The Inventors Project

This presentation explores the integration of The Inventor’s Projects into both in-school and after-school STEM programming to support alignment with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Designed to spark creativity, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving, The Inventor’s Projects offer hands-on, interdisciplinary challenges that empower students to think like engineers and innovators. By embedding these projects into core science instruction and extending them into enrichment settings, schools can bridge the gap between academic content and practical application.  The presentation will showcase how educators can leverage the NGSS’s emphasis on Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs), Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs), and Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) to design meaningful project-based learning experiences. Specific examples will highlight student-driven design challenges that incorporate phenomena-based instruction, prototyping, data collection, and iteration. Attendees will gain insight into implementation strategies that support diverse learners, promote collaboration, and build STEM identity—especially among underrepresented populations.  In addition, the session will examine how after-school programs can serve as innovation labs, allowing students more time and flexibility to develop inventions and prepare for school showcases or local STEM fairs. Practical tools, alignment maps, and assessment rubrics will be shared to ensure continuity between school-day instruction and extended learning opportunities.  By the end of the session, participants will understand how The Inventor’s Projects can serve as a catalyst for deeper NGSS-aligned instruction, increased student engagement, and a stronger STEM culture in schools. This presentation is ideal for K–12 educators, STEM coordinators, and after-school program leaders seeking to elevate their instructional impact.

Building Connected Schools by Connecting Teachers through Reading

In today’s educational landscape, fostering strong, supportive communities among staff is essential to promoting the mental health and well-being of both educators and students. This presentation will explore how creating a culture of connection through shared reading can transform school environments and strengthen student support systems. Since 2021, I have led "Reading Rocks," a vibrant middle school staff book club that brings together educators across disciplines to engage with diverse authors and genres.  This initiative has grown beyond a book club to become a cornerstone of community-building within our school. Through lively discussions, shared experiences, and social outings—including trips to renowned libraries in New York City and author visits—we have fostered meaningful friendships and a deeper sense of belonging among staff. Additionally, I will highlight our district-wide book club focused on social justice themes, which unites educators across schools in important conversations about equity and inclusion. Complementing this is our women’s leadership book club, designed to empower female administrators through targeted reading and dialogue. Together, these reading communities support a culture of empathy, collaboration, and resilience. By connecting staff through literature, we are better equipped to nurture student mental health and create a positive, inclusive school climate. Attendees will gain practical strategies for starting and sustaining similar initiatives in their own schools and districts, demonstrating how the simple act of reading together can build stronger, more connected educational communities.

Living Heroically: Aligning Identity and Goals for Meaningful Growth

This 60-minute interactive session introduces the Heroic Public Benefit Corporation’s framework for choosing identities and setting goals aligned with them. Participants will reflect on their most meaningful roles, connect them to actionable goals, and learn strategies for sustaining growth through small, repeatable habits. Blending reflection, practice, and group discussion, this workshop equips participants with a practical roadmap to live and lead with greater clarity, purpose, and resilience.

Implementing Phonemic Awareness at Every Tier

One of the most critical and sometimes least practiced component of early literacy instruction is Phonemic Awareness. PA is the awareness of the sounds that make up spoken words. In this workshop, teachers will learn how to assess, score and implement phonemic awareness practice in their classrooms.  Teachers will participate in hands on activities to bring back to the classroom to work with their students. 

Thinking Design: An Intentional Framework for AI in the Classroom

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept—it is part of the reality our students are graduating into. As educators, our challenge is not to avoid AI but to harness it as a tool for fostering curiosity, equity, and critical thinking. This session introduces a practical framework for teachers to intentionally design classroom tasks that keep student reasoning at the center while making space for AI as a partner in learning.  At the heart of our approach is the AI Use Scale—a task-based model that clarifies when and how students may engage with AI: no AI use, pre-task support, during-task collaboration, or post-task reflection. This scale shifts the focus from compliance (“Did you use AI?”) to intentionality (“How did you use AI to support your learning?”). Teachers remain the designers of learning experiences, while students become decision-makers who evaluate, critique, and extend machine reasoning against their own.  Drawing from student focus groups, teacher leader committees, and classroom pilots, we’ll share strategies and examples that illustrate how AI misuse is often less about dishonesty and more about engagement, relevance, and trust. Participants will leave with replicable practices to frame AI as a thinking tool—whether to spark discussion, deepen analysis, or extend creativity—without losing sight of the core instructional goal: cultivating independent, capable thinkers prepared for the world ahead.

Strengthening Systems and Structures through MTSS

This presentation will highlight how strategic changes to the intervention schedule and MTSS framework at Dunellen Public Schools have created stronger systems and structures to support both students and staff. The session will demonstrate how refining intervention blocks, data review protocols, and communication pathways can improve consistency, efficiency, and overall student outcomes. Attendees will learn about how to define and share information about MTSS; improve master scheduling; enhance data collection routines and progress monitoring cycles; and strengthen teacher collaboration and data-driven decision-making opportunities.

Instructional Strategies to Engage Students in the Mathematics Classroom

Come hear Dr. Milou’s thoughts on current instructional math practices, including Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) and daily formative assessment.  We will develop an instructional plan that can truly inspire and make a meaningful difference for all students.

AI - Policy & Practice - Watch for the Pitfalls

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the educational landscape, offering powerful tools to enhance teaching, streamline workflows, and personalize learning. However, along with the promise of AI come significant challenges that educators and school leaders must navigate carefully. This professional development session, AI – Policy & Practice: Watch for the Pitfalls, equips participants with the foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to integrate AI responsibly and effectively in educational settings.    Through an engaging blend of case studies, discussions, and practical examples, participants will examine the potential risks and ethical concerns surrounding AI use in schools—including data privacy, algorithmic bias, misinformation, and over-reliance on automated systems. The session highlights the importance of clear, proactive school and district policies that guide AI adoption while prioritizing student safety, equity, and academic integrity.    Attendees will explore model AI use policies, discuss real-world scenarios, and consider how to develop guidelines that balance innovation with caution. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to inform classroom practices, staff expectations, and district-level decision-making.    Whether you’re an administrator or teacher leader, this session is designed to help you stay ahead of emerging issues while fostering a culture of thoughtful, ethical, and policy-aligned AI use in your school community. 

