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

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

We will focus on debriefing *Born a Crime* by Trevor Noah. Participants will reflect on key themes from the book, including identity, resilience, systemic inequality, and the impact of culture and family. Through guided discussion and collaborative activities, educators will explore how the memoir connects to students’ lived experiences and consider strategies for incorporating its themes into classroom instruction. The session aims to deepen understanding, foster meaningful dialogue, and support culturally responsive teaching practices.

Presenters

Jennifer Wilson

Elementary ESL Teacher Support Specialist, Northwest ISD

Keisha Gomes

Secondary ESL Teacher Support Specialist, Northwest ISD

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
Rm. 1113 - Northwest High School 2301 Texan Dr, Justin, TX 76247, USA

Learning Environment, All Contents

Audience All Levels

8:30am CDT

Sack the Boredom: Elementary Writing Engagement ELA

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

Rm. 1203 - Northwest High School

This session will be all about beefing up engagement during writer’s workshop in upper Elementary (2-5) classes. It will go through strategies to engage students in discourse, encourage stronger feedback, and work to build scholars out of reluctant writers. This will include engagement strategies, ways to work grammar and foundations into your usual workshop blocks more often, and ways to encourage students to LOVE writing instead of just tolerating it.

Note: don’t forget a charged laptop!

Presenters

Ness Eaves

3rd Grade ELA, Berkshire Elementary

3rd grade teacher with a passion for being passionate, connecting with students, and building reading lives beyond the classroom. Lover of all things literacy, and not afraid to get a little silly to make learning fun!

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
Rm. 1203 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Learning Environment, ELA

Audience Elementary
TOPIC Content Literacy

8:30am CDT

Student Services Support (Sped, 504, behavior intervention)

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

Rm. 1207 - Northwest High School

How to implement student services into a general education setting

Presenters

Jamessia Steele

Behavior Interventionists, Prairie View and 7-Hills Elementary

I was the Inaugural SEAC teacher at Leo Adams. I currently work as the campus BI for 7- Hills Elementary. I enjoy family vacations with my extended family. I am passionate about empowering and encouraging educators to manage challenging behaviors by taking a proactive approach... Read More →

Tamesha Vatin

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
Rm. 1207 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Learning Environment, All Contents

Audience All Levels
TOPIC Differentiation

8:30am CDT

✨These are a Few of My Favorite Things ✨

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

Rm. 1101 - Northwest High School

Chrome Extensions, Keyboard Shortcuts, and Hacks, OH MY! I am SO excited to share our FAVORITE THINGS with you! This is a session you will not want to miss! Whether you are Admin, Office Staff, Teachers, or someone who uses a computer daily, this session is. for. you. Come learn about all the ways to make your life easier with all these magical tricks. I promise, you will not be disappointed!

Presenters

Jordana Kaiser

Instructional Technologist, Northwest ISD

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
Rm. 1101 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, All Contents | Instruction, All Contents | Learning Environment, All Contents

Audience All Levels

8:30am CDT

High-Leverage Classroom Management Strategies

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

Rm. 803 - Northwest High School

Practical classroom management strategies & mindsets that boost student motivation to follow classroom expectations. Delve into the difference between a skill gap and a performance gap in regards to student behavior. Experience a tried and true Conflict Resolution strategy that empowers students to solve their own problems with their peers.

Presenters

Patrice Brake

Elementary Teacher Support Specialist, Northwest ISD Curriculum & Instruction

Teacher Support Specialist for Northwest ISD; serving new teachers to NISD.

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
Rm. 803 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

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

Audience Elementary
TOPIC Behavior

8:30am CDT

At the Movies: Rain Man (GT Update)

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 11:45am CDT

Rm. 1106 - Northwest High School

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.

Presenters

Audra Rowell

Advanced Academics Coordinator, Northwest ISD

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 →

Thursday July 23, 2026 8:30am - 11:45am CDT
Rm. 1106 - 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

More Than Words: Using Love Language Strategies to Strengthen Learning

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

Rm. 1217 - Northwest High School

This session explores how educators can apply Gary Chapman’s Love Languages framework to build stronger, more supportive relationships in educational settings. Participants will learn simple, ethical strategies to enhance communication, engagement, and classroom climate by recognizing how students and colleagues best receive encouragement.

Presenters

Teresa Williams

Spanish Teacher- Tidwell Middle School

Thursday July 23, 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 Behavