Teachers will take a deep dive into the Alabama Course of Study and Elementary Math Content Standards analyzing mathematical practices, common math vocabulary, unwrapping critical math content standards specific to their grade level, and identifying the content priorities in math by grade level.
This 3-hour session focuses on the development of an understanding of numbers, and providing the foundation for understanding place value. Participants will participate in counting routines and explore one-to-one correspondence, rote count sequence, counting on, cardinality, subitizing, and their implications in K-5 mathematics classrooms.
Teachers will take a deep dive into the Alabama Course of Study and Elementary Math Content Standards analyzing mathematical practices, common math vocabulary, unwrapping critical math content standards specific to their grade level, and identifying the content priorities in math by grade level.
CLOSED SESSION for New Guided Reading Teachers (Cohort 9 & Dual Language Cohort 2) ONLY: NSGRA - Research shows that small-group instruction must be based on student need and groups must be flexible. This session focuses on analyzing data gathered from the assessments and using the data to inform instruction for whole group, small group, and independent readers.
This one-day session focuses on patterns and relationships among numbers and objects in different types of expressions, equations, and inequalities through different representations. Participants will explore student-invented strategies, analyze evidence of student understanding to inform planing of next instructional steps, discuss the importance of sense-making, and explore the impact of concrete, semi-concrete, and abstract learning opportunities on the development of conceptual understanding and connection to the ACT assessment.
Private session for preregistered participants. The AMSTI Math Foundations is a prerequisite course. Participants must attend both part 1 and part 2. AMSTI is not able to provide materials and supplies following the training.
This 1-day session is a prerequisite for AMSTI K-5 math content area trainings. It focuses on an overview of pedagogical strategies, the student and teacher math practices, and the power of collective teacher efficacy. Participants will analyze evidence of student understanding to inform planning of next instructional steps.
This course is the pre-requisite to attend ANY AMSTI Content Sessions. This is also required for all K-5 teachers and administrators when an Alabama Numeracy Act Funded Math Coach is established in your school.
Keynote: John Meehan - Teacher, Instructional Coach, Author, Marathoner, Spartan, Tough Mudder, and Theme Park Junkie
Playing with Purpose: Student Engagement for the Win In a world of rapid change, today’s educators need more than the latest tech trend—they need bold, creative strategies that spark lasting engagement. In this high-energy keynote, award-winning author and educator John Meehan invites you to explore the power of purposeful play as a force for meaningful innovation. Discover how playful pedagogy, student-centered instruction, and next-level creativity can transform your classroom. You’ll walk away with practical ways to rethink assessments, avoid common game-based pitfalls, and thoughtfully harness AI—without ever losing the heart of great teaching. The future is fast. The stakes are high. But when you play with purpose, every student can win.
If you struggle with finding productive activities for your high achievers and gifted students, then this workshop is for you! Learn strategies and ideas to challenge your students through meaningful activities that will result in higher test scores. Also, develop a menu of inventive work to engage students who finish quickly, so they do not become distractions.
Looking to "drum" up student interest in alternative assessments that can outsmart AI? Rock with us through a playlist of strategies that spark creativity, promote inclusivity, and prioritize student voice. Packed with ideas for choice and mastery, this session will help you crank up engagement—no fancy apps or AI required. Grab your air guitar, turn it up to 11, and let’s rock and roll our way to assessment excellence—where every student shines!
John Meehan (@meehanedu.bsky.social) is an English teacher, instructional coach, and professional development specialist from Washington, D.C. He is the author of EDrenaline Rush: Game-Changing Student Engagement Inspired by Theme Parks, Mud Runs, and Escape Rooms (2019) and the co-author... Read More →
Monday July 21, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Library
Teachers will learn navigation, class controls, and best practices. The session will highlight features such as screen monitoring, site restriction controls, and real-time student feedback tools that support differentiation by enabling teachers to customize instruction, provide targeted interventions, and foster student independence. Participants will leave equipped with strategies to use Lightspeed Classroom effectively to meet diverse learner needs.
Have you ever sat down to write an update about behavior and realized there was a problem with the data? Maybe the issue was all of the information so carefully collected during the quarter didn’t really line up with the behavior goal. Perhaps you were lost in a sea of numbers and could not figure out which were applicable, or maybe there just was not enough information to confidently determine progress. These scenarios are not just common barriers to accurate report writing. Problems with data are arguably the number one reason why BIPs are not properly implemented. Fortunately, there are tips and strategies for overcoming these obstacles! Please join me for real-life discussion and problem solving for recording behavior data in a classroom setting.
Unlock the power of DnA! Get comfortable with navigating the platform, exploring various assessment types, accessing student information, and generating insightful reports to enhance your teaching effectiveness.
Unlock the full potential of Star to enhance your MTSS strategies and interventions. Join us to discover effective goal-setting techniques and progress monitoring tools that will elevate your teaching and support student success.
Prior to joining the Renaissance team, I served as a principal, assistant principal, instructional coach and classroom teacher in grades 1-5 in Jefferson County Schools in Birmingham, Alabama. As the principal of Concord Elementary, I lead the faculty, students and parents in... Read More →
Monday July 21, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 201
Relay Day is an exciting and action-packed event where individuals or teams come together to participate in a series of relay races, fostering a spirit of teamwork, competition, and community. It’s a day dedicated to practicing ACT skills/strategies while having fun and bonding with others. The event typically features a variety of relay races, each designed to challenge participants in different ways, including practicing testing skills while competing against their peers. Relay Day encourages collaboration, sportsmanship, and healthy competition, leaving participants with a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie, as well as good fun practice for the ACT.
