ENGAGE 2026 Professional Learning Conference: Full Schedule

Lunch Options or Bring Lunch for Game Show theme Party happening in the Student Union!

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8:30am CDT

Gifted Kids in Today’s Classrooms (GT Update)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

Gifted learners are increasingly taught in mixed-ability classrooms, requiring thoughtful differentiation that is both effective and manageable. This session offers practical, classroom-ready strategies to meet the unique learning needs of gifted students while supporting all learners. Participants will explore ways to differentiate skills, daily work, and new content: increase curriculum rigor through depth and complexity; and support self-directed independent study. Educators will leave with tools to challenge, inspire, and support engagement for gifted learners in today’s diverse classrooms.

Presenters

Shannon Anderson

Author, Brain Coach, Educator, Motivational Speaker, www.shannonisteaching.com

Shannon Anderson has taught for 26 years, from first grade through college level. She also served as the gifted coordinator for her school district and on the board of directors for the Indiana State Literacy Association. A highlight of her teaching career was being named one of the... Read More →

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
Rm. 1314 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, All Contents | Instruction, All Contents

Audience Elementary
TOPIC GT Update

8:30am CDT

For the Love of Learning (GT Update)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

Lecture Hall Rm. 2604 - Northwest High School

What drives students to learn - not just perform, but truly engage with curiosity and joy? In this energizing keynote, Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC, unpacks the science of motivation and how traditional approaches in schools can unintentionally extinguish it, especially for neurodivergent learners. With insight, humor, and heart, she introduces a new lens for understanding underachievement and disengagement through the core principles of self-determination: agency, competence, and connection. Attendees will explore how to create environments where students feel empowered, capable, and genuinely connected to their learning, because when we stop trying to force compliance, we make room for passion to thrive.

Presenters

Emily Kircher Morris

Licensed Professional Counselor, Neurodiversity Podcast

Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC, is the host of The Neurodiversity Podcast, which explores the psychological, educational, and social needs for enriching the lives of neurodivergent people. She is the author of several books for parents and educators related to supporting neurodivergent... Read More →

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
Lecture Hall Rm. 2604 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Professional Practices & Responsibilities, All Contents | Learning Environment, All Contents

Audience All Levels
TOPIC GT Update

10:15am CDT

Brain + Belief = Breakthrough: Guiding Students Toward Purposeful Success (GT Update)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

Rm. 1314 - Northwest High School

Unlock the power of mindset and the brain to help students discover who they’re meant to be, set meaningful goals, and take consistent action toward them. This energizing keynote blends practical neuroscience with classroom-ready strategies so educators and administrators can:
*Guide students to uncover personal purpose and align goals with long-term vision
*Teach goal-setting that leverages brain systems for motivation, focus, and habit formation
*Use evidence-based techniques to reduce fear and self-doubt and build resilience
*Help students develop healthy daily habits and mindsets that support academic and life success

Presenters

Shannon Anderson

Author, Brain Coach, Educator, Motivational Speaker, www.shannonisteaching.com

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
Rm. 1314 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Learning Environment, All Contents

Audience Secondary
TOPIC GT Update

10:15am CDT

Calling an Audible: Using Improv to Adapt and Energize the Classroom

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

Rm. 1217 - Northwest High School

This session will equip you with creative, purposeful activities that transform indoor recess or tired classrooms to creative thinking powerhouses. Discover engaging games, hands-on challenges, and movement-based strategies that foster social-emotional growth, teamwork, and critical thinking — all while giving students the brain break they need. Walk away with ready-to-use ideas that will keep kids active, engaged, and eager for more!

Presenters

Caitlin Andrews

GT Specialist, Northwest ISD

Caitlin Andrews is a GT Specialist in Northwest ISD with over 14 years of experience in providing gifted services in both self-contained and pull-out classrooms. She is advocate for twice-exceptional students, a passion that has only grown since her own son was identified as dyslexic... Read More →

Lindsey Hart

G/T Specialist, Northwest ISD

Lindsey Hart is a GT Specialist in Northwest ISD with over 16 years of experience in providing gifted services in both classroom and pull-out settings. She advocates tirelessly for twice-exceptional students, and works closely with teachers and other specialists to develop curriculum... Read More →

Cathy Baker

GT Specialist, Northwest ISD

Cathy Baker is a GT Specialist and advocate for gifted students in Northwest ISD.

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
Rm. 1217 - Northwest High School 2301 Texan Dr, Justin, TX 76247, USA

Learning Environment, All Contents

Audience All Levels
TOPIC GT Update

10:15am CDT

Twice-Exceptional Learners 101 (GT Update)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

Lecture Hall Rm. 2604 - Northwest High School

The intersection of high cognitive ability and neurodivergent traits creates a unique presentation that is far more than the sum of its parts. This session explores the profile of the twice-exceptional learner, commonly referred to as 2e, and examines how characteristics of ADHD, dyslexia, and autism blend with giftedness to produce a singular and often misunderstood academic look. Participants will move beyond simple identification to analyze evidence-based frameworks and markers associated with asynchronous development within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). By exploring this dynamic interplay of strengths and challenges, educators can master the dual-differentiation required at every tier to ensure these complex students receive both the high-level enrichment and the targeted interventions they need to succeed.

