Session 2

Executive "FUN'ction 

Room: Keystone

Presenter(s): Nicole Reppert

Description: Struggles with executive functioning impacting your students? Tired of trying the same methods to support them? Move from mundane to marvelous by approaching these needed skills in a more creative, yet meaningful manner! This session will shift the focus to putting the "FUN" in executive function skills for your learners! Form a better foundation of the core executive functioning skills and their relevance to learners. Explore the connection of executive functioning needs to enhance student self-awareness and self-understanding.  And most importantly, take time to engage in executive functioning simulations. These simulations will allow you to share in the process of learning and discovery to better determine what may meet the needs of your learners and be feasible to implement within your educational role.

Grade Level Focus: Elementary Focus (K-6)

Audience: Classroom Teachers

Bio: Nicole Reppert is a Gifted Teacher in Ephrata Area SD. With 16 years in education, 11 in the role of gifted, she holds her Master’s Degrees in Elementary Education, Technology & Innovation, and STEM. She also holds certificates and endorsements in Gifted, ESL, Online Teaching, STEM, and SEBW. In addition to her educational and professional duties, she has presented to passionate educators at the PAGE Conference (‘24, ‘23, ‘22 & ‘18), Creativity Conference (‘24 & ‘23), and ELANCO Summit (‘20).

Click HERE for session resources.

From Chalkboards to Chatbots: The AI Transformation 

Room: Meadow

Presenter(s): Rebecca Smith

Description: Enhance your teaching practices with innovative tools. Learn to create creative and dynamic lessons while minimizing prep time.

Grade Level Focus: Overall (K-12)

Audience: Classroom Teachers

Bio: With 25 years of teaching experience in the Hanover Public School District,  Rebecca is a dedicated educator and lifelong learner. Passionate about innovation in the classroom,  Rebecca leverages Artificial Intelligence to design dynamic lessons that captivate students and foster a love for learning. Committed to staying at the forefront of educational technology, Rebecca aims to inspire fellow educators to embrace AI as a powerful tool for transforming teaching and learning experiences.

Enhancing Creative Thinking

Room: Laurel

Presenter(s): Lindsay Esola 

Description: A comprehensive presentation about a visual arts curriculum grounded in Experiential Learning methods to enhance creative thinking, artistic growth and promote self efficacy. Focus is on Constructivist teachings methods such as scaffolding to encourage long term learning and retention. This presentation will be an overview of an actual curriculum for practical application geared toward general classroom instructors. The project is the Apple Project (mentioned in a book, Runaway Species by renowned neuroscientist David Eagleman). This will be an in depth exploration of various ways to create an apple image, combine artistic techniques and generate the 'sweet spot' for creativity.

Grade Level Focus: Overall (K-12)

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Specialists, Principals, Curriculum Directors/Specialists

Bio: I have a PhD in Art Ed with a minor in Psychology from PSU. My research lies in enhancing creative thinking, self-efficacy and artistic growth through Constructivist teaching methodology. I work at an intersection of Education, Neuroscience and Psychology. I have over 15 years teaching experience. I currently own my own Art Studio, Flowering Fox, in Pen Argyl PA and am accredited by the Department of Education to administer Professional Development (ACT 48 credits) in Visual Arts.

MagicStudent: Customized AI Classrooms 

Room: Juniata

Presenter(s): Kathy Schock

Description: In this fast-evolving generation of AI, it’s important to guide students through proper use of generative AI tools. In this session, we will look at MagicStudent, a free feature of MagicSchool AI. Teachers can create customized rooms for their students to interact with pre-selected AI tools. What would it be like to talk to Ray Bradbury about his novel Fahrenheit 451? Create Character Chatbots for anyone your students are learning about. Do your students need help with proofreading their writing? Enable a Text Proofreader to help them with spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. Would you like to foster creativity with AI generated images? Add the Adobe Express AI Image Generator tool and watch what your students create! There are over 50 tools that you can enable for your students to safely use AI in a guided environment. We will explore a few of these options with you as the student in a room, then give you time to check out the tools available.

