This session will take you on a journey through one school district's implementation of the Science of Reading. Learn about the district's motivations, the steps taken to build a strong foundation, and the instructional shifts that have been made. Discover the challenges faced, the lessons learned, and the successes celebrated along the way. Leave with practical strategies and resources to support your own implementation of the Science of Reading
Jonathan Winslow is the Director of Elementary Education at MSD of Steuben County in Angola, IN. He is a former Elementary Educator with his administrative license. In his school district he works with teachers in coaching cycles, facilitates instructional technology professional... Read More →
What does AI look like from a student’s perspective? In this hands-on session, teachers will get to sit on the side of the desk and experience AI-powered learning firsthand! Through interactive activities, discussions, and real-world examples from fellow teachers, we will explore how AI can spark creativity, critical thinking, and engagement in the classroom. Join us for the chance to experiment with AI tools firsthand and leave with fresh ideas and practical strategies to implement with your students.
Dr. Megan Tolin is all about using technology to empower teachers and students—especially when it sparks creativity, boosts accessibility, and leads to meaningful learning. She’s currently an account executive at MagicSchool, helping K–12 schools make smart, thoughtful decisions... Read More →
As educators we know that the expectations for our students are different, kindergarten has gone from free choice time to build essential developmental milestones, to teaching double-digit addition. 8th graders are not reading an analyzing Shakespeare, which I didn't do until I was a sophomore in High School. So, as educators, we are trying to meet the standards expected of students that seem to grow every year, and we know that their cognitive needs are not being met. It feels like an uphill battle, and we are seeing even larger gaps in children's educational experiences. So, how do we fix this, where do we start? There is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but incorporating play in the classroom can help improve the development of schema, behavior, and analysis skills in students (Allee-Herndon et al., 2022;& Elkind, 2007; Gil, 2010). I will be showing you ways to implement play into various contents, for various age groups. The methods taught can easily be implemented in morning meetings, content, and during brain breaks. You will learn how powerful play is for all ages.