Innovative AI Solutions in Speech Pathology and Assistive Technology

This presentation aims to explore the transformative impact of AI on speech pathology and assistive technology. Key objectives include examining AI-enhanced speech therapy tools, intelligent assistive technologies for communication, and AI-powered AAC devices. Additionally, the session will discuss strategies for integrating AI in special education, future trends in AI and speech pathology, collaborative approaches to AI and AT implementation, and ethical considerations in using AI for speech pathology.

Trauma in NJ Schools: Exploring Activation & Self- Regulation Strategies

This will be a shortened and adapted version of our Trauma Savvy School Culture training, putting more of a focus on trends in NJ schools post-Covid. This workshop intends to offer participants the opportunity to examine the many ways Trauma ‘shows up’ in our school environments. We’ll briefly discuss the autonomic nervous system, and the physical reactions our bodies have when a threat is perceived. Participants will view a short video (1:44 minutes) titled The Brain on Trauma with Catava Burton, and look at Dr. Dan Siegel’s Hand Model of the Brain to better visualize how trauma impacts brain function and learning. We’ll discuss how fight, flight, freeze and fawn can look differently depending on the individual. We’ll conclude by reviewing policies and norms educators can utilize to minimize the instances of activation in their classrooms. I’ll include data sourced from national experts and practitioners like Joe Brummer, Gabor Mate, Dr. Bruce Perry and Dr. Dana E. Crawford. I’ll also include information about the New Jersey State Bar Foundation’s free professional development workshops for teachers, and the Foundation’s upcoming spring conferences and public programs at the Law Center. The format of this presentation will require an overhead projector to display a PowerPoint. Opportunities for group discussion will break up the lecture style of the presentation; participants will share their favorite self-regulation strategies. All participants will receive a folder with an information packet to compliment the presentation, a list of external resources, and a trifold brochure listing the Foundation’s offerings.

 Architects of Inquiry: Designing an Environment for Student-Led Thinking

Join us as we become the architects of ideas in our classrooms. We’ll transcend traditional teaching methods and uncover how every aspect of the learning environment—from the furniture to the walls—can be a tool to propel student thinking. Historically, the basic design of a classroom has remained unchanged for over a century, yet we expect our students' thinking to evolve and adapt. Desks in rows were created for a system of passive knowledge reception. In contrast, organizations like Meteor Education champion flexible learning environments that foster collaboration and engagement, with a mission to design spaces that accelerate student learning. This approach revolutionizes Tier 1 instruction, ensuring that our core teaching meets the needs of the majority of our diverse learners and seamlessly integrates Tier 2 interventions within the classroom.We will explore how to use the physical environment to our advantage, moving beyond the traditional desk-and-chair setup and using tools like vertical, non-permanent surfaces and randomized student groups. This strategic use of the physical environment breaks down social barriers and fosters a culture of active, student-led discovery. It's time to build a classroom where students don't just consume knowledge—they create it.

AI-Powered Math Instruction: Transforming Learning with Snorkl

Artificial intelligence is transforming education, yet math teachers often wonder how it applies to their classrooms beyond worksheet generation.  This practical session demonstrates how math teachers can leverage AI tools, particularly Snorkl, to enhance instruction and deepen student understanding. Snorkl (not to be confused with another AI platform, Snorkel) approaches AI from another direction.  It operates more like Flipgrid, where students record their explanations along with their solutions.  The AI creates a chat where it responds to the student's spoken and written explanations with compliments and critiques to enhance the work.  Students can then resubmit to address gaps in their work.  The free library of premade questions offers many starting points for teachers to incorporate into their instruction.  We'll explore concrete strategies for using Snorkl to differentiate instruction, identify misconceptions instantly, and provide targeted interventions that accelerate learning. The session showcases real math classroom applications across K–12, from foundational arithmetic to BC Calculus. Attendees will experience how Snorkl's conversational AI feedback creates a responsive learning environment that builds student confidence and mastery.  Participants will be able to participate as students and look at the teacher dashboard features. We'll address essential considerations, including maintaining mathematical rigor and balancing AI assistance with the development of critical thinking. Participants will leave with implementation strategies, best practices for integrating Snorkl into existing curriculum, and actionable plans for using AI to transform their math instruction. All while preserving the teacher's irreplaceable role in fostering mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills.

Riding Out the Storm: Managing Emotional Intensity in Students

Today’s students, especially gifted and twice-exceptional individuals, are marked by their intensity, particularly their emotional intensity.  These emotional outbursts can be very disruptive and dysregulating to the students, as well as their peers, parents, teachers, and community supports.  This session will focus on the psychology and neuroscience behind emotional intensity and give concrete, accessible techniques that will allow for the development of self-regulation skills.

Plan, Create, Educate: Transform Your Teaching with Canva & AI

In today's educational landscape, visual engagement and creative content are key to student connection and learning. This presentation introduces teachers to Canva and CanvaAI as powerful, user-friendly tools for enhancing classroom instruction. Attendees will discover how Canva can be used to quickly design impactful lesson visuals, infographics, worksheets, presentations, and student projects—no design experience required. With CanvaAI, educators can take this further by generating ideas, automating text creation, and streamlining content production to save time and boost productivity. The session will showcase real classroom examples, offer step-by-step demonstrations, and highlight time-saving tips for daily use. Participants will leave equipped with practical strategies to integrate Canva and CanvaAI into their teaching toolkit.