Grade Level Focus: Overall (K-12)

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Specialists, Librarians/Media Specialists, Technology Directors/Facilitators

Bio: Kathy spent the first 25 years of her career teaching German. Over those 25 years, she developed a passion for bringing German to life through technology integration. She earned her Masters in Instructional Technology in 2008. In 2021, she moved into the role of Instructional Technology Coach. Mainly working with secondary teachers, she embraces opportunities to help teachers find creative, tech-based solutions to help engage all learners.

Unlocking Potential: Transforming Creative Learning through Formative Assessment 

Room: Friendship

Presenter(s): Dayna Laur

Description: In this interactive session, participants will explore how formative assessment can be a powerful tool for unlocking the creative potential of learners in authentic project-learning experiences. We will delve into innovative strategies for providing ongoing feedback that encourages risk-taking, reflection, and iteration—key elements of the creative process. Attendees will learn how to design assessments supporting academic growth and innovative thinking, helping students develop ideas, refine their work, and embrace iteration as part of their creative journey. Through hands-on activities using Project ARC’s proprietary formative assessment cards, this session will equip educators with the tools to foster a dynamic, supportive environment where creativity thrives.

Grade Level Focus: Overall (K-12)

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Specialists, Curriculum Directors/Specialists

Bio: Dr. Dayna Laur blends her passion for education with curriculum design and technology integration expertise. As a renowned speaker and author, she has inspired educators globally with innovative approaches to fostering critical thinking and creativity. Driven by a commitment to transformative learning, she continues to shape the educational landscape through her influential contributions and dynamic presentations.

Fostering Creativity Through Writing: Personalized Feedback & Student Voice with Newsela Writing

Room: Dogwood

Presenter(s): Amanda Steel

Description: How can AI enhance student writing and creativity? In this interactive session, participants will engage in a collaborative discussion, craft written responses, and experience real-time AI-powered feedback with Newsela. Through hands-on activities, you'll see how AI can support students in developing stronger arguments, refining their ideas, and improving their writing skills. This session will explore strategies to foster student creativity, increase engagement, and provide meaningful, personalized feedback—without adding to a teacher’s workload. Walk away with practical insights and a ready-to-use Newsela lesson that brings AI-assisted writing to life in your classroom!

Grade Level Focus: Overall (K-12)

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Specialists, Principals, Technology Directors/Facilitators, Curriculum Directors/Specialists

Bio: Amanda Steel is an experienced educator and EdTech professional with a background as a 3rd-5th grade teacher and assistant principal. Passionate about leveraging technology to enhance learning, she now works in educational sales, helping schools implement innovative tools to support student growth. Amanda specializes in AI-driven writing solutions, formative assessment, and data-driven instruction, empowering educators to foster creativity and engagement in the classroom.

STEM in Blended and Online Learning

Room: Board

Presenter(s): Lindsey McCraken

Description: Discover how Huntingdon Area School District’s online learning program, BILD, integrates STEM into blended and online learning for K-6 students. This session highlights the innovative approach of offering monthly in-person STEM challenges, designed in collaboration with the Southside Elementary Librarian and STEM teacher, as well as at-home STEM challenges for all BILD Elementary students. These hands-on experiences connect STEM concepts to real-world applications, careers, and community service, fostering engagement and critical thinking. Learn how BILD creates opportunities for students to explore STEM in meaningful ways, bridging online and in-person learning while inspiring the next generation of problem solvers.

Grade Level Focus: Elementary (K-6)

Audience: Classroom Teachers, Specialists, Librarians/Media Specialists, Curriculum Directors/Specialists

Bio: Lindsay McCracken is the Elementary BILD teacher for the Huntingdon Area School District. She has been teaching with BILD, HASD’s online learning program, for three years. 

Click HERE for session resources.