Aledo ISD Empower 2025: Full Schedule

Welcome to Aledo ISD’s Professional Learning Academy Empower 2025!

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

Kristee Allen

Teacher, Aledo ISD

Donna Bonaldi

Teacher, Aledo ISD

Jordan Huemoeller

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

Cross-disciplinary

Audience 6th-8th, 9th-12th
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, FLEX, ESL, GT

10:15am CDT

Motivate to Elevate: Crafting Choice Boards with Purpose LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

B106

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

Linda Capps

3rd Grade RLA Walsh, Aledo ISD

Barb Williams

Instructional Specialist, Aledo ISD

Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B106

Differentiation

Audience 3rd-5th
Subject Reading/Language Arts, Science
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, FLEX, GT

10:15am CDT

Make the most of your “TIME” ⏰ LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

B109

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

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.

Courtney Upp

Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B109

Math

Audience 3rd-5th
Subject Student Choice, Extensions
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

10:15am CDT

Simple is as Simple does at the Teacher Table LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

B104

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

Rebekah Getz

Katie Harbour

First Grade Teacher, Aledo ISD

Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B104

Reading/Language Arts

Audience PreK-2nd
Subject Early Literacy
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, FLEX, GT, ESL

10:15am CDT

Ctrl + Alt + Teach: AI in the Elementary Classroom LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

A111

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

Emily Kelley

5th Grade RLA, Walsh Elementary

Lori Cain

Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A111

Technology Integration

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, PreK-2nd
Subject Artificial Intelligence
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

10:15am CDT

From Movement to Meaning LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

A104

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.

Speakers

Crystal Mehrhoff

Mimi Tarnowieckyi

Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A104

Wellness

Audience 3rd-5th, PreK-2nd
Subject Classroom Management
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

10:15am CDT

Leading From the Heart LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

A103

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

Giselle Noack

Thursday May 29, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A103

Wellness

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Subject Classroom Management
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, FLEX, GT

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

B107

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

Melinda Jones

Hunter Meroney

Science Teacher

Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B107

Cross-disciplinary

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Subject Academic Disucssion
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, FLEX, GT

1:00pm CDT

Desmos in Math and Science LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm 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

Keely Hulme

Math Instructional Specialist, Aledo ISD

Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
A103

Cross-disciplinary

Audience 6th-8th, 9th-12th
Subject Science, Math
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, FLEX, GT

1:00pm CDT

Tiny Thinkers-Academic Discussion LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

A107

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.

Speakers

Kendall Ferguson

Megan Hutson

Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
A107

Cross-disciplinary

Audience PreK-2nd
Subject Academic Disucssion
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

1:00pm CDT

Beyond the Basics - The Three Es of Extensions LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

B108

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

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 →

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

Differentiation

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Subject Extensions
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, FLEX, GT

1:00pm CDT

Magic in Math LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

B106

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

Ashley Davis

Third Grade Teacher, Aledo ISD

Stacey Roberson

3rd Grade Math, Aledo ISD

Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B106

Math

Audience 3rd-5th, PreK-2nd
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

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

A104

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

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

Reading/Language Arts

Audience 3rd-5th, PreK-2nd
Subject Early Literacy
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

1:00pm CDT

Writing with Checklists LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

A101

Learn how to empower your students to write their best using a checklist!

Speakers

Lara Blanchard

Sherrie Griswold

Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
A101

Reading/Language Arts

Audience 3rd-5th
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

1:00pm CDT

Street Data vs Hard Data LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

B114

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

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

Using Data Effectively

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

2:45pm CDT

Moving Kids Up! Through Academic Discussion and HLQ LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

A101

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

Casi Faulk

Kindergarten Teacher, Aledo ISD

Autumn Stephens

Anastasia Conrad

Thursday May 29, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
A101

Cross-disciplinary

Audience 3rd-5th, PreK-2nd
Subject Academic Disucssion, High-level Questioning
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

2:45pm CDT

Differentiation Stations: A Strategy Walkthrough LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

A109

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

Shelly Morrill

GT Coordinator, Aledo ISD

Liz Garcia

GT Specialist, Aledo ISD

Thursday May 29, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
A109

Differentiation

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

2:45pm CDT

Piecing It Together: Differentiation for Every Learner LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

B104

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

Ashley Swords

4th Grade Teacher

Kami Hilton

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

Differentiation

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

2:45pm CDT

Google Sheets for Teachers: Because Tracking Student Data on Napkins Doesn't Work LIMITED

Thursday May 29, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

B106

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

Paula Vidaurri

Instructional Specialist, 6-8 RLA, Aledo ISD

Tyler Bauer

6th Grade RLA, McAnally Middle School

Amanda Douglas

6th Grade RLA Teacher

Thursday May 29, 2025 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
B106

Technology Integration

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Subject Classroom Management
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

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

Keely Hulme

Math Instructional Specialist, Aledo ISD

Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
A103

Cross-disciplinary

Audience 6th-8th, 9th-12th
Subject Science, Math
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, FLEX, GT

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

Chelsea Cook

Amanda Coomer

Tanya Sides

3rd Grade Teacher, AISD - Annetta EL.

Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
A105

Cross-disciplinary

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

8:30am CDT

Differentiation Stations: A Strategy Walkthrough LIMITED

Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

B110

Speakers

Liz Garcia

GT Specialist, Aledo ISD

Shelly Morrill

GT Coordinator, Aledo ISD

Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
B110

Differentiation

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

8:30am CDT

Empowering Educators: Innovative Strategies and Tools for Supporting Struggling Readers LIMITED

Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

A111

Unlock new ways to support all readers in this empowering session designed for today's educators. Explore innovative strategies and practical tools to help struggling readers — including those with dyslexia, specific learning disabilities (SLD), emerging bilinguals (EB), and even gifted learners (GT) — reach their full potential.

