MOmentum: Full Schedule

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8:00am CDT

Letting Go, Reaching Forward, Summoning Courage

Wednesday June 3, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

Hyland Arena

Teaching is dynamic, not static, and in our schools right now, we’re in a whirlwind of intersecting forces, moving us towards – what? In many cases, too, we are told to adhere to recipes and timelines exactly, telling us what to teach on each day, how to teach it uniformly across the district, and given a list of “suspect” words and strategies to avoid, regardless of what is truly effective for the varied students before us. Here, professional expertise and creativity wither on the vine. If we’re not careful, some of us will cocoon in the familiar and easy, failing to recognize the powerful solutions that come from divergent thinking, instructional versatility and continued growth. A candid and constructive keynote that opens the door to how we dismantle the one-size-fits-all thinking so that we might teach the way students learn best. This IS doable! Explore innovative differentiation elements that will stand the test of time and replenish your educator oxygen. Challenge assumptions, build stamina and move closer to the constructive force we want to be in students’ current learning and meaningful achievement. Come on in, the water’s fine, the current’s strong, the tools are there and the timing couldn’t be better!

Speakers

Rick Wormeli

Education Consultant, author/speaker

One of the first Nationally Board Certified teachers in America, Rick brings innovation, energy, validity and high standards to both his presentations and his instructional practice, which include 39 years teaching math, science, English, physical education, health, and history, as... Read More →

Wednesday June 3, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Hyland Arena

Keynote innovate Elevate

10:00am CDT

Direct Instruction and Brain Science: A Situationship

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:25am CDT

RM 121

Learn why direct instruction is an essential part of effective teaching when aligned with how the brain learns. Explore cognitive science principles through the four Power Tools: retrieval practice, spaced practice, interleaving and feedback-driven metacognition. Examine how these strategies energize instruction, improve retention and reduce instructional burden with minimal prep.

Engage with the science by experiencing the Power Tools as a learner. Interact with examples from multiple content areas to see how brain-compatible direct instruction can be active, efficient and impactful.

Apply the four Power Tools to any lesson to design direct instruction that sticks. Use classroom-ready strategies to strengthen learning, improve long-term retention and teach with greater clarity and confidence. Gain practical ideas and resources to continue deepening instructional impact through cognitive science.

Speakers

Robyn Haug

Director of Assessment and Professional Learning, Clayton

Robyn has been a teacher, instructional coach, and district administrator for twenty-five years. She has taught K-12, but spent most of her career in 6-12 education as an English teacher and instructional coach. She now serves as the Director of Assessment and Professional Learning... Read More →

Direct Instruction and Brain Science A Situationship mp4

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:25am CDT
RM 121 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

spark design innovate

10:00am CDT

The Learner Profile: Unlocking Learner Variability

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

RM 243

Learn the core concepts behind effective learner profiles and how they support personalized, meaningful learning. Explore the difference between thoughtful profile design and simple preference questionnaires, emphasizing alignment with learning goals, check-ins and feedback loops.

Engage in collaborative analysis of real classroom examples and team discussions to explore how learner profiles can drive instructional decisions. Map out touchpoints, alignment with learning goals and feedback processes to ensure readiness for launch at the start of the school year.

Apply design principles to begin creating learner profiles, either from scratch or using provided resources for inspiration. Gain actionable steps and a plan for implementing learner profiles in your classroom or team.

Speakers

Kate Sommerville

Professional Development Specialist, The Institute for Personalized Learning

Zak Lenski

Learning and Innovation Strategist, i4PL

The Learner Profile Unlocking Learner Variability mp4

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
RM 243

ignite design innovate belonging

10:00am CDT

Differentiating and Connecting with GoGuardian Teacher

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

CDW Room - 119

Learn how GoGuardian Teacher supports differentiation, student support and real-time monitoring in digital classrooms. Explore features that enable teachers to tailor resources, guide learning and maximize instructional impact. Examine how visibility into student activity informs instructional decisions.

Engage in exploration of GoGuardian Teacher through examples and collaborative discussion. Interact with features that support differentiated instruction and responsive teaching practices.

Apply GoGuardian Teacher to differentiate digital resources, support individual student needs and monitor learning in real time. Use these strategies to increase engagement and maximize instructional impact in your classroom.

