MOmentum: Full Schedule

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8:00am CDT

From Othering to Belonging to Mattering to Flourishing: Creating (and Living) a New Story of Purpose for Schools 

Tuesday June 2, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

Multiple research sources, reinforced by a wide range of personal experiences, point to a crucial progression that goes beyond an ideal of “belonging” toward the conditions of mattering and flourishing for human development. As we come to grips with exponential technologies, shifting social norms, volatile geopolitics and an ambiguous future of work, the role of schools can either be seen as more uncertain (or insignificant) than ever, or more vital, as a hub for growth, connection and community, all leading to human flourishing. This interactive keynote explores the roots of belonging, mattering and flourishing, with lessons from neuroscience, nature and “Big Questions” that can inform a path forward around what matters most. Come with your questions and leave with much-needed hope, vision and tangible tools.

Speakers

Homa Tavangar

Cofounder, Big Questions Institute

Homa Tavanger is the co-founder of the Big Questions Institute and the Oneness Lab.She brings 30+ years’ experience helping diverse organizations and individuals to build cultural, racial and global competence, strategic governance, and visionary, generative leadership in diverse schools and organizations. She coaches leaders on accountability for equity... Read More →

Tuesday June 2, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Hyland Arena

Keynote innovate

9:00am CDT

Breakfast + exhibitor expo

Tuesday June 2, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

Evans Commons | exhibitor expo

Enjoy a morning snack sponsored by Circadia.

Tuesday June 2, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Evans Commons | exhibitor expo

Exhibitor Expo

10:00am CDT

Panel: Turning the Page: Leveraging Reading Success Plans for Student Growth

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT

RM 250

Under SB 681, the Reading Success Plan (RSP) has evolved from a technical requirement into a vital roadmap for achievement. Literacy coordinators and regional experts will provide a "view from the district" on building robust, evidence-based systems that support both teachers and families.

Panelists will share how their district transitioned into the Science of Reading along with some best practices for creating and monitoring plans using DESE-approved assessments. Whether you are fine-tuning your current process or seeking new intervention strategies, this session offers practical solutions for Missouri’s literacy landscape.

Moderators

Sherri Kulpa

Director of Curriculum and Instruction, EducationPlus

Speakers

Julie Paur

Clayton School District

Kate Wenger

Francis Howell School District

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT
RM 250

Panel

10:00am CDT

Structured Literacy in Action: Success in a Multi-Tiered System of Supports

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Theatre B - Evans Commons

Learn how the International Dyslexia Association’s InfoMap bridges the gap between the Science of Reading and classroom practice. Explore how structured literacy and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) work together to support all learners, including students receiving special education services. Examine practical tools, strategies and resources that strengthen implementation across a school or district.

Engage in collaborative conversations, reflection and discussion around structured literacy and MTSS implementation. Interact with peers to explore real-world applications and consider how these practices connect to local contexts and student needs.

Apply structured literacy principles within an MTSS framework to strengthen instruction and intervention for all learners. Develop actionable next steps for integrating structured literacy into existing systems and practices.

Speakers

Jennifer D'Aoust

Literacy Advisor, Wilson Language Training

Jennifer D’Aoust, M.Ed., brings over 28 years of education experience to her work as a Literacy Advisor with Wilson Language Training. She has a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Lynn... Read More →

Exhibitors

Wilson Language Training

Account Executive, Michael Benge

Wilson Language Training® offers foundational Structured Literacy programs for K–12 classrooms—Fundations®, Esperanza, Just Words®, and the Wilson Reading System®—grounded in the science of reading and supporting all tiers of instruction in an MTSS framework. Our evidence-based... Read More →

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Theatre B - Evans Commons

ignite

10:00am CDT

The Art of Disagreement: Teaching Students to Debate Respectfully and Confidently

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Theatre A - Evans Commons

Learn how to transform student disagreement into a tool for academic thinking and social-emotional growth. Explore strategies for teaching students to argue with evidence, listen with empathy and respond with respect across all content areas. Examine practical routines, sentence stems and activities that support productive discourse and stronger classroom relationships.

Engage in role-plays, structured discourse routines, and short debate-inspired tasks to experience the strategies firsthand. Analyze classroom scenarios, collaborate with peers, and model respectful disagreement to see how argumentation strengthens both reasoning and SEL skills. Explore ways to bring these practices into your own classroom context.

Apply ready-to-use routines, discussion protocols, and sentence stems to guide students in debating ideas respectfully. Implement activities that help learners support claims with evidence, manage emotions and engage in structured, meaningful discourse. Use classroom-ready templates to turn disagreements into opportunities for deeper understanding, critical thinking and stronger peer relationships.

Speakers

Francesca Meixner-Hendrix

The Art of Disagreement mp4

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Theatre A - Evans Commons 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

ignite belonging culture innovate

10:00am CDT

GoGuardian Teacher Comprehensive

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

CDW Room - 119

Learn how GoGuardian Teacher supports instruction, differentiation and classroom management in digital environments. Explore features that allow you to deliver content, monitor student activity and keep learners focused and engaged. Examine how real-time visibility enhances instructional decision-making.

Engage in exploration of GoGuardian Teacher tools through examples and shared discussion. Interact with features that support differentiated instruction and student engagement in real time.

