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Aledo ISD Empower 2025
Welcome to Aledo ISD’s Professional Learning Academy Empower 2025!
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Friday, May 30
 

8:30am CDT

Building Literacy in Social Studies LIMITED
Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
B112
This training session helps teachers integrate literacy into social studies lessons. Educators will learn simple, effective strategies to build vocabulary, support text analysis, and promote evidence-based writing using historical content. The session includes hands-on activities that are low prep and time for collaborative planning. Teachers will leave with practical tools to strengthen both literacy and content learning.
Speakers
avatar for Cathy Williams

Cathy Williams

Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator, Aledo ISD
Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
B112
  Cross-disciplinary

8:30am CDT

Connecting the Dots: Applying Classroom Lessons to Real Life LIMITED
Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
A104
In this engaging session, educators will explore strategies to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real-life application. By designing authentic, scenario-based learning experiences, we can help students see the relevance of what they’re learning and develop skills that extend beyond the classroom. This presentation will provide practical examples, planning tools, and collaborative opportunities to create meaningful connections between academic content and the world students live in. 
Speakers
avatar for Heather Cortez
avatar for Heather Ling
Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
A104
  Cross-disciplinary

8:30am CDT

Creating Student Opportunities Outside the Classroom LIMITED
Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
Library
Discover innovative ways to extend learning beyond the four walls of your classroom. This session will explore how educators can integrate STEM learning into out-of-classroom experiences, providing students with meaningful, hands-on opportunities that align with your content area. Whether through cross-curricular projects, community partnerships, or informal learning environments, you’ll leave with practical strategies and activity ideas to enhance student engagement and real-world application of STEM concepts.
Speakers
avatar for Angie Wilkinson

Angie Wilkinson

Director of Advanced Academics and CTE, Aledo ISD
avatar for Chris Tondre
avatar for Tim Rogers
Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
Library
  Cross-disciplinary

8:30am CDT

Desmos in Math and Science LIMITED
Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
A103
Now that Desmos is built into STAAR, AP and SAT exams, let's learn how to use Desmos as a tool in math and science content 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
Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
A103
  Cross-disciplinary

8:30am CDT

DIY Project Based Learning LIMITED
Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
A105
This session will guide participants in designing a cross-disciplinary Project-Based Learning (PBL) project that integrates mathematics, reading, and writing through an engaging and authentic experience. Participants will explore an example of a DIY PBL unit that utilizes Google Sites, Canva, and AI applications as well as incorporates opportunities within the project to extend or scaffold elements. Participants will have the opportunity DIY their own PBL unit that incorporates multiple cross-disciplinary skills such as mathematical concepts, structured critical writing, and research skills while leveraging technology to create an interactive and meaningful final product.
Speakers
avatar for Chelsea Cook
avatar for Amanda Coomer
avatar for Tanya Sides

Tanya Sides

3rd Grade Teacher, AISD - Annetta EL.
Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
A105
  Cross-disciplinary

8:30am CDT

Love for Learning: Cultivating Curiosity through Discussion and Questioning LIMITED
Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
B107
In Love for Learning: Cultivating Curiosity through Discussion and Questioning, educators will explore the importance of curiosity in the classroom and the role rigor plays in nurturing it. We will focus on:
Understanding the Power of Curiosity
Incorporating High-Level Questioning
And Creating Tools for Your Classroom: Question Stems to use Now!
No matter what you're teaching, this session will provide actionable tools to help spark thoughtful discussions and elevate the rigor of your classroom interactions.
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Lawler
Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
B107
  Cross-disciplinary

10:15am CDT

Building Powerful Units: Leveraging Team Strengths for Comprehensive Content Design LIMITED
Friday May 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A103
In this professional development session, participants will explore how to create cohesive, high-impact units by strategically utilizing the diverse strengths of their teaching teams. Through the lens of backward design, we will dive into how to effectively plan and align learning goals, assessments, and instructional activities. You’ll learn how to craft engaging lessons that meet the needs of all students, while seamlessly incorporating interventions for struggling learners and extensions for those ready for more. By the end of the session, you will be equipped with tools and strategies to construct units that are not only rigorous and engaging but also adaptable to the unique needs of your students and the strengths of your teaching team.
Speakers
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Allison Dearman

3rd Grade Teacher, Aledo ISD
avatar for Catherine Clay
avatar for Stefanie Story
Friday May 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A103
  Cross-disciplinary

10:15am CDT

Clueless About Clauses? As If! LIMITED
Friday May 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A107
Take student writing from totally buggin’ to totally brilliant with sentence-level strategies that make writing feel way more concrete. Even if you teach a content other than RLA, you’ll leave this interactive session feeling equipped to model, support, and provide explicit feedback on syntax—no plaid skirt required. Whether you're working with struggling writers or advanced learners, these strategies are an easy way to differentiate without the drama. You'll walk away with sentence-building strategies that even Cher Horowitz would find are totally essential!
Speakers
avatar for Hannah McConnell

Hannah McConnell

Instructional Specialist, Aledo ISD
Friday May 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A107
  Cross-disciplinary

