Vocabulary plays a key role in helping students understand and communicate their learning. In this session, educators will explore engaging strategies and activities designed to help students interact with and deepen their understanding of content vocabulary. Participants will get an introduction to tools such as Flashcard Factory, Wayground, Flippity, Quizlet, and Mote and consider how they can support vocabulary practice, collaboration, and student voice. Leave with practical ideas for using technology to strengthen vocabulary learning across content areas.
This 90-minute workshop reveals how Transactional Analysis explains why the anxious student becomes more dependent on reassurance, why the avoider shuts down when we offer help, and why the disrupter escalates when we set limits. You'll learn to identify the ego states driving problematic behaviors and practice Adult-to-Adult interventions that build student capacity instead of reinforcing stuck patterns. This isn't lecture-based theory. Through case study planning and scenario analysis, you'll develop concrete strategies for your most challenging students—the ones who avoid, disrupt, dysregulate, and catastrophize. Perfect for: Anyone working with middle and high school students who want practical tools that actually shift behavior patterns.
While education coursework is centered around sound instructional practices, few programs supply a toolbelt of easy-to-implement social-emotional strategies to support inevitable challenges in the classroom. In a post-Covid world, learners are navigating complex social situations requiring explicit teaching. Learners may experience anxiety, depression, debilitating perfectionism, existential dread, and difficulty navigating successful relationships. Educators need strategies they can implement to support the ever- increasing needs of their students, and Little Miss Gifted is here to help! With tons of quick, easy-to-implement strategies, many of which are free, teachers will be racing back to their classrooms, ready to employ new and improved strategies to support the ever-changing needs of their learners!
Gifted Educator & Differentiation Coach, Little Miss Gifted
Stephanie Higgs, best known as @littlemissgifted on Instagram, is an award-winning, Nashville-living gifted educator and differentiation coach. Stephanie is a quick thinking, fast talking, and passionate international professional development presenter who infuses a little sparkle... Read More →
We will show teachers how to make the basic everyday requirements of teaching more interactive with movement and opportunities to make things student led.
We will meet as a culmination of the book study to discuss topics from the book. You will be provided questions before the session to help guide the conversation.
Most of us can build a Canvas course, but is it actually working for our students and for us? This session focuses on redesigning your course with intention, so it’s clearer, more efficient, and easier to manage.
You’ll explore higher-impact Canvas features and design strategies that streamline navigation, reduce teacher workload, and improve the student experience. This isn’t a sit-and-get session - you’ll actively rework your own course with guided support, leaving with real improvements already in place.
In this training, ECSE teachers will get a hands-on simulation of the STAR/Links curriculum, allowing teachers to rotate through practical implementation stations. Participants will master the essentials of STAR classroom set-up and practice the mechanics of Discrete Trial Training (DTT), including Pivotal Response Training (PRT) to enhance student engagement. The rotation also features a deep dive into fine motor instruction using Handwriting Without Tears and strategies for integrating the STAR/Links Media center to support digital learning in a specialized setting. THIS SESSION IS NOT AT NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL. It is at Perrin Elementary, 1073 Canyon Maple Rd, Northlake, TX 76247
In this training the SOAR teachers will begin with a deep dive into Links Assessments, focusing on gathering specialized materials and streamlining the transition of data into grades and progress. The afternoon features a "Make and Take" session where participants will create essential classroom supports, including visual schedules (wall, portable, and written) and Links specific Creation Stations. To ensure day-one readiness, teachers will also develop physical resources such as task boxes, file folder games, and data binders for student tracking. THIS SESSION IS NOT AT NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL. It is at Wilson Middle School, 14250 Sendera Ranch Blvd, Haslet, TX 76052
In this training the PACEE and SLC teachers will begin with a deep dive into STAR SLP, focusing on gathering specialized materials and streamlining the transition of data into grades and progress. The afternoon features a "Make and Take" session where participants will create essential classroom supports, including visual schedules (wall, portable, and written) and STAR-specific Creation Stations. To ensure day-one readiness, teachers will also develop physical resources such as task boxes, file folder games, and data binders for student tracking. THIS SESSION IS NOT AT NORTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL. It is at Perrin Elementary, 1073 Canyon Maple Rd, Northlake, TX 76247
Mote empowers students with tools like read-aloud, voice typing, translation, predictive text, and more. Mote works across any website, PDF, or web-based activity, helping students better comprehend texts with features like highlighting, dictionary support, and flashcards. Whether students are reading, writing, or creating, Mote’s simple interface and human-like voice provide support every step of the way. In this hands-on session, we’ll experience Mote firsthand, preview examples of Mote in action throughout NISD, explore ready-made templates, and share practical ideas for the classroom.
Together, we’ll explore what anxiety is, where it comes from, and how it shows up in students’ behavior and learning. You’ll gain practical strategies to help students manage anxious thoughts, build coping skills, and develop confidence in navigating challenges independently. This session also highlights ways to outsmart common “brain tricks,” foster a mindset of progress over perfection, and create a supportive classroom environment.
Why do some students "fumble" their self-control even when they know the rules? In this high-energy, interactive session, we will go under the helmet to explore the science of the developing brain. Teachers will gain a clear understanding of how executive function and the pre-frontal cortex impact a student's ability to stay focused and regulated for every play, every day.