Apply GoGuardian Teacher to deliver instruction, differentiate resources and monitor student activity effectively. Use real-time insights to keep students on task and support a focused, productive classroom environment.

Speakers

Natalie Pottier

George Burt

Customer Success Manager, GoGuardian

PD Partners

CDW

Jackie Grummel

CDW Corporation is a leading multi-brand provider of information technology solutions to business, government, education and healthcare customers in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. A Fortune 500 company and member of the S&P 500 Index, CDW helps its customers to... Read More →

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
CDW Room - 119

ignite innovate design

Dynamic Theme Essentials

10:00am CDT

Workflow, Collaboration and Insight: A Simple Guide to Mastering Google Classroom

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Google Room - 131

Learn how Google Workspace for EducationPlus tools can streamline grading and feedback. Explore features like rubrics, comment banks and originality reports to improve efficiency and consistency. Examine ways to enhance collaboration and instructional support using Classroom tools like Sharing Classwork and Class Visit.

Engage in collaborative exploration of Google Classroom features that support grading, feedback and teacher collaboration. Interact with examples and discuss how these tools can simplify workflows and strengthen instructional practices.

Apply Google Workspace tools to provide faster, more effective feedback and simplify grading processes. Use rubrics, comment banks and collaboration features to save time, improve consistency and support student learning.

Speakers

Google for Education

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Google Room - 131

ignite innovate technology

Dynamic Theme Essentials

10:00am CDT

Connecting the Dots: Transform Learning Insights into Action

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

schoolai Room - 137

Learn how AI can help you see every student’s story in real time—where they are and what they need next. Explore teacher-guided AI experiences that support student thinking without doing the work for them. Gain a practical, research-based framework for learner-centered design, whether you're new to AI or ready to go deeper.

Engage with schoolai by first experiencing a live learning environment from the student perspective. Then design a personalized AI learning experience tailored to your classroom. Explore a teacher dashboard to identify student needs and determine next steps.

Apply a ready-to-use AI learning experience you build during the session, launchable as early as tomorrow. Use real-time data to respond to student needs without waiting for formal assessments. Leverage AI as a thought partner to focus your attention where it matters most.

Speakers

Tarah Tesmer

Senior Educational Strategist, SchoolAI

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
schoolai Room - 137

ignite innovate technology design culture

Dynamic Theme Exploration

10:00am CDT

Teaching Smarter with Google Gemini

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

RM 136

Learn how to integrate Google Gemini as a classroom assistant to enhance language teaching and learning. Explore AI literacy, effective prompting and strategies for using generative AI to plan lessons, design resources and personalize instruction. Examine practical approaches to make teaching more creative, efficient and student-centered.

Engage in hands-on practice using Google Gemini to generate lesson ideas, resources and student tasks. Experiment with prompts, share results and collaborate in real time to explore AI’s potential in classroom learning.

Apply AI strategies and prompt templates to streamline lesson planning and enrich instruction. Use Google Gemini as a collaborative teaching partner to save time, enhance student creativity and implement immediate classroom-ready solutions.

Speakers

Haydee Taylor-Arnold

AATSP-MO Chapter President, Spanish Instructor, and Character Ed Advocate, Ladue Horton Watkins High School

Haydee Taylor-Arnold has 20 years of experience in the field of language education and has taught elementary, middle school, high school, and college. Originally from Panamá, she graduated with a Bachelor in English from Universidad de Panamá. Having relocated to Missouri, she earned... Read More →

Teaching Smarter with Google Gemini mp4

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
RM 136 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

ignite technology innovate

10:00am CDT

From Our Hands to Theirs

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am CDT

RM 217

Learn how John Hattie’s high-impact strategies can shift from educator-driven tools to a framework for learner-driven education. Explore the why and how of transferring control of planning, assessment and progress monitoring to students. Identify actionable strategies that make learner ownership practical and sustainable.

Engage in collaborative reflection around examples of high-impact strategies reimagined through a learner-driven lens. Discuss possibilities, share insights and consider where shifts toward student ownership can strengthen learning.

Apply high-impact strategies to upcoming units by committing to at least one new practice for the first quarter of instruction. Plan intentional scaffolds that support students in taking ownership of goals, feedback and progress. Gain a clear next step for building a learner-driven classroom environment.

Speakers

Dria Setter

Professional Development Specialist, Institute for Personalized Learning- CESA #1

As a Professional Development Specialist for the Institute, Dria brings 18 years of elementary education experience including work with technology integration, differentiation for gifted and talented students, personalized learning, and most recently, work as a Learning Coach. She... Read More →

Theresa Ewald

Senior Advisor, i4PL

Dr. Theresa Ewald is the former Assistant Superintendent of the Kettle Moraine School District,
and an educational consultant with 30 years of experience in transforming learning for all
students. Theresa coaches and mentors educational leaders, organizations and state leaders as
th... Read More →

From Our Hands to Theirs mp4

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am CDT
RM 217 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

launch culture design innovate

10:00am CDT

Behind the Scenes: How Discovery Education Makes Every Minute Matter in the School Day

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am CDT

Discovery Room - 233

Learn how Discovery Education supports every part of a teacher's day through practical, UDL-aligned instructional moves, engagement routines and time-saving planning strategies.