10:15am CDT

I have an answer, do you have a question? LIMITED
Friday May 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A104
Want to ignite deeper thinking and spark student ownership in your classroom? This interactive session will give you practical strategies to elevate your questioning techniques and empower students to craft their own powerful questions. Learn how to guide discussions that go beyond surface-level responses and promote critical thinking, curiosity, and engagement. Whether you're looking to enrich your lessons or energize your learners, this session will leave you inspired and ready to transform classroom conversations. Come ready to think, ask, and grow!
Speakers
avatar for Robin Newkirk

Robin Newkirk

7th grade science teacher, Aledo Middle School
I have been teaching for 17 years. I am currently a 7th grade science teacher at AMS. This is my 6th year in Aledo. 
avatar for Valerie Whitehead

Valerie Whitehead

Special Education Collaborative Teacher
With 22 years of experience in education, I’ve has the opportunity to teach students from kindergarten through 8th grade in various roles, including kindergarten teacher, 4th grade departmentalized and self-contained, physical education coach, middle school math teacher for both... Read More →
avatar for Adriane Jenkins

Adriane Jenkins

7th Grade Science - Aledo ISDI am finishing year 11 in Education.  5 years were at the Elementary level teaching Science, Social Studies, and Math.  This year I finished my 6th year in Middle School Science.  My passion is encouraging students to use their strengths to find success... Read More →
Friday May 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A104
  Cross-disciplinary

10:15am CDT

Teaching in Time: The Power of Timelines to Deepen Thinking Across Texts LIMITED
Friday May 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B114
Back by popular demand—but with a fresh focus—this session builds on our previous exploration of timelines as powerful classroom tools. In this next-level session, we’ll move beyond timeline basics and dive into how timeline activities can promote rigorous reading, purposeful writing, and dynamic discussion across disciplines. Participants will rotate through three interactive stations that model how timelines can support analysis, historical thinking, and argument development. You'll walk away with ready-to-use strategies and a tailored plan for integrating timelines into your instruction. Whether you joined us last time or are new to timeline thinking, this session will expand your toolkit and inspire new possibilities for helping students make meaning across time, text, and content area. Open to all, but designed for RLA and Social Studies teachers.
Speakers
avatar for Staci Hammer

Staci Hammer

RLA Curriculum Coordinator, Aledo ISD
Staci Hammer coordinates reading language arts curriculum for Aledo ISD. Her passions include developing teacher expertise and empowering students to identify as readers, writers, listeners, speakers, and thinkers.
Friday May 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B114
  Cross-disciplinary

1:00pm CDT

Clueless About Clauses? As If! LIMITED
Friday May 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
A109
Take student writing from totally buggin’ to totally brilliant with sentence-level strategies that make writing feel way more concrete. Even if you teach a content other than RLA, you’ll leave this interactive session feeling equipped to model, support, and provide explicit feedback on syntax—no plaid skirt required. Whether you're working with struggling writers or advanced learners, these strategies are an easy way to differentiate without the drama. You'll walk away with sentence-building strategies that even Cher Horowitz would find are totally essential!
Speakers
avatar for Hannah McConnell

Hannah McConnell

Instructional Specialist, Aledo ISD
Friday May 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
A109
  Cross-disciplinary

1:00pm CDT

Focusing on Results: Celebrating Success in the Secondary Classroom LIMITED
Friday May 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
A101
Many secondary educators struggle to celebrate student and team success due to the daily demands of teaching, which hinders progress on the “focus on results” section of the CT rating rubric. This session aims to clarify the difference between tracking data and truly celebrating results, which is essential for reaching the “sustaining” level. Practical, team-based strategies—such as rewards, class privileges, competitions, and educator celebrations—will be shared to help teachers implement a systematic approach to celebration.
Speakers
avatar for John Collins
Friday May 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
A101
  Cross-disciplinary

2:45pm CDT

Teaching in Time: The Power of Timelines to Deepen Thinking Across Texts LIMITED
Friday May 30, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
B114
Back by popular demand—but with a fresh focus—this session builds on our previous exploration of timelines as powerful classroom tools. In this next-level session, we’ll move beyond timeline basics and dive into how timeline activities can promote rigorous reading, purposeful writing, and dynamic discussion across disciplines. Participants will rotate through three interactive stations that model how timelines can support analysis, historical thinking, and argument development. You'll walk away with ready-to-use strategies and a tailored plan for integrating timelines into your instruction. Whether you joined us last time or are new to timeline thinking, this session will expand your toolkit and inspire new possibilities for helping students make meaning across time, text, and content area. Open to all, but designed for RLA and Social Studies teachers.
Speakers
avatar for Staci Hammer

Staci Hammer

RLA Curriculum Coordinator, Aledo ISD
Staci Hammer coordinates reading language arts curriculum for Aledo ISD. Her passions include developing teacher expertise and empowering students to identify as readers, writers, listeners, speakers, and thinkers.
Friday May 30, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
B114
  Cross-disciplinary
 
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