The goal of this PD is to help teachers use the ACAP resources for math to plan out their lessons so that they understand the expectation of learning for students (evidence statements) and know how standards will be assessed (sampled stems) so that their daily instruction will be aligned with statewide assessment. Participants need access to their teacher textbook guide or student textbook and pacing guide.
AMSTI K-5 or 6-12 Math Foundations is a REQUIRED Prerequisite to attend this session. Participants will need to bring their math foundations material and Teaching Student Centered Mathematics Book they received during Math Foundations Training. (Extra books will not be available). Participants in this session will not receive additional manipulative materials.
This two-day session focuses on developing understanding and fluency of multi-digit multiplication and division to find quotients. Participants will dig deeply into the research and big ideas through content deepening and explore the use of manipulatives through activities and problems involving equal-sized groups, arrays, and area models. Participants will analyze evidence of student understanding to inform planning of next instructional steps.
This two-day session focuses on connections among grade-band standards and strategies to help students learn algebra and functions concepts. Participants will explore student-invented strategies, analyze evidence of student understanding to inform planning 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 connections to standard US algorithms.
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.
AMSTI K-5 Math Foundations Course is a REQUIRED Prerequisite to attend this session. Please bring Student Centered Teaching Book and Math Foundations materials received during session. Extra books will not be available. Teachers will not receive manipulatives from AMSTI for attending this session. Teachers must attend both days.
This two-day session focuses on the development of students' understanding of the base-ten number system and properties of addition and subtraction. Participants will explore how counting and cardinality develop into unitizing, composing/decomposing numbers, related hands-on activities, and analyze evidence of students understanding to inform planning of next instructional steps.
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 →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT Room 201
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 →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am 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.
Leaders will develop a plan for implementing i-Ready, learn how to support teams with data usage, and prepare for iReady Math diagnostic administration success.
Teachers will gain a foundational understanding of i-Ready, prepare for iReady Math diagnostic administration success, learn how to use the Diagnostic data to guide instruction, and prepare for a successful start to the year. Time permitting, they’ll also explore ways to engage students in data conversations.
Productive struggle is a necessary component of learning mathematics, but how can you ensure students engage in productive struggle rather than unproductive struggle? In this session, we will answer this question through an examination of engaging tasks, classroom videos, and the mathematics teaching practices. Be ready to collaborate and have some mathematical fun!
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.
This session is for Baldwin County teachers who have already preregistered.
The Baldwin County Math PLC meets five times during the 2025-2026 school year and is ASDE TEAMS approved PD. July 22-23 are the first two of five meeting dates. The District Math PLC focuses on becoming better math teachers by (1) effectively implementing the mathematical teaching practices, (2) digging deep into math content, (3) collaborating with fellow math teachers, and (4) using current math research to inform and provoke action.
This session will begin diving deeper into the mathematical teaching practices by exploring establishing mathematics goals to focus learning and implementing rich tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving.
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 →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 201
Attention all fearless and innovative math and science teachers in upper elementary, middle, and high school! You know who you are—I see you! If you’re ready to ditch the mundane and harness the power of gaming to supercharge student engagement, this session is for you.
Step into the world of Minecraft: Education Edition, where equations come to life, science gets explosive (safely, of course!), and students collaborate, create, and problem-solve in ways that traditional methods just can’t match. In this hands-on session, we’ll explore how to transform your math and science classroom into an immersive, interactive learning environment—one block at a time! Bring your computer (and a controller if you have one), and let’s "play"—I mean, learn! 😉 P.S. Bonus lessons included on using AI to enhance communication, give clear directions, and craft engaging lesson plans that bring Minecraft into your classroom! Disclaimer: This description was "spiced up" with AI)
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 →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 214
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 →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT Room 243
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!
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 →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT Room 201
This is an overview course of the first four evidence-based practices for mathematics instruction recommended by the Elementary Math Task Force. This course is designed for mathematics coaches and teachers.
Mrs. Amy Merryman serves as a Regional Coordinator for the Office of Mathematics Improvement (OMI) with the Alabama State Department of Education. Bringing 29 years of experience in education, her extensive career includes roles as a classroom teacher, ARI coach, K-12 instructional... Read More →
Connie Arnold currently serves as a Regional Coordinator for the Office of Mathematics Improvement (OMI) at the Alabama State Department of Education. Mrs. Arnold has over 15 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher and a Secondary Math Specialist with the Alabama... Read More →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT Room 96
Explore how Alabama is leading the future of math education with an innovative combination of Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), fundamentally changing how students engage with mathematical concepts. Supported by a U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) EIR grant, AMSTI offers powerful VR experiences and AI-driven personalized learning for Geometry. In partnership with CurioXR, AMSTI has developed a robust set of Geometry lessons utilizing VR and AI.
Join us to experience how you can become a part of the Alabama team of teachers who are utilizing VR headsets in your Geometry classroom!
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 →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Room 243
Transforming classroom assignments into games can make learning more engaging and enjoyable for students across all subjects. By incorporating elements like competition, rewards, and challenges, you can turn standard tasks into interactive experiences that spark curiosity and enthusiasm. Whether it's using quiz-style games for history, math puzzles with a timed twist, or science-based scavenger hunts, these gamified activities encourage active participation, boost motivation, and help students retain information in a fun, dynamic way. Gamifying learning not only fosters a sense of excitement but also promotes teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
Mrs. Franklin has been a special education teacher for over nine and a half years. She has a background in behavior and Speech Language Pathology. In addition to advocating for her students, she is an avid volunteer and member of Alpha Kappa Sorority. She is a mentor/founder of the... Read More →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT Room 4
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.
“My eyes! My eyes!” Phoebe and Rachel said it best, but what does this quote have to do with teaching and learning mathematics? In this session, we will SEE this connection through classroom stories and engaging problems. Spoiler Alert: It isn’t really about un-seeing – it’s about un-understanding.
Leaders will develop a plan for implementing i-Ready, learn how to support teams with data usage, and prepare for iReady Math diagnostic administration success.
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.
Teachers will gain a foundational understanding of i-Ready, prepare for iReady Math diagnostic administration success, learn how to use the Diagnostic data to guide instruction, and prepare for a successful start to the year. Time permitting, they’ll also explore ways to engage students in data conversations.
The goal of this PD is to help teachers use the ACAP resources for math to plan out their lessons so that they understand the expectation of learning for students (evidence statements) and know how standards will be assessed (sampled stems) so that their daily instruction will be aligned with statewide assessment. Participants need access to their teacher textbook guide or student textbook and pacing guide.
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 →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT Room 201
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 →
Wednesday July 23, 2025 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT Room 243
This session will focus on a menu of 13 strategies teachers can mix and match to make any lesson more engaging and meaningful, while also being easier to implement because adding a little WOW to a lesson doesn't have to mean more work. This session is designed for teachers who are looking to add a dash of creativity to stir up engagement, while serving up more efficient lessons that meet the needs of every academic appetite.
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.
Want to boost student engagement and make learning more fun? In this session, you'll discover how to gamify any lesson, review, or worksheet! Learn how to design effective review games, create lesson-length interactive experiences, and turn ordinary worksheets into exciting challenges. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced educator, you'll walk away with ready-to-use strategies and tools to make learning more dynamic and enjoyable for your students. Get ready to level up your teaching!