What we will learn: The "Science of the Snap": A simplified look at brain development and why self-control is a physiological skill, not just a choice. Reading the Defense: How to identify "brain-based" triggers before they lead to classroom penalties. The Coaching Mindset: Moving from discipline to "neural coaching" to build long-term regulation.
What we will do: The Strategy Huddle: Participants will collaborate to build a "Take-Away Playbook" of 5-minute regulation strategies tailored to their grade level. If possible, every attendee will create their own "Brain Break Bottle" (calm-down jar) to take back to their classroom as a ready-to-use tool for student co-regulation.
NISD has been home to me since 2005. My roles have included classroom teacher, parent, PTA member, UIL and student council sponsor, and for the past 8 years, elementary school counselor. I am also working towards my LPC license, working part time in a therapy clinic as an LPC-Associate... Read More →
I'm starting my 18th year in education where I've taught elementary self contained and departmentalized, taught at elementary long term DAEP, worked as a middle school counselor and as an elementary school counselor. I am currently the Counseling Coordinator for Northwest ISD... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT Rm. 1307- Northwest High SchoolNorthwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247
Step onto the field ready to strengthen your instructional game with purposeful visual supports that drive learning for Emergent Bilingual (EB) students. In this engaging session, participants will explore practical strategies for using visuals to clarify content and boost engagement. Learn how to avoid common instructional “fumbles” and create a visual game plan that helps students move the chains toward academic success.
Skip the "practice swatches" and jump straight into creating! In this beginner-friendly workshop, you will learn the fundamentals of crochet by hand-crafting your very own functional coaster. We’ll guide you through the basics—from starting your first loop to mastering the single crochet stitch and finishing your edges. You’ll walk away with a completed project, a new hobby, and the "cheat sheet" you need to keep creating at home. All skill levels are welcome, but no experience is required!
Great teams communicate on and off the field—and strong math classrooms do the same! In this session, elementary educators will explore how to build a winning “math team” (class) through purposeful student discourse. Learn practical strategies to get every player in the game, including math talk play calls, team signals, and structured partner huddles. Walk away with ready-to-use tools that help you coach a classroom culture where every student takes the field, shares their thinking, and works together to score big in math learning.
Let’s secure the basics. This session will be hands-on and interactive as we learn how to navigate the ParentSquare platform. Users will customize account settings for notifications, language preferences, and office hours. We will learn how to create and manage groups to better reach students and families. Using groups, we’ll practice creating posts for everyday communication and explore direct messages for quick conversations and real time chats. Already have the basics? Join us for our other session: ParentSquare - Beyond the Basics.
Join us for a dedicated Canvas work session designed as independent work time to focus on building, refining, and organizing your courses. You’ll have uninterrupted time to work on your own Canvas content while support staff are available in person to answer questions and provide guidance if needed. Use this time to tackle your Canvas to-do list and leave the session with your courses more prepared for the start of the school year.
This session will introduce teachers to practical ways to use Google's Gemini and NotebookLM to streamline planning and boost engagement. Participants will create slides, infographics, and video summaries with NotebookLM, and explore Gemini tools such as Gems, Deep Research, and Learning Guide to support instruction and student learning. Teachers will leave with ready-to-use strategies they can apply right away.
These sessions will explore gifted learners through popular culture. Teachers will watch the movie on their own, complete a short task, and then discuss giftedness through the lens of Hollywood. Visit the GT Update site for directions.
Audra has been involved with gifted education for the majority of her career. Having taught 5th GT, she was involved in curriculum writing and professional development. Upon leaving the classroom, she became a GT coordinator for elementary services in Irving for 9 years. For the past... Read More →
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 4:15pm CDT Rm. 1110 - Northwest High SchoolNorthwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247
Shift from teacher-led instruction to student-driven exploration. In this session, you’ll explore instructional stations and "Thinking Classroom" strategies through hands-on mock rotations. Discover how movement and collaboration can diversify learning while fostering student independence. Leave with a clear roadmap to implement these engaging strategies in your classroom.
Do you love the game show SURVIVOR? If so, bring that passion to the classroom! Come find out how to use the SURVIVOR game show to set up routines and procedures at the beginning of school or how to use it as a review for any time of the year. Come find out how to survive the first nine weeks of school!
The classroom is built on a foundation of consistency, positivity, and community. From the moment students walk in to the moment they leave, our routines help create a learning environment that is safe, structured, and engaging.
It’s so much more than posts and messages! ParentSquare can streamline communication and up engagement. In this session, we’ll explore how to create groups and generate posts with add-ons to facilitate Events/RSVPs, Volunteer Sign Ups, Wish Lists, Sharing Media, and Completing Forms. Using the collaborative Studio Editor, users can create eye-catching newsletters with easy to use content blocks. We’ll simplify the process of scheduling appointments using the Appointment Sign-Ups feature for conferences, meetings, and more. Need the ParentSquare basics? Attend the ParentSquare Basics training before attending this session.
Looking for new ways to support student learning and provide meaningful feedback? In this session, educators will explore Snorkl and Class Companion, two tools designed to help students demonstrate their thinking and receive guidance as they learn. Participants will discover strategies for using these platforms to encourage reflection, monitor student progress, and support instruction. Leave with ideas for integrating these tools into your classroom routines.