"Engage, Elevate, Excel: Crafting Classroom Connections," a lively and inspiring session designed to refresh your teaching toolkit and reignite your passion for learning. We’ll explore smart, practical ways to build stronger connections with students, boost engagement, and create a classroom culture where collaboration thrives. You’ll walk away with strategies that work—from tech tools to teaching moves that invite curiosity, encourage participation, and help every learner shine. Come ready to learn, connect, and take your practice to the next level—because when students feel connected, they can achieve amazing things.
Looking for a game-changer to streamline your classroom routines, boost engagement, and save your sanity? Come see why Classroom Screen is every teacher’s favorite digital sidekick! This all-in-one tool helps you manage transitions, timers, noise levels, and more—with just a few clicks. Whether you're teaching littles or teens, this session will have you saying, "Where has this been all my life?"
Warning: May cause extreme excitement, classroom calm, and jealous coworkers. 😎 Come scream (with joy) about Classroom Screen with us!
This session is designed for schools and districts making the transition from Remind to ParentSquare. Learn how to take advantage of ParentSquare’s tools to enhance communication and engagement beyond simple messaging.
We will cover how to send direct messages for two-way communication with parents, staff, and students in a secure, centralized platform. The session will also include how to use the virtual phone feature for voice calling, allowing users to make calls directly through ParentSquare while keeping personal numbers private.
Additionally, we will explore how to post school announcements and services, including sending permission slips, managing sign-ups for volunteers, and organizing parent-teacher conferences. Whether you are just getting started or looking to maximize ParentSquare’s capabilities, this session will provide the knowledge and skills needed for a smooth transition.
This session is also offered on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Regional Sales Director, ParentSquare | Former Chief Information Officer, Hoover City SchoolsWith over 20 years in K-12 education and technology leadership, Bryan brings a practical, student-centered approach to every conversation. He led one of Alabama’s most innovative tech departments... Read More →
Monday July 21, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 267
Navigate the student experience with Coastal Alabama! Learn how to assist Early College students through their journey, starting with logging into their new account and understanding the services they have available to them. Learn what Coastal's Early College department covers in orientation, how we support students with self advocacy, and how we provide answers and support to parents.
Director, Early College Programs, Coastal Alabama Community College
Hello, my name is Sarah! I am the Early College Director at Coastal Alabama Community College. I have been working in this position since the 2020-21 school year. Coastal has one of the largest early college / dual enrollment programs in the state of Alabama, but we are the largest... Read More →
Monday July 21, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 28
This session is a reminder of the simple strategies that are often overlooked when we are facing a challenging behavior. Making these simple strategies a strategic part of your practice can help improve the behavior of many of your students.
I will discuss the topics of a full overview of Baldwin County CTE, CRI (credential tests) and the rules that are attached, CTE Completer status, Declaring Programs, Declaring students, and more.
Are your students engaged in deep thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration—or are they just waiting for answers? In this dynamic session, we’ll explore Building Thinking Classrooms strategies that shift students from passive receivers of information to active thinkers and doers. Rooted in Peter Liljedahl’s research, these strategies empower students to take ownership of their learning while fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and perseverance.
What You’ll Learn: ✅ Strategies for forming randomized, collaborative groups that increase participation and accountability ✅ Techniques to reduce student dependency on direct instruction while increasing engagement ✅ Practical ways to shift classroom norms so students take risks, share ideas, and develop persistence
Why Attend? Expect an interactive, hands-on experience where you’ll engage in thinking tasks just like your students would. Walk away with ready-to-use strategies that can be implemented immediately in any secondary classroom—whether you teach math, science, or humanities.
Participants will learn how to generate and interpret attendance reports to identify patterns of student engagement, absenteeism, and tardiness, enabling proactive intervention strategies to improve overall attendance rates. Additionally, attendees will discover how to utilize gradebook reports to efficiently assess student performance, identify areas for improvement, and communicate progress to students and parents effectively.
This session will also delve into disciplinary reports within PowerSchool, empowering users to effectively document disciplinary incidents, track student behavior trends, and implement targeted interventions to foster a positive school climate. By the end of the training, participants will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to harness the full potential of PSCB reports to support student success and streamline administrative processes within their educational institution.
Administrators will learn how to access and read student plans, make intentional decisions about implementing appropriate accommodations, and how to ensure 504 meetings meet all procedural requirements.
Kick start your summer learning with a refreshing stop at the familiar shores of Kami and Google Classroom! This session is designed to revisit the essential connections between these valuable tools. We'll navigate key features, explore efficient assignment workflows, and ensure you're comfortable using Kami's annotation tools within your Google Classroom environment. Whether you're a seasoned navigator or just setting sail, this session will ensure smooth waters!
Mantha Camacho is a Teaching and Learning Coordinator with Kami. Before joining Kami, she taught for 18 years in public education, with most of those years in a DAEP setting. She is a Google Level 2 Certified educator, was voted Teacher of the Year in 2008, and served in several leadership... Read More →
Monday July 21, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 243
English learners have to juggle learning math and a new language at the same time. In this session, we’ll look at easy, practical ways to weave language supports into your daily math routines using the WIDA language standards. Walk away with ready-to-use strategies and examples to boost both math and language learning.
Explore the transformative power of AI in education in this session. Discover Google's extensive toolkit of resources, including AI tools like Gemini, educator guides, and student-facing materials, to unlock personalized learning and enhance classroom experiences for all. Come ready to unlock the latest in AI innovation for education!
This session will provide an introduction to the Google Classroom platform. Learn to manage your digital classroom environment to maximize efficiency for you and ease of use for your students. This is a beginner's session, so no previous experience with Google Classroom is necessary.
Hi! I'm Allie and I'm a Consulting Teacher with the Ed Tech Department. Some of you may have cursed my name while attempting to finish some of our online PD (totally understandable). This was my 10th year in Baldwin County and my 15th in education. I previously worked as a Teacher... Read More →
Monday July 21, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 91
In this session, participants will learn strategies to engage students in critical thinking and inquiry with Gizmos. Participants will also discuss best practices for using simulations, how to incorporate literacy and develop a deeper understanding to support student learning in a standards-based science classroom.
