Weave writing practices into math instruction to enhance critical thinking and analysis. Learn innovative mini-lessons that focus on articulating thought processes rather than merely solving problems, empowering students to strengthen their writing skills and deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts.
Didi Harris is a literacy consultant with Smekens Education who brings warmth, energy, and a wealth of classroom experience to every professional development session. With classroom experience in both primary and intermediate grades, Didi equips educators with practical, proven strategies... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT Q114
This session offers an overview of Seidlitz Education’s 7 Steps to a Language-Rich, Interactive Classroom. All seven steps are research-based, practical strategies designed to increase comprehensible input and provide low-stress opportunities for language output and interaction. Participants will leave with specific strategies for differentiating instruction so that all learners within the classroom can build their ability to discuss and communicate academic concepts effectively.
Dr. Carol Salva is a Lead Seidlitz Education consultant and the co-author of Boosting Achievement: Reaching Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education 2nd Ed and DIYpd: A Guide to Self-Directed Learning for Teachers of Multilingual Learners. In addition to her ESL certification... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT P112
Often times we know how to differentiate down to meet the needs of a student who is struggling, but what about differentiating up for a student who needs challenged? This workshop gives 10 strategies that you can use in order to differentiate content, process, and product to best meet the needs of students who need to be pushed further.
Todd Stanley is a National Board Certified teacher and the author of many teacher-education books including A Teachers’ Toolbox for Gifted Education, Project-Based Learning for Gifted Students (2nd Edition), Promoting Rigor Through Higher Level Questioning, and his most recent... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT Q116
Secondary Mathematics Specialist, Central Indiana Educational Service Center
Jeff Harker has been in and around public education for 35 years. He spent 31 years as a middle school mathematics educator and cross country coach. He is currently the Secondary Mathematics Specialist for Keep Indiana Learning where he spends is time traveling around the state helping... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT X203
This is Darrell’s most sought-after presentation. Would you like your students and administrators to consistently embrace change and create phenomenal outcomes? Almost every individual today is experiencing unprecedented change and also needing to drive innovation and transformation to stay successful. Darrell Gordon has spent an entire career helping leaders, teams and organizations not only embrace change but inspiring them for transformational change.
Darrell will reveal his proprietary FLASHpoints for getting others to embrace change. He explains the neuroscience behind the change and how to use that knowledge to inspire your transformation. Based on his bestselling book, Change Does Not Occur In A Flash, starter on Notre Dame’s National Championship football team and 20 year award winning CEO of a multi-million dollar non-profit organization, Darrell will challenge everyone to transform themselves from who they are to who they want to become.
Audience takeaways:
• Why 80% of the American people never change. • Discover the 5 proprietary FLASHpoints that will change who you are to who you want to become. • What is the “in-between time” and why is it so important? • Why is mediocrity accepted in our educational society and how to maneuver past it?
Darrell "Flash" Gordon – National Speaker | Champion of Youth & Social Justice | Former Notre Dame Football ChampionDarrell Gordon is a powerful voice in leadership, character development, diversity, and social change. A former starting outside linebacker on the University of Notre... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT X206
We have learned a lot about teaching students how to read over the last few years. This session will explore how we can take what we have learned about literacy instruction and apply it to the math classroom. We will consider how instructional strategies we find successful in reading can be applied to mathematics, all with the goal of creating an instructionally cohesive learning experience for all students.
Jessica is currently a Professional Learning Specialist with Keep Indiana Learning, a Department of CIESC, and supports teachers, schools, and districts in the areas of math and instructional coaching. Jessica has been in the field of education since 2008. She earned her Bachelor’s... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT X201
Empower your multilingual learners to thrive! This session will provide classroom teachers with instructional strategies and resources to support multilingual students with varying English language proficiency levels. Learn instructional strategies for scaffolding and differentiate your classroom instruction.
Professional Learning Specialist, Central Indiana Education Service Center
Tanika Kinartail began her exciting journey in the field of education in 2007. She started as an elementary classroom teacher before transitioning into a school leadership role, as an assistant principal, in 2014. Tanika earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am EDT X209
The presentation will highlight how MTSS and RtI work collaboratively to create a positive school culture where all students receive the right support at the right time. Attendees will learn about the essential components of each framework, including tiered interventions, progress monitoring, and the role of data in decision-making.