Rest to Rise: Nighttime Routines that Power Your Day

As educators, we often focus on lesson plans, online training, speech sessions, counseling, meetings, and student needs, but rarely on the routines that shape our own well-being. Rest to Rise is a transformative workshop that reframes rest not as a luxury, but as an essential tool for mental health, resilience and energized educational experience. This session invites educators to examine how nighttime habits directly impact morning energy, mood, and productivity. You'll discover how intentional rest serves as both self-care and resistance against burnout culture, where exhaustion is often worn like a badge of honor. Through guided reflection activities, we'll design routines that reduce anxiety, create calm transitions and cultivate practices of radical rest. From setting up your environment for sleep success, to incorporating rituals that restore your body and mind, this workshop will equip you with strategies that ensure you wake up not drained, but ready to rise. You'll leave with a plan to protect your evenings, reset your nervous system, and align your nights with the energized , joyful mornings you deserve.

The Science of Acceleration: Leveraging High Dosage Tutoring to Shift the MTSS Curve

Despite years of investment in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), many districts find that their intervention data never truly “moves.” Yet there have been recent "bright spots" nationwide where districts have found success in achieving outsized growth, even for subpopulations with complex learning needs. What really works to see true learning acceleration?  This session explores how administrators can apply root-cause analysis to understand which students are struggling and why, then use that insight to design targeted, small-group instruction. This approach truly accelerates learning, from data-informed starting points to grade-level growth. Drawing on recent research and district examples, including those we have personally implemented, we’ll show how data-informed tutoring and small-group supports can be layered into MTSS to reach students more precisely and effectively.  Participants will learn how to: - Conduct meaningful root-cause analysis across student subpopulations (SPED, ELL, literacy gaps) - Identify the system-level barriers that limit intervention impact - Build practical, scalable frameworks for targeted small-group instruction and high-dosage tutoring - Use local data to design interventions that are both feasible and evidence-aligned  This is a session about making MTSS work for real schools—where data isn’t just tracked, but acted on to close gaps, accelerate growth, and move all students forward.

Future-Proofing Assessment: UDL, MTSS, and the Essential Role of Human Insight

As AI transforms education, this session explores how to evolve assessment to value critical thinking, creativity, and real-world application-areas where human insight is essential. Participants will investigate shifting from traditional methods to authentic, personalized, and performance-based strategies. We'll examine innovations through the lenses of UDL (Universal Design for Learning) and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) to ensure equity. 

From IEPs To Degrees 

With over a decade of experience as an educational consultant, I’ve worked closely with schools across the country to support students who learn differently—whether they have an IEP, 504 Plan, or simply face consistent academic struggles. From IEPs to Degrees is a powerful, 60-minute professional development session designed to inspire and equip educators and administrators to better support these students academically, emotionally, and holistically.  Students who struggle in school often carry invisible weight—shame, anxiety, depression, and frustration that can erode their confidence and limit their engagement. This session explores how learning challenges impact mental health and how educators can play a vital role in reversing the narrative from “behind” to “capable and becoming.”  Through real stories, data-driven insight, and actionable strategies, this session will help educators:  Understand the connection between academic struggle and mental health.  Build classroom environments that validate effort and foster emotional resilience.  Shift language and expectations to empower rather than label.  Improve communication and collaboration with families to support whole-child development.  This session encourages educators to go beyond the paperwork and see the person. It’s about creating learning spaces where students who struggle—whether formally identified or not—are reminded daily that they are capable, valued, and on a path to success. Because when we believe in the potential of every learner, we don’t just help them reach graduation—we help them believe they deserve to.

Getting Parents on Your Side

Strong, positive relationships between schools and families are a foundational element of student success, impacting academic performance, attendance, and overall well-being. Communication between educators and parents can often be a source of tension, misunderstanding, or disengagement.   This professional development session directly addresses this challenge by providing educators with practical strategies to build a more robust and productive partnership with all parents and guardians. This is especially critical for reconnecting with families who may be disengaged, frustrated, or wary of the school system.

Admin Intelligence: Leveraging AI to Lead Smarter, Not Harder

In an era of increasing demands on school leaders, Admin Intelligence offers a practical, action-oriented guide to harnessing artificial intelligence for administrative efficiency, creativity, and impact. This session empowers administrators to work smarter, not harder—streamlining daily workflows, enhancing data-driven decision-making, and elevating communication quality across the school community.  Participants will explore how cutting-edge AI tools—Google Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT, NotebookLM, and ScribeAI—can be applied to real administrative tasks such as crafting professional emails and memos, generating observation feedback, analyzing student data, and producing clear, compelling meeting agendas and presentations. Additional tools like Merlin, Gamma.app, and Fathom.ai will be showcased for time-saving automation and content refinement.  The session emphasizes prompt precision and design, featuring a shared library and editable templates to help administrators improve the quality and consistency of AI outputs. Through hands-on activities, attendees will compare responses from multiple AI platforms using identical prompts, explore Gemini’s “Canvas” workspace, and analyze a sample QBA data dashboard created using NotebookLM.  By the end of the session, administrators will walk away with ready-to-implement strategies and resources for integrating AI into their daily practice—transforming tasks such as observation reporting, data interpretation, and faculty meeting planning into opportunities for innovation and professional growth. Admin Intelligence redefines educational leadership through the power of AI—helping school leaders lead with greater clarity, efficiency, and confidence in an evolving digital landscape.

High Leverage Instructional Routines to To Promote Data Literacy

The new Data Literacy standards call for instruction that is thoughtful, integrated, and engaging—but where do you start? This session provides educators with a practical entry point for implementation through high-leverage, research-based instructional routines that take just 10–15 minutes and can be embedded across subjects. Rather than waiting for publishers to catch up, participants will explore how to infuse data literacy into existing curriculum and classroom structures using accessible, transferable practices aligned to the new standards. Through hands-on engagement with sample routines, educators will leave with ready-to-use ideas for making data work meaningful—and manageable—across grade levels and content areas.