Speakers

Amber Jaime

Dyslexia Specialist, AISD--Vandagriff Elementary

Dyslexia Specialist at Vanda C.A.L.P. Wrapping up my 20th year as an educator, my 8th year serving students with Dyslexia.

Kelly Dyson

Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
A111

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

8:30am CDT

Building Classroom Leaders: Data-based Management LIMITED

Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

A107

In this session, educators will explore how to create a proactive, student-centered classroom culture rooted in data from the very first day. Discover how to design a dynamic, behavior-informed seating chart that evolves with your learners and supports leadership development. Participants will walk away with practical strategies to:
• Use classroom data to structure student groups proactively—not reactively.
• Foster student investment by introducing rotating leadership roles and emphasizing flexibility within collaborative teams.
• Build a culture of continuous improvement and positive peer accountability.
Whether you're new to using data in the classroom or ready to level up your approach, this training will equip you with tools to create a thriving, student-led learning environment.

Speakers

C. Alan Landrum

Teacher, Aledo ISD

Skye Lindgron

6th & 7th Math Teacher, Aledo Middle School

Karah Dale

Friday May 30, 2025 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
A107

Using Data Effectively

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

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

Allison Dearman

3rd Grade Teacher, Aledo ISD

Catherine Clay

Stefanie Story

Friday May 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A103

Cross-disciplinary

Audience 3rd-5th
Subject Reading/Language Arts, Social Studies
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

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

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.

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 →

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

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Subject High-level Questioning
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, FLEX, GT

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

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

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th
Subject Reading/Language Arts, Social Studies
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, FLEX, ESL, GT

10:15am CDT

Choice Boards That Work: Make, Take, and Differentiate! LIMITED

Friday May 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

B107

Calling all primary teachers! Join us for a fun, hands-on professional learning session designed to spark creativity and empower your teaching practice. This Make & Take workshop is all about Differentiation, Extensions, and Choice Boards—and you’ll leave with ready-to-use tools that meet the diverse needs of your students from day one!
Whether you're looking to challenge high-flyers, support your little learners, or offer more student voice and choice, this session is packed with practical ideas, customizable templates, and engaging activities you can take straight back to your classroom.
Be ready to collaborate with colleagues as you differentiate, extend, and ignite learning together—see you there!

Speakers

Stacey Utley

1st Grade Teacher

Jennifer Sarvis

1st Grade Teacher

Friday May 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B107

Differentiation

Audience PreK-2nd
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

10:15am CDT

Simplifying Progress Tracking via Student Goal-Setting LIMITED

Friday May 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

A109

Do you find it hard to progress monitor for your students to identify specific needs and celebrate success? Come ready to build some goal-setting templates that you can use to empower your students to track their own progress.

Speakers

Loryn Windwehen

Associate Principal, Aledo High School

Friday May 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A109

Differentiation

Audience 6th-8th, 9th-12th
Subject Goal Setting
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

10:15am CDT

Google Sheets for Teachers: Because Tracking Student Data on Napkins Doesn't Work LIMITED

Friday May 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

B106

Speakers

Tyler Bauer

6th Grade RLA, McAnally Middle School

Amanda Douglas

6th Grade RLA Teacher

Paula Vidaurri

Instructional Specialist, 6-8 RLA, Aledo ISD

Friday May 30, 2025 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B106

Technology Integration

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Subject Classroom Management
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

1:00pm CDT

Light Up the Learning Brain LIMITED

Friday May 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

B107

What if you had both an understanding of the real root of negative behavior and the right tools to do something about it?!
All educators are aware of the alarming increase in behavioral disruptions in school settings. Often less understood is the critical role that the brain plays in shaping all behavior, including the challenges we face in our classrooms and beyond. Blending the latest neuroscience with practical classroom/school application, this course will be your guide to wake up the creative, curious, problem-solving "upstairs" brain of our students, staff, and even those we interact with in our personal lives.
~ Based on the book by Jessica Sinarski

Speakers

Kelly Daves

8th grade Science Teacher, Aledo ISD

Friday May 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B107

Behavior Management

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd, Administrators
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, FLEX, GT

1:00pm CDT

Supporting Students with Active Neuro-Minds (ADHD): Strategies for Engaging Minds & Bodies LIMITED

Friday May 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

A107

In this session, educators will gain practical tools and strategies to effectively support K-12 students with active-neuro minds (ADHD) in the school setting. Participants will explore the unique ways these learners process information, regulate emotions, and engage with their environment. The session will focus on understanding how the ADHD brain works, identifying common challenges faced by these students, and implementing proactive supports to foster academic and social success.

Educators will leave equipped with evidence-based strategies for classroom management, flexible instruction, and physical movement integration to help these students thrive. Join us to discover how engaging both the mind and body can transform learning experiences for students with active-neuro minds.

Speakers

Axelle Brown

Amy Rankin

Occupational Therapist, Aledo ISD

I am have been a occupational therapist for 12 years with my primary focus of practice with a pediatric population. Where I have provided occupational therapy services in a pediatric hospital setting, home health setting, and school-based setting. I have served as a school based occupational... Read More →

Friday May 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
A107

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Credit 1.5hr, CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

1:00pm CDT

AI’m on It: Using AI to Develop Literacy Resources LIMITED

Friday May 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

B106

In this hands-on session, educators will explore how AI can streamline the creation of effective literacy intervention materials and interactive learning tools. Participants will learn to generate differentiated reading passages and adaptive activities that meet diverse student needs. The session will also introduce AI-powered tools for teachers and students, including automated feedback systems and interactive discussion aids. By the end, attendees will leave with practical strategies and ready-to-use AI-generated resources that can enhance literacy instruction with efficiency and creativity.

Speakers