2024 Great Ideas in Education Conference

History, Government, and Social Studies (HGSS) teachers in Kansas have created a model for education that has set them apart nationally. Our five high-quality state standards (yes, we only have FIVE K-12 standards!) create an opportunity for our content to be vertically aligned smoothly from kindergarten through high school. Our content provides a foundational component for structured literacy, and our teachers are already equipped with how best to develop discipline literacy in our students. Our unique state assessments are the very definition of “balanced.” Our Classroom Based Assessments have become a model for other states on how best to assess what students are actually learning. With the framework of claim, evidence, and reasoning as our guide, we offer teachers the freedom to create effective measures for assessment growth while being rooted in high-quality instruction. If you want to see how best to incorporate the KSDE Four Fundamentals in one content area, look no further than HGSS!

Join us as we share how an early childhood system critically examined its STEM-focused, preschool curriculum for ways to intentionally embed literacy content in play domains. Guided by the KS Early Learning Standards and knowledge that children “show what they know” in play, educators, the instructional coach, and regional consultant considered how to intentionally plan for literacy in play as well as how to supplement and enhance the core curriculum with structured literacy supports. We invite others to engage with us as we share our building processes, like our examination of curricular read-alouds for purposeful planning of vocabulary and language comprehension teaching. Consider current research for preschoolers’ acquisition of phonemic awareness, the segmenting and blending of phonemes, and letter identification and association of letters and sounds to see if, and how, your curriculum is “framing” such explicit instruction: What literacy elements are visible in your young children’s play? Let’s collaboratively “light paths” together as we strive to build effective instruction!

Join us for an engaging professional development session tailored to administrators looking to enhance math instruction in their schools. In this session, we will delve into the myriad benefits of integrating IXL into your daily curriculum.

IXL serves as a powerful ally in supporting the core curriculum, offering a comprehensive diagnostic tool that allows educators to precisely gauge students' knowledge levels. By leveraging this tool, teachers gain valuable insights into each learner's proficiency, enabling them to craft personalized next steps for optimal growth.

One of the key features of IXL is its ability to provide up-to-date insights whenever needed, ensuring educators have access to real-time data to inform their instructional decisions. Through personalized practice and the innovative recommendation wall, students are empowered to take ownership of their learning journey, fostering a sense of autonomy and engagement in the classroom.

IXL's versatility extends to whole class instruction, allowing educators to seamlessly integrate targeted skills that complement their core curriculum. With a wealth of quizzes at their disposal, teachers can tailor assessments to suit the needs of their students, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

Furthermore, administrators will discover how to tap into IXL's robust analytics to identify students in need of additional support and tailor interventions accordingly. Armed with insightful information, educators can effectively plan next steps to address individual learning needs and propel students towards proficiency.

Don't miss this opportunity to explore the transformative potential of IXL in your school's math instruction. Join us as we unlock new possibilities for personalized learning and student success.

Dive into the fascinating world of Playful Learning in this dynamic workshop designed for educators. "Playful Learning = High=Quality Instruction" will delve into the crucial impact of play on child development, guided by insights from neuroscience. Participants will explore both free play and guided play, learning to identify and apply the six stages of play in their classrooms. This session will provide practical strategies for meaningful data collection and tools for understanding each child's individual needs. Additionally, educators will consider the Kansas Approaches to Learning Standards to align instruction and intervention. Join us to enhance your understanding and application of play as a powerful tool for fostering development and learning in young children.

School administrators today confront a heightened sense of concern for safety from students, parents and staff. While attacks on schools are rare, constant media coverage of high-profile attacks elevates anxiety for communities. Districts tend to have in place good policy and security equipment to prevent intruders from entering schools. What do we do when the threat comes from within, or when our systems fail? This session will highlight how district leaders can use a variety of security processes and procedures to build a layered approach to create redundancy, and strengthen security operations. Security functions such as visitor management systems (VMS), security cameras, panic alarms and door lock systems coupled with behavior threat assessments and good emergency operations planning can create a secure environment for students and staff. Identifying and using resources such as DHS campus threat assessments or crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) assessments can help identify structural and operational deficiencies that can permit acts of violence. Whether its leveraging technology as force multiplier, having School Resource Officers in the building, or simply locking the doors, we’ll examine the importance of engaging staff and putting the right processes and equipment in place to make it all work effectively.

This presentation aims to decode the complex concepts of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), providing participants with an understanding of each element and their interconnectedness. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, participants will gain insights into the importance of DEIB in creating equitable and inclusive environments. Practical strategies for integrating DEIB principles into organizational culture and practices will be shared, empowering participants to champion diversity, promote equity, foster inclusion, and cultivate a sense of belonging for all individuals and communities.

The incidence of children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is 5 times higher than autism, and almost as prevalent as dyslexia, but yet is relatively unknown disability and not well understood in the educational community.

Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) in PreK-12 buildings can demonstrate a range of characteristics and challenges, which can appear not only in their language abilities but also in their cognitive and motor abilities, as well as with their social-emotional skills. This session will provide a broad definition of DLD, common characteristics associated with DLD, as well as individual differences that can be observed in students. Ways in which administrators can support classroom teachers, counselors, and families will also be discussed.

This presentation targets principals and building leaders who want to learn more about how to support ESOL staff, general education staff, English Language Learners, and their families.

Discover the impact of vocabulary on student success in this session, "Vocabulary Matters: Effective Strategies for Teaching Vocabulary." We will explore essential research and evidence-based practices to enhance vocabulary instruction. Learn practical strategies for daily classroom use and collaborate with fellow educators to develop consistent vocabulary routines across your district and/or building. Gain actionable tools and resources to enrich your students' language skills and support their academic growth. Join this session to elevate your vocabulary teaching practices and make a lasting educational impact.

In "School Counseling 101 for Administrators: What Can Counselors Do for You?" administrators will learn how counselors support student success in academics, career guidance, and social-emotional well-being. Through collaboration with stakeholders, counselors create a holistic support system. Discover the transformative impact of investing in counseling programs to empower students and enhance school culture.

In this session, we peer into the intricate dynamics of gender and race, uncovering their profound significance in shaping individual experiences and societal structures. Through interactive discussions and thought-provoking activities, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the importance of openly discussing gender and race. We will explore the concept of intersectionality, recognizing how gender and race intersect and appreciating the nuances of their differences. Delving deeper, we will examine the pervasive nature of stereotypes and biases, illuminating their real-world impact on individuals and communities.

Students and teachers are rapidly engaging with artificial intelligence tools for use in classroom environments, challenging the boundaries of current building and district policy in many cases. This session is intended primarily for district and building leadership to discuss effective policy, guidelines, and best practices for addressing advanced technology, particularly artificial intelligence tools, in Kansas K-12 academic environments. During the session the current state and capability of available tools will be outlined, and presenters will share activities in other states across the nation as well as where to find guidance from multiple national organizations. Current experiences in some Kansas districts will be described. A significant portion of the session will be allotted to discussion of attendees’ key concerns.

Sense making in a science class has the expectation that students think. This session will engage participants in a thinking classroom in which thinking to make sense of a phenomena is the norm, and students are discouraged from slacking, stalling, mimicking, and faking their way through the science content. Thinking classroom practices create the optimal conditions for learner-centered, student-owned science thinking and learning, and have the power to transform classrooms.

Ensuring that your classrooms are filled with high quality instruction and high quality materials is vital. Walk-throughs may be required, but are they resulting in the reflective practices and the educator support that you want to provide? Often teachers view walk-throughs in a negative light; our new tool provides you with a different approach to the process. Join us in unpacking the NEW History, Government, and Social Studies (HGSS) Constructive Coaching tool developed by Kansas educators to elicit meaningful and productive conversations between observers and classroom educators regarding high quality instructional practices, HGSS content and skills, and professional growth reflection.

Over the last decade, expectations in mathematics instruction have shifted, yet many still embrace past practices. How should a mathematics classroom look and feel today? Educators (administrators, specialists, coaches, and teachers) will learn key "look fors" aligned to high-quality mathematics instruction as well as tools to support high-quality mathematics instruction in the classroom. Elevate your knowledge and skills as an educational leader and contribute to the success of math education in your school community.

Teacher retention and leadership development are critically important to the health and sustainability of schools. This interactive session, designed for teachers and administrators, is based on the notion that true leadership is not about titles but rather influence through relationships, courage, character, and service. Teachers are some of the most influential people in schools and their communities and by empowering them to be their own “Classroom CEO”, they will develop a sense of mastery, purpose, and autonomy, leading to increased job satisfaction and retention, which ultimately supports students. Additionally, this session will give administrators insight into how they can develop teacher leaders within their own teams, thus supporting the overall mission and vision of their schools. If you want a renewed sense of professional purpose by uncovering the leader within you and your team, this session is for you!

In October 2023, John Calvert was one of approximately 150 people who were able to go through a guided tour of the 1200 building at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the building where the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history took place. This building was frozen in time, and has sense been demolished. Come listen to key takeaways and lessons learned from walking the building with the lead prosecutor in the case.

This presentation focuses on behavioral and physical indicators of child abuse, how to respond to a child that discloses abuse and how to report. The Kansas mandated reporter laws will be covered. We will also discuss the process and local connections, resources and services, how to support local children and families, trauma informed response, indicators of trauma at different age levels and secondary trauma care.

This conference session aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) within the context of preschool education. By exploring MTSS through a preschool lens, educators will gain insights into how to effectively implement this framework to support the diverse needs of young learners.