Embedded Files
The sessions listed below will be offered twice.
Option 5: 1:35-2:15 Option 6: 2:25 - 3:05
Option 5: 1:35-2:15 Option 6: 2:25 - 3:05
Please select one session for 1:35 and a second option for 2:30.
Please select one session for 1:35 and a second option for 2:30.
The Power of Connections: SEL & PBIS in Practice
The Power of Connections: SEL & PBIS in Practice
Presenter: Kim Cottrell & Stacie Childres
Room Number: Pod 1B
Description: In this session, we will explore the critical role that building strong relationships plays in fostering a positive and successful school environment. We will examine the impact meaningful connections have on students, staff, and parents, and how these relationships contribute to academic achievement, staff morale, and overall school culture. Emphasis will be placed on how intentional relationship-building directly supports student success and enhances the effectiveness of classroom instruction and school operation.
The Brain & Behavior: Empowering Students Through Self-Awareness and Supportive Discipline
The Brain & Behavior: Empowering Students Through Self-Awareness and Supportive Discipline
Presenter: Brittani Wilson
Room Number: Pod 1C
Description: This training will focus on strategies for teaching students about how their brains work, including self-regulation, emotional control, and the impact of stress on behavior. The goal is to help students better understand themselves and take ownership of their actions. In addition, we will cover practical tools for effectively managing students who exhibit oppositional or defiant behaviors (often labeled as ODD), with an emphasis on relationship-building, proactive planning, and consistent, supportive responses.
We will also explore the role of the adult nervous system—how our own stress responses, regulation, and emotional states directly affect how we respond to student behavior. Understanding and managing our nervous systems allows us to model calm, stay grounded, and create safe, responsive environments that support growth for both students and staff.
Capturing Students' Hearts
Capturing Students' Hearts
Presenters: Emily Matthews
Room Number: 2A
Description: In this session, we will examine how safe, reciprocal relationships ignite student learning and teacher resilience. We will explore the impact of stress and defensive responses in both students and teachers, identify signs of “Blocked Care,” and discuss the defense cycle and brain based roots of disconnection. Participants will discuss practical strategies to disrupt the defensive cycle and foster trust through small, consistent acts of connection. We’ll name emotional fatigue, normalize common challenges, present tools to interrupt reactive patterns and re-engage with compassion, curiosity, and care—so both students and teachers thrive.
Visual Strategies/Tools for Inclusive Classrooms
Visual Strategies/Tools for Inclusive Classrooms
Presenters: Kristi Peters and Abby Hardesty
Room Number: CTL 1
Description: This session highlights the power of visual supports in any classroom setting to boost engagement, support classroom management, and enhance instruction. Drawing from our experience in a high-need co-taught classroom, we’ll share how consistent use of visuals contributed to student success. Participants will leave with a collection of practical tools, strategies, and visual aids that can be easily embedded into daily routines to support diverse learners and promote a more inclusive, structured learning environment.
Moving from Rules to Relationships: Crafting a Classroom Students Love
Moving from Rules to Relationships: Crafting a Classroom Students Love
Presenters: Deann Reed
Room Number: Pod 3B
Description: The goal of this session is for you to leave with a renewed focus on what really matters: the people in the room. A strong classroom culture isn’t built on compliance—it’s built on connection. We’ll explore how to use connection as a proactive behavior tool, how playful moments can deepen learning, and how engagement can transform a classroom into a meaningful, student-centered experience.
Engage, Empower, Express: Writing Techniques That Really Work!
Engage, Empower, Express: Writing Techniques That Really Work!
Presenters: Jennifer Hail, Nicole Webb, Danielle Kingsbury, Briana Lindsey
Room Number: Pod 3C
Description: Ready to shake up your writing instruction? Join a dynamic team of seasoned writing teachers for a highly interactive session packed with practical strategies that go beyond the page. You'll rotate through stations led by experienced educators, each offering a fresh take on writing strategy instruction—from using graphic organizers and tactile tools, to incorporating physical movement that fuels idea generation and revision. We’ll also model student-centered conferencing approaches that make feedback meaningful and manageable.
From Blank Stares to Bright Ideas: Designing Questions for Depth, Dialogue, and Discovery
From Blank Stares to Bright Ideas: Designing Questions for Depth, Dialogue, and Discovery
Presenters: Kala Robinson and Kayla King
Room Number: 6A
Description: Tired of hearing crickets—or seeing hands go up before you’ve even finished the question? Join us as we explore practical strategies for crafting questions that challenge higher-level learners, promote cross-curricular thinking, and spark multiple perspectives—so students of all ages respond with, “Whoa, I never thought of that!” Through techniques like sequenced questioning, choice boards, and tiered tasks, you’ll leave with a ready-to-use toolkit for designing thoughtful, engaging questions that drive deeper learning—without adding extra work to your plate.