Speakers

Natalie Pottier

George Burt

Customer Success Manager, GoGuardian

PD Partners

CDW

Jackie Grummel

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
CDW Room - 119

ignite innovate Elevate

Dynamic Theme Exploration

10:00am CDT

Foster Human-in-the-Loop Critical Thinking

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

eMINTS Room - 145

Learn four practical strategies that help learners use AI to think more critically…not just rely on it for answers.

Engage with AI as a thought partner, spot misinformation, promote ethical use and strengthen human‑in‑the‑loop reasoning.

Apply ready‑to‑use strategies that bring responsible, ethical and creative AI informational literacy to your learning space.

Speakers

Haylee Anderson

Instructional Specialist, eMINTS National Center

Haylee Anderson is currently an instructional specialist with eMINTS National Center. She has previously been a high school English and Spanish and a middle school ELA educator in Missouri. Her family is the most important thing in the world to her. She lives in Southwest Missouri... Read More →

Ben Miller

Emints

Foster Human in the Loop Critical Thinking pptx

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
eMINTS Room - 145

ignite innovate ELevate

Dynamic Theme Exploration

10:00am CDT

Future of the Classroom with Chromebook Plus and Class Tools

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Google Room - 131

Learn how Chromebooks and ChromeOS devices create connected, flexible classroom environments that support modern teaching and learning. Explore how these tools enable interactive lessons, streamline workflows and support project-based learning. Examine how technology can keep students engaged while maintaining focus and accountability.

Engage in exploration of classroom scenarios that highlight the impact of connected devices on instruction and learning. Interact with ideas and examples that demonstrate how technology can enhance engagement and collaboration.

Apply Chromebook and ChromeOS strategies to design flexible, interactive lessons that support deeper learning. Use connected tools to facilitate project-based learning, increase student engagement and keep learners on task.

Speakers

Google for Education

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Google Room - 131

ignite innovate Elevate technology

Dynamic Theme Exploration

10:00am CDT

From Any Web Page to a Learning Experience

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

schoolai Room - 137

Learn how the schoolai Browser Extension brings an AI co-teacher into every tab. Explore three core capabilities: rubric-aligned feedback in Docs, instant lesson materials from any web page, and personalized student learning experiences without switching tools. Examine how revision history reveals the full story of student thinking and how Spaces connect to Mission Control for real-time insight.

Engage in a live demo of the extension in action across real classroom scenarios. Experience how any web page can instantly become a lesson, assessment, or translated resource. See how Mission Control surfaces student progress and next steps directly within your workflow.

Apply the extension to streamline feedback, planning, and differentiation. Provide rubric-aligned feedback faster, transform existing resources into ready-to-use materials, and monitor student learning in real time—all without leaving your current workflow.

Speakers

Tarah Tesmer

Senior Educational Strategist, SchoolAI

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
schoolai Room - 137

ignite innovate Elevate technology design culture

Dynamic Theme Exploration

10:00am CDT

Interactive Learning to Promote Critical Thinking and Student Voice

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am CDT

RM 217

Learn how to foster future leaders by using interactive learning activities that promote critical thinking and amplify student voice. Explore strategies that help students evaluate evidence, support opinions, solve problems, and think analytically. Examine research- and project-based practices that maximize engagement across all content areas.

Engage in reflection and discussion around implementing critical thinking and student-centered strategies. Explore examples, share ideas, and consider ways to make learning experiences more interactive and meaningful for students.

Apply critical thinking and student voice strategies to your own lessons and content areas. Design engaging tasks that encourage problem solving, evidence-based reasoning, and analytical thinking, ready for immediate classroom use.

Speakers

Kendra Vaughn

Reading Specialist and EdPlus Innovate Presenter

Interactive Learning to Promote Critical Thinking and Student Voice mp4

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am CDT
RM 217 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

launch culture leadership innovate

10:00am CDT

Chatbots and Curriculum: A New Era for K-12 Instructional Design

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am CDT

RM 136

Learn about a range of AI chatbots while examining key cautions and considerations for using AI. Explore how to design effective prompts that generate standards-aligned essential questions, enduring understandings, transfer goals, student learning targets and proficiency scales with clear learning progressions.

