Regional and National Conference Sessions

Discover how to leverage AI tools to enhance productivity, streamline collaboration, and improve workplace management. In this session, participants will explore practical strategies to integrate AI into daily workflows, optimize team communication, and make data-driven decisions that lead to a more efficient and innovative work environment. Join us to learn how AI can transform your workplace and empower your team to achieve more.

Will be presented at the AI Innovation Summit in Seattle, WA in mid-October

Being "All In!" requires an equitable system purposefully designed to see and support all students. In this session, hear how North Kitsap School District, at both the district and school level, is breaking down systemic barriers and using academic, social and emotional, and climate and culture data to build an MTSS system that creates a sense of safety and belonging, is inclusive and provides equitable access to support.

Presented at the 2024 NCCE Conference in Seattle, WA

Join a discussion with Google Champions from North Kitsap, Vancouver, and Olympia School Districts, freshly returned from the Future of Education Google Champions Symposium in Sunnyvale, CA. The conversation will explore of a future where student-centered learning takes the lead role and assessment connects to real-world skills. The conversation will explore innovative disruptions, highlighting how tools like generative AI are not merely changing, but expanding the horizon of possibilities for students. Engage in a dialogue that’s both reflective and forward-looking, as we explore strategies and envision an educational future that’s responsive, empowering, and full of potential for every learner.

Presented at the 2024 NCCE Conference in Seattle, WA

This session is designed for educators looking to seamlessly integrate Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Creativity with innovative technology tools in their instructional design. Participants will explore and discuss high-impact strategies that promote active student engagement and contribution. As we whisk through the content, educators will discover how to concoct the perfect blend of the 4 Cs with technology, creating a smoothie of student engagement that is both nutritious and delicious for the mind. With a balanced mix of theory, collaboration, and practice, participants will leave with a blender full of practical insights and tools to immediately enhance and energize their student engagement. 

Presented at the 2024 NCCE Conference in Seattle, WA

Being "All In!" requires an equitable system purposefully designed to see and support all students. In this session, we will share how North Kitsap School District, at both the district and school level, is breaking down systemic barriers and using academic, social and emotional, and climate and culture data to build an MTSS system that creates a sense of safety and belonging, is inclusive and provides equitable access to support. 

Presented at the 2023 Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) Summer Conference in Spokane, WA

From coast to coast, educators are expressing the profound need to address a variety of student social and emotional needs, especially following the Covid-19 pandemic. By gaining a greater understanding of the brain science behind behavior, participants will gain skills to help them see beyond the behavior while helping students build their own emotional resilience. This two-hour workshop will explore how to harness the power of a variety of trauma-informed, technology-enhanced strategies to better help students take charge of their own emotional health and regulation.

Presented at the Olympic Educational Service District Education Technology SpecTECHular in Bremerton, Washington

From coast to coast, educators are expressing the profound need to address a variety of student social and emotional needs, especially following the Covid-19 pandemic. By gaining a greater understanding of the brain science behind behavior, participants will gain skills to help them see beyond the behavior while helping students build their own emotional resilience. This two-hour workshop will explore how to harness the power of a variety of trauma-informed, technology-enhanced strategies to better help students take charge of their own emotional health and regulation.

Presented at the 2023 NCCE Conference in Tacoma, Washington

According to the CDC, over half of all U.S. children have experienced trauma in the form of abuse, neglect, violence, or changing household circumstances. By gaining a deeper understanding of the physiological impact of trauma on the brain, educators will be better suited to meet the needs of these students. The use of digital resources to facilitate reflection, mindfulness, and self-empowerment allows teachers to create a healing environment that ensures all students are able to flourish.   

Presented as a virtual workshop at the 2022 NCCE Conference

Creativity combined with authenticity is the perfect recipe for meaningful learning at the highest level of critical thinking and engagement. Tap into the power of authentic audiences while learning about digital resources and tools that can take student content creation into a global community.  

Presented at METC20 in St. Charles, MO as a featured METC Spotlight Educator session

According to the CDC, over half of all U.S. children have experienced trauma in the form of abuse, neglect, violence, or changing household circumstances. By gaining a deeper understanding of the physiological impact of trauma on the brain, educators will be better suited to meet the needs of these students. The use of digital resources to facilitate reflection, mindfulness, and self-empowerment allows teachers to create a healing environment that ensures all students are able to flourish.   

Presented as an METC Spotlight Educator extended double-session at METC20 in St. Charles, MO 

Voice and choice shouldn’t just be for students. Hear how to take personalized professional learning from a dream to a reality. Through professional learning projects, educators are given time to learn what they want and how they want through the use of digital tools, coaching, and job-embedded support.  

