Educators (teachers, administrators and staff) did not enter education for the pay or daily accolades from society; they are in it because they care about kids. The standardized testing craze and pandemic have terrified students, overwhelmed parents and led many great educators to quit. Come join Danny as he reminds you of your importance as an educator in the every day development of children. He'll remind you how to laugh, sing, dance and play in order to bring the joy back into education.

Each school year, we think quite a bit about the supplies we want our students to have in their backpacks when they arrive to school. However, as educators, there are a few things we need to pack in our bags before our students arrive. In this presentation, Monica Washington will share some ideas for the tools we need to carry with us to ensure that we always see and hear our students.

What is it, and what is it not? The term, Science of Reading is everywhere today - but it's not a new idea. How do we bridge the gap between state and district policy and our classrooms? But even more importantly, what key instructional practices build better readers, writers and thinkers?

Does school morale seem lower this year? Having trouble finding teachers to cover classes or volunteer for projects and programs? Are more teachers talking about retiring early? A poor campus climate where teachers feel disconnected and disrespected drives them to retire or look elsewhere for better opportunities. During a nationwide teacher shortage, isn't it smart to do everything possible to retain your top teachers? This session gives administrators and teachers the tools to determine their burnout stage, identify their needs, and utilize scientifically-based strategies to build a healthy and resilient campus environment.

In this session you will explore how to build a productive, inclusive, and equitable Co-Teaching relationship. We will discuss the importance of effective communication, trust, and respect between co-teachers. We will explore strategies for setting common goals, planning together, and sharing instructional responsibilities.

In this session, you will learn how to create a strategic plan to develop STEM literacy for all students. Learn how to integrate language literacy skills into science, math, engineering, and technology to prepare all students for a future where they will be competing for jobs that currently do not exist. We will share our district's approach to ensuring all students are able to compete and contribute to a global and diverse economy with a lens on inclusivity and student voice.

Are you a principal, an assistant principal, or an aspiring leader currently earning your administrative credential? Do you need a plan for building your resume, gaining credibility, and expanding your professional influence? The Leaders to Watch Academy is a higher-level professional development opportunity that you will not find anywhere else. This program is designed with the busy administrator's schedule in mind. Come see how you can supercharge your future and uplift your school over the 2023-24 school year. Graduates gain state and national recognition as certified Leaders to Watch.

Celebrate the creativity and curiosity of students with the nation’s oldest festival! Join this session to learn how to showcase student-created media and win recognition (and perhaps a cash donation) for your school! Media has become even easier to create and we know that YOUR students are doing amazing work. The festival celebrates authentic assessment, media and information literacy, PBL, and school pride. Learn from past winners and see how you can submit your own student projects in next year's festival. It’s free to enter and free to attend! More info at: www.mediafestival.org

Do you have students who are challenged by the texts that they encounter in their academic classes? Oftentimes, our teenage students can decode texts, but they are unable to comprehend the deep and complex meanings. Join Dr. McKnight, renowned adolescent literacy expert, in this session. We will explore research-based, classroom-tested strategies for engaging students in rigorous texts and learn how to develop a classroom environment that supports reading in the content area classroom.

Comprehension is what reading is all about! Learn how to foster students' comprehension by showing them how to: focus on relevant information, interpret it and integrate it with what they already know. You'll learn how to create an instructional environment that promotes risk taking and involves students in a variety of real reading situations - and meets standards. Your students will learn to focus on meaning as thoughtful readers.

In this session, school leaders will consider the narratives that may exist for student populations within their schools. After reflecting on the factors that contribute to those narratives, leaders will begin creating a strategy to help their schools create the learning conditions that all students deserve. Through discussion and an action plan created by Monica Washington, administrators will leave the session with concrete next steps that are relevant for their school's reality.

Elementary schools have long used learning centers (also known as "rotations") but middle and high school teachers have unique challenges. So Katie worked with teachers all over the country to develop collaborative learning centers designed specifically for grade 4-12 learners. In this session participants will explore the research that prompted the creation of a small group model for big kids and learn how to start using it in their own classrooms. Learn about the four foundational centers that are integral to the model. Find out how to set up additional centers in order to customize the model for any content-area classroom. Learn to create developmentally appropriate tasks that automatically align instruction to standards/skills-based assessment, increase student engagement, and allow you to cover more content and skill-development in less time. Avoid discipline problems with self-directed activities that provide the independence students crave with the guidance they need. Resources, teacher tips, and sample book lists are included.

Discover exciting ideas and engaging ways for turning young students into writers! In this interactive session, you'll learn how to model the writing process. You'll learn how to publish student stories using a variety of approaches. Best of all, you'll learn how to empower your students to take an active role in their own growth through constant written reflection.

Site and district leaders often have the responsibility to showcase their understanding and dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within their school communities. However, accomplishing this task is not always easy or straightforward. In this session led by a former middle school teacher, principal, and district HR administrator, participants will have the opportunity to: gain a deeper understanding of the meaning behind diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); Analyze case studies and engage in discussions about the consequences of specific actions; and develop a greater sense of self-reflection regarding their influence on all stakeholders and society as a whole. By engaging in these activities, leaders will leave equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively incorporate DEI principles into their practices.

Limited hosted bar and light appetizers will be available!

Participants will experience a session of Aqua Yoga, using the pool to enjoy deep stretching and a practice of floating mindfulness. Instructor, Caryn Davidson, worked as a park ranger in the education branch of Joshua Tree National Park for 20 years and has been a certified yoga teacher since 2008.

But while the teaching of written arguments may seem simple enough, its execution can be fraught with ambiguity and uncertainty. In this session, the presenters will provide participants with high-leverage, easy-to-implement strategies to develop foundational evidence-based writing skills. Grounded in the presenters' extensive classroom experience, the activities will provide practical instructional approaches that develop the three essential components of an effective evidence-based argument: claim it, cite it, and cement it.

Understanding the tools we need as educators is a crucial first step, but as we zip our bags and go forward into the new school year, how can we ensure we use these tools effectively? What will they look like in the classroom? In this presentation, Monica Washington will provide some tips we can take into next year that will help us center our students and their experiences for the entire school year.