Beyond Bereavement: Addressing Non-Death Grief in School Communities

Navigating invisible or non-death grief—such as the loss of relationships, identity, or safety—can profoundly affect students and educators, yet it often goes unrecognized in schools. This session helps participants identify how grief shows up in classrooms and communities, particularly for students from historically marginalized backgrounds. Attendees will gain practical, trauma-informed strategies to validate experiences, foster emotional safety, and integrate grief awareness into MTSS and school-wide mental health practices.

Active Engagement in Math

Boost student engagement and make math joyful with hands-on, interactive strategies for PreK–4 classrooms. This session explores 360 Math routines, Musical Math, and other playful activities that promote collaboration, curiosity, and real-time feedback. Participants will leave with practical tools to enhance formative assessment, build confidence, and transform classroom culture.

Creating Opportunities for Building Student Aspirations in STEAM

Transform STEAM learning by connecting classroom instruction with real-world experiences and community resources. This session explores strategies for designing courses based on student interests, fostering teacher collaboration, and creating opportunities like internships, mentorships, and STEM showcases. Participants will leave with practical approaches to engage students in meaningful STEAM experiences that build skills, curiosity, and pathways for future careers.

Design, Build, Inspire: Bringing Real-World Engineering into Your Classroom

Inspire students to think and create like engineers with hands-on STEAM challenges in your classroom. This session introduces practical strategies for integrating the engineering design process, low-cost activities, and AI-generated real-world problems that promote creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Participants will leave with adaptable tools and resources to empower every student as a problem solver and innovator.

Design, Build, Inspire: Bringing Real-World Engineering into Your Classroom

Inspire students to think and create like engineers with hands-on STEAM challenges in your classroom. This session introduces practical strategies for integrating the engineering design process, low-cost activities, and AI-generated real-world problems that promote creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. Participants will leave with adaptable tools and resources to empower every student as a problem solver and innovator.

From Zero to BNN: A Low-Cost Digital Media Program for Special Needs Student Expression

This session introduces a simple, accessible digital media program designed to give students with special needs meaningful opportunities for communication, creativity, and inclusion. Using everyday devices and free editing tools, participants will learn how to guide students through creating a weekly school news broadcast with highly flexible, differentiated roles. Educators will leave with a practical framework for building confidence, collaboration, and digital literacy through media production.

Navigating Emotions: Setting the foundation of mental health with Structured SELf-Questioning & Metacognition

This session introduces to structured SELf-Questioning, a strategy that integrates this metacognitive strategy into daily routines to build foundational mental health skills in young children (a focus here on self-awareness and self-management). As the educational landscape becomes increasingly complex, equipping our youngest learners with the tools for self-awareness and self-management is more critical than ever. This training provides practical, age-appropriate strategies for nurturing children’s ability to recognize, understand, and manage their own thoughts and emotions.

Data Isn't the Problem-It's the Disconnect: Rebuilding MTSS with Staff Voice

Too often, MTSS conversations focus on numbers and overlook the daily insights of teachers. This session explores how monthly AP-led feedback check-ins can strengthen Tier 1 systems by proactively surfacing issues before they escalate. Learn how one school used staff voice to inform behavior systems, streamline interventions, and improve trust across the building. Walk away with a simple, replicable model to bring structured feedback into your MTSS work — no programs or funding required.

Creating Safer, Smarter Schools with Verkada

A presentation on Verkada would focus on how the platform helps schools improve safety, streamline operations, and reduce administrative burden. It would begin with a brief overview of Verkada’s all-in-one cloud-based security solution — including video security, access control, environmental sensors, alarms, and visitor management — and how these tools integrate seamlessly on a single platform. The session would highlight real-world examples from other school districts, showing how Verkada has helped enhance campus safety, expedite investigations, and reduce hardware and maintenance costs. Demonstrations would showcase key features such as remote access from any device, smart search capabilities for identifying people or vehicles, and automated alerts for vaping, door propping, or unusual activity. A short discussion on funding opportunities, including the COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP), would be included to help districts plan for implementation. Finally, the session would conclude with a live demo in Command, giving administrators a hands-on view of how easy it is to navigate the platform and access critical information in seconds. The goal: show how Verkada can help create safer, smarter, and more efficient school environments.

Relationships First: The Heart of Tier 1 Classroom Management

Effective Tier 1 classroom management isn’t about rules—it’s about relationships. When students feel seen, valued, and connected, engagement rises, misbehavior drops, and instruction flows. This session reframes “management” as something built with students, not done to them.

Empower, Lead, Thrive: Student Wellness in Action

When students are given the opportunity to lead, their ideas and participation can transform a school community. This session provides building administrators and teachers with a framework to empower students to actively promote wellness, belonging, and a positive school culture that prioritizes student mental health and emotional well-being. Supporting students in leading wellness initiatives has proven to improve mental health outcomes by reducing anxiety and strengthening emotional well-being.   Participants will explore practical strategies to guide student leaders in designing and implementing meaningful wellness activities that promote balance, empathy, and respect across grades 4–12 that address well-being. Through interactive discussion, reflection, and hands-on activities, educators will examine how to support students in leading wellness initiatives. Participants will leave with clear, actionable tools to support student-led wellness initiatives that align with their school’s goals and culture.   This session will empower educators to amplify student impact, inspire meaningful change, and build school environments where students are active partners in promoting wellness and belonging.

Mission: Data Possible – Using LinkIt! to Transform Instruction

Welcome to a high-energy, mission-driven PD experience where LinkIt! data becomes your ultimate instructional intel. In Mission: Data Possible, educators will step into the role of data agents—analyzing reports, decoding student trends, and uncovering actionable insights that can immediately impact classroom learning. Participants will explore how to navigate key LinkIt! dashboards, interpret performance patterns, and use item-level and standards-based data to guide small-group instruction, intervention, and enrichment. Through interactive tasks, collaborative “intel briefings,” and real-time problem-solving, teachers will sharpen their ability to make precise, confident instructional decisions. Your mission, should you choose to accept it: Transform data into decisions that lift student success and make teaching more strategic, intentional, and efficient. And yes… this message will not self-destruct—so you can bring the ideas straight back to your classroom.

