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Aledo ISD Empower 2025
Welcome to Aledo ISD’s Professional Learning Academy Empower 2025!
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Thursday, May 29
 

10:15am CDT

Big Top Instruction: When it’s planned for the circus to come to the classroom! LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
Join us for dynamic learning session where you'll explore engaging instructional strategies that spark student thinking and creativity. Discover how to make the Rigor and Relevance Rubrics the driving force behind meaningful, impactful instruction.


 
Speakers
avatar for Kristee Allen

Kristee Allen

Teacher, Aledo ISD
avatar for Donna Bonaldi

Donna Bonaldi

Teacher, Aledo ISD
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B107

10:15am CDT

Motivate to Elevate: Crafting Choice Boards with Purpose LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
Unlock the power of student motivation with intentionally designed choice boards! This session will show you how to build engaging, structured learning paths that promote educational freedom, self-monitoring, and higher-order thinking—all while keeping expectations clear and learning meaningful. 
Speakers
avatar for Linda Capps

Linda Capps

3rd Grade RLA Walsh, Aledo ISD
avatar for Barb Williams

Barb Williams

Instructional Specialist, Aledo ISD
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B106

10:15am CDT

Make the most of your “TIME” ⏰ FILLING
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
3rd-5th grade teachers usually never have enough time to do stations in the classroom. This session will give teachers a structured plan to incorporate district resources you already have into a “station-like” environment. Allowing for student-choice and growing ALL learners! 
Speakers
avatar for Brandy Arnold

Brandy Arnold

5th Grade Math, Aledo ISD
I love teaching Math, but mostly I teach so that I can help kids feel valued and important. I have taught all grades 5-8th grade and also Pre-K. I love creating things and making learning fun and engaging.
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B109
  Math

10:15am CDT

Simple is as Simple does at the Teacher Table FILLING
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
Knowing what to do to grow readers and writers can be daunting. Taking a systematic and explicit approach can guarantee success for students and teachers alike. New ways can be overwhelming but growth is the goal. Are you ready to grow?
Speakers
avatar for Katie Harbour

Katie Harbour

First Grade Teacher, Aledo ISD
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B104

10:15am CDT

Ctrl + Alt + Teach: AI in the Elementary Classroom LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
In our ever-changing world, artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we teach and learn. As AI tools become more accessible, it’s essential to equip students with the knowledge and skills to engage with AI safely, ethically, and effectively. This session will explore practical ways K-12 educators can integrate AI into the classroom while fostering critical thinking, digital literacy, and responsible use. Join us as we navigate the opportunities and challenges of AI-powered learning—because the future of education isn’t just about keeping up, it’s about leading the way!
Speakers
avatar for Emily Kelley

Emily Kelley

5th Grade RLA, Walsh Elementary
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A111

10:15am CDT

From Movement to Meaning LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
This session is designed to help encourage classroom teachers to incorporate movement in their classroom to build meaning for their students. This session could also be helpful for specials teachers (PE, Music, Art, etc…) on incorporating Gen. Ed. classroom curriculum into their classes as well. 
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A104

10:15am CDT

Leading From the Heart LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
This session will guide educators on 3 main points to keep an engaging lesson, how to inspire critical thinking, and how to connect to all students, or staff in the case of administrators. 
Speakers
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A103

1:00pm CDT

Curious by Design: Sparking Deeper Thinking with 5 Essential Questions and Role-Based Scenarios LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Get ready to transform your classroom conversations from surface-level to thought-provoking! In this energizing session, participants will explore how five simple but powerful questions—like “Wait, what?” and “I wonder...?”—can unlock deeper academic dialogue. Drawing from real classroom examples, including immersive role-based scenarios and Socratic seminars, this session demonstrates how to engage students in higher-level thinking across content areas. Whether you're looking to boost student voice, create equity in discussions, or just hear your students say, “That actually made me think,” you’ll leave equipped with practical tools and inspired to lead with curiosity.
Speakers
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B107

1:00pm CDT

Desmos in Secondary Math and Science LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Now that Desmos Calculator is built into STAAR (8th math and Algebra 1 EOC), Math and Science AP and PSAT/SAT exams, let's learn how to use Desmos as a tool in secondary math and science courses to teach content while also preparing them to use the tool in these exams.
Speakers
avatar for Keely Hulme

Keely Hulme

Math Instructional Specialist, Aledo ISD
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
A103

1:00pm CDT

Tiny Thinkers-Academic Discussion LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Tiny Thinkers is a professional development session designed to equip early childhood educators with strategies to foster rich academic discussions in the K-2 classroom. This training focuses on building young learners’ oral language skills, encouraging critical thinking, and creating a classroom culture where all students feel confident sharing their ideas.
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
A107

1:00pm CDT

Beyond the Basics - The Three Es of Extensions LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Empower your advanced learners with engaging, differentiated extensions that go beyond simple add-ons and deepen their curiosity and critical thinking. In this session, we’ll dive into the "3 E's" framework—Enrich, Extend, and Explore—designed to provide your students with enriching challenges, practical applications, and independent exploration opportunities. 
Speakers
avatar for Shelly Morrill

Shelly Morrill

GT Coordinator, Aledo ISD
Shelly Morrill has been an educator for over 20 years and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with Specialization in GT. Parenting her own gifted children sparked her interest in finding better ways to nurture, inspire and educate gifted students. Shelly has served... Read More →
avatar for Liz Garcia

