assessment that lead to lasting improvements in reading comprehension; and
• Leave with practical strategies to support educators’ practices so all learners can access and understand complex texts.

Innovate to support neurodiverse students in your classroom! Explore universal design for learning principles, multisensory approaches, and tech tools to create comprehensive, engaging learning environments that help foster success for all learners.

Participants will:

• Identify at least three evidence-based strategies to support neurodiverse students in language learning; 
• Design a language-learning activity to enhance engagement and reduce barriers for neurodiverse learners; and 
• Select and apply digital tools or technological approaches to personalize language instruction and accommodate an array of neurocognitive profiles in their classrooms.

Would you like to discover how to amplify support and promote expressive language in the classroom? Uncover the power of crafting language objectives to accelerate second language acquisition and strengthen core instruction.

Participants will:

• Apply strategies to amplify supports and promote expressive language amongst students; 
• Understand how to integrate Key Language Uses and High Yield Resources into core instruction to support second language acquisition; and
• Develop practical skills to create and implement effective Language Objectives in their teaching practices.

Leaders often express a commitment to all students but unknowingly fall into common detours that stall progress. Explore how utilizing coaching stances in leadership mitigates these detours, ensuring that support, feedback, and performance management truly reach all learners.

Participants will:

• Identify common detours that undermine coaching and leadership effectiveness; 
• Explore how coaching stances help leaders navigate resistance, shift mindsets, and build capacity; and
• Gain actionable next steps to implement these coaching stances in their schools and organizations.

Explore how feedback dispositions and behavioral insights impact feedback relationships. Through research-driven discussion, educators will be introduced to strategies to provide and receive feedback effectively, fostering stronger professional learning environments and improving collaboration in schools.

Participants will:

• Examine the connection between feedback effectiveness and leadership dispositions;
• Explore the impact of behavioral styles on feedback relationships, applying the DiSC™ framework;
• Apply insights from Learner-Focused Feedback and DiSC™ to improve feedback relationships; and
• Develop tools for adapting feedback approaches to align with receiver needs and dispositions.

Explore how to use the most pertinent summative and formative assessments to plan for small-group literacy instruction, with techniques to accurately group students for this high-quality, focused instruction. Learn how to implement five different developmentally appropriate lesson plan frameworks.

Participants will:

• Determine appropriate assessments to be used in designing small-group literacy instruction;
• Gain methods for forming groups of students in order to effectively differentiate instruction; and
• Examine lesson plans, objectives, and learning goals as they relate to current students’ educational needs.

Design effective student-led conferences by exploring a range of formats and determining the best fit for various contexts, including elementary and secondary settings. Explore aligning student-led conferences with an assessment tool grounded in the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium standards to promote instructional growth and accountability.

Participants will:

• Identify the most suitable conference format for different contexts, considering elementary versus secondary settings and the required scaffolding for each; 
• Evaluate portfolio types used in student-led conferences to determine their effectiveness; and
• Examine strategies for student goal-setting and methods to evaluate the success of student-led conferences.

Organizations must start building behaviors that empower them to reach all learners. Research shows that a few key communication skills can create psychological safety so everyone feels welcome to share their perspectives and contribute.

Participants will:

• Strengthen organizational culture with multifaceted communication;
• Discover skills to speak candidly and respectfully when inclined to silence or disruption; and 
• Develop strategies to create a culture of dialogue in your organization.

Discover how a Lead Mentor, a teacher leader who plays a pivotal role in coordinating a school’s mentoring and induction program, can work with administrators to establish and implement a framework of district and school-level support. Gain practical strategies to design or strengthen an induction program, and actionable steps for that program's success.

Participants will:

• Discover strategies to strengthen new teacher induction through a district-wide, research-based mentoring framework; 
• Explore the role of Lead Mentors in accelerating teacher effectiveness, fostering collaboration, and improving retention; and 
• Leave with actionable steps to implement or enhance an induction program that supports new educators and drives student success.

Empower educators with effective strategies and data-driven interventions to enhance student success in mathematics. Explore proven practical approaches to support students at various levels, ensuring a more successful learning environment.