Engage in hands-on AI tasks using content-area state or national standards. Analyze AI-generated outputs, reflect on prompt effectiveness and refine prompts through peer and facilitator feedback.

Apply new learning by creating proficiency scales with level 1–4 learning progressions aligned to grade level or content area. Gain ready-to-use lesson components and the ability to design meaningful learning experiences and assessment tools.

Speakers

Tina Lauer

Instructional Technology Specialist, St. Charles R-VI School District

Tina is the instructional technology specialist for the St. Charles R-VI School District. She has been an educator for over 25 years. She has taught technology to students through UMSL's Microcomputer program and to adults through district professional development opportunities. She... Read More →

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am CDT
RM 136 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

launch design technology innovate

10:00am CDT

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

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am CDT

Discovery Room - 233

PD Partners

John David Son

Regional VP, John David Son

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:00am - 11:15am CDT
Discovery Room - 233

launch innovate Elevate design technology belonging

Dynamic Theme Essentials

10:30am CDT

PLORA: A Bridge to Reading

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:30am - 10:55am CDT

RM 121

Learn the principles of vulnerability and trust in the classroom and how intentional routines can cultivate a safe, supportive learning environment. Explore strategies for integrating AI reflectively and using data-informed leadership to strengthen relationships.

Engage in a hands-on decoding activity using PLORA’s one-sound-one-symbol approach. Explore how symbols connect to English spelling, experience the system in action, and reflect on its potential to build confidence and clarity for struggling readers.

Apply a simple one-sound-one-symbol decoding routine using PLORA’s visual sound-mapping approach. Use the sample PLORA sheet to introduce students to sound-by-sound word building, and implement the strategy as a warm-up, small group activity or intervention tool to support decoding and literacy confidence.

Speakers

Elizabeth Kean

Founder/President, PLORAverse LLC

PLORA A Bridge to Reading with Elizabeth Kean mp4

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:30am - 10:55am CDT
RM 121 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

spark design innovate

10:40am CDT

Tiering Assessments and Assignments

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:40am - 12:00pm CDT

Dunseth Auditorioum

Some students are ready for the first steps of a topic and others are ready for advanced assignments and assessments in that topic. How do we tier assignments and assessments to maximize their learning? Explore a practical and thought-provoking look at what constitutes mastery, and how we can increase and decrease complexity while meeting the needs of standards and their benchmarks. We will include two helpful lesson sequences: the Anchor and the Football, as well as great attention moves, student "orbitals," personal agendas, tips on how to get students to work autonomously and much more. This is a "how-to" and "why-we-do-it" workshop for those just getting their feet wet with tiering assignments and assessments or those already swimming in differentiated instruction who want more ideas.

Speakers

Rick Wormeli

Education Consultant, author/speaker

Education Plus Conference June 2026 PDF Tiering Assessments and Assignments handout version pdf

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:40am - 12:00pm CDT
Dunseth Auditorioum

Keynote innovate Elevate

11:00am CDT

American Democracy in Action!

Wednesday June 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

eMINTS Room - 145

Learn how the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence can serve as a meaningful context for student-driven, community-based learning. Explore how the eMINTS model supports inquiry, local connections and authentic problem solving. Examine ways to connect historical understanding with real-world issues that matter to students and their communities.

Engage in collaborative exploration of inquiry-based problem solving connected to local interests, issues, and community needs. Share ideas and consider how students can take an active role in meaningful, real-world learning experiences.

Apply inquiry-based strategies to design community-centered projects tied to the semiquincentennial celebration. Develop actionable project ideas that connect content, local relevance and student voice. Use these plans to create learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom and into the community.

Speakers

Carla Wylie

Associate Director, eMINTS National Center

Cara was a classroom teacher for 11 years in the St. Louis area before joining eMINTS in 2000. Since then, she has worked with teachers, administrators and technology specialists through professional development and on-site support. She is currently the eMINTS Associate Director and... Read More →

Wednesday June 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
eMINTS Room - 145

ignite innovate ELevate

Dynamic Theme Exploration

11:00am CDT

Accommodations with Pear Assessment

Wednesday June 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

CDW Room - 119

Learn what accommodations look like in Pear Assessment and how to support all learners. Understand how to locate and adjust individual student and class-wide accommodations settings, such as Text-to-Speech (TTS), to increase accessibility and differentiate for diverse learners and how to support students in a quick and effective way using our AI tool for Content Converter.