Creating a Curriculum Impactor: A Hands-On Approach to Curriculum Compacting

This 30-minute interactive session will introduce educators to the essentials of curriculum compacting, a proven differentiation strategy that streamlines grade-level content to create space for more challenging, engaging, and interest-driven learning experiences. Participants will briefly explore the purpose and benefits of compacting—reducing redundancy, honoring demonstrated mastery, and providing meaningful enrichment—before moving into a practical, hands-on application.  Attendees will work through the three core steps of compacting:  Identifying goals and learning standards within a lesson or unit,  Determining mastery through preassessment strategies, and  Designing replacement tasks and enrichment options tailored to students’ strengths, curiosities, and readiness levels.  Using a sample lesson, participants will collaborate to create their own curriculum impactor—a simple, replicable tool that outlines what content can be compacted, how mastery will be documented, and what advanced learning opportunities will replace compacted work. The session will emphasize efficiency and feasibility, demonstrating how compacting can save valuable classroom time while raising the level of challenge for high-potential learners. By the end of the workshop, educators will leave with a ready-to-use template, practical examples, and the confidence to begin implementing curriculum compacting in their own classrooms to better meet the needs of advanced and motivated students.

Mental Health is in the AIR

The Brain is a special organ in our body that is responsible for all body functions. Just like other organs that can get sick, our brains can get sick. This program discusses signs of what an unhealthy brain may feel like.  We will discuss statistics: 1)  1 in 5 of America’s youth are struggling with a mental health disorder. 2) Only 1/3 of those affected are receiving medical treatment for these biological brain illnesses. 3) 50% of mental health issues will present by age 14. 4) The average time period of the onset of a biological brain illness and first time seeing a doctor for that illness is 10 years. We will discuss 12 active steps that students can take to have a healthier brain, i.e. Sleep, exercise, turning off technology, etc.  At the end of the discussion, participants will get the opportunity to spend time with a certified therapy dog.  Participants will receive mental health & therapy dog color sheets and worksheets. 

Differentiate in a Flash: Instant Instructional Tools with Diffit

In today’s fast-paced classrooms, meeting every student’s needs can feel like a juggling act—especially when time is tight and content is complex. Enter Diffit, a free, AI-powered tool that instantly transforms any text or topic into leveled, customized materials for diverse learners. Whether you’re a kindergarten teacher looking for simpler language or a high school science teacher adapting articles for English learners, Diffit makes differentiation doable—in seconds.  In this 30-minute power session, educators will see how Diffit can revolutionize prep time and elevate instructional equity across content areas. From generating leveled reading passages and vocabulary lists to creating comprehension questions and summaries at just the right level, Diffit supports learners where they are—without sacrificing content rigor.  Participants will experience a live demo of Diffit in action and explore ways to use it in ELA, science, social studies, and even math. We’ll also cover time-saving hacks like integrating Diffit with Google Classroom and using it to prep sub plans, support small group instruction, and scaffold content for IEP or multilingual learners.  Walk away with:  A clear understanding of how Diffit works across grade levels and subjects  Practical examples of classroom-ready outputs  Strategies to support immediate differentiation—without burning out  If you’ve ever wished you had an instructional assistant who could personalize materials on demand, this session is your shortcut to making that wish a reality. Differentiate smarter, not harder—with Diffit.         

Curipod AI: Meaningful Engagement and Teacher Feedback

Explore how Curipod, an AI-powered lesson design platform, can streamline planning and spark student engagement in this 30-minute professional development session. Participants will see live demonstrations of Curipod’s ability to generate lesson outlines, interactive activities, and differentiated prompts aligned to curriculum goals.  The session also highlights how features like polls, quizzes, and word clouds provide real-time feedback and amplify student voice. Attendees will have opportunities to try out the platform, discuss practical applications, and share insights with colleagues.  By the end, participants will leave with strategies to integrate Curipod into their teaching practice, enhancing efficiency and creating more dynamic, student-centered learning experiences.

From Self to Students: Building SELF Foundations That Stick

This 30-minute workshop helps educators strengthen their own social-emotional well-being so they can more effectively model SEL for students. Rooted in mindfulness practices from Breathe for Change, the session focuses on simple, accessible tools: breathwork, brief meditation/quiet moments, and gentle movement, to build teacher self-awareness and emotional regulation.  Participants will experience grounding practices, reflect on their stress patterns, and explore how mindful habits can improve classroom climate. The session then transitions to practical, easy-to-implement strategies for bringing SEL to students in authentic, sustainable ways. Educators will leave with actionable routines they can use immediately, along with resources for continued learning.  This session aligns with NJSLS and supports teacher wellness, inclusive classroom environments, and effective SEL instruction. It is designed to help educators care for themselves first, so they can better support their students.

Smarter, Not Shadier: Ethical AI for Grad School Success

AI can make graduate coursework more efficient, organized, and engaging—when used responsibly. This workshop introduces ethical approaches for leveraging ChatGPT, NotebookLM, Zotero, and Kami to streamline research, reading, and writing tasks. Educator-participants will swap tips and highlight additional tools that have elevated their own learning.