Presenters

Emily Kircher Morris

Licensed Professional Counselor, Neurodiversity Podcast

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
Lecture Hall Rm. 2604 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Learning Environment, All Contents | Professional Practices & Responsibilities, All Contents

Audience All Levels
TOPIC GT Update

10:15am CDT

PK Critical and Creative Thinking in Centers

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

Rm. 1107 - Northwest High School

This session is for PreK teachers to think about their centers through the lens of differentiation. This will count towards your GT update hours.

Presenters

Kristen Dixon

Early Childhood and Literacy Instructional Coach, Northwest ISD

Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
Rm. 1107 - Northwest High School

Planning, PreK | Instruction, PreK

Audience Elementary
TOPIC GT Update

1:00pm CDT

Writing from Scratch: Whip up Delicious Writing Lessons Your Students Will Eat Up! (GT Update)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

Rm. 1314 - Northwest High School

Motivating our young writers to take creative "whisks" can be tricky at the elementary level. In this practical, you-can-do-it session, you will learn strategies for young writers to add some flavor to their writing. Through demonstrations, video clips, and oodles of ideas, you’ll be excited to go back to the classroom and try some of these writing recipes with just the right dash of fun.

Presenters

Shannon Anderson

Author, Brain Coach, Educator, Motivational Speaker, www.shannonisteaching.com

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Rm. 1314 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Instruction, ELA | Planning, ELA

Audience Elementary
TOPIC GT Update

1:00pm CDT

Math Detectives: Investigating Acceleration & Enrichment Needs and How to Support Students

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

Rm. 1107 - Northwest High School

Presenters

Courtney Baker

Accelerated Math Specialist, Northwest ISD

Courtney Baker is the Accelerated Math Specialist in Northwest ISD. She spent 9 years as a math and science teacher in grades 4 and 5 before moving to the gifted classroom, where she was in her role for 2 years. In her current position, she teaches elementary aged students middle... Read More →

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Rm. 1107 - Northwest High School

Planning, Math

Audience Elementary
TOPIC GT Update

1:00pm CDT

From Textures to Temperature: Supporting Sensory Needs in Neurodivergent Students (GT Update)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

Lecture Hall Rm. 2604 - Northwest High School

Being neurodivergent comes with a wide range of unique sensory sensitivities. Sensory needs are intricately tied into emotional regulation and executive function skills, however, their connection is only minimally understood. Understanding these sensory needs (from all eight - yes, eight! - sensory systems) is key to providing an environment that allows neurodivergent students thrive at home and in the educational setting.

Presenters

Emily Kircher Morris

Licensed Professional Counselor, Neurodiversity Podcast

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Lecture Hall Rm. 2604 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Professional Practices & Responsibilities, All Contents | Learning Environment, All Contents

Audience All Levels
TOPIC GT Update

2:45pm CDT

Bossy Pants, Perfectionists, and Slackers, Oh My! (GT Update)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

Rm. 1314 - Northwest High School

As a classroom teacher, you know that meeting students' academic needs is a challenge, but addressing their social and emotional needs is just as important. Discover strategies to tackle these matters and help kids develop healthy mindsets and coping skills positively. Shannon, a gifted coordinator and teacher for 26 years, has helped create programs and lessons that support the social and emotional development of gifted students. She will share ideas for helping students enhance their leadership skills, offer tips for helping perfectionists gain a balanced perspective, assist you in building confidence in shy students, and provide tools to motivate unmotivated learners. This session is full of practical strategies, mentor text suggestions, and lessons you will find useful for years to come.

Presenters

Shannon Anderson

Author, Brain Coach, Educator, Motivational Speaker, www.shannonisteaching.com

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
Rm. 1314 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Learning Environment, All Contents

Audience Elementary
TOPIC GT Update

2:45pm CDT

Read, Race, ENGAGE!

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

Rm. 1001 - Northwest High School

In today’s technology-driven classrooms, fostering strong literacy skills requires intentional engagement. This session equips teachers with practical strategies and tools to build reading, writing, and critical thinking across honors, GT, and on-level secondary classrooms.

Presenters

Olivia Myers

Secondary ELA - Middle School, Medlin Middle School

Madeline Melton

Secondary ELA - Middle School

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
Rm. 1001 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Learning Environment, ELA

Audience Secondary
TOPIC GT Update

2:45pm CDT

Differentiation Strategies for Gifted Learners (3-5 Math/Science)

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

Rm. 806 - Northwest High School

Participants will explore practical strategies to differentiate instruction for gifted learners and reflect on how to apply these strategies in their own classrooms.

Presenters

Jennifer Casey

GT Specialist, Northwest ISD

Joanna Espinoza

G/T Specialist, Northwest ISD

I am a G/T Specialist who loves to differentiate, find new and innovative ways to help students pursue their passions, and facilitate scholarly growth in G/T learners! I also love creating cross-curricular lessons to make learning more engaging and teaching more time-efficient.

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
Rm. 806 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, Math, Science | Instruction, Math, Science

Audience Elementary
TOPIC GT Update

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