Engage in exploration of accommodations for all types of learners as well as how to quickly create Pear Assessment items using the Content Converter. Discuss ways to individualize tests to support learners quickly and efficiently.

Apply the Content Converter to streamline digital assessments and confidently configure customized test settings and items to maximize accessibility and engagement for all students, thereby increasing the accuracy of assessment data.

Speakers

Natalie Pottier

George Burt

Customer Success Manager, GoGuardian

PD Partners

CDW

Jackie Grummel

Wednesday June 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
CDW Room - 119

ignite innovate Elevate design

Dynamic Theme Exploration

11:00am CDT

Smart, Safe and AI-Ready: A Guide to Digital Literacy

Wednesday June 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Google Room - 131

Learn essential online safety strategies to protect both educators and students in a digital world. Explore how to identify phishing scams, manage Google Drive sharing settings and integrate Google’s Be Internet Awesome curriculum with new AI literacy content. Examine how these practices build safer, more responsible digital habits.

Engage in exploration of real-world scenarios and strategies that strengthen digital safety awareness. Interact with examples and consider how to support students in navigating online spaces responsibly.

Apply online safety practices to secure your digital environment and guide student behavior. Use practical strategies and curriculum resources to teach safe, responsible technology use and build confident digital citizens.

Speakers

Google for Education

Wednesday June 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Google Room - 131

ignite innovate Elevate technology

Dynamic Theme Exploration

11:00am CDT

Grading for Equity in the Age of AI

Wednesday June 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

RM 251

Learn the core principles of Grading for Equity and examine how those practices intersect with the growing presence of AI in education. Explore strategies for designing assignments and assessments that may include AI, along with approaches for grading those deliverables equitably.

Engage in collaborative discussion and problem-solving around real-world scenarios that highlight the challenges of equitable grading in the age of AI. Interact with peers and contribute to shared analysis and reflection that deepen understanding and surface practical insights.

Apply an equitable lens to existing lessons and grading practices while accounting for the realities of AI use in classrooms. Gain practical tools and frameworks to navigate AI thoughtfully while ensuring grading practices remain fair, transparent and focused on student learning.

Speakers

Daniel Jones

High School Assistant Principal, Riverview Gardens School District

Looking forward to presenting about AI and grading practices at this year's Innovate conference! I'm passionate about all things pedagogy and educational leadership!

Grading for Equity in the Age of AI mp4

Wednesday June 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
RM 251

ignite design technology innovate

11:00am CDT

Amplify Every Voice: AI Support for Every Learner

Wednesday June 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

schoolai Room - 137

Learn how schoolai helps every learner access and demonstrate understanding regardless of language, readiness or learning profile. Explore how AI experiences embed scaffolds, language supports and differentiation without creating multiple lesson plans. Examine how real-time data highlights student needs instantly so you can respond in the moment.

Engage with examples of AI learning experiences designed for multilingual learners, diverse readiness levels and varied learning needs. Explore how translation, reading level adjustments and scaffolds remove barriers before they appear. Analyze real-time data to identify student needs and consider responsive next steps.

Apply a framework for designing inclusive, AI-powered learning experiences by default, not by accommodation. Use built-in tools to quickly adapt content for accessibility and personalization. Gain practical strategies to support every learner with targeted, real-time instruction.

Speakers

Tarah Tesmer

Senior Educational Strategist, SchoolAI

Wednesday June 3, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
schoolai Room - 137

ignite innovate Elevate belonging technology design

Dynamic Theme Exploration

11:35am CDT

Conceptual Math That Clicks: Building Deep Understanding in Minutes

Wednesday June 3, 2026 11:35am - 12:00pm CDT

Discovery Room - 233

Learn why conceptual understanding—not memorized steps—helps students make sense of mathematics, transfer knowledge and close learning gaps.

Engage in quick, hands‑on routines using DEX resources such as visual models, number lines, dot images and problem‑based prompts that reveal student thinking and support flexible reasoning.