Trauma Informed Teaching

More than two out of every three children experience at least one traumatic event before turning 16 (Chambers, 2024). These events are called adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and are defined as “traumatic experiences and events, ranging from abuse and neglect to parental incarceration” (Murphey & Sacks, 2019).  Educators with a deeper understanding of traumatic experiences and their impact on student learning and behavior can provide a more equitable learning environment where all can thrive.  This presentation is designed to help educators recognize the effects of trauma and implement informed teaching practices to better reach and support an often overlooked student population.   The benefits of trauma informed teaching are myriad. These practices can create safe and supportive learning environments with compassionate adults, help students cope and manage stressors, and strengthen overall mental health and peer relationships (Murphey & Sacks, 2019). Despite these benefits, there are barriers to creating, implementing, and sustaining such practices.  In this presentation, administrators, teachers, and other attendees will have an opportunity to consider and address hurdles to trauma informed teaching, such as budgeting concerns and preparing teachers. Using data and the anecdotes of students and teachers, the presenters will provide a model framework for building and sustaining such a program to maximize student outcomes. The presenters aim to ultimately equip attendees with the mindset and strategies necessary to transform classrooms into spaces of safety, connection, and growth for all students.

Harnessing AI to Empower Language Learners: Practical Strategies for World Language & ESL Classrooms

As educators, we are navigating a rapidly changing landscape where artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer an emerging trend but a powerful tool shaping how students learn and communicate. In alignment with this year’s theme, Navigating the Now, this interactive workshop will explore how AI can be meaningfully integrated into world language and ESL classrooms to foster adaptability, collaboration, and purpose-driven practice. Co-presented by a world language teacher, an ESL teacher, and a district supervisor, this 60-minute session will highlight classroom-tested strategies that leverage AI to enhance language acquisition, cultural understanding, and student engagement. We will demonstrate how AI can be used to: Personalize learning by providing immediate feedback on writing, speaking, and vocabulary use. Support multilingual learners through scaffolding, translation, and cultural context. Encourage creativity with activities such as AI-generated dialogues, story prompts, and interactive practice. Empower teachers to streamline lesson planning and assessment while maintaining authenticity in instruction. Participants will engage in hands-on activities, examine student work samples, and reflect on both the opportunities and challenges of AI integration. We will also address issues of equity, digital citizenship, and practical classroom adaptations for diverse learners. By the end of the session, attendees will leave with concrete tools, curated resources, and innovative strategies they can implement immediately in their own classrooms. More importantly, they will gain a renewed perspective on how AI can help language educators meet the evolving needs of today’s learners while preparing them for the global community of tomorrow.

When will I ever use this? Bringing Relevance into the Mathematics Classroom

This presentation will center around two key topics in mathematics. We will discuss various ways to approach application problems. We will also discuss different projects/assignments that are relevant to our students.

Tabletop Role Player Gaming (TTRPG) Therapy

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) therapy, also known as tabletop role-playing game (TRPG) therapy, uses the game as a tool to help people with mental health and social skills. In a guided session, a therapist or "Dungeon Master" facilitates a modified D&D game to create a safe and engaging environment for individuals or groups to practice social interaction, build confidence, manage emotions, and work through challenges in a creative, collaborative way. 

Using Data Talks to Promote Statistical Literacy AND Interdisciplinary Thinking

In this presentation, attendees will learn about and experience the power of a data talk (e.g., Boaler et al., 2021). First, attendees will experience a short data talk (10-15 minutes) which is an instructional routine designed to help students develop statistical literacy by questioning a data representation with their peers. Next, we will learn about the elements of critical statistical literacy habits of mind (Bailey & McCulloch, 2023) or the thinking behaviors that statistically literate folks use to make sense of the statistical message in context. Attendees will have time to consider how they can use the critical statistical literacy habits of mind framework to design questions that help their students go beyond surface level noticing and wondering. Lastly, we will discuss how this simple instructional routine promotes interdisciplinary learning, thus stimulating interest among a broad variety of students.

Lifestyle Wellness Strategies

This interactive and experiential program is designed specifically for educators seeking sustainable strategies to enhance personal well-being and professional resilience. Taught by a lawyer who is also a certified lifestyle wellness coach and advanced yoga and meditation teacher, Jen blends her career insights with evidence-based wellness practices to address the unique stressors of modern life. Using a “coach approach” to wellness, Jen will guide participants to explore: , Key drivers of stress and how they manifest in daily life , Impacts of chronic stress on physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being , The Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine as a framework for holistic stress management , and Additional lifestyle wellness tips and techniques to support long-term resilience.  In the second half of the program, participants will be guided through efficacious wellness practices that can be seamlessly integrated into a busy schedule, including: Breathwork techniques to regulate the nervous system, Mindfulness and meditation practices for clarity and focus, and Movement exercises suitable for a classroom or office environment.

Citizens of the Now: Supporting Youth Centered Civic Learning in the Classroom with YPAR

This professional development session introduces participants to the work of the Civically Engaged Districts (CED) Project and offers a practical entry point into Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) as a powerful model for civic learning. Grounded in over a decade of collaboration between Rutgers Graduate School of Education (GSE), Columbia Teachers College (TC), and NJ public schools, the CED Project is built on a civic learning ecosystem approach—one that views civic education as distributed, relational, and deeply connected to local contexts. The CED Project brings together educators across New Jersey’s K–12 system to integrate civic action research into classrooms, curricula, and clubs, positioning young people as investigators and changemakers within their own schools and communities.  In this session, educators will learn how YPAR engages students in identifying issues that matter to them, developing inquiry tools, and conducting research aimed at informing and improving conditions within their school or community. Through this process, young people cultivate civic competencies such as collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and evidence-based reasoning, while gaining a sense of agency and belonging as active contributors to democratic life. Educators will see a live example of youth civic action through a student-led presentation of their own YPAR project, illustrating how civic inquiry can be meaningfully integrated across grade levels and content areas. Participants will leave with an understanding of how the CED Project can support their local context and how to bring YPAR into their own educational spaces.