Liz Garcia

GT Specialist, Aledo ISD
Liz has been in education for 15 years and holds a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership with a specialization in GT. She is passionate about STEM, differentiation, and creating meaningful, hands-on experiences for students. 
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B108

1:00pm CDT

Magic in Math LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Unleash the magic in your math classroom with innovative differentiation techniques designed to engage and challenge all learners. In this interactive session, participants will explore dynamic strategies, including math games, hexagonal thinking, goal setting, and powerful lesson closing activities, to support diverse student needs. Through hands-on experiences and collaborative discussions, educators will discover how to seamlessly integrate these approaches to deepen mathematical understanding and foster a growth mindset. Walk away with ready-to-use strategies that transform your lessons into an engaging and inclusive learning experience for every student!
Speakers
avatar for Ashley Davis

Ashley Davis

Third Grade Teacher, Aledo ISD
avatar for Stacey Roberson

Stacey Roberson

3rd Grade Math, Aledo ISD
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B106
  Math

1:00pm CDT

The Oral Language Series: Think a Little, Talk a Little, Write a Little LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
This professional learning session explores how oral language skills serve as a foundation for strong writing development. Participants will engage in strategies that encourage thinking, discussion, and verbal expression to enhance student writing skills. Through interactive activities and practical applications, educators will learn how to integrate speaking and listening into the writing process to support student growth.
Speakers
avatar for Audra Ellerbusch

Audra Ellerbusch

Early Literacy Specialist, Aledo ISD
I am entering my 23rd year in education with a deep passion for teaching Reading and Language Arts and empowering young learners. As a proud mom of four amazing boys and a wife of 24 years, I cherish both my family and my career. My heart is in literacy education, and I am dedicated... Read More →
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
A104

1:00pm CDT

Writing with Checklists LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Learn how to empower your students to write their best using a checklist! 
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
A101

1:00pm CDT

Street Data vs Hard Data LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Utilizing street data & student data to serve students effectively; we will break down the concepts of street data, clarify the importance of both street and student data, then go into how teachers can use this data to tailor their teaching practices, build stronger relationships and foster student growth. 
Speakers
avatar for Elizabeth Kuhns

Elizabeth Kuhns

Instructional Specialist, Aledo ISD
Elizabeth is an Instructional Specialist in Aledo ISD.  As a classroom teacher for over twelve years, with both elementary and middle school experience,  student growth is one of Elizabeth's many passions.  She believes that teamwork and partnership within your professional learning... Read More →
Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B114

2:45pm CDT

Moving Kids Up! Through Academic Discussion and HLQ LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
Since promoting academic discussion and higher-order questioning continues to be a problem of practice, how can we adjust our daily practices to make them a consistent and integral part of instruction?  Together, we’ll explore practical, cross-curricular strategies and activities that foster meaningful academic discourse and deepen student thinking through higher-level questioning.
Speakers
avatar for Casi Faulk

Casi Faulk

Kindergarten Teacher, Aledo ISD
Thursday May 29, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
A101

2:45pm CDT

Differentiation Stations: A Strategy Walkthrough FILLING
Thursday May 29, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
This session is designed to empower teachers to design differentiated lessons that foster critical thinking, student choice, and creative expression—essential for meeting the needs of GT learners. In this station-based workshop, participants will walk away with practical strategies, adaptable resources, and a personalized action plan to implement differentiation immediately in their classrooms.
Speakers
avatar for Shelly Morrill

Shelly Morrill

GT Coordinator, Aledo ISD
Shelly Morrill has been an educator for over 20 years and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with Specialization in GT. Parenting her own gifted children sparked her interest in finding better ways to nurture, inspire and educate gifted students. Shelly has served... Read More →
avatar for Liz Garcia

Liz Garcia

GT Specialist, Aledo ISD
Liz has been in education for 15 years and holds a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership with a specialization in GT. She is passionate about STEM, differentiation, and creating meaningful, hands-on experiences for students. 
Thursday May 29, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
A109

2:45pm CDT

Piecing It Together: Differentiation for Every Learner LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
In this session, we’ll explore how to differentiate tasks, learning methods, and student products to support all learners. Just like a puzzle, every student is unique—and finding the perfect piece for each child helps the whole picture come together. Walk away with practical strategies to meet diverse learning needs and create a classroom where every student can thrive.
Speakers
avatar for Ashley Swords

Ashley Swords

4th Grade Teacher
Thursday May 29, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
B104

2:45pm CDT

Google Sheets for Teachers: Because Tracking Student Data on Napkins Doesn't Work FULL
Thursday May 29, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
Create and utilize google sheets for progress monitoring, analyzing assessment results, and motivating students. Walk away with templates that you can incorporate on day one of next year!  An added bonus in this session includes discussion connecting trackers and higher ratings on rubrics for the CT Continuum and T-TESS. 
Speakers
avatar for Paula Vidaurri

Paula Vidaurri

Instructional Specialist, 6-8 RLA, Aledo ISD
avatar for Tyler Bauer

Tyler Bauer

6th Grade RLA, McAnally Middle School
avatar for Amanda Douglas

Amanda Douglas

6th Grade RLA Teacher
Thursday May 29, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
B106
 
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