The ACT Instructional Mastery Writing training provides candidates with the information necessary to facilitate effective ACT Writing test preparation, identify and recommend test-taking strategies, and understand test structure and content. This is an interactive training providing practical ideas and opportunities to share ideas and teaching techniques with colleagues. This session has been updated to include the new enhancement information and revised activities reflecting the enhancement changes.
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! 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 →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT Room 201
With education changing every year, strategies improving every semester, and students changing every day, how do you juggle and balance what is important in the classroom?? Jump into an in depth discussion on exploring and challenging balance within your classroom
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 →
Admin introduction to ESL resources; including but not limited to the ESL Tile, Program Guide, Enrollment, on-going PD, ELLevation platform, analysis of data, & documentation of progress.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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 →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 201
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 →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Library
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 →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 28
This session will go through the entire process of how a Functional Behavior Assessment is started, how data is collected, and using that data to write a Behavior Intervention Plan for students with disabilities.
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 →
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.
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.
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.
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 →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT Room 201
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.
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.
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 →
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.
Struggling with chronic absenteeism? Looking for effective ways to improve your school's overall attendance? In this session, we will provide practical strategies to help you: build an effective attendance team, track and analyze key data, and engage and motivate students and parents. Help your students thrive, and elevate your school’s report card by making attendance a top priority!
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.
Hey there! My name is Johnelle and I have been in the Transportation Department for 25 years. I enjoy spending time with my family, kayaking, nature photography and being an advocate for Lupus. I hope you will join me in learning how to navigate the field trip program, Travel... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Room 28
The 6 Principals are for any teacher who works with students who are learning English. This session is applicable for K-12 educators who wish to support English learning for their students. This session will be interactive to provide modeling of best practices. Attendees will also receive The 6 Principles for Exemplary Teaching of English Learners K-12 book and Quick Reference Guide (published by TESOL press).
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.
The small group presentation, "Driven by Data: The Spanish Fort High School ACT Improvement Plan," will explore a strategic, data-driven approach to enhancing student performance on the ACT. The presentation will outline the current ACT performance trends at Spanish Fort High School, identify key areas for improvement based on data analysis, and introduce targeted instructional strategies designed to address student needs. It will highlight research-based methods, including differentiated instruction, test-taking strategies, and academic interventions, to support student growth. Additionally, the presentation will incorporate a small group activity where participants analyze sample data sets to propose actionable steps for improvement. By the end of the session, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how data can be leveraged to drive meaningful academic progress.
I am currently an assistant principal at Spanish Fort High School. I have over ten years of experience in education. My background is in data management and analysis. I am currently working on my doctorate in educational leadership.
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.
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 →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT Room 201
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.
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.
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 →
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 →
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!
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 →
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 →
BCMS and FHS have implemented two different cell phone policies, but both have seen the same result...an increase in learning and class engagement. See how these two very different schools used the same thought process to increase test scores.
Discover the essential features of DnA reports! Learn how to effectively analyze student achievement and growth, applying key report features to gain valuable insights and drive instructional decisions.
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 world of myON! Understand the student experience and discover how myON recommends 'just-right' books to foster a love for reading. Equip yourself with the essential educator tools and resources to make the most of myON in your classroom.
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 →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT Room 201
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 →
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 →
