Discover the transformative power of UDL trials in education, amplified by technology. See how this approach boosts student engagement and academic progress, fostering collective efficacy among educators. Learn how teams effectively use UDL and tech for data collection, analysis, and professional growth. Take away practical tools for collaborative UDL implementation, empowering positive change and student success.

Confidence in our UDL trials' effectiveness stems from tangible improvements seen statewide and positive feedback from educators. Student engagement increased from 43% to 73% (baseline to trial 2) on a 4-point scale across all indicator students in 9 schools. For students with IEPs, it rose from 33% to 67%. Academic progress mirrored these gains. Initial academic observations rated 3 or 4 were 18% for all students, 16% for those with IEPs, with a 14-22% range across proficiency levels. In trial 2, these figures reached: 59% for all students, 43% for IEP students, with proficiency levels ranging from 46-84%. 60% of educators in UDL trials now feel confident or expert in the practices tried.

Superintendent Dr. Rainey Briggs for an impactful and insightful 60-minute session designed to empower educators, administrators, students, and community members to effectively respond to and recover from viral incidents. This presentation will draw from Dr. Briggs' personal experience with a recent, highly publicized incident, where he was pushed off the graduation stage by a parent. This act, widely perceived as racially motivated, garnered national attention and raised significant concerns about safety, race relations, and community cohesion. Dr. Briggs will share his reflections on the incident, its immediate and long-term impacts, and provide actionable strategies to foster healing and promote inclusivity within the school community.

Addressing cheating primarily as deviant behavior that can be fixed with policies and punishments overlooks its root causes. When the pressure to achieve exceeds the time to prepare and the fear of being caught, students easily rationalize why cheating is a logical, justifiable choice. By emphasizing strategies that require students to demonstrate evidence of integrity, rather than emphasizing strategies that require teachers to gather evidence of cheating, teachers can work with students to ensure accountability for learning in an era of easily accessible AI tools. This session will provide practical advice and insights for policies and classroom practices that minimize cheating and support effective teaching and learning. 

Being happy both at home and at work means we're not just cheerier, but more clear-eyed and effective at what we do.  But happiness takes practice and ongoing contemplation.  In this session, you'll learn that small shifts bring big gifts:  that is, small positive changes, practiced over time, will help you feel more balanced, content and aligned both in your professional and in your personal life.  Based on the book Teach Happier by Suzanne Dailey, the strategies and real life examples presented in this sectional from both a leadership position and the classroom will have a positive impact on your own well-being and the well-being of those with whom you work

In today's ever-evolving educational landscape, the ability to foster a culture that prioritizes collaboration, reflection, and continuous improvement is more crucial than ever. Learning walks serve as a powerful leadership practice that can transform traditional classroom observations and feedback into dynamic, growth-focused adult learning experiences for all educators. Explore how learning walks can identify strengths, areas for development, and opportunities for collaboration, all while fostering an open dialogue about teaching and learning. By observing and discussing teaching strategies, educators can reflect on their practices in a supportive environment. This encourages a mindset of growth and continuous improvement. You’ll have the opportunity to learn from experienced leaders who will share their insights and best practices, making this session not just informative but also profoundly impactful. Get involved and lead the charge in transforming your educational environment with learning walks—let's elevate our teaching and enhance student outcomes together!

Does equity work and teaching and learning work need to be in separate silos?  What if you can address inequities and student learning outcomes gaps through teaching and learning?  This session will explore one of the most equitable practices we can use in our schools: giving all students routine access to grade-level text and tasks.  We'll review the research that supports this approach, dive into a universal planning process to ensure access for all students, and explore instructional strategies for how to execute this in Math, ELA, and all content area classrooms.

Blank stares. Polite smiles. Active resistance and pushback ... you've seen it all. And although you've read all the "How to have tough conversations" books, you still haven't been able to crack the code on how to give feedback that every teacher will not only welcome, but immediately implement. In this interactive session, discover the biggest feedback mistakes leaders make, and learn how to give honest feedback to teachers without causing resistance, hurt feelings, or downright apathy. Find out what you must do differently when giving feedback to struggling teachers versus proficient teachers and how you have to adjust your feedback to meet the needs of master teachers. You'll walk away with specific tools and examples you can use to plan your own feedback with the teachers you support so that you can help every teacher you serve show tangible growth this school year.