Apply these routines in your classrooms to strengthen daily math instruction, and explore how DreamBox can extend conceptual learning and capture student strategies without adding extra work.

PD Partners

John David Son

Regional VP, John David Son

Wednesday June 3, 2026 11:35am - 12:00pm CDT
Discovery Room - 233

spark innovate Elevate design technology belonging

Dynamic Theme Essentials

1:00pm CDT

The Multiplier Effect: Scaling AI Innovation for Classroom and Community Impact

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:25pm CDT

schoolai Room - 137

Learn how to use a simple yet powerful facilitation framework to uncover what matters most to your teachers and anchor your AI implementation to real needs rather than features. Discover how this framework can serve as an entry point for identifying north stars and barriers across your school community. Gain a clear model for how coaches and education leaders can multiply their impact by turning teacher challenges into AI-powered solutions that drive impact across the wider school community.

Engage by experiencing a collaborative brainstorming activity, surfacing the bright spots and friction points most relevant to your own context. Use your identified challenges to drive a hands-on design sprint, building a schoolai-powered experience anchored to a real need in your school, district or community. Walk through a flexible facilitation protocol you can bring directly into your next team meeting, informal conversation or professional learning session.

Apply a repeatable, supportive conversation framework that moves your teachers from their most pressing challenges to AI-powered solutions with confidence and purpose. Return to your community with a schoolai artifact you built during the session, ready to introduce to your team. Use a 30/60/90 implementation road map structure to stay focused, learn from what is working and scale what is making a difference.

Speakers

Tarah Tesmer

Senior Educational Strategist, SchoolAI

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:25pm CDT
schoolai Room - 137

launch innovate Elevate belonging design technology

Dynamic Theme Exploration

1:00pm CDT

Listen Up: Ace the MAP Listening Session with AI

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:25pm CDT

RM 121

Learn effective, low-prep strategies to prepare students for the ELA MAP Listening test. Explore how audible annotation improves listening comprehension and accuracy for Grades 3–8. Examine how AI, Google Forms and Google Vids can streamline the creation of high-quality listening practice materials.

Engage with examples and collaborative exploration of MAP-aligned listening tasks. Interact with tools and ideas that demonstrate how technology can support authentic listening practice and assessment readiness.

Apply a simple, repeatable process to create MAP-style listening passages and questions using AI and Google tools. Design at least one classroom-ready listening assessment that includes an audio or video passage and aligned questions. Build a workflow that allows multiple listening assessments to be created efficiently across grade levels.

Speakers

Don Jeffries

Grandview R-II

Listen Up Ace the MAP Listening Session with AI mp4

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:25pm CDT
RM 121 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

spark design innovate technology

1:00pm CDT

Digital Tools for Authentic Student Publishing

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:25pm CDT

eMINTS Room - 145

Learn how digital publishing tools empower students to share their work with authentic, real-world audiences. Explore how publishing increases engagement, ownership and student voice while connecting literacy to meaningful contexts. Examine practical tools and strategies that elevate student work beyond the classroom.

Engage in collaborative exploration of how content creators use familiar structures to connect with audiences. Interact with examples, share ideas and consider how these approaches can translate into classroom practice to support student creativity and communication.

Apply digital publishing tools and strategies to help students transform drafts into polished work for authentic audiences. Create or adapt examples that model real-world writing and publishing for students. Use practical tools to support creativity, amplify student voice and make learning more relevant and impactful.

Speakers

Maggie Bunten

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:25pm CDT
eMINTS Room - 145

spark innovate Elevate

Dynamic Theme Essentials
about <br>

1:00pm CDT

Small Steps: Scaffolding Skills Across Classrooms

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

RM 136

Learn how task analysis helps break complex academic, behavioral and life skills into clear, manageable steps. Explore instructional strategies that reduce cognitive overload, increase access and promote student independence across content areas. Examine how modeling, visuals and scaffolds support successful skill development.

Engage in shared exploration of task analysis through discussion, reflection and optional hands-on learning. Experience how breaking a process into steps clarifies instruction and supports diverse learners.

Apply task analysis strategies to identify points of overload and redesign instruction for greater clarity and access. Use modeling, visuals and scaffolds to teach skills step-by-step across classrooms, fine arts, practical life, PE and special education. Create actionable plans that increase engagement, reduce frustration and support successful task completion.

