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.
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.
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
"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
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.
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
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
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 →
Building Empathy through Engagement! Using age appropriate books to help students learn coping mechanics to help them navigate their foundational awareness
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.
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
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
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 →
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.
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.
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!
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 →
"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 →
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 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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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 →
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)!
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!
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 →
