Session Descriptions

The AI Exchange: Crowdsourcing Success [D237] [3rd Session]: The best AI "experts" are often the colleagues sitting right next to you. This interactive session moves away from a traditional lecture and into a roundtable discussion focused on real-world experiences with Gemini and other AI tools. We will open the floor to share "lightbulb moments," successful classroom prompts, and even the "epic fails" that taught us the most. Whether you’ve used AI to rebuild a culinary curriculum or helped students draft marketing plans, this is your space to share what’s working and learn how your peers are navigating the shift.  

The AI-Powered Classroom [D237] [1st Session or 2nd Session]:  In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern education, AI is more than just a buzzword—it is a powerful tool for transformation. This session provides a balanced, practical look at how to integrate AI to benefit both the instructor and the learner. We will begin by exploring "Teacher-First" efficiencies, demonstrating how AI can slash your administrative load by generating tailored rubrics, lesson hooks, and differentiated materials in seconds. We then pivot to "Student-Centered" innovation, showcasing how to guide students in using AI as a collaborative partner for brainstorming, critical thinking, and career preparation. 

Assessments That Drive Growth in a Work-Based Learning/Internship Program [D206] [2nd Session]: This session will share how WBL/Internship programs can build assessment systems that require self-reflection, promote student autonomy, and drive continuous student growth toward post-secondary readiness. Presenters will share a comprehensive framework of formative and summative assessments—including weekly discussions, weekly WBL logs, dual credit coursework, mock interviews, and end-of-experience reflections—that support both skill development and self-awareness. Gain practical strategies for aligning assessments to ISBE's Essential Cross-Sector Employability Skills while also incorporating employer feedback and fostering meaningful student reflections. 

Building FACS Communities - Engaging Activities for Day One [B103] [2nd Session]: This session will feature a roundtable discussion focused on team-building activities and first-day icebreakers. Participants will explore a variety of creative, engaging ideas to help build positive group dynamics and foster connection among students. Attendees will share successful strategies, exchange new ideas, and discuss ways to adapt activities for different classes or settings. The session will also include open discussion time for participants to collaborate, ask questions, and contribute their own favorite approaches. It is encouraged to bring ideas to share.

Business Capstone [D233] [1st Session]: This collaborative session invites participants to share elevator pitch strategies, explore flexible approaches to evaluating team roles, and exchange ideas for effective showcases or tradeshow-style presentations.  We'll also discuss practical methods for communicating with stakeholders and aligning projects with real world expectations.

Certiport Certifications [D210] [4th Session]: Wondering what Certiport Certifications are available for your course?  Come learn about Certiport offerings.  Time included to take a certification test for Microsoft or Adobe. Make sure you have a Certiport account created if you plan to take an exam. Preregistration will take place the week before for this session.

Cooking with the Cheesecake Factory! [A124] [1st & 2nd Session]: This session is for Culinary teachers only. In this 2-hour session, teachers will have the opportunity to work with the Manager and Chef from the Cheesecake Factory. *Please note this is a 2-hour session

Cooking with the Cheesecake Factory - Part 2 [A124] [4th Session]: This session is for Culinary teachers only. In this 2-hour workshop, teachers have another cooking lesson from the Manager and Chef from the Cheesecake Factory.

Equipment of the Engineering Classroom Roundtable [A113 & A115] [4th Session]: A roundtable discussion of equipment commonly used in the classroom, including selection, maintenance, materials, and curriculum applications.

Framework for Standing Up and Growing a Work-Based Learning/Internship Program [D206] [1st Session]: Join us for an insightful session that will describe how Naperville D203 is standing up and growing their Career Internship program. From two students in 2022 to over 100 students in 2025-2026, our D203 Career Internship course is designed for students in career pathways who need a 60 hour WBL experience toward earning their College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE). Explore how our district aligned our program to state initiatives and the many resources we use, including Schoolinks, to ensure our students have purposeful and meaningful Work-Based Learning experiences.  

Gamification in the CTE Classroom: A Roundtable Discussion [LMC] [3rd Session]: Engage in a dynamic roundtable session led by the author of "The Magical CTE Classroom", exploring how gamification can elevate student engagement and learning in today’s classrooms. Participants will learn why gamification is a powerful instructional strategy, examine practical classroom examples drawn directly from the facilitator’s most recent book, and discuss how these strategies can be adapted across CTE pathways. This collaborative session will also invite participants to share their own successful gamified learning experiences, ideas, and challenges, creating a rich exchange of best practices and inspiration to take back to their classrooms.