Tiffany Christian is an Area Implementation Coordinator with ExploreLearning in the Mid-Atlantic region. She has 17 years of experience in public education as a gifted math and science teacher, an academic coach, and a district K-12 science instructional lead. She currently lives... Read More →
Monday July 21, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 93
Learn how to effectively navigate, run, and utilize the various reporting tools within PowerSchool SIS. We'll cover reports, understanding parameters, generating results, and exporting data to meet your school information needs.
SimplDiscipline offers advanced reporting tools to manage referrals and monitor student behavior patterns over time. It ensures consistency in discipline while providing data to support decision-making and student accountability.
Josh Shepard is an innovative leader with a proven track record in K-12 education, educational technology, and strategic management. With a career that began in the classroom as an elementary school teacher (5th grade was his favorite), Josh later served as an instructional technology... Read More →
When your class gets out of hand. You need a break! Your students need a break! But what do you do?!?!? Come to this session and obtain useful mini lesson plans that will give you the tools to provided your class easy to execute artistically mindful brain breaks. Brain Breaks are short structured activities designed to help students or even teachers to reset, refocus, and re-energize the mind. These breaks often incorporate movement, mindfulness, or sensory activity to improve focus and learning. They are quick and effective to reduce fatigue, boredom, and frustration. Just a few examples: altered book prompts and postcard sketches. But these are just a few....come to find out MORE ideas!
Hello!I am excited to be returning to GRITC as a presenter!I graduated with my bachelors of fine art and master's of education from the University of Montevallo, which is located in Montevallo, AL.I am married and we live in Loxley. I teach elementary art and I absolutely love it... Read More →
This session is designed for Pre-K Teachers and paraprofessionals(Auxiliary Teachers). We will explore small group ideas, management of GOLD, transitions, finger plays, and teachers can share ideas as well.
New hires to Baldwin County Public Schools will meet with our Senior Staff, Curriculum & Instruction, and Human Resources Divisions to get the lay of the land, so to speak. After lunch, you will break out into either grade-level or content-specific small groups to hear more from your supervisors and coordinators.
NOTE: When you arrive, register at the kiosk, and then go to the New Hire table to get a paper copy of your schedule for the day.
We cover the basics of creating and presenting with Pear Deck, best practices for leading discussions and engaging students remotely, and how to use Pear Deck features to facilitate synchronous and asynchronous lessons.
Monday July 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT Room 17
This session will serve as a Q & A for administrators. The Elementary Curriculum Team will be available to answer any questions, troubleshoot, problem-solve, and share tips and tricks for a great start to the new school year! Student engagement, core instruction, intervention, assessment--nothing is off the table! Let's collaborate!
Monday July 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT Room 207
Enjoy a nice lunch while networking with colleagues.
Food trucks are available each day from 11:00 - 1:00. Seating is available outside under the pavilion or in the main hallways on both sides of the building.
Monday July 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT Outside
Building Empathy through Engagement! Using age appropriate books to help students learn coping mechanics to help them navigate their foundational awareness
Oral assessments are essential for measuring language proficiency—but let’s be honest, they can be time-consuming and tricky to grade, which makes them easy to avoid. In this practical and encouraging session, world language teachers will explore ways to make oral assessments more accessible, efficient, and student-friendly.
Learn how to:
Give quick, clear feedback that answers every student’s favorite question: “What grade did I get?”
Grade multiple students at once—whether in pairs, small groups, or individually
Use ACTFL-aligned rubrics designed to be simple, clear, and non-intimidating for students
Empower all learners to succeed while saving yourself time and energy
Walk away with ready-to-use tools, grading strategies, and renewed confidence in incorporating oral assessments into your classroom.
Unlock the potential of DnA! Learn how to create dynamic assessments using existing templates, and discover the basics of flexible assessment creation to enhance your classroom strategies.
This is an introductory course geared towards Year 1 and Year 2 school administrators and 504 Coordinators. Participants will learn the foundations of 504 law , BCBE procedural compliance expectations, and how to make data driven decisions when conducting 504 evaluations.
Walk through planning with your PLC Team using the 15-Day Challenge! Practice letting your most essential skills drive your instruction to allow for more depth and mastery for all students. Crafting units with backward planning and intervention/remediation in mind allows for every skill level to really reach their potential. Presenters are math teachers, but these skills are great for any content area. Examples for different subjects and grade levels will be available at the sessions.
Transform your teaching with Star data! Learn how to effectively use data insights to plan impactful whole-group and small-group instruction, ensuring every student thrives.
Prior to joining the Renaissance team, I served as a principal, assistant principal, instructional coach and classroom teacher in grades 1-5 in Jefferson County Schools in Birmingham, Alabama. As the principal of Concord Elementary, I lead the faculty, students and parents in... Read More →
Monday July 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT Room 201
Imagine cutting hours off your planning time while delivering more engaging, personalized lessons—sounds like magic, right? Magic School AI is the ultimate AI-powered tool designed for all teachers, in all subjects, at all grade levels! From generating lesson plans and assessments to providing instant differentiation and feedback, this platform does the heavy lifting so you can focus on what truly matters—your students.
Join this session to see how AI can streamline your workload, spark creativity, and supercharge student learning. Whether you're a tech newbie or an AI enthusiast, you'll walk away with practical strategies to make AI your most powerful teaching assistant!
Let’s work smarter, not harder—because teaching should be magical!
This session is also offered on Tuesday and Wednesday.
This session is designed for schools and districts making the transition from Remind to ParentSquare. Learn how to take advantage of ParentSquare’s tools to enhance communication and engagement beyond simple messaging.
We will cover how to send direct messages for two-way communication with parents, staff, and students in a secure, centralized platform. The session will also include how to use the virtual phone feature for voice calling, allowing users to make calls directly through ParentSquare while keeping personal numbers private.