Engage with modeled classroom moments, hands-on demonstrations and collaborative redesign activties that mirror a real instructional day.

Apply ready-to-use routines, digital tools and planning approaches that elevate learning from bell to bell.

PD Partners

John David Son

Regional VP, John David Son

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am CDT
Discovery Room - 233

launch innovate design technology belonging

Dynamic Theme Essentials

10:00am CDT

exhibitor expo

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT

Evans Commons | exhibitor expo

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:00am - 12:00pm CDT
Evans Commons | exhibitor expo

Exhibitor Expo

11:00am CDT

Panel: Thinking in Action: Bringing Building Thinking Classrooms to Life in Elementary Spaces

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am CDT

RM 250

What happens when we shift the focus from getting answers to developing thinkers? K–5 educators dive into the pedagogy of Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) and what it really looks like in elementary settings.

These passionate practitioners will unpack what BTC is, what drew them to this approach, and how it has transformed the way their students engage with learning. Through honest conversation, panelists will share both the bright spots and the bumps along the way… from fostering deeper student thinking and collaboration to navigating the real challenges of implementation.

Expect practical insights, classroom-ready ideas and authentic stories that highlight the power of putting thinking at the center of instruction. Whether you’re BTC-curious or already experimenting in your own classroom, this session offers inspiration, reassurance and a few “me too!” moments.

Come explore how even our youngest learners can do big thinking and how you can help make it happen.

Moderators

Tanya Garcia

St. Louis RPDC Educational Consultant, EducationPlus

Speakers

Carrie Tomc

Rockwood

Genevieve Betz

Rockwood School District

Darlene Eckert

Dixon School District

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am CDT
RM 250

Panel

11:00am CDT

Newsela is More than just News!

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Theatre B - Evans Commons

Learn how Missouri districts are using Newsela to support teaching and learning goals across content areas. Explore new features including assessment and analytics tools, STEM resources through Generation Genius and writing supports. Examine how these tools enhance engagement, differentiation and instructional decision-making.

Engage in exploration of Newsela resources, demo accounts and classroom applications through examples and discussion. Interact with tools and consider how they can support instruction, assessment and student learning in your own setting.

Apply Newsela tools and resources to strengthen instruction, support test preparation and personalize learning experiences. Gain access to free content access and ready-to-use materials.

Speakers

Newsela

Matt Wheeland

Newsela is more than just news and current events! Our most popular solution for Missouri districts is ELA by Newsela, and we've been building and acquiring great solutions since 2023: Balanced Assessment by Formative, Writing, STEM with Generation Genius by Newsela, and now Schoolytics... Read More →

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Theatre B - Evans Commons

ignite

11:00am CDT

The Courage to Connect: Using Vulnerability, Trust, Relationships and AI to Drive Results

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

RM 121

Learn how vulnerability, trust and authentic connection drive engagement, motivation and academic success. Explore the neuroscience of belonging, the link between transparency and performance, and the role of emotional intelligence in building relationally strong school cultures. Examine how AI tools can serve as reflective coaching partners to deepen empathy, self-awareness, and communication effectiveness.

Engage with real-world examples and collaborative exploration to uncover how vulnerability, trust and connection shape school culture. Analyze data and share insights to identify strategies that foster relational trust, boost engagement and improve outcomes. Explore practical approaches to embedding connection and belonging in classrooms and school communities.

Apply vulnerability-based leadership to create psychological safety and strengthen relationships across your school or classroom. Create a 90-Day Connection Action Plan with practical routines and strategies to embed belonging, track progress and drive measurable results.

Speakers

Abida Jafari

The Courage to Connect mp4

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
RM 121 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

ignite culture belonging leadership innovate

11:00am CDT

Level Up! With Proficiency Scales

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Theatre A - Evans Commons

Learn how to leverage proficiency scales to clearly define learning targets and guide student growth at every level.

Explore methods for providing meaningful feedback and using flexible instructional strategies to support learners with different needs. Discover how to meet students where they are while keeping standards and learning targets central.

Engage in reflection around personalized learning and feedback strategies. Analyze examples and explore how these approaches can be adapted to support diverse learners and classroom contexts.
Apply proficiency scale practices to plan scaffolding that supports learner-driven growth.

Speakers

Dria Setter

Professional Development Specialist, Institute for Personalized Learning- CESA #1

Theresa Ewald

Senior Advisor, i4PL

Level Up! With Proficiency Scales mp4

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Theatre A - Evans Commons 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

ignite design innovate technology

11:00am CDT

Hyperspeed Prep Time: Accelerate Lesson Planning

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Google Room - 131

Learn how Google’s AI toolkit streamlines curriculum design and content creation. Explore how tools like Deep Research, NotebookLM and Gemini can gather sources, organize information and generate instructional materials. Examine how these tools work together to create an efficient, end-to-end workflow.

Engage in collaborative exploration of AI-powered tools for research, organization and lesson design. Interact with examples and consider how these tools can simplify planning and enhance instructional creativity.

Apply AI tools to quickly gather cited resources, build study guides and design complete unit plans with dynamic activities. Create a faster, more efficient workflow that reduces time spent searching and increases time spent teaching.