Speakers

Bryson Reid

Instructional Coach and Art Teacher, Premier Charter School

Bryson Reid is a teacher, instructional coach, and doctoral candidate passionate about the power of the extracurricular environment and restorative practices. Currently, Reid’s research is focused on student engagement, school culture, and fine arts and sciences advocacy. In her... Read More →

Small Steps Scaffolding Skills Across Classrooms mp4

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
RM 136 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

ignite culture design innovate

1:00pm CDT

Healthy Boundaries: Fostering Professional Well-Being

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

RM 243

Learn the importance of healthy professional boundaries for preventing burnout and maintaining positive work relationships. Explore a four-step framework for establishing and maintaining boundaries. Discover strategies to communicate effectively while protecting your time and energy.

Engage through a variety of hands-on, collaborative activities including a boundary self-assessment.

Apply practical strategies to set and maintain boundaries and create a personal action plan with three specific boundaries to support work-life balance, reduce stress and prevent burnout.

Speakers

LaToya Jones

Social Emotional Learning Coach, Kirkwood School District

LaToya is a PreK-12 SEL Coach dedicated to the work of equity, restorative practices, and building strong, supportive school communities. A firm believer that educator well-being is the foundation of student success, one of her primary focuses is helping staff move past burnout by... Read More →

Healthy Boundaries Fostering Professional Well Being mp4

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
RM 243

ignite wellness innovate

1:00pm CDT

Experiential Learning: Sparking Engagement and Innovation

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT

RM 217

Learn how research on experiential learning, motivation and neuroscience connects to increased joy, relevance and student ownership. Explore learning approaches, from low-prep, high-impact entry points to longer-term designs that deepen community connection and shared responsibility for learning.

Engage in collaborative reflection and analyze learning examples across multiple content areas to uncover what makes these experiences powerful and replicable. Reimagine your own instructional practices through guided design time.

Apply learning principles by drafting an initial ExL design aligned to instructional goals and student needs. Gain a flexible framework to use in designing future experiential learning.

Speakers

Kerry Arens

Chelsea Center Coordinator, Webster Groves School District

Kerry Arens is a connector, creative problem-solver, systems designer, & coach of learners in the classroom and beyond. Kerry spent her first ten years in education as an English teacher in Parkway and Kirkwood School Districts. Her passion for working alongside her colleagues to increase student... Read More →

Experiential Learning Sparking Engagement and Innovation mp4

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm CDT
RM 217 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

launch culture design innovate

1:10pm CDT

GoGuardian Teacher Support for Diverse Learners

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT

CDW Room - 119

Learn how GoGuardian Teacher supports diverse learners through real-time visibility and targeted instructional tools. Explore features that enable differentiation, reduce distractions and provide personalized support for students, including MLs and those needing additional support. Examine how these tools enhance engagement and access for all learners.

Engage in exploration of GoGuardian Teacher features through examples and collaborative discussion. Interact with strategies that support diverse learning needs and consider how real-time insights can strengthen instructional decisions.

Apply GoGuardian Teacher to differentiate instruction, guide student focus and provide timely, personalized support. Use real-time monitoring to respond to student needs and create a more inclusive, engaging learning environment.

Speakers

Natalie Pottier

George Burt

Customer Success Manager, GoGuardian

PD Partners

CDW

Jackie Grummel

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
CDW Room - 119

ignite innovate Elevate belonging

Dynamic Theme Exploration

1:10pm CDT

See It. Hear It. Understand It. Multimodal Magic for ML Success

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT

Discovery Room - 233

Learn how Discovery Education’s multimodal resources, language supports and scaffolded strategies increase comprehension and confidence for multilingual learners.

Engage in analyzing accessible media, practicing scaffolded routines and experiencing how visual and auditory supports deepen understanding.

Gain practical techniques—like vocabulary routines, structured discussions and visual scaffolds—to make learning meaningful for every student.

PD Partners

John David Son

Regional VP, John David Son

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Discovery Room - 233

ignite innovate Elevate belonging design wellness

Dynamic Theme Essentials

1:10pm CDT

The Differentiated Classroom: Accelerated by AI and Supported with Google

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT

Google Room - 131

Learn how Google for Education tools can personalize instruction and support every learner. Explore how AI-powered features like Google Vids, Practice Sets, interactive YouTube questions and Gemini in Classroom enhance engagement, provide instant feedback and streamline grading. Examine how these tools support differentiation and dynamic instruction.

