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.

Effective leadership is crucial for school improvement, and principals thrive when supported by a comprehensive system that prioritizes their professional growth. Explore how districts can build a robust framework to surround principals with the tools, feedback, and mentorship they need to lead effectively, anchored in the Learning Forward Leadership standard.

Participants will:

• Delve into strategies for implementing a collaborative, feedback-driven approach to leadership development through interactive discussions and practical applications; 
• Identify key components of a standards-driven framework for principal evaluation and support and design strategies to implement ongoing feedback and mentoring systems for school leaders; and 
• Build sustainable support structures that empower principals to model and advocate for continuous improvement.

Connect with fellow professional learning and instructional leaders to share challenges, solutions, and strategies for understanding if the professional learning you’re providing is having an impact. Engage in structured networking activities and build lasting relationships while exploring proven-effective approaches to professional learning data analysis. New contacts in the professional learning space and new ideas to address your district’s challenges can strengthen next steps.

Participants will:

• Establish meaningful connections with fellow professional learning leaders seeking to understand the impact of their programming;
• Share strategies for achieving district-level goals through professional learning;
• Gather inspiration for ways to support building leaders, align professional learning with strategic priorities, spot engagement gaps, and much more; and 
• Build sustainable relationships to continue knowledge exchange beyond the conference.

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.

Dyslexia, dysgraphia, and developmental language disorder (DLD) often co-occur—and are often confused. This interactive session helps educators and leaders distinguish between common misconceptions and the key features of each, using engaging simulations and real-world examples. Participants will practice recognizing where a student is struggling—whether with word recognition, language comprehension, or transcription—and practice applying data-based decision-making to guide next steps for instruction or intervention. Walk away with a clearer understanding of these learning differences and how to better support students with complex literacy needs in your classroom, school, or district.

• Recognize the key features of dyslexia, dysgraphia, and developmental language disorder (DLD);
• Distinguish common misconceptions from evidence-based understanding of each learning difference; and
• Practice using case study scenarios to identify areas of student need and consider appropriate next steps for support.

Explore artificial intelligence and how it can be used to support and scaffold literacy skills. Understand the history and the infrastructure behind this technology, and how it can best serve today's school systems and classrooms.

Participants will:

• Learn ways AI can aid in building literacy skills; 
• Understand past and present AI usage with an eye to what's next; and
• Investigate tools that support strong literacy skill development.

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.

Writing is important to student academic success and can also be a powerful form of engagement and self-expression. It can also be challenging to teach. Learn about the Coach.Teach.Write program and its strategies and resources to support writing instruction. Participants will receive access to a framework for coaching activities and teacher-created narrative writing resources.

Participants will:

• Learn approaches for coaching teachers in a range of teaching contexts on effective writing instruction.
• Explore possibilities for integrating evidence-based writing practices into district curriculum.
• Reflect on strategies for using narrative writing to increase student engagement.