2024 Great Ideas in Education Conference

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.

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.

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!

This session explores the concept of "Thin Slicing," which delineates a sequential progression of a lesson from prior knowledge to grade level standard. Learn how to quickly gather insights into student thinking through targeted tasks and observations. Discover how Thin Slicing can inform your instruction, differentiate learning, and propel students towards deeper mathematical understanding. Math teachers will experience and work together to create thin sliced lessons. They will collaborate on how to launch the lesson and provide tasks that increase rigor and ability to avoid frustrations and boredom while instilling perseverance and patience.

Modern artificial intelligence tools present both challenges and benefits to classrooms across the academic spectrum. This session is intended primarily for K-12 classroom teachers and curriculum leaders in all subject areas. Presenters will provide a brief look at the current state and capability of popular software tools and then discuss both the potential positive and the potential negative impacts of these capabilities. Best practices from national organizations and from other states’ efforts will be described, covering hot topics such as academic integrity, inquiry, and immediacy of feedback. A significant portion of the session will be reserved for discussion of attendees’ key concerns.

Secondary Teachers/Instructional Coaches