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.
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.
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.
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.
This session will showcase real classroom examples of custom AI tools built to support MLs, including a WIDA-style writing and speaking prompt generator, a student peer-editing tool and a collaboration partner that suggests lessons and practice ideas based on your curriculum. Gain a clear picture of what Gems can do for your students.
Discover how to empower MLs by harnessing their "bicultural superpower" through reflective literacy. Explore the critical link between a student's acculturation experience and their academic success. Learn research-based strategies to bridge home and school cultures, highlight unique strengths and foster resilience. Engage in practical activities designed to support students during their transition, enhancing both their academic and linguistic readiness. Gain the tools needed to create a supportive, inclusive learning environment that truly celebrates and leverages cultural diversity.
Dr. Marie Heath is a Seidlitz Consultant and former district multilingual leader specializing in multilingual program systems, acculturation practices, and instructional design that supports newcomer and multilingual student success.
Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:40am - 12:00pm CDT RM 250
Step into your students' shoes to bridge the language gap. Integrating years of classroom experience, explore how empathy fuels engagement. Gain practical strategies to support high school MLs in mastering complex science content through collaboration and connection.
Numberless word problems provide a powerful way to support elementary MLs by shifting the focus from computation to comprehension, language development and mathematical reasoning. Explore how removing numbers from word problems creates space for students to make sense of context, discuss relationships and engage in meaningful mathematical discourse before solving the problem.
Explore the P.O.W.E.R. Framework, a research-based and practical tool for designing equitable learning experiences across curriculum and instruction. Learn how to use five guiding dimensions to evaluate curricular resources and engage in a hands-on activity to sort and label materials as part of a mock unit design. The process demonstrates how applying The P.O.W.E.R. Framework can affirm student identities, create belonging, strengthen content comprehension and build agency, particularly for MLs and students from historically marginalized communities.
Explore strategies and structures designed to provide a soft landing to recently-arrived students and their families. Review intake process through the first 30-90 days of school. Engage with tools that reduce the language barrier and accelerate the sense of belonging and attachment to their new community.
In 2026 and beyond, educators have powerful opportunities to design learning experiences that meet the diverse strengths and needs of all students. Learn practical, ready-to-use strategies that help proactively remove learning barriers while maintaining high expectations for every learner. Explore efficient, effective scaffolding techniques that support student success without adding hours of planning and prep.
While Project Based Learning can be demanding for multilingual learners due to its emphasis on language use, it also creates engaging and rewarding opportunities that build essential skills for their future. Explore options for using Canva AI and other digital options to help develop writing skills.
Have you ever suspected an ML may have a learning disability, but do not know where to go next? Does your team have a clear process in place to guide teams? Learn about critical data pieces that must be considered for MLs. Once the data is collected and organized, the team will have a clear picture on next steps. Using this method will help answer the question: language acquisition or language disability?
Meeting the healthcare needs of MLs in school often requires cooperation between school nurses and ELD teachers. These partnerships can enhance the awareness of the ways culture impacts our view of health and healthcare. Explore best practices for addressing the unique social, emotional and physiological challenges presented by MLs and their families