Engage in exploration of AI-driven tools that enhance learning and instruction. Interact with examples and consider how these features can create more responsive, student-centered classrooms.

Apply Google for Education tools to differentiate instruction, automate feedback and grading, and increase student engagement. Use AI-powered features to design dynamic learning experiences where all students can succeed.

Speakers

Google for Education

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:10pm - 2:00pm CDT
Google Room - 131

ignite innovate Elevate design

Dynamic Theme Essentials

1:30pm CDT

When Wellness Meets Technology: Reimagining Teacher Sustainability in the Age of AI

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:30pm - 1:55pm CDT

RM 121

Learn how to pair wellness practices with technology to restore energy and creativity. Explore ways AI can simplify planning, reflection and communication while maintaining the human touch.

Engage in self-reflection, collaborative discussions, and hands-on exploration of wellness-centered tech strategies. Identify stress points in daily routines, test practical tools and consider how these approaches can be adapted to your own classroom context.

Apply wellness-centered tech strategies to immediately reduce stress and streamline workload. Create a personalized action plan that will protect time, sustain creativity and bring renewed energy to your teaching practice.

Speakers

James McKay

When Wellness Meets Technology mp4

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:30pm - 1:55pm CDT
RM 121 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

spark innovate technology wellness

1:30pm CDT

Streamlining Lesson Design: Tech Tools That Boost Quality and Save Time

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT

eMINTS Room - 145

Learn the key components of high-quality lesson design and how they support effective instruction. Explore how technology tools can streamline planning, enhance instruction and reduce daily workload. Examine practical strategies that make lesson design more efficient and impactful.

Engage in collaborative exploration of tech tools and instructional strategies that support lesson design. Share ideas, interact with examples and consider how these approaches can strengthen teaching and learning.

Apply technology tools and strategies to design high-quality lessons with greater efficiency. Implement actionable ideas that enhance instruction and support immediate classroom use.

Speakers

Ben Miller

Emints

Maggie Bunten

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
eMINTS Room - 145

ignite innovate Elevate

Dynamic Theme Essentials

2:00pm CDT

What We Notice Matters: Implicit Bias in the Classroom

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

RM 121

Learn the foundations of bias and implicit bias, including how lived experiences such as family, schooling, media and professional environments shape perceptions. Explore why implicit bias is a common cognitive process rather than a moral failing and how it shows up in classrooms, especially for students from underrepresented groups. Examine research-informed strategies to recognize and reduce bias.

Engage in reflection and shared exploration to deepen understanding of how bias influences thinking and interactions. Participate in collaborative learning that surfaces perspectives, builds awareness and connects concepts to classroom practice.

Apply practical strategies such as mindfulness, empathetic communication, cross-group relationships and accountability to interrupt bias. Use bias-aware practices to create more inclusive learning environments and foster classroom cultures grounded in curiosity, representation and growth.

Speakers

Anissa Williams

What We Notice Matters Implicit Bias in the Classroom mp4

Wednesday June 3, 2026 2:00pm - 2:25pm CDT
RM 121 209 S Kingshighway St, St Charles, MO 63301

spark culture leadership innovate

2:00pm CDT

From Lecture to Thinking: Decentering the Classroom

Wednesday June 3, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT

RM 243

Learn how to shift from teacher-centered to student-thinking classrooms using vertical non-permanent surfaces, randomized groups and inquiry-driven tasks. Explore how AI can transform traditional lessons into dynamic thinking activities across content areas.

Engage in a live micro-model of a thinking classroom by working in groups to solve an inquiry task. Explore how AI can accelerate the creation of student-centered work.

Apply a structured launch sequence to decenter your classroom. Gain a framework to transform existing lessons into thinking tasks that can be implemented immediately across content areas.

Speakers

Lauren Fahy

K-12 Instructional Coach, Valley Park

Tom Probst

Valley Park

From Lecture to Thinking Decentering the Classroom mp4

Wednesday June 3, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
RM 243

ignite culture design innovate

2:10pm CDT

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

Wednesday June 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT

Discovery Room - 233

PD Partners

John David Son

Regional VP, John David Son

Wednesday June 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT
Discovery Room - 233

ignite innovate Elevate culture design technology

Dynamic Theme Exploration

2:10pm CDT

Reading Reimagined: Using Read Along for Literacy Success

Wednesday June 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT

Google Room - 131

Learn how Google’s Read Along in Classroom creates personalized, engaging reading experiences. Explore how to assign stories or generate custom texts with AI while gaining insights at both the student and class level. Examine how these tools support reading comprehension, fluency and critical thinking.

Engage in exploration of interactive reading tools that support differentiated instruction and student growth. Interact with examples and consider how personalized reading experiences can increase engagement and confidence.

Apply Read Along strategies to design personalized reading activities that support diverse learners. Use insights and data to guide instruction, monitor progress and strengthen students’ reading skills in meaningful ways.

Speakers

Google for Education

Wednesday June 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT
Google Room - 131

ignite innovate Elevate design

Dynamic Theme Essentials

2:10pm CDT

Start Smarter, Teach Better: Differentiation and Time-Saving with Pear Start

Wednesday June 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT

CDW Room - 119

Learn how Pear Start supports quick creation of engaging, differentiated lessons that meet the needs of every learner. Explore how to streamline planning, build in accommodations and adapt instruction in real time. Examine how Pear Start, paired with Pear Deck, enhances student voice, accessibility and engagement.

Engage in exploration of Pear Start and Pear Deck through examples and collaborative discussion. Interact with features that support differentiation and consider how these tools can enhance instruction and learner access.

Apply Pear Start to design differentiated lessons efficiently while saving time. Use Pear Deck to implement interactive strategies that amplify student voice and support meaningful engagement in your classroom.

Speakers

Natalie Pottier

George Burt

Customer Success Manager, GoGuardian

PD Partners

CDW

Jackie Grummel

Wednesday June 3, 2026 2:10pm - 3:00pm CDT
CDW Room - 119

ignite innovate Elevate design

Dynamic Theme Essentials

2:30pm CDT

From Gloom to Bloom

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

eMINTS Room - 145

Learn four research-based strategies to energize your classroom by cultivating joy and emotional well-being.

Engage in active learning experiences that blend Prosocial Education and explore classroom management strategies to boost engagement and improve classroom climate.

Apply practical techniques to foster positivity, strengthen relationships and support learner success.

Speakers

Haylee Anderson

Instructional Specialist, eMINTS National Center

From Gloom to Bloom Innovate 2026 pptx

Wednesday June 3, 2026 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
eMINTS Room - 145

ignite innovate ELevate

Dynamic Theme Essentials

3:00pm CDT

The SchoolAI Campfire

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:00pm - 3:25pm CDT

schoolai Room - 137

Speakers

Tarah Tesmer

Senior Educational Strategist, SchoolAI

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

spark innovate Elevate belonging culture wellness

Dynamic Theme Essentials

3:10pm CDT

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

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:10pm - 3:35pm CDT

Discovery Room - 233

PD Partners

John David Son

Regional VP, John David Son

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:10pm - 3:35pm CDT
Discovery Room - 233

spark innovate Elevate technology leadership culture

Dynamic Theme Exploration

3:10pm CDT

AI Literacy for Tomorrow: Preparing Students for the AI-Driven Future

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT

Google Room - 131

Learn how to position AI tools as ethical study partners that promote responsible use and deeper learning. Explore how Guided Learning supports step-by-step thinking and moves students beyond quick answers to true understanding. Examine how NotebookLM can transform class materials into personalized study tools that build college-ready skills.

Engage in exploration of AI-supported learning strategies that promote critical thinking and student ownership. Interact with examples and consider how these tools can shift students from passive consumption to active learning.

Apply AI tools like Guided Learning and NotebookLM to create structured learning experiences, interactive quizzes and personalized study supports. Use these strategies to help students build independence, strengthen understanding and prepare for advanced academic work.

Speakers

Google for Education

Wednesday June 3, 2026 3:10pm - 4:00pm CDT
Google Room - 131

ignite innovate Elevate design

Dynamic Theme Essentials