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

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

Teachers know that students learn best when group sizes are smaller! With class sizes increasing, small groups are a wonderful way to structure your classes and see increased engagement and comprehension! Come to this session to learn:
How to form your small groups
How to create a routine for small groups
Structuring small group mini-lessons
How to engage students NOT in a small group

Presenters

Natalia Vasquez

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
Rm. 1110 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, ELA

Audience Secondary
TOPIC Instructional Strategies

8:30am CDT

Differentiation Strategies for Gifted Learners (K-2)

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

Rm. 1103 - 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

Laura Taylor-Dunn

GT Specialist K-5, Curtis Elementary, Northwest ISD

Stacy Pickett

Gifted and Talented Specialist, Northwest ISD

Tricia Hanson

Gifted and Talented Specialist, Northwest ISD

Wednesday July 22, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
Rm. 1103 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, ELA | Instruction, ELA

Audience Elementary
TOPIC GT Update

10:15am CDT

Notice and Note: Fiction Signposts

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

Rm. 1203 - Northwest High School

Great readers, like great athletes, know what to watch for — and the Fiction Signposts from the Notice and Note series by Kylene Beers and Bob Probst give students exactly that edge when tackling literary texts. In this session, we'll break down each signpost and explore ready-to-use strategies for coaching students to read with intention and analyze an author's purpose like a pro.

Presenters

Melissa Garcia

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
Rm. 1203 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Instruction, ELA | Planning, ELA

Audience Elementary
TOPIC Instructional Strategies

10:15am CDT

Differentiation Strategies for Gifted Learners (3-5 ELA)

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

Rm. 803 - 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

Heather Martin

GT Specialist

I am a 23 year experienced teacher having taught grades K-5. I have been, both, departmentalized (ELA/SS) and self-contained, and have served as a Dyslexia Specialist. I am currently a Gifted and Talented Specialist at Hughes Elementary.

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 →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
Rm. 803 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, ELA | Instruction, ELA