Presented at METC20 in St. Charles, MO as a featured METC Spotlight Educator session

Personalized learning is in classrooms across the nation, but many districts are struggling to provide aligned and accountable personalized professional development for teachers. Hear how an METC18 session on personalized PD at a small elementary school in Kansas led to interstate educator collaboration and impacted the professional learning of more than 200 secondary educators in Missouri’s largest school district. Through professional learning projects, educators are given time to learn what they want and how they want through the use of digital tools, coaching, and job-embedded support. 

Presented at METC19 in St. Charles, MO and GOCSD Innovation Summit 2019 in Branson, MO and the 2019 International Baccalaureate Global Conference in July in New Orleans, LA

Designing dynamic lessons with modern tools can increase student agency and connect all content with critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Inspired by the work of Weston Kieschnick, this session will explore a planning protocol template that grounds instruction in research-based strategies. Bring a lesson plan that you would like to take to the next level! 

Presented at the 2019 Blended and Personalized Learning Conference in Providence, RI and METC19 in St. Charles, MO

According to the CDC, over half of all U.S. children have experienced trauma in the form of abuse, neglect, violence, or changing household circumstances. By gaining a deeper understanding of the physiological impact of trauma on the brain, teachers will be better positioned to create a healing environment that ensures all students feel safe and are able to flourish by taking back their brain from their previous trauma. Attendees will leave with a solid foundational understanding of the brain-state model and a trove of resilience-building strategies and resources they can utilize the moment they are back in the classroom. 

Presented at METC19 in St. Charles, MO and GOCSD Innovation Summit 2019 in Branson, MO

Meeting the individual needs of a diverse educator population is no different than meaning the needs of a diverse student population. Educators need professional learning opportunities that are personalized, engaging, and relevant to the unique needs of their classroom and their students. Hear from four blended learning specialists how Springfield Public Schools, Missouri's largest school district, has tapped into the power of voice and choice and teacher leaders to provide numerous active and enjoyable professional learning opportunities as they have rolled out their IGNiTE teaching and learning initiative. From Appy Hours, Tech Tuesdays, Wired Wednesdays, and Final Fridays to Twitter chats and personalized workday-embedded training and support, teachers have numerous opportunities to excel and learn right along with their students. This emphasis on professional improvement is fostering a growth mindset culture for all stakeholders. Participants will also be invited to share their own personalized professional development structures, struggles, and successes. By tapping into the hive mind of the room, leaders will leave with a trove of ideas to take back to their own districts and adapt to meet the needs of their own educators. 

Presented at METC18 in St. Charles, MO

Recent polling data shows that students are becoming less engaged with their learning with each passing year. Providing students with meaningful and authentic learning opportunities that extend beyond the four walls of the classroom increases engagement while reinforcing that the knowledge they are building has a home in the real world. Combining authentic audiences with creative creation is the perfect recipe for meaningful learning at the highest level of critical thinking. This session will discuss the importance of authentic audiences while providing different resources and tools that teachers can use to take content creation into a global community.

Presented at the 2018 GOCSD Innovation Summit in Branson, MO

Transformative learning requires sound instruction coupled with an innovative spirit. Purposeful planning can increase student agency and connect all content with critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. This workshop will provide educators with a planning protocol that grounds instruction in research-based strategies supported with modern learning tools. Learners will leave with structures and tools that they can utilize the minute they get back into their classrooms.

Presented at METC18 in St. Charles, MO and the 2018 GOCSD Innovation Summit in Branson, MO

Effective feedback is essential for student growth, and the rise of digital tools has given teachers feedback possibilities like never before. By creating multiple feedback loops between students and teachers, learning can become energized and personalized for each student. Learn how you can use Canvas and Google to ensure your students have consistent and actionable feedback to drive their learning. This session is geared towards teachers who use the Canvas LMS.

Presented at the 2018 GOCSD Innovation Summit in Branson, MO

Effective feedback is essential for student growth, and the rise of digital tools has given teachers feedback possibilities like never before. By creating multiple feedback loops between students and teachers, learning can become energized and personalized for each student. Learn how you can use Canvas and Google to ensure your students have consistent and actionable feedback to drive their learning. This session is geared towards teachers who use the Canvas LMS.

Presented at the 2017 GOCSD Canvas User Group

When it comes to modern-day instructional coaching, the sky is the limit in regards to the multiple modes and models that can be utilized to meet teachers' needs. This session will show how the many resources in Canvas can be used synchronously and asynchronously to work with individuals and groups in collaborative planning, reflection, and problem-resolving. 

Presented at 2017 GOCSD Canvas User Group