Additionally, we will explore how to post school announcements and services, including sending permission slips, managing sign-ups for volunteers, and organizing parent-teacher conferences. Whether you are just getting started or looking to maximize ParentSquare’s capabilities, this session will provide the knowledge and skills needed for a smooth transition.
This session is also offered on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Regional Sales Director, ParentSquare | Former Chief Information Officer, Hoover City SchoolsWith over 20 years in K-12 education and technology leadership, Bryan brings a practical, student-centered approach to every conversation. He led one of Alabama’s most innovative tech departments... Read More →
Monday July 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT Room 267
Did you know that by teaching your students five specific skills you can increase their participation in academic activities, open doors to social opportunities, foster independence, boost their chances of getting a job, reduce the behaviors that create isolation, and lead them to a life with more self-determination? It is true! It’s never too late to start, but the earlier the better! Please join me in a collaborative discussion about these crucial skills and how to implement them in your self-contained classroom.
Do you wonder about what to do with behavior challenges in your class? This session will be about you and your questions related to challenging student behavior. The session will focus on practical steps you can take to address student behavior. Additionally, you will learn to what other questions to ask, so you can be better equipped to manage these behaviors.
Tired of teaching in a silo? This session will show you how to build meaningful cross-curricular connections that engage students and reinforce key skills across all content areas. Whether you're in math, science, CTE, ELA, social studies, or the arts, you’ll explore easy ways to collaborate, design relevant lessons, and bring real-world learning into your classroom. From using parables in math, to novel circles with STEAM, to workplace readiness through technical writing and soft skills—this session offers practical, tested examples that can inspire your next unit and energize your instruction.
a training designed to equip educators with practical, easy-to-implement assistive technology and strategies for supporting students with mild disabilities. From text-to-speech tools to adaptive learning platforms, this session will help you create a space where every student can thrive.
Discover the hidden treasures within Kami's innovative AI-powered tools! In this session, we'll explore the engaging Questions AI tool, revealing how it can deepen student interaction and comprehension through dynamic questioning. We'll also chart a course to the "Understand Menu", uncovering its potential to break down language and comprehension barriers. Get ready to unearth new possibilities for assessment and personalized learning!
Mantha Camacho is a Teaching and Learning Coordinator with Kami. Before joining Kami, she taught for 18 years in public education, with most of those years in a DAEP setting. She is a Google Level 2 Certified educator, was voted Teacher of the Year in 2008, and served in several leadership... Read More →
Monday July 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT Room 243
This session will prepare elementary teachers as they grapple with the modern requirements from fractions to ratios and proportions to functions instruction in state standards. Participants will gain specific strategies for leading students to a conceptual understanding of fractions and learn techniques for differentiating instructions for students.
Tiffany Christian is an Area Implementation Coordinator with ExploreLearning in the Mid-Atlantic region. She has 17 years of experience in public education as a gifted math and science teacher, an academic coach, and a district K-12 science instructional lead. She currently lives... Read More →
Monday July 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT Room 214
Get started with Savvas Elevate Science K-6. We will share how to roll out this exciting new science program for students and teachers. We will share how to utilize hands on digital and print tools in the classroom.
Learn how to effectively navigate, run, and utilize the various reporting tools within PowerSchool SIS. We'll cover reports, understanding parameters, generating results, and exporting data to meet your school information needs.
Josh Shepard is an innovative leader with a proven track record in K-12 education, educational technology, and strategic management. With a career that began in the classroom as an elementary school teacher (5th grade was his favorite), Josh later served as an instructional technology... Read More →
Feeling like you're lost on exile island trying to survive the whirlwind influx of so many A.I. apps, tools and teaching techniques? With the explosion of A.I., teachers are in the eye of a raging storm of change. Keeping up with all of these new technologies can feel overwhelming—so don’t get blindsided! In Classroom Survivor, you’ll discover a toolkit of time-tested and tech-savvy strategies to help your instruction thrive—even in the wildest of A.I. storms.
John Meehan (@meehanedu.bsky.social) is an English teacher, instructional coach, and professional development specialist from Washington, D.C. He is the author of EDrenaline Rush: Game-Changing Student Engagement Inspired by Theme Parks, Mud Runs, and Escape Rooms (2019) and the co-author... Read More →
Monday July 21, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Library
Looking for ways to boost student participation and ensure no one falls behind? This session explores how to effectively use PearDeck to transform traditional lessons into interactive experiences that actively engage students in real time. Learn strategies for increasing student voice, maintaining focus, and collecting formative data through this powerful platform.
But engagement doesn't stop when students are absent! We’ll also dive into using Screencastify to provide clear, concise, and easily accessible academic instruction. Discover how to record key lessons and directions, deliver content asynchronously, and support students who miss class—without doubling your workload.
Teachers will learn navigation, class controls, and best practices. The session will highlight features such as screen monitoring, site restriction controls, and real-time student feedback tools that support differentiation by enabling teachers to customize instruction, provide targeted interventions, and foster student independence. Participants will leave equipped with strategies to use Lightspeed Classroom effectively to meet diverse learner needs.
"In this engaging session, we'll explore a range of integratable classroom technologies designed to elevate the teaching and learning experience—no matter your current setup. From the mobility of the MUV, to the flexibility of the TAB, to the power of the NEXT Hub, you'll see how easy it is to modernize your space with tools that foster collaboration, engagement, and accessibility. We’ll also demo our collar microphone and other add-ons that create a more dynamic and inclusive environment. Whether you're in a 1:1 device setting or navigating limited tech, this session will leave you inspired and equipped with scalable solutions for every classroom. "
Monday July 21, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Room 28
Enjoy a nice lunch while networking with colleagues.
Food trucks are available each day from 11:00 - 1:00. Seating is available outside under the pavilion or in the main hallways on both sides of the building.