By the end of the session, participants will have a deeper understanding of how MTSS and RtI is used in Pike Township to create a uniform, responsive and supportive educational experience for every student
Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:00am - 11:55am EDT Q117
Secondary Mathematics Specialist, Central Indiana Educational Service Center
Jeff Harker has been in and around public education for 35 years. He spent 31 years as a middle school mathematics educator and cross country coach. He is currently the Secondary Mathematics Specialist for Keep Indiana Learning where he spends is time traveling around the state helping... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:50am - 11:55am EDT X203
There is more than one way to work with gifted students. It is best for teachers to develop a toolbox of strategies that both fits the need of the student and the capability of the teacher. This session looks at 10 of these strategies, ranging from pre-assessment and in-class enrichment options, to outside learning experiences and inquiry learning. Teachers will be able to find the right tool they can use to reach not just their gifted students, but any student looking for a challenge.
Todd Stanley is a National Board Certified teacher and the author of many teacher-education books including A Teachers’ Toolbox for Gifted Education, Project-Based Learning for Gifted Students (2nd Edition), Promoting Rigor Through Higher Level Questioning, and his most recent... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:50am - 11:55am EDT Q116
You don’t need a title to be a leader—your presence and the way you communicate already shape your team’s dynamics. This session is for teachers who are already go-to members of their grade level or content team, as well as those who want to step into a more influential role. We’ll dive into strategies for strengthening your influence, fostering trust, and inspiring collaboration. Learn how the way you show up every day can help create a more positive, productive, and supportive team environment.
Jessica is currently a Professional Learning Specialist with Keep Indiana Learning, a Department of CIESC, and supports teachers, schools, and districts in the areas of math and instructional coaching. Jessica has been in the field of education since 2008. She earned her Bachelor’s... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:50am - 11:55am EDT X201
This session offers an overview of Seidlitz Education’s 7 Steps to a Language-Rich, Interactive Classroom. All seven steps are research-based, practical strategies designed to increase comprehensible input and provide low-stress opportunities for language output and interaction. Participants will leave with specific strategies for differentiating instruction so that all learners within the classroom can build their ability to discuss and communicate academic concepts effectively.
Dr. Carol Salva is a Lead Seidlitz Education consultant and the co-author of Boosting Achievement: Reaching Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education 2nd Ed and DIYpd: A Guide to Self-Directed Learning for Teachers of Multilingual Learners. In addition to her ESL certification... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:50am - 11:55am EDT P112
Implement effective strategies that target the essential Trait of Ideas. Discover how to teach students to develop topics, add rich details, and incorporate compelling evidence. With a focus on ideas, increase not only the length of their writing but improve the overall quality.
Didi Harris is a literacy consultant with Smekens Education who brings warmth, energy, and a wealth of classroom experience to every professional development session. With classroom experience in both primary and intermediate grades, Didi equips educators with practical, proven strategies... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:50am - 11:55am EDT Q114
This is Darrell’s most sought-after presentation. Would you like your students and administrators to consistently embrace change and create phenomenal outcomes? Almost every individual today is experiencing unprecedented change and also needing to drive innovation and transformation to stay successful. Darrell Gordon has spent an entire career helping leaders, teams and organizations not only embrace change but inspiring them for transformational change.
Darrell will reveal his proprietary FLASHpoints for getting others to embrace change. He explains the neuroscience behind the change and how to use that knowledge to inspire your transformation. Based on his bestselling book, Change Does Not Occur In A Flash, starter on Notre Dame’s National Championship football team and 20 year award winning CEO of a multi-million dollar non-profit organization, Darrell will challenge everyone to transform themselves from who they are to who they want to become.
Audience takeaways:
• Why 80% of the American people never change. • Discover the 5 proprietary FLASHpoints that will change who you are to who you want to become. • What is the “in-between time” and why is it so important? • Why is mediocrity accepted in our educational society and how to maneuver past it?
Darrell "Flash" Gordon – National Speaker | Champion of Youth & Social Justice | Former Notre Dame Football ChampionDarrell Gordon is a powerful voice in leadership, character development, diversity, and social change. A former starting outside linebacker on the University of Notre... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:50am - 11:55am EDT X206
When we hear “these kids CAN’T”, we must consider if scaffolds are being utilized to enhance the learning experience. Students who are learning English as a second language respond well to having a variety of ways to interact with content. Learn how scaffolding can unlock learning and create opportunities for kids who CAN!
Professional Learning Specialist, Central Indiana Education Service Center
Tanika Kinartail began her exciting journey in the field of education in 2007. She started as an elementary classroom teacher before transitioning into a school leadership role, as an assistant principal, in 2014. Tanika earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 10:50am - 11:55am EDT X209
Do you teach newcomers and/or students with limited formal education? Many research based sheltered strategies are helpful for language learners. But which techniques offer us the biggest bang for our buck in content or general education classes when students are new to the language and possibly new to literacy? Which techniques propel the learning of students with limited education and also extend the rest of the class? The focus of this session is on our newcomers but the strategies boost the achievement of the entire class.
Dr. Carol Salva is a Lead Seidlitz Education consultant and the co-author of Boosting Achievement: Reaching Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education 2nd Ed and DIYpd: A Guide to Self-Directed Learning for Teachers of Multilingual Learners. In addition to her ESL certification... Read More →
Often times the questions we are asking our students do not push their thinking or even measure mastery of what we are trying to evaluate. Participants will learn how to use Bloom’s Taxonomy to write different levels of questions designed to challenge students and to raise the rigor in the classroom. Teachers will leave with resources that will allow them to begin asking these questions in their own classrooms whether on assessments, assignments, activities, or even day-to-day conversations with students.
Todd Stanley is a National Board Certified teacher and the author of many teacher-education books including A Teachers’ Toolbox for Gifted Education, Project-Based Learning for Gifted Students (2nd Edition), Promoting Rigor Through Higher Level Questioning, and his most recent... Read More →
A teacher’s to-do list is long, and time is tight. Join this session to learn about technology tools that can help to build efficiency with tasks and time. First we will brainstorm the types of tasks which feel like they take longer than they should, and then consider if a technology tool could help tackle the task. We will then explore technology tools within Canva, Scribe, and Google Sheets to help with these tasks. Access to a device is required for this session.
Jessica is currently a Professional Learning Specialist with Keep Indiana Learning, a Department of CIESC, and supports teachers, schools, and districts in the areas of math and instructional coaching. Jessica has been in the field of education since 2008. She earned her Bachelor’s... Read More →
"This is Darrell’s most sought-after presentation. Would you like your students and administrators to consistently embrace change and create phenomenal outcomes? Almost every individual today is experiencing unprecedented change and also needing to drive innovation and transformation to stay successful. Darrell Gordon has spent an entire career helping leaders, teams and organizations not only embrace change but inspiring them for transformational change.
Darrell will reveal his proprietary FLASHpoints for getting others to embrace change. He explains the neuroscience behind the change and how to use that knowledge to inspire your transformation. Based on his bestselling book, Change Does Not Occur In A Flash, starter on Notre Dame’s National Championship football team and 20 year award winning CEO of a multi-million dollar non-profit organization, Darrell will challenge everyone to transform themselves from who they are to who they want to become.
Audience takeaways:
• Why 80% of the American people never change. • Discover the 5 proprietary FLASHpoints that will change who you are to who you want to become. • What is the “in-between time” and why is it so important? • Why is mediocrity accepted in our educational society and how to maneuver past it?"
Darrell "Flash" Gordon – National Speaker | Champion of Youth & Social Justice | Former Notre Dame Football ChampionDarrell Gordon is a powerful voice in leadership, character development, diversity, and social change. A former starting outside linebacker on the University of Notre... Read More →
Guide students through the stages of writing—drawing, labeling, listing, and sentence writing—while building skills in opinion, informative, and narrative writing. Learn how these writing modes emerge within early developmental stages.
Didi Harris is a literacy consultant with Smekens Education who brings warmth, energy, and a wealth of classroom experience to every professional development session. With classroom experience in both primary and intermediate grades, Didi equips educators with practical, proven strategies... Read More →
District Technology Integrator, MSD of Pike Township
Audrey Cope is a District Technology Integrator in Pike Township in Indianapolis, Indiana. She taught Kindergarten and first grade for 14 years and spent 5 years as a Media Specialist at Central Elementary assisting teachers with technology training, inquiry project and developing... Read More →
Wednesday July 16, 2025 1:20pm - 3:15pm EDT PFC Library
Teachers and Staff may gather in the PFC Cafeteria to debrief and collaborate after the conference. This time is NOT eligible for a stipend. The space is available for you and your colleagues until 3:15pm.