Speakers

Google for Education

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Google Room - 131

ignite innovate design

Dynamic Theme Essentials

11:00am CDT

Getting Started with Pear Start

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

CDW Room - 119

Learn how Pear Start, Pear Deck Learning’s AI tool, supports teacher workflows and instructional best practices. Explore key features that streamline planning, enhance instruction and save time. Examine how AI can be used effectively to support student learning.

Engage in exploration of Pear Start through examples and shared discussion. Interact with features and consider how AI tools can enhance instruction and improve efficiency in your classroom.

Apply Pear Start to streamline planning, support instruction and save time. Use AI-driven strategies to enhance student learning and build confidence in integrating AI into everyday teaching practices.

Speakers

Natalie Pottier

George Burt

Customer Success Manager, GoGuardian

PD Partners

CDW

Jackie Grummel

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
CDW Room - 119

ignite innovate technology

Dynamic Theme Exploration

11:00am CDT

From Idea to Launch: Build an AI Learning Experience to Use Tomorrow

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

schoolai Room - 137

Learn how to design a powerful AI learning experience in five minutes or less using the schoolai framework to guide your prompting from the very first idea. Explore what makes a Space effective and how purposeful prompting shapes the student experience. Examine how the Browser Extension transforms existing websites and resources into ready-to-launch AI learning experiences.

Engage in building a real AI learning activity using the “Create a Space” process. Test your design from the student perspective and refine it through collaboration and feedback. Explore tips and strategies to strengthen prompts and elevate your designs.

Apply a student-ready AI Space created during the session, along with a repeatable prompting framework. Use the Space Creator and Browser Extension to quickly turn ideas and existing resources into AI-powered learning experiences. Leave ready to design, launch, and iterate with confidence.

Speakers

Tarah Tesmer

Senior Educational Strategist, SchoolAI

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
schoolai Room - 137

ignite innovate design technology

Dynamic Theme Exploration

11:35am CDT

C3 in Action: Making Elementary Social Studies Meaningful

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:35am - 12:00pm CDT

Discovery Room - 233

Learn the essentials of the C3 Framework—including how its four dimensions support inquiry, questioning, and critical thinking in K–5 social studies.

Engage in fast, hands‑on inquiry routines using primary sources, See–Think–Wonder and resources from Discovery Education Experience such as the Need to Know Jr. channel to see how inquiry can happen in just minutes.

Apply these C3‑aligned strategies in your classroom and explore simple ways to sustain inquiry through consistent routines and ready‑to‑use digital supports.

PD Partners

John David Son

Regional VP, John David Son

Tuesday June 2, 2026 11:35am - 12:00pm CDT
Discovery Room - 233

spark innovate design belonging culture

Dynamic Theme Essentials

12:00pm CDT

Lunch + exhibitor expo

Tuesday June 2, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT

Evans Commons | exhibitor expo

Tuesday June 2, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT
Evans Commons | exhibitor expo

Exhibitor Expo

1:00pm CDT

Panel: The Collective Toolkit: Crowdsourcing Student Engagement Strategies

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT

RM 250

In this high-energy "un-panel," the real experts aren’t on a stage—they are sitting in the seats. This session flips the traditional conference format on its head to harness the collective wisdom of the room. Instead of a one-way lecture, we’re creating a collaborative space where every educator has a seat at the table to trade "what works" in a relaxed, conversational setting. Explore and exchange ideas across four critical pillars of the classroom: Collaboration, Experiential Learning, Evidence of Learning, and Community Building. Whether you have a favorite teaching strategy to share or simply want to listen in, come gather new ideas and gain a curated, actionable toolkit to transform your learning community.

Moderators

April Burton

District-Level Staff or Administrator (e.g., superintendent, Chief Academic Officer, professional learning coordinator, etc.), FRANCIS HOWELL R-III

Brian Reed

Coordinator of Innovation and Learning, Rockwood R-VI

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
RM 250

Panel

1:00pm CDT

neXus: Transforming Building Safety Technology

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Theatre B - Evans Commons

Learn how the neXus platform helps districts address modern school safety challenges through integrated, AI-powered solutions. Explore how existing infrastructure can work together without costly hardware upgrades.

Engage in interactive exploration of the neXus platform through discussion and live demonstrations. Explore available integrations and consider how connected safety systems can improve communication, response and operational efficiency across districts.

Apply neXus platform capabilities to strengthen district safety and emergency response systems. Use integrated tools, real-time alerts and interactive campus mapping to support faster decision-making, proactive prevention and data-informed planning. Identify next steps for implementation, training and expanded safety integration within your district.

Speakers

SWC

Account Executive, Finley Turnbow

Since our inception in 1976, South Western Communications (SWC) has been a trusted leader in communication, physical security, and life safety solutions. Headquartered in Newburgh, Indiana, we enrich lives by providing integrated electronics solutions with progressive technologies... Read More →

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Theatre B - Evans Commons

ignite

1:00pm CDT

Ways to Strengthen RTI/MTSS

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

RM 251

Learn how to strengthen high-quality instruction and MTSS systems without increasing teacher overload. Explore practical, AI-enhanced strategies that support Tier I, II and III instruction while improving engagement and efficiency. Examine how strong Tier I practices, clear systems and intentional scheduling create better outcomes for all learners.

Engage in hands-on exploration and collaborative discussion around AI-supported instructional practices and MTSS implementation. Interact with strategies and reflect on how they can be adapted to meet the needs of your own district or building.

Apply AI tools and practical frameworks to strengthen Tier I instruction, audit master schedules, and reduce initiative overload. Draft a clearer definition of Tier I supports and identify actionable next steps for creating more efficient, impactful instructional systems. If you’ve ever asked, “How do I reach them all?”—this conversation is for you.

Speakers

Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors for Schools partners with districts nationwide to strengthen Tier I, II, and III instruction through a unified LIVE + AI platform. Our comprehensive solution combines high-dosage tutoring, on-demand academic support, AI-powered instructional tools, and real-time data... Read More →

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
RM 251

ignite

1:00pm CDT

Intentional Learning Cohorts and Critical Friends

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Theatre A - Evans Commons

Learn to design teacher learning cohorts that align with individual growth goals and build collaborative, sustained professional development. Explore strategies for critical friend observations and coaching cycles that prioritize teacher growth before formal evaluations.

Engage in reflective discussion and collaboration around professional development and coaching practices. Analyze examples and share insights to uncover what makes teacher cohorts effective and sustainable.

Apply frameworks and coaching strategies to draft actionable PD cohort plans. Create designs for collaboration, classroom observations and reflective coaching that can be implemented immediately to support teacher growth and enhance student learning.

Speakers

Stacy Stewart

Principal, Archdiocese of St. Louis

My mission is to empower students through new opportunities while partnering with educators to refine and elevate their teaching craft. I lived 24 years in public education as a teacher and assistant prinicpal. I have now landed the principal leadership position at St. Dominic HS... Read More →

Trisha Goins

Ft. Zumwalt R-II

Ashley Schuler

Ft. Zumwalt R-II

Intentional Learning Cohorts and Critical Friends mp4

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Theatre A - Evans Commons 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

ignite culture innovate leadership

1:00pm CDT

12 Big Questions School Must Answer to Imagine Irresistible Futures

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Dunseth Auditorioum

This session offers a guided exploration of the 2025 ebook release on the 12 Big Questions, following the popular 9 BIG Questions Schools Must Answer to Avoid Going "Back to Normal" (*Because "Normal" Wasn't That Great to Begin With) by Homa Tavangar and Will Richardson. The big questions are being used as a provocation to drive meaningful and fearless inquiry around school change and efficacy in the midst of volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous (VUCA) conditions in the world and in education. Through probing, interactive activities we will audit and explore questions such as What is Learning? Why Do We ______? and Who is Unheard? as well as the three new questions: What is Your Story? What is Success? and What is Your Legacy? Embarking on a systematic interrogation of key questions, our “why” becomes clearer, to unlock new “how’s” for steering schools through crisis and uncertainty.

Speakers

Homa Tavangar

Cofounder, Big Questions Institute

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Dunseth Auditorioum

ignite culture leadership wellness

Dynamic Theme Exploration

1:00pm CDT

AI and You: Practical Tools for Teachers and Students

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

RM 145

Learn how AI tools like ChatGPT, Canva, Gemini, Diffit and Adobe Firefly can enhance student engagement, creativity and understanding across content areas. Explore strategies to integrate AI responsibly, address ethical considerations and empower students to use technology as a learning tool. Examine real-world classroom examples that turn AI into an effective teaching partner.

Engage in interactive demonstrations, collaborative discussions, and hands-on exploration of AI tools. Experiment with prompts, share ideas, and reflect on practical classroom applications. Explore ways to make AI integration meaningful, creative, and student-centered.

Apply AI tools to create lessons, visuals and learning activities that are ready for immediate classroom use. Gain practical strategies and templates that boost engagement, creativity and student voice.

Speakers

Lindsey Weatherby

Special Education Teacher, Special School District

Lindsey Weatherby is a special educator, instructional leader, and founder of Ctrl Alt Teach PD, where she helps educators integrate AI and technology in practical, ethical, and accessible ways. With experience spanning special education, instructional coaching, and educator professional... Read More →

AI and You Practical Tools for Teachers and Students mp4

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
RM 145 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

ignite design technology innovate

1:00pm CDT

Getting Started with Pear Deck

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

CDW Room - 119

Learn the basics of creating and presenting with Pear Deck to support engaging, interactive instruction. Explore how Pear Deck enhances formative assessment, increases student participation and supports both synchronous and asynchronous learning. Examine how to get started with a free teacher account and core features.

Engage in exploration of Pear Deck through examples and shared discussion. Interact with features and consider how they can increase engagement and provide real-time insight into student understanding.

Apply Pear Deck to build interactive lessons that support formative assessment and active learning. Use core tools to create engaging presentations that can be implemented immediately for both in-person and virtual settings.

Speakers

Natalie Pottier

George Burt

Customer Success Manager, GoGuardian

PD Partners

CDW

Jackie Grummel

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
CDW Room - 119

ignite innovate design

Dynamic Theme Exploration

1:00pm CDT

Work Smarter, Not Harder: Missouri‑Aligned Resources at Your Fingertips

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Discovery Room - 233

Learn how Discovery Education’s Missouri‑aligned channels, curriculum resources, and SOS strategies streamline planning and strengthen standards‑aligned instruction.

Engage in hands‑on exploration of sample lessons, modeled strategies and planning workflows that support clarity and student readiness.

Apply ready‑to‑use routines and resource pathways to design effective lessons with confidence and efficiency.

PD Partners

John David Son

Regional VP, John David Son

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Discovery Room - 233

ignite innovate design technology belonging

Dynamic Theme Essentials

1:00pm CDT

More Secure Everyday with Chrome

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 2:10pm CDT

Google Room - 131

Learn how Google Workspace and ChromeOS support district cybersecurity through advanced threat protection, device management and data loss prevention. Explore key features that help safeguard sensitive data and strengthen system security. Examine best practices for protecting users, devices and information across your district.

Engage in exploration of cybersecurity tools and strategies through examples and discussion. Interact with scenarios that highlight how these features protect systems and support secure digital environments.

Apply Google Workspace and ChromeOS security features to strengthen your district’s data protection practices. Use practical strategies to manage devices, prevent data loss and proactively respond to security threats.

Speakers

Google for Education

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 2:10pm CDT
Google Room - 131

launch innovate technology

Dynamic Theme Essentials

1:00pm CDT

Play Matters: The Power of Play in Education

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT

RM 217

Learn the foundations of play - where it comes from, why it matters and what it truly is. Explore the brain science behind play and its lifelong role in learning, well-being and engagement. Examine how play supports both academic growth and human connection.

Engage in exploration that models how play enhances learning and instruction. Experience how purposeful play fosters creativity, curiosity and deeper engagement across learning environments.

Apply simple, classroom-ready strategies to immediately create a more playful learning environment. Use practical ideas to weave play into instruction, relationships and daily routines, supporting joyful learning for both educators and students.

Speakers

Denise Ford

Gifted Teacher, Kirkwood School District

Passionate about Gifted Education, innovation, creativity, and learning.

Play Matters the Power of Play in Education mp4

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT
RM 217 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

launch wellness belonging

1:00pm CDT

Crafting the Future: Designing People-Centered AI Guidelines

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT

schoolai Room - 137

Learn how to shift your district’s AI approach from restrictive policies to asset-based, people-centered guidelines that empower teachers and students. Explore the difference between protecting systems and amplifying human potential, and what equitable, ethical AI use looks like in practice. Ground your thinking in a future-focused question: what do today’s kindergartners need from AI to graduate as capable, empowered learners?

Engage in a high-energy, collaborative experience that reframes AI policy as a human-centered design challenge. Map your district’s current practices along a readiness spectrum to determine whether they protect systems or empower people. Experience a live AI learning environment with schoolai to see how the right tools shift policies from theory to immediate practice.

Apply a people-centered framework to redesign or refine your district’s AI guidelines. Identify actionable next steps to move from compliance-driven rules to empowering, ready-to-implement practices. Leave with a clearer path to creating AI guidance that supports both innovation and equity.

Speakers

Tarah Tesmer

Senior Educational Strategist, SchoolAI

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT
schoolai Room - 137

launch innovate leadership design technology

Dynamic Theme Break-Through

1:00pm CDT

exhibitor expo

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 3:30pm CDT

Evans Commons | exhibitor expo

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:00pm - 3:30pm CDT
Evans Commons | exhibitor expo

Exhibitor Expo

2:00pm CDT

Panel: Design LMS Experiences that Make Learning Stick

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT

Theatre A - Evans Commons

What if learning flowed seamlessly from classroom to couch, from guided instruction to independent discovery? This lively panel brings together K–12 educators who are reimagining how a Learning Management System (LMS) can do more than organize content. It can assess student learning, extend learning, spark curiosity, and strengthen the connection between school and home.

Panelists will share practical, creative strategies for designing experiences that keep students engaged beyond the school day, empower families to support learning, and build continuity between in-person and at-home environments.

Expect real stories, fresh ideas, and a few “why didn’t I think of that?” moments. Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your practice, gain actionable insights to help learning stick, no matter where it happens.
Come curious. Leave inspired.

Moderators

Brad Moser

CidiLabs

Speakers

Hannah Dyksen

1001-TEACHERS-ELM (9/15-8/31), Fort Zumwalt

Hannah Dyksen has taught in the elementary setting for 18 years, including as a classroom teacher for 4th and 5th grade, and currently as an Elementary Technology Teacher for Kindergarten through 5th grade students. She is a Google Certified Trainer and Educator Levels 1 and 2, and... Read More →

Scott Wolz

1003-TEACHERS-HS(9/15-8/31), Fort Zumwalt School District

Brian Reed

Coordinator of Innovation and Learning, Rockwood R-VI

Nicole Ashrof

Francis Howell School District

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
Theatre A - Evans Commons 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

Panel

2:00pm CDT

Panel: Thinking in Action: Bringing Building Thinking Classrooms to Life in Secondary Spaces

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT

RM 250

What shifts when we move from delivering content to cultivating thinkers? Grades 6–12 educators explore the pedagogy of Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) and what it looks like in middle and high school environments.

Learn from educators who have taken the leap as they break down what BTC is, what sparked their interest, and how it has reshaped student engagement, problem-solving and discourse in their classrooms. Panelists will share real experiences (both successes and struggles) as they’ve worked to balance curriculum demands with creating spaces where students think deeply, collaborate meaningfully and take ownership of their learning.

Expect candid reflections, practical strategies and ideas you can adapt right away, whether you're teaching math, science, humanities or beyond. If you're curious about shifting classroom culture, increasing student agency and making thinking visible, this session will meet you where you are.

Come ready to rethink what student engagement can look like and gain new ways to put thinking at the center of your secondary classroom.

Moderators

Tanya Garcia

St. Louis RPDC Educational Consultant, EducationPlus

Speakers

Jordan McGaughey

Rockwood School District

Matt Waeckerle

Rockwood School District

Jen Murray

Rockwood School District

Beth Brinkley

7th Grade Math, Rockwood School District

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
RM 250

Panel

2:00pm CDT

Maximizing School Funding: Strategic Bond and Levy Campaigns

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Theatre B - Evans Commons

Learn key strategies for preparing and planning future capital projects and bond campaigns. Explore implementation approaches that support long-term success, stakeholder alignment and effective project execution. Examine practical considerations that help move projects from planning to action.

Engage in interactive discussion and collaborative exploration around capital project planning and implementation. Share questions, consider real-world scenarios and explore strategies tailored to district needs and priorities.

Apply planning and implementation strategies to future capital projects and bond initiatives. Use practical frameworks and actionable ideas to support decision-making, communication and successful execution within your district.

Speakers

Navigate

Cory Bextermueller

NAVIGATE works with over 40 school districts, managing programs ranging from $50,000 to $525 million—tailored to meet each district’s unique needs, from long-range master planning and bond planning through implementation and project delivery. NAVIGATE Building Solutions’ Advisors... Read More →

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Theatre B - Evans Commons

ignite

2:00pm CDT

Getting Started with Pear Assessment

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

CDW Room - 119

Learn how Pear Assessment streamlines digital assessment for teachers, teams and schools. Explore key features like the live classboard for real-time insight and teachable moments. Examine how assessment data can inform and drive instructional decisions.

Engage in exploration of Pear Assessment tools through examples and collaborative discussion. Interact with features that support real-time feedback and consider how insights can enhance instruction.

Apply Pear Assessment to design and deliver efficient digital assessments. Use live classboard data and reporting tools to adjust instruction, respond to student needs, and improve learning outcomes.

Speakers

Natalie Pottier

George Burt

Customer Success Manager, GoGuardian

PD Partners

CDW

Jackie Grummel

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
CDW Room - 119

ignite innovate design

Dynamic Theme Exploration

2:00pm CDT

Phenomena That Spark Learning: Bringing K-12 Science to Life with Inquiry and the Discovery Education Ecosystem

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Discovery Room - 233

Learn why anchoring science instruction in phenomena leads to deeper understanding, stronger sensemaking and NGSS-aligned learning experiences.

Engage in hands-on exploration of multiple phenomena routines—modeling Notice/Wonder, prediction cycles, data interactions and evidence-based explanation—using real examples from Mystery Science, Science Techbook and our K–5 NGSS resources.

Apply these routines to create meaningful, curiosity-driven learning moments and use digital tools that make high‑quality science instruction easier and more efficient.

PD Partners

John David Son

Regional VP, John David Son

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Discovery Room - 233

ignite innovate design culture technology

Dynamic Theme Exploration

2:00pm CDT

Fueling Educator Wellbeing

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

RM 136

Learn how energizing physiological habits can enhance clarity, stamina and purpose throughout the school day. Explore research-backed strategies for creating routines that support focus, resilience and overall well-being. Examine practical ways to make habits systematic for lasting impact.

Engage with peers through collaborative problem-solving to troubleshoot potential obstacles to habit formation. Experiment with habit-building techniques and share insights to refine approaches. Explore how small changes can produce meaningful daily results.

Apply practical strategies to create a personalized physiological habit plan ready for immediate implementation. Design daily routines that boost energy, focus and productivity.

Speakers

Jessica Arico

Fueling Educator Wellbeing mp4

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
RM 136 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

ignite innovate wellness

2:00pm CDT

Think Like a Futurist

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

Dunseth Auditorioum

The future isn’t something we predict; it’s what we create. Futurists from some of the most prestigious research institutions tap into particular tools like sense-making imagination infrastructures, urgent optimism and evidence-based imagination. Learn how these can help make you not only a better leader, but also a more hopeful one.

Speakers

Homa Tavangar

Cofounder, Big Questions Institute

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Dunseth Auditorioum

ignite leadership culture

Dynamic Theme Exploration

2:00pm CDT

Bots and Boundaries: Ethical AI Use for Students

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

RM 121

Learn key ethical considerations for student AI use, including academic integrity, bias and responsible tool use aligned to College Board guidance. Examine how ethical AI practices can support curriculum goals while maintaining high expectations for student learning.

Engage in collaborative discussion around real-world classroom scenarios involving student AI use. Explore shared problem-solving approaches and resources that support ethical decision-making and clear classroom expectations.

Apply practical strategies to draft or refine a classroom AI policy that promotes responsible use and academic honesty. Use ready-to-go prompts that help students receive feedback on writing without AI-generated revisions, and leverage AI tools to support ethical source selection for research.

Speakers

Alicia Kleoppel

Gifted Resource Specialist, North Kansas City Schools

Alicia Kleoppel is an AP educator and instructional leader focused on helping teachers and students navigate the ethical use of AI in the classroom. Through a national AI grant, she collaborates with educators across settings to explore practical, responsible approaches to integrating... Read More →

Bots and Boundaries Ethical AI Use for Students mp4

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
RM 121 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

ignite technology innovate

2:20pm CDT

Reclaim Your Day: Admin Tasks in Minutes

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:20pm - 3:10pm CDT

Google Room - 131

Learn how to use Gemini within Docs, Gmail and Sheets to streamline communication, organization and task management. Explore how AI can draft personalized parent messages, summarize meeting notes and build efficient project trackers. Examine how NotebookLM can organize administrative documents and surface key insights.

Engage in exploration of AI-powered tools that simplify everyday administrative tasks. Interact with examples and consider how these tools can improve efficiency and reduce workload.

Apply Gemini and NotebookLM to automate communication, organize information and manage projects more effectively. Use these tools to save time, streamline workflows and reclaim hours in your week.

Speakers

Google for Education

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:20pm - 3:10pm CDT
Google Room - 131

ignite innovate technology

Dynamic Theme Exploration

2:30pm CDT

Identity as the Foundation of NIST Alignment in K–12

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT

RM 251

Learn how identity-centered cybersecurity strategies support alignment with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework in K–12 environments. Explore how Identity and Access Management (IAM), Single Sign-On (SSO) and secure rostering reduce risk, support least-privilege access and strengthen cybersecurity readiness. Examine real-world examples of how districts use platforms like ClassLink to improve both security and user experience at scale.

Engage in discussion and shared exploration around the growing cybersecurity expectations facing school districts. Consider how identity-focused practices can simplify operations while strengthening compliance, security and access management.

Apply identity-centered cybersecurity concepts to evaluate and strengthen your district’s current security posture. Use practical strategies around IAM, SSO and secure rostering to support cybersecurity readiness, reduce organizational risk and build a more defensible framework for protecting users and data.

Speakers

ClassLink

Vince Haass

ClassLink is a global education provider of identity, access and analytics products that create more time for learning and help schools better understand digital engagement. As leading advocates for open data standards, we offer instant access to apps and files with single sign-on... Read More →

Tuesday June 2, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
RM 251

ignite

3:00pm CDT

The Power of Productive Disagreement

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 3:25pm CDT

Dunseth Auditorioum

The goal isn’t consensus—it’s understanding. This highly interactive session explores why disagreement is necessary for learning and how to challenge ideas without dehumanizing people. Act as a "provocateur" alongside our facilitators as we tackle education’s most controversial topics in real-time. Practice the discomfort of honest dialogue and learn to build stronger communities through the art of the "passionate disagreement."

Speakers

Bill McClellan

Charlie Brennan

Alvin Reid

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 3:25pm CDT
Dunseth Auditorioum

spark

3:00pm CDT

The Discovery Education Help Desk: Ask. Explore. Solve.

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 3:25pm CDT

Discovery Room - 233

Learn practical, personalized solutions to your instructional questions across math, science and social studies.

Engage in a flexible, conversational Q/A experience with subject‑matter expert(s) who can offer guidance, model strategies and explore challenges one‑on‑one or in a small‑group setting.

Gain tailored strategies and optional digital resources discussed to improve instruction in ways that fit your unique classroom needs.

PD Partners

John David Son

Regional VP, John David Son

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 3:25pm CDT
Discovery Room - 233

spark innovate technology leadership culture

Dynamic Theme Exploration

3:00pm CDT

The SchoolAI Campfire

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 3:25pm CDT

schoolai Room - 137

Learn how educators are putting AI into practice right now, what's landing and what still needs work. Come ready to learn and engage with fellow educators who are navigating the same real-world AI questions and challenges. This is a space for honest conversation about what AI is doing in real classrooms, what's working, what's hard and what's still uncertain.

Engage in a relaxed, open roundtable where there are no slides and no agenda, just real conversation. Share what you built or experienced today, ask the questions you didn't get to ask in a session and connect with fellow educators navigating the same AI journey you are.

Apply the ideas, connections and insights that surface in the room to your own context. Whether you leave with a new idea to try with schoolai, a clearer question to explore or simply a sense that you are not alone in this work, the campfire is where the day's learning lands.

Speakers

Tarah Tesmer

Senior Educational Strategist, SchoolAI

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:00pm - 3:25pm CDT
schoolai Room - 137

spark innovate belonging culture wellness

Dynamic Theme Essentials

3:10pm CDT

Google Drop-In

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:10pm - 3:25pm CDT

Google Room - 131

Stop by the Google room and spend one-on-one time with Google experts to gain answers to your questions.

Speakers

Google for Education

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:10pm - 3:25pm CDT
Google Room - 131

technology innovate technolog

Dynamic Theme Exploration

3:30pm CDT

Happy Hour

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:30pm - 4:00pm CDT

Evans Commons | exhibitor expo

Enjoy prizes, snacks and an open bar sponsored by Discovery Education and Varsity Tutors.

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
Evans Commons | exhibitor expo

Exhibitor Expo

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