Monday July 21, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Outside
This is an interactive session designed to help educators challenge and support gifted students. Participants will engage in interactive activities and collaborative discussions using Kagan structures to explore effective differentiation strategies—including tiered assignments, choice boards, learning contracts, and curriculum compacting. Leave with ready-to-use tools and practical techniques to cultivate growth, engagement, and deeper learning in your most advanced students.
Discover how Baldwin County Public Schools’ After School Care program is creating innovative, in-district partnerships that benefit both student organizations and younger learners. This session will explore the In-District Contract initiative, which enables high school and middle school groups to earn funds by designing and delivering engaging presentations and activities to elementary students in after school programs. Available during the summer, fall, and spring semesters, these contracts not only support student-led leadership development and organizational fundraising, but also serve as a powerful recruitment tool for sustaining club involvement across grade levels. Learn how this model promotes cross-grade collaboration, strengthens school communities, and offers meaningful enrichment experiences for all ages.
Perfect for administrators, program coordinators, and student activity leaders looking to expand student engagement while maximizing community impact.
You may know eMINTS from our professional learning cohorts here in Baldwin County—but the work doesn’t stop there. In this session, you’ll get a firsthand look at how the eMINTS National Center continues to grow and innovate. Learn about new projects, classroom-ready strategies, and a variety of research-based resources—many available to educators for free. Whether you're looking to reignite your practice or explore what’s possible, come see how eMINTS is supporting educators across the country and how you can tap into what’s next.
This presentation explores how ClassDojo can transform your classroom by fostering engagement, positive behavior, and strong communication between teachers, students, and parents. Attendees will discover best practices for using ClassDojo’s features, including behavior tracking, messaging, student portfolios, and Class Story to create a supportive and connected learning environment. Practical strategies, success stories, and hands-on demonstrations will empower educators to seamlessly integrate ClassDojo into their daily routines, boosting student motivation and family involvement. Whether you're new to ClassDojo or looking to maximize its potential, this session will provide valuable insights to enhance classroom culture.
Are you Kagan-trained but need a refresher? Looking for real-world applications to energize your classroom? This interactive session will have you experiencing Kagan structures firsthand—just as your students do! We’ll revisit key strategies, explore new ways to seamlessly integrate them into your daily instruction, and share success stories from fellow educators. Walk away with practical, ready-to-use ideas to boost engagement, deepen learning, and make cooperation the heart of your classroom. Come ready to move, collaborate, and leave inspired!
Makenzie Cunningham is an instructional coach at Rosinton with 11 years of experience in education. She has taught second, third, and fourth grades, as well as special education for pre-K through first grade. Makenzie has completed both Kagan Coaching and Instructional Coaching certifications... Read More →
Monday July 21, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Room 214
I have used the Critical Friends' Protocol (or Tuning Protocol) in all of my classes now with great success. I'd like to show teachers how it might look in their own classrooms by having them conduct an interactive "practice" in this session. They will receive all the tips and feedback I've learned so far.
Looking for ways to make social studies more meaningful while boosting literacy skills? In this interactive session, elementary educators will explore practical strategies for using primary source documents to deepen students’ reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing abilities. Participants will learn how to select age appropriate primary sources, scaffold complex texts, and design engaging standards aligned lessons that integrate historical thinking with purposeful reading and writing tasks. Walk away with ready to use ideas, digital tools, and classroom activities that bring the past to life while meeting literacy goals across the curriculum.
English learners have to juggle learning math and a new language at the same time. In this session, we’ll look at easy, practical ways to weave language supports into your daily math routines using the WIDA language standards. Walk away with ready-to-use strategies and examples to boost both math and language learning.
Explore the transformative power of AI in education in this session. Discover Google's extensive toolkit of resources, including AI tools like Gemini, educator guides, and student-facing materials, to unlock personalized learning and enhance classroom experiences for all. Come ready to unlock the latest in AI innovation for education!
The term "gifted" often carries the expectation of effortless success, much like a well-tended plant that seems to flourish on its own. However, the social and emotional challenges faced by gifted students are like hidden weeds in the garden—persistent and often overlooked.
Just as a thriving garden requires careful attention to the unique needs of each plant, gifted students need intentional, individualized support to grow. This interactive session will provide educators with practical tools and strategies to cultivate foundational wellness, planting seeds where brilliance blooms.
Gizmos is a STEM interactive learning tool used to provide opportunities for students to make connections, discover concepts, analyze data, and draw conclusions. Teachers can create deeper and meaningful lessons integrating academic standards and technology with Gizmos activities. Come ready to see how Gizmos can help support you and your students as we model lessons, share Gizmos and academic standard correlation lists, discuss experiences, and provide time to support you in exploring specific Gizmos for implementation in your classroom.
In this session, participants will learn strategies to engage students in critical thinking and inquiry with Gizmos. Participants will also discuss best practices for using simulations, how to incorporate literacy and develop a deeper understanding to support student learning in a standards-based science classroom.
Tiffany Christian is an Area Implementation Coordinator with ExploreLearning in the Mid-Atlantic region. She has 17 years of experience in public education as a gifted math and science teacher, an academic coach, and a district K-12 science instructional lead. She currently lives... Read More →
Monday July 21, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Room 93
An overview of Power School Analytics will be provided. This will include Student Plans and Student Interventions. We will create a student plan and an intervention plan.
In this session participants will learn how to use the LETRS Phonics Framework to organize all resources into one complete package for ease of use and successful delivery. This framework is user friendly for all K-5th grade teachers and can be used for any tier of instruction.
The Alabama Science and Engineering Fair provides an amazing opportunity for your middle and high school students to showcase their independent STEM Research Projects. Students perform research that they choose, collect data, interpret results and then communicate their findings at local, regional, state, and national competitions for top dollar prizes.