Participants will:

• Learn practical, research-based strategies to enhance multi-tiered systems of support for mathematics; 
• Explore how to utilize student performance data to inform instructional decisions, monitor progress, and implement tailored interventions; 
• Gain insight into programs such as the Math Resource Center (MRC), Math Enrichment Center (MEC), Classroom Assistant (CA) program, Peer Tutors, and Instructional Assistant (IA) support, and learn how to integrate these resources effectively to address student needs; and 
• Engage in interactive discussions and collaborative activities to create actionable plans.

Design a more peaceful and focused classroom that aligns with your teaching style using a classroom culture framework, and feel confident in your ability to create a classroom space in which all students feel empowered and connected.

Participants will:

• Understand the impact of classroom culture and psychological safety on student success by learning five pivotal characteristics of classroom culture;
• Use this framework to analyze/evaluate/assess your current classroom environment and determine which areas need to be more robust; and
• Build capacity and learn to apply our Visible Culture Map to co-create additional norms and expectations with students to further strengthen classroom culture.

Explore how professional learning bridges directly to student success through collaborative, data-driven practices. Participants will engage in analyzing student data, applying professional learning community protocols, and developing actionable plans that connect educator growth to measurable outcomes.

Participants will:

• Understand how professional learning directly influences student achievement by leveraging evidence-based practices and collaborative strategies;
• Gain skills to analyze student data effectively, facilitate productive conversations in professional learning communities, and create actionable instructional plans;
• Design and apply strategies that connect professional learning objectives to measurable student outcomes, fostering continuous improvement; and
• Learn to create and sustain a culture of collaboration within their teams, to support systemic growth and enhance teaching and learning for all students.

Discover how certification empowers teachers to elevate their instructional practices and enhance student outcomes. Start your certification journey and leverage this recognition to transform your classroom and career.

Participants will:

• Understand the National Board Certification process and its components, including how it promotes reflective practice and professional growth; 
• Identify the benefits of certification for teachers, students, and school communities, including its role in improving teaching quality and student learning; and
• Develop a clear plan to begin the certification journey, including selecting focus areas and accessing available resources and support systems.

Curriculum implementation takes a collaborative effort. Creating structures, establishing systems, setting expectations, and developing expertise are necessary for lasting change and improved performance. Hear the story of a collaborative effort between school leaders, teachers, and a software development team, learning together to build coherent practices, alignment, collective efficacy, and measurable positive outcomes for all.

Participants will:

• Learn about the collaborative efforts of a community of educators working to create a culture of excellence for all learners in an urban charter network, and see how this team utilized specific data visualization/reporting tools with collaborative protocols; 
• Investigate how systems were collaboratively developed to help leaders to lead and to support teachers in making instructional decisions rooted in evidence; and
• Consider various elements of a successful curriculum implementation including the leadership necessary to establish a vision and implement a coherent system to achieve and sustain measurable positive student learning outcomes.

Historically, scholars from rural or underserved communities have had limited exposure to STEM career pathways, mentorship opportunities, and access to industry networks, making it harder for them to pursue STEM careers. The STEM Career Connection Initiative is designed to engage curiosity and equip participants with pathways that foster success in the field.

Participants will:

• Explore career pathways in STEM;
• Strengthen networking and professional relationships; and
• Discuss ways to support any students interested in STEM who are uncertain about their potential to succeed in STEM careers due to perceived barriers such as lack of experience, or lack of mentorship.

Discover how professional learning communities can integrate responsive teaching practices to make informed instructional decisions across various standards, including mathematics, literacy, science, and social studies. Enhance student engagement and achievement by connecting curriculum to students' contexts and fosters a collaborative and comprehensive educational environment that supports all learners.

Participants will:

• Discuss strategies for selecting relevant materials and designing activities that connect academic content to students' backgrounds; 
• Explore how professional learning communities can serve as a platform for collaborative decision-making, using data and feedback to drive continuous improvement in instructional practices; and 
• Be prepared to lead efforts in promoting a supportive and rigorous educational environment for all students.

Quickly learn how to use fluency as a gauge to determine where, within a hierarchy of literacy skills, instructional emphasis should be placed to maximize student literacy success. Explore research-based strategies to scaffold literacy instruction in the highest quality small-group instructional format. Discover the value of this instruction to accommodate all students' individual learning needs and learn how to implement laser-targeted lessons that promote learning.