Inside the Preschool Classroom: Best Practices for Success [B103] [3rd Session]: Running a preschool program within a high school FACS Department offers a powerful, hands-on learning experience for both high schoolers and preschoolers. This interactive workshop is designed for FACS teachers who teach Early Childhood Education courses and oversee on-site preschool labs. Together, we’ll explore practical strategies, share challenges, and engage in guided discussions about effective program management, curriculum planning, and student leadership.

Let's Talk a "Bot" it! [D210] [1st Session or 2nd Session]: Learn how to create a custom student AI tool in Magic School Student Rooms. This tool allows teachers to give students more specific, in-the-moment feedback on their work, based on criteria that teachers set. 

Media Teacher Roundtable [C1120] [4th Session]: This session is for the Media teachers only. This session will be a discussion of the current equipment used in the media areas and also a discussion of future needs. 

Notebook LM [C112] [2nd Session]: Discover how Google’s Notebook LM can transform the way you organize, analyze, and create content. This session will explore practical applications of Notebook LM for Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses. You’ll learn how to leverage its AI-driven features to summarize complex information, generate ideas, and create videos from your resources. Make sure to create an account and be ready to complete a project to apply to a lesson or evaluate a project. 

PLTW Roundtable (IED/POE) [A113] [1st Session]: Get ready for an energetic, collaborative session designed just for engineering educators! Bring your favorite project, handouts, and sample builds to showcase during a quick 5–10 minute share-out. Discover what tools teachers are using in Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) and Principles of Engineering (POE), explore inspiring project models, and walk away with fresh ideas you can implement immediately. Come ready to swap successes, troubleshoot challenges, and level up your CTE engineering toolkit! 

PLTW Roundtable (CEA/DE/Capstone) [A113] [2nd Session]: Get ready for an energetic, collaborative session designed just for engineering educators! Bring your favorite project, handouts, and sample builds to showcase during a quick 5–10 minute share-out. Discover what tools teachers are using in Civil Engineering and Architecture, Digital Electronics, and PLTW Capstone.  Explore inspiring project models, and walk away with fresh ideas you can implement immediately. Come ready to swap successes, troubleshoot challenges, and level up your CTE engineering toolkit! 

Styled For Success: Fresh Ideas for Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Construction Teachers [A112] [3rd Session]: Step into a collaborative space dedicated to sharing creative ideas for fashion classes. Teachers should come willing to share innovative lesson ideas, hands-on projects, and classroom strategies that bring the excitement of the fashion world directly to students. Through open discussion and resource sharing, participants will compare approaches to teaching retail concepts, design principles, branding, marketing, sewing techniques, and more! Perfect for anyone looking to strengthen their teaching toolkit and elevate their classroom experience.

The Power of Joy: Simple Shifts that Make a Big Impact in CTE Learning  [LMC] [4th Session]: Joy in the CTE classroom doesn’t require a full redesign. Often, it starts with small, intentional shifts. In this session, educators will explore simple, practical strategies to bring joy, curiosity, and energy into everyday CTE learning while keeping instruction skill-focused and purposeful. Through real classroom examples and low-prep ideas, participants will discover ways to create memorable beginnings, increase student agency, and build engagement through play, choice, and creativity. Educators will leave with immediately usable strategies, renewed inspiration, and a clear reminder that joy isn’t fluff, it’s a powerful driver of engagement and learning.

Tips for Creating Team Based Challenges [B131/133] [2nd Session or 3rd Session]: Grounded in Illinois State Board of Education’s newest resources, participants will examine the core components of effective Team-Based Challenges- including authentic problems, technical and employability competencies, solution products, and industry partner involvement- and learn practical strategies for crafting challenges that reflect authentic workplace scenarios.

Unlocking the Magic of Canva AI for the CTE Classroom [LMC] [1st & 2nd Session]: AI doesn’t replace great teaching, it amplifies it. In this hands-on, two-hour deep dive, CTE educators will explore Canva’s AI tools to save time, boost creativity, and design student-ready learning experiences.

In the first hour, participants will learn Canva’s AI-powered editing and time-saving features to quickly create, adapt, and elevate instructional materials. In the second hour, we’ll dive into Canva Code and AI-driven activities, focusing on designing interactive, student-centered projects aligned to real-world CTE skills. Educators will leave with increased confidence, ready-to-use classroom activities, and practical strategies they can implement with students immediately. *Please note this is a 2-hour session