Planting the Seeds: Mentoring Tomorrow’s Educators Today
Planting the Seeds: Mentoring Tomorrow’s Educators Today
Presenter: Jessie Bradley and a few students
Room Number: Pod 4A
Description: Explore strategies and best practices for mentoring high school students in the teaching and learning pathway. This session will highlight ways to inspire, support, and guide future teachers as they begin their journey, helping to cultivate a diverse and passionate next generation of educators.
The Power of the Secondary PLC: Continuing the Journey with Purpose and Growth
The Power of the Secondary PLC: Continuing the Journey with Purpose and Growth
Presenter: Kelli Wilson
Room Number: Pod 4B
Description: What makes Secondary PLCs in Meade County unique? In this interactive session, teams from SPMS and MCHS are invited to reflect, collaborate, and grow together. Through focused discussion and professional reflection, teams will assess their current reality, explore high-impact strategies to increase effectiveness and efficiency, and identify the key conditions that lead to high levels of student learning. Join us as we continue our collective journey—leaning into a growth mindset and strengthening the power of our PLCs.
Financial Health Session
Financial Health Session
Presenters: Toby Lewis
Room Number: Pod 4D
Description: Join Toby Lewis from Thoroughbred Asset Management for an engaging session on building financial health throughout your career as an educator. Toby, a Certified Retirement Counselor with a rich background in both education and investment planning, will provide valuable insights and practical strategies to help you achieve your financial goals. The session will include ample information and opportunities for questions, making it an ideal forum for educators at all stages of their careers to enhance their financial literacy and planning. Don't miss this chance to learn from an expert who combines years of teaching experience with financial expertise to guide you toward a secure financial future.
Get it Together! Executive Functioning for Real World Learning: Part 2 Application (The How)
Get it Together! Executive Functioning for Real World Learning: Part 2 Application (The How)
Presenters: Carole Brown and Rikki Hanger
Room Number: Co-Teaching Lab 2
Description: In Part 2, discover practical strategies to help students manage time, prioritize tasks, stay organized, and self-regulate behavior. Leave with ready-to-use tools that build student independence and improve outcomes in and out of the classroom.
KAGAN Structures for Thinking Skills
KAGAN Structures for Thinking Skills
Presenters: Jennifer Wright and Erica Myers
Room Number: Pod 6C
Description: Participants will participate in KAGAN's cooperative learning structures to develop higher-level thinking skills, including brainstorming, analysis, synthesis, and deduction. You will walk away with easy instructional strategies that you can immediately implement into any classroom to increase student engagement.
Using Book Creator in the classroom
Using Book Creator in the classroom
Presenters: Katelyn Durbin
Room Number: Pod 7D
Description: Want to engage students with an online platform that allows creativity? Join me in this training to learn the what, the why, and the how to utilize Book Creator in your classroom.
Using AI to Efficiently Grade ODW
Using AI to Efficiently Grade ODW
Presenters: SPMS ELA Team and David Phillips
Room Number: 7C
Description: This hands-on session will guide teachers in leveraging the built-in AI tools within Pear Assessment to efficiently grade and provide feedback on On-Demand Writing (ODW) assignments. Participants will learn how to align AI-generated scoring with the KSA ODW rubric, streamline grading, and enhance student feedback quality.
What to Bring:
Your Chromebook
A draft ODW prompt you plan to use in the fall
Electronic access to the KSA ODW rubric
Your Pear Assessment login credentials
This is a working session, so please come prepared to engage with your own materials and leave with tools ready to use in your classroom.
Meade County Public Library Services for Educators
Meade County Public Library Services for Educators
Presenters: Meade County Public Library Staff
Room Number: Garage Door Room
Description: Highlighting the services MCPL has available for educators to supplement reading and literacy during the school year.
Thrillshare App New User Training
Thrillshare App New User Training
Special Note: 1:35 Session is Designed for Elementary Teachers & 2:25 Session is Designed for Middle and High Teachers
Room Number: MULTIPURPOSE ROOM
Description: This training will provide an overview of the new Meade County Schools app and parent communication tool. Teachers will gain an understanding of the app-based communication resources provided. This is designed for first-time users only.
Thrillshare for Elementary Teachers
Thrillshare for Elementary Teachers
Presenters: Allie Scott and Rachel Sermonis
Room Number: Media Center
Description: An overview of communicating with parents via our MCHS Thrillshare app for elementary teachers
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