Participants will:

• Determine how to provide students with appropriate reading strategies based on a hierarchy of phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills;
• Designate adaptable learning scaffolds for differentiating comprehension skills along an increased continuum of difficulty;
• Examine components and sample lesson structures for effective, research-based small-group literacy lessons; and
• Evaluate student progress along the hierarchy of literacy skills to update and revise student learning needs in a continuous manner.

Learn strategies, via small-group instruction and conferring, that help students alleviate anxiety, dependency, and dissociation stemming from reading. 

Participants will:

• Learn how to harness the self-perceptions of maturing readers to support students as they navigate academic and personal reading experiences; 
• Feel empowered to amplify student voices and create language structures to help readers better communicate their experiences during reading and interactions with text; and
• Explore promoting self-efficacy and self-monitoring through feedback and accountability, and support reflections and goal setting, in a continuous cycle, that establishes self-accountability, and active engagement.

Discover how leadership development programs empower youth to build grit, resilience, and collaboration, through the model of two secondary schools with differing communities and needs. Explore research-based leadership models, real-world case studies, and strategies for tailoring programs to meet unique community needs. Find tools to implement schoolwide initiatives that foster adaptability, perseverance, and result in long-term student success.

Participants will:

• Learn methods for engaging in shared student and adult leadership development to address a central problem of practice;
• Explore innovative strategies for implementing leadership programs tailored to an array of school communities;
• Engage in best practices in adult learning through an interactive format that encourages problem-solving and strategic planning; and
• Be equipped to design and implement a transformative leadership book study that improves student outcomes, enhances educator performance, and drives school and district improvement.

Explore tools and techniques to provide constructive feedback, model effective teaching practices, and cultivate strong partnerships that prepare student-teachers for success in the classroom. Understand the role of a master teacher in shaping a positive and impactful fieldwork experience, including strategies for effective mentorship and collaboration.

Participants will:

• Develop skills to provide meaningful feedback that balances encouragement with actionable steps for growth, fostering a reflective practice in student-teachers; 
• Learn techniques to model best practices in teaching, classroom management, and professional communication, ensuring student-teachers gain practical, real-world skills; and
• Apply mentorship strategies to build trusting relationships, support all learning needs, and prepare student-teachers to successfully transition into their teaching careers.

Learn how one school district developed a data-driven teacher pathway program to tackle regional teacher shortages, particularly in special education and multilingual education. Targeting high-need areas and fostering community collaboration ensures the program is aligned with district-specific needs.

Participants will:

• Identify key components of a successful teacher preparation pathway partnership, such as mentorship, job-embedded learning, and financial support; 
• Explore creative partnership and funding opportunities, including local, federal, and community-based collaborations; 
• Examine recruitment and retention data to assess the effectiveness of teacher pathways in addressing shortages; and 
• Discuss considerations and barriers in teacher pathway design, such as program scalability and alignment with district needs.

DIY Coaching grew from the belief in every teacher’s capacity for self-reflection and growth, and brings teachers together to develop their pedagogical content knowledge through peer-to-peer collaboration and coaching. Reflection rooted in video allows teachers to become more aware of their practice and what pedagogical shifts are required to create a more student-centered classroom.

Participants will:

• Watch videos of instruction using the Standards of Mathematical Practice and the Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices to identify changes in instruction that advance learning for all and rigorous instruction; 
• Articulate how the DIY Coaching Model can be used to advance educational opportunities for all students; and
• Brainstorm ways to implement DIY Coaching in their own contexts.

Design instruction that supports all learners — students with disabilities, multilingual learners, and those with varying academic skills — without lowering expectations. Meet the “layered cake” approach, a practical framework for building access at multiple levels: whole-class, small-group, and individual, leading to meaningful participation in grade-level learning.

Participants will:

• Understand the access continuum and its role in supporting all learners;
• Identify barriers in high-leverage tasks and opportunities for increased access;
• Apply the “layered cake” model to design or coach access at multiple levels; and
• Learn to integrate access strategies into instructional planning and coaching.