Making Science Relevant: An Issues Approach

Traditionally, the goal of science courses has been to teach students the important concepts in the discipline, often leaving students wondering about the relevance of the material to their lives (i.e., why do I need to know this?). By adopting an issues approach, i.e., engaging students in relevant and current societal issues (e.g., climate change, vaccinations) or personal decisions (how much water should I drink in a day?), we can give students both a reason and a desire to learn scientific concepts, while simultaneously meeting all three dimensions of the NGSS, This approach also prepares students to use science in their everyday lives, a skill essential to their own well-being and that of society.  In this highly interactive session, participants will develop a thorough understanding of the issues approach and its benefits and will begin implementation of the approach by collaborating with other participants to identify, for a module in their classes, an issue and its relevant disciplinary content, which they will then map onto the NGSS.  Participants will also leave the session with a planning tool and resources that support continued development of the issues approach.

Community & Connection in the Face of Conflict

Community & Connection in the Face of Conflict: Implementing Restorative Practices for Lasting Change Session Description: As school communities navigate conflict, discipline, and relationship-building, restorative practices provide a powerful framework for fostering connection, accountability, and repair. This session will explore how one district has implemented Restorative Practices through in-district training of trainers, faculty meetings, professional learning communities (PLCs), and new staff academies. Participants will gain insight into the positive impacts of these efforts, including improved school climate, stronger staff-student relationships, and a decrease in discipline incidents. However, implementation does not come without challenges. This session will also address obstacles such as time constraints, competing priorities, and resistance to shifting from punitive mindsets. Using the Law of Diffusion of Innovation, we will examine strategies to build buy-in and sustain momentum across different school contexts. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to foster a culture of restorative practice in their own districts, helping to create learning environments where conflict leads to growth, not division. Learner Outcomes: By the end of this session, participants will: Understand the Core Principles and Impact of Restorative Practices Learn how restorative approaches shift discipline from punishment to accountability and relationship-building. Explore the explicit processes used to repair and restore relationships and support re-entry after conflict. Examine a District’s Journey of Implementation Gain insights into effective strategies for building capacity, including training models, professional learning communities (PLCs), and faculty engagement. Identify the tangible outcomes of implementation, such as improved school climate and reduced discipline incidents. Address Challenges and Barriers to Adoption Discuss common obstacles, including time constraints, punitive mindsets, and varying levels of adoption across schools. Use the Law of Diffusion of Innovation to understand how to cultivate buy-in and shift school culture. Apply Strategies to Their Own Districts Take away actionable steps to introduce or expand Restorative Practices in their school communities. Learn strategies to sustain implementation and ensure long-term success. This session is designed for school board members, administrators, and district leaders seeking to transform school culture through community, connection, and restorative conflict resolution.

Not Just Chatting: Using AI to Build Custom Tools

AI tips often highlight introductory use—leveraging chatbots for brainstorming or creating quick resources. This presentation will focus on the next stage of AI: building custom tools that address specific needs and transform daily practice. An administrator, a science teacher, and a social studies teacher will share tools they have created and now use in their roles. We will showcase a custom teacher growth coach that tracks individual progress and generates personal professional development plans, district-level analyzers that turn walkthrough and survey data into clear reports, and interactive experiences designed around our own district resources. On the classroom side, we will highlight a parent communication simulator that allows teachers to practice responses in a controlled environment, as well as a custom grader that applies district rubrics to student work and compiles progress data over time. Each tool was built to solve a real problem, not as an experiment, but as a functioning resource in regular use. Together, we represent leadership, STEM, and humanities, demonstrating how AI can be adapted across roles to reduce workload, strengthen instructional feedback, and enrich classroom learning. Participants will leave this session with examples of working tools, insights into the problems they address, and clear next steps for creating their own. We will also explain how the process of building and using custom tools can level up AI use—moving from one-off conversations to powerful, customized applications that amplify the work educators already do.

Childhood Grief, What to Know

The only two certainties in life are death and taxes, and unlike taxes death cannot be avoided or ignored. This presentation will provide information to school staff about childhood grief and how students can be impacted in and out of school. The hope is to better support the ~8% of kids who will experience the loss of a parent or sibling by age 18. As school staff we interact with students who have experienced loss, and might be the only part of their life that remains stable through the loss. Participants will learn about causes of death, what experiencing a loss can mean for a student, and how students can be impacted by grief. A personal story of childhood grief interweaves the presentation, which is supported by current professional practice in the field. DIfferent developmental impacts of grief, as well as different presentations of grief, will be highlighted. I will go over programs that can be beneficial in supporting students within New Jersey, and quick tips for staff in regard to not only students experiencing loss but experiencing loss within our own families and social circles.

AI - Administrators' Roundtable 

Join fellow school leaders for a roundtable on AI in education. Explore opportunities, discuss potential challenges (academic and behavioral), and consider strategies for responsibly integrating AI to support teaching, learning, and school leadership.

How to Motivate Anyone, Including Yourself, By Controlling Stress, Food, Fitness, While Finding Balance

Discover what truly drives people—and yourself—in this fun, life-changing interactive session on motivation and wellness. Join Motivational Wellness Speaker Peter Kofitsas, in collaboration with Life Hive Nutrition, your district’s team of Registered Dietitians, for an inspiring look at how your mind, food choices, and movement all work together to boost motivation and overall well-being. You’ll learn simple, science-based strategies to stay motivated, set meaningful goals, control stress and anxiety, and bring out the best in yourself and others—whether at home, at work, or in your community. Peter will also share how the five best foods and exercises can help you reduce anxiety, sleep better, increase your energy, and bring joy back into your work and life. You’ll walk away feeling refreshed, motivated, and equipped with easy tools to create lasting balance and happiness. Plus, you’ll have the chance to sign up for nutrition counseling with Life Hive Nutrition, covered by most health insurance plans.