Coordinator, Alabama Science and Engineering Fair, Auburn University
Hi! I'm helping coordinate the state of Alabama Science and Engineering Fair (ASEF), which will be held at Auburn University on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Let me know how I can help start up or improve Science Fair at your school!
Teachers will take a deep dive into the Alabama Course of Study and Elementary Math Content Standards analyzing mathematical practices, common math vocabulary, unwrapping critical math content standards specific to their grade level, and identifying the content priorities in math by grade level.
Teachers will take a deep dive into the Alabama Course of Study and Elementary Math Content Standards analyzing mathematical practices, common math vocabulary, unwrapping critical math content standards specific to their grade level, and identifying the content priorities in math by grade level.
This three-hour session focuses on the categories of daily math routines, connecting these various routines to the Student Mathematical Practices and the Alabama Course of Study K-5 content standards. Participants will participate in an interactive hands-on session that provides multiple opportunities to analyze and experience multiple math routines K-5. Participants will have the opportunity to purposefully plan routines alongside your colleagues empowering one to immediately incorporate these within the K-5 classroom.
Teachers will learn navigation, class controls, and best practices. The session will highlight features such as screen monitoring, site restriction controls, and real-time student feedback tools that support differentiation by enabling teachers to customize instruction, provide targeted interventions, and foster student independence. Participants will leave equipped with strategies to use Lightspeed Classroom effectively to meet diverse learner needs.
Enjoy a nice lunch while networking with colleagues.
Food trucks are available each day from 11:00 - 1:00. Seating is available outside under the pavilion or in the main hallways on both sides of the building.
From Scranton to Stamford, teachers everywhere are freaking out about the possibility of being downsized thanks to Artificial Intelligence. Don't be a Dunderhead! There's a whole lot more to ChatGPT than automated essay writing. And just like a trusty Assistant (to the) Regional Manager, there's all sorts of benefits that can be found from having a friendly A.I. powered pal as your second in command in the classroom. It's a session that can't be "beet!"
John Meehan (@meehanedu.bsky.social) is an English teacher, instructional coach, and professional development specialist from Washington, D.C. He is the author of EDrenaline Rush: Game-Changing Student Engagement Inspired by Theme Parks, Mud Runs, and Escape Rooms (2019) and the co-author... Read More →
A lot can change in one year, and a lot has. If you want to know what’s happening with the district AI policy or other technology updates for next year, then this is the session you’ve been dreaming of. The session will cover updated policies and changes dealing with instructional technologies. It’s the place to be if you have that burning desire to get answers to most of your questions dealing with technology usage in the classroom.
Come see how Discovery Education’s Learning Platform can support your learners anytime, anywhere. We will review how to search and filter through multimodal content to find the best resources to support your students’ learning journey. We will explore how to use instructional strategies that maximize the effectiveness of digital content as well as incorporate the use of Discovery Education’s Studio & AI Assessment Teacher Tools to show how students can communicate their learning.
Unlock the power of DnA's item bank! Learn how to create tailored assessments by pulling items from the item bank and using filters like standards and depth of knowledge to ensure your assessments meet your students' needs.
Elevate your teaching with Star! Become an expert in analyzing student achievement and growth using Star data, and unlock strategies to support every learner's journey.
Prior to joining the Renaissance team, I served as a principal, assistant principal, instructional coach and classroom teacher in grades 1-5 in Jefferson County Schools in Birmingham, Alabama. As the principal of Concord Elementary, I lead the faculty, students and parents in... Read More →
I want to give educators an overview of what my role is as a career coach and how I can help assist students with plans after high school. This can be done through resume workshops, mock interviews, and 1 on 1 sessions to link students with community contacts we have created in our role. It often creates a reachable goal for a student and can sometimes spark motivation that wasn't there prior.
I also want to highlight the different ways that we can infuse industry contacts from the community into what is being taught in the classroom through guest speakers and field trips. Exposing students to industry professionals I often find it creates links to the content that are valuable in fostering engagement with the material being used.
"Engage, Elevate, Excel: Crafting Classroom Connections," a lively and inspiring session designed to refresh your teaching toolkit and reignite your passion for learning. We’ll explore smart, practical ways to build stronger connections with students, boost engagement, and create a classroom culture where collaboration thrives. You’ll walk away with strategies that work—from tech tools to teaching moves that invite curiosity, encourage participation, and help every learner shine. Come ready to learn, connect, and take your practice to the next level—because when students feel connected, they can achieve amazing things.
This session is designed for schools and districts making the transition from Remind to ParentSquare. Learn how to take advantage of ParentSquare’s tools to enhance communication and engagement beyond simple messaging.
We will cover how to send direct messages for two-way communication with parents, staff, and students in a secure, centralized platform. The session will also include how to use the virtual phone feature for voice calling, allowing users to make calls directly through ParentSquare while keeping personal numbers private.
Additionally, we will explore how to post school announcements and services, including sending permission slips, managing sign-ups for volunteers, and organizing parent-teacher conferences. Whether you are just getting started or looking to maximize ParentSquare’s capabilities, this session will provide the knowledge and skills needed for a smooth transition.
This session is also offered on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Regional Sales Director, ParentSquare | Former Chief Information Officer, Hoover City SchoolsWith over 20 years in K-12 education and technology leadership, Bryan brings a practical, student-centered approach to every conversation. He led one of Alabama’s most innovative tech departments... Read More →
Navigate the student experience with Coastal Alabama! Learn how to assist Early College students through their journey, starting with logging into their new account and understanding the services they have available to them. Learn what Coastal's Early College department covers in orientation, how we support students with self advocacy, and how we provide answers and support to parents.
Director, Early College Programs, Coastal Alabama Community College
Hello, my name is Sarah! I am the Early College Director at Coastal Alabama Community College. I have been working in this position since the 2020-21 school year. Coastal has one of the largest early college / dual enrollment programs in the state of Alabama, but we are the largest... Read More →
This session is a reminder of the simple strategies that are often overlooked when we are facing a challenging behavior. Making these simple strategies a strategic part of your practice can help improve the behavior of many of your students.
Embark on a journey towards creating a truly inclusive learning environment for your students. This session will guide you in utilizing Kami's accessibility features and integrating differentiated practices into your instruction. We'll explore effective strategies to offer varied ways of presenting information, enabling student action and expression, and fostering engagement, ensuring all learners can navigate the curriculum successfully with Kami as your trusted guide.
Mantha Camacho is a Teaching and Learning Coordinator with Kami. Before joining Kami, she taught for 18 years in public education, with most of those years in a DAEP setting. She is a Google Level 2 Certified educator, was voted Teacher of the Year in 2008, and served in several leadership... Read More →
Formative Assessment is now build right into Google Classroom. Design informal assessments that provide extensive data to you and instant feedback and remediation to your students. This is an intermediate session and some experience with the Google Classroom platform is needed for best understanding.
Hi! I'm Allie and I'm a Consulting Teacher with the Ed Tech Department. Some of you may have cursed my name while attempting to finish some of our online PD (totally understandable). This was my 10th year in Baldwin County and my 15th in education. I previously worked as a Teacher... Read More →
This session will prepare teachers to meet troublesome topics head-on and teach more effectively with Gizmos. This session will support middle and high school math teachers as they grapple with the modern requirements from fractions to ratios and proportions to functions instruction in state standards. Participants will gain specific strategies for leading students to a conceptual understanding of math concepts and learn techniques for differentiating instructions for students.
Tiffany Christian is an Area Implementation Coordinator with ExploreLearning in the Mid-Atlantic region. She has 17 years of experience in public education as a gifted math and science teacher, an academic coach, and a district K-12 science instructional lead. She currently lives... Read More →
This session will provide information on the Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education Member Program. This program offers lesson plans, materials, and kits to introduce STEM into your classroom. Materials provided include all grades from K-12.
Promethean is changing the game with the new ActivPanel 10 and ActivSuite software. Come see what makes it stand out! You’ll also learn some tips and tricks for getting the most out of the Promethean apps!
Got questions about PowerSchool SIS? Whether you're new to the system or a seasoned user looking for tips, this session is for you! Join us for an open Q&A where you can ask about anything related to PowerSchool SIS – from taking attendance to running reports and navigating student information. Bring your questions, big or small, and let's tackle them together.
Josh Shepard is an innovative leader with a proven track record in K-12 education, educational technology, and strategic management. With a career that began in the classroom as an elementary school teacher (5th grade was his favorite), Josh later served as an instructional technology... Read More →
Come learn about tie-dye. Learn how easy it would be to do tie-dye for yourself, a group, a class, a club, or even the entire school! Let's tie-dye Baldwin county!!!!
Bring a 100% COTTON T-shirt the morning of your session, drop it in the bucket, and then come back and tie-dye a beautiful creation!!!!
Hello!I am excited to be returning to GRITC as a presenter!I graduated with my bachelors of fine art and master's of education from the University of Montevallo, which is located in Montevallo, AL.I am married and we live in Loxley. I teach elementary art and I absolutely love it... Read More →
In today’s classroom, clarity is key- and data analysis is the compass that guides instructional decision making with purpose and precision. This interactive session is designed for educators and administrators across all grade levels who want to move beyond data collection to using it meaningfully. Through a hands on learning experience, participants will analyze simulated student data, identify learning trends, and collaboratively design responsive instructional strategies. Participants will leave with practical tools and frameworks to confidently interpret data and translate it into effective, targeted instruction. Come ready to dig into data, reflect, and walk away with clear, actionable steps to support student growth.
The truth is that the vast majority of classroom games offer little more than fast-paced trivia style questions. Far too often, deep thinking is sacrificed for flashing lights and speedy responses. But what if review games could climb Bloom’s Taxonomy and support every learner along the way? Say goodbye to the days of mindless button mashing and hello to a new era of inclusive and thought-provoking activities!
Join this Discovery Education session where we discuss how to bring meaningful conversations to your classroom through a wide span of diverse people and industries that power our world. Career Connect is a new tool that helps prepare students for career readiness and cross-curricular connections in an easy-to-use and accessible environment. With this tool you can connect your classroom to real professionals with real stories, in real-time. Spark engagement in your classrooms, no matter what subject you teach!
Get ready to bring the excitement of March Madness into your Spanish classroom—with music! In this energizing session, world language teachers will learn how to implement Locura de Marzo, a classroom-friendly music bracket competition featuring 16 Spanish-language songs.
You'll discover:
How to create and organize a song bracket for students to vote on their favorites
A variety of engaging activities to accompany each song, including quality resources, including lyrics, artist info, and cultural context
How to incorporate language learning through vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and lyric analysis
This activity offers students a fresh and fun break from the usual grammar and vocabulary drills while introducing them to the vibrant world of Spanish-speaking music and culture. It’s a student favorite that builds cultural awareness, listening skills, and vocabulary—all through the power of music.
Harness the full potential of DnA! Learn how to seamlessly administer and score Item Bank and Flexible Assessments online. Dive into the basics of data analysis to gain valuable insights from your assessments and elevate your teaching strategies.
Participants will learn how to effectively create a referral, a re-evaluation, Snapshot and so much more utilizing Frontline Eduction for Section 504. Participants will engage in hands- on 504 procedural activities utilizing Frontline and Powerschool Special Programs.
Dive into the essentials of Freckle! Discover how to effectively implement and utilize Freckle in your classroom, empowering your students with personalized learning in Math and ELA. Learn to leverage the Freckle backpack feature, create targeted assessments, and analyze data reports to enhance your teaching strategies.
Prior to joining the Renaissance team, I served as a principal, assistant principal, instructional coach and classroom teacher in grades 1-5 in Jefferson County Schools in Birmingham, Alabama. As the principal of Concord Elementary, I lead the faculty, students and parents in... Read More →
This interactive Learning Lab is your one-stop shop to achieve your Kami Level 1 AND 2 certifications. Our expert navigator will guide you through hands-on exercises and collaborative explorations, ensuring you deeply understand Kami's core features and unlock more advanced functionalities. From annotation essentials to collaborative document design and interactive assignments, you'll leave this session with the skills and certifications to confidently integrate Kami into your teaching and engage your students. Prepare to elevate your Kami prowess and cast off towards enhanced learning experiences!
Mantha Camacho is a Teaching and Learning Coordinator with Kami. Before joining Kami, she taught for 18 years in public education, with most of those years in a DAEP setting. She is a Google Level 2 Certified educator, was voted Teacher of the Year in 2008, and served in several leadership... Read More →
You may know eMINTS from our professional learning cohorts here in Baldwin County—but the work doesn’t stop there. In this session, you’ll get a firsthand look at how the eMINTS National Center continues to grow and innovate. Learn about new projects, classroom-ready strategies, and a variety of research-based resources—many available to educators for free. Whether you're looking to reignite your practice or explore what’s possible, come see how eMINTS is supporting educators across the country and how you can tap into what’s next.
Building an engaging classroom community might be easier than you think! By facilitating cooperative learning opportunities and advocating for student choice, engagement and community build on one another.
This session is designed for schools and districts making the transition from Remind to ParentSquare. Learn how to take advantage of ParentSquare’s tools to enhance communication and engagement beyond simple messaging.
We will cover how to send direct messages for two-way communication with parents, staff, and students in a secure, centralized platform. The session will also include how to use the virtual phone feature for voice calling, allowing users to make calls directly through ParentSquare while keeping personal numbers private.
Additionally, we will explore how to post school announcements and services, including sending permission slips, managing sign-ups for volunteers, and organizing parent-teacher conferences. Whether you are just getting started or looking to maximize ParentSquare’s capabilities, this session will provide the knowledge and skills needed for a smooth transition.
Regional Sales Director, ParentSquare | Former Chief Information Officer, Hoover City SchoolsWith over 20 years in K-12 education and technology leadership, Bryan brings a practical, student-centered approach to every conversation. He led one of Alabama’s most innovative tech departments... Read More →
Do you wonder about what to do with behavior challenges in your class? This session will be about you and your questions related to challenging student behavior. The session will focus on practical steps you can take to address student behavior. Additionally, you will learn to what other questions to ask, so you can be better equipped to manage these behaviors.
Done with the basics and ready for more? If you are, join us as we look as the latest and greatest Google features baked within the Chrome Browser and Google Education Suite. Use these features to be more organized and efficient when working, giving you less time at the desk and more time with your students. This is an intermediate/advanced level session, and previous experience with the Google ecosystem is needed for success in this session.
Hi! I'm Allie and I'm a Consulting Teacher with the Ed Tech Department. Some of you may have cursed my name while attempting to finish some of our online PD (totally understandable). This was my 10th year in Baldwin County and my 15th in education. I previously worked as a Teacher... Read More →
This session will equip new school counselors and social workers with essential updates on policies, procedures, and best practices to confidently navigate their new roles at BCBE. Key topics include: Handbook & Policy Updates – Guidelines, expectations, and ethical responsibilities. Critical Protocols – Crisis intervention, student referrals, confidentiality, and mandated reporting. Curriculum & Resources – P.A.T.H. Counseling Curriculum, initiatives, and trauma-informed practices. Legal & Policy Changes – Updates on student privacy laws, anti-bullying policies, and college/career readiness mandates. By the end, participants will feel informed, confident, and prepared to apply these updates, ensuring effective student support .
This session will prepare elementary teachers as they grapple with the modern requirements from fractions to ratios and proportions to functions instruction in state standards. Participants will gain specific strategies for leading students to a conceptual understanding of fractions and learn techniques for differentiating instructions for students.
Tiffany Christian is an Area Implementation Coordinator with ExploreLearning in the Mid-Atlantic region. She has 17 years of experience in public education as a gifted math and science teacher, an academic coach, and a district K-12 science instructional lead. She currently lives... Read More →
Schoology is like Google Classroom's cooler, more organized cousin. It's a full-fledged LMS that doesn’t just sit there looking pretty—it integrates smoothly with third-party apps, so you can add all the fun extras you want. It’s got advanced grading and analytics, so you can track every student’s progress like a pro—because who doesn’t love a little data? Plus, with its rich course customization options, you can make your lessons as personalized as a pizza topping order. And for communication and collaboration, Schoology has got you covered with tools for discussions, messaging, and group work—making sure your students don’t just learn, but actually interact with each other (and you, of course)!
Get started with Savvas Elevate Science K-6. We will share how to roll out this exciting new science program for students and teachers. We will share how to utilize hands on digital and print tools in the classroom.
Promethean is changing the game with the new ActivPanel 10 and ActivSuite software. Come see what makes it stand out! You’ll also learn some tips and tricks for getting the most out of the Promethean apps!
Got questions about PowerSchool SIS? Whether you're new to the system or a seasoned user looking for tips, this session is for you! Join us for an open Q&A where you can ask about anything related to PowerSchool SIS – from taking attendance to running reports and navigating student information. Bring your questions, big or small, and let's tackle them together.
SimplDiscipline offers advanced reporting tools to manage referrals and monitor student behavior patterns over time. It ensures consistency in discipline while providing data to support decision-making and student accountability.
Josh Shepard is an innovative leader with a proven track record in K-12 education, educational technology, and strategic management. With a career that began in the classroom as an elementary school teacher (5th grade was his favorite), Josh later served as an instructional technology... Read More →