The AI-Powered MTSS Loop: Using Data to Drive In-Class Interventions

How can we deliver on the promise of MTSS without drowning in data or sacrificing our planning time? This session provides a practical answer by leveraging AI as a powerful co-pilot. We will first model a streamlined "data-driven dialogue" protocol to quickly identify who needs support from Tier 1 assessments. Then, we bridge the gap from "what?" to "now what?" using simple AI tools. Participants will see live demonstrations of how AI can instantly generate targeted, differentiated small-group activities, leveled texts, and scaffolding ideas based on specific data sets. With these resources in hand, we will show how to populate a "menu" of manageable Tier 2 interventions that can be implemented within the general education classroom, making differentiation sustainable rather than overwhelming. Attendees will leave with a clear, AI-accelerated workflow that connects data analysis directly to classroom action, reclaiming valuable time and making responsive instruction truly achievable.

Insight on Establishing an In-House School-Based Wellness Program

This presentation will provide insight into how Dunellen Public Schools transitioned from contracted mental health services to a sustainable, in-house Wellness Program aligned with the NJDOE Comprehensive School-Based Mental Health framework. The session will identify how the district's processes shifted from reactive referrals to a proactive, MTSS-aligned model that emphasizes prevention, early intervention, and equitable access through clear protocols, growing resource integration, and tiered supports. Attendees will learn about how planning, implementation, and progress-monitoring strategies can help a district build internal systems that promote sustainable wellness supports, stronger school culture, and improved student-staff wellbeing.

Keeping the A in STEAM

This professional development workshop highlights the essential role of the Arts in STEAM education to deepen learning, drive innovation, and promote equity across K–12 classrooms. Through hands-on, classroom-ready examples, participants explore how arts-based practices enhance STEM understanding, engagement, and communication while supporting diverse learners and human-centered problem solving. The session provides practical strategies for integrating rigorous, standards-aligned STEAM instruction that prepares students to think creatively, collaborate effectively, and tackle complex real-world challenges.

Ask the Right Questions to Cause Mathematical Thinking

During this session, participants will consider questions posed during mathematics classes to engage students further in the content. “Learning is more effective when it’s effortful.” (Brown, 2014). This workshop will explore the questions we ask, and the questions we could be asking to cause deeper thinking. Participants will consider crafting questions that ensure that students are able to think about the content and reflect on their understanding. Strategies will include careful pacing, pre-planned questions, and peer interactions.

Making Math Thinking Visible: Using Snorkl to Reveal Student Reasoning

What if you could see patterns in student reasoning as easily as you see right and wrong answers? In this session, educators will explore how Snorkl makes mathematical thinking visible by capturing and analyzing reasoning in real time. Participants will see examples of authentic student work and learn how understanding why students reason the way they do can inform instruction, strengthen feedback, and support the development of the Mathematical Practices across all grade levels.

Essential Skills for Every Learner from a STEM/Engineering Perspective

This session highlights the essential skills every student should develop before high school graduation, including time management, communication, collaboration, and a growth mindset, all framed through a STEM and engineering lens. Participants will explore how educators can model mental acuity and support students in applying these skills through hands-on, real-world, project-based challenges. The workshop emphasizes preparing all learners, regardless of background, to engage confidently with diverse peers, professionals, and technical tools in future academic and career settings.

Coming Up For AIR

This session, Coming Up For AIR, addresses youth mental health and suicide, focusing on biological brain illnesses and early warning signs. Participants will learn key statistics, recognize symptoms, and gain practical tools to support students and reduce stigma around seeking help. The session concludes with an opportunity to interact with a certified therapy dog, reinforcing care and hope.

Implementing AI Ethically: Leveraging Existing Academic Integrity Standards to Shape School Policy

Explore how existing academic integrity standards can guide ethical AI use in schools in this interactive session for administrators. Participants will examine applications for student work, staff use, and broader school responsibilities while engaging in dialogue and debate. Attendees will leave with practical strategies, guiding questions, and insights to begin shaping AI policy in their own schools.

Data Literacy

Data Literacy is not just a mathematical concept, but a necessary life skill. Implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Data Literacy beginning in 2025. An understanding of data is best built throughout the school year, rather than as a data unit. Participants will learn how to build visual displays to organize data that matters to students by asking data questions throughout the curriculum.

135 Assignments. Actionable Insight for Classes, Groups, and Individual Students in Minutes

​What If We Could Actually Look at All This Student Work? Student work is one of the richest sources of learning evidence in a school, yet it is rarely examined beyond the individual student. Imagine quickly seeing patterns across 150 (or 1,500!) pieces of student work in just a few minutes. This session explores how analyzing authentic student work reveals trends in thinking, misconceptions, and growth across classes and groups, supporting timely instructional and leadership decisions.

Special Education & MTSS: Partners or Silos? Building True Integration for Student Success—with the Power of AI

This session explores how schools can break down long-standing silos between MTSS and Special Education by building a unified, collaborative system of support. Participants will learn practical strategies for shared ownership, proactive intervention, and communication across teams—enhanced by the smart, time-saving capabilities of AI. Educators will leave with tools to streamline planning, strengthen alignment, and design more inclusive, student-centered supports.

From Classroom to Company – Applying AI in Real Life

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s an essential driver of innovation in today’s professional world. In this engaging session, enterprise architect Henrik Elmgren and AI solutions engineer Angelina Degay draw on their diverse experiences to explore how AI is transforming both education and industry.

Participants will discover real-world applications of AI, including smart automation, real-time decision support, and personalized user experiences. The session highlights the importance of building foundational math and programming skills, engaging in collaborative projects, and fostering AI literacy from high school through to the workplace. Through case studies of enterprise AI projects, attendees will see how students and professionals alike can create impactful solutions—from AI-powered chatbots and voice assistants to video analytics for urban improvement.

Crucially, the session addresses responsible and ethical AI use, emphasizing transparency, fairness, and accountability. Attendees will learn why AI fluency and hands-on experience are vital for future-ready professionals and how AI is opening up new careers while reshaping existing roles.

This session is ideal for educators, students, and professionals interested in the practical realities of AI, and those seeking to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. Join us to discover how AI is not just a tool, but a new form of literacy—and how you can prepare to thrive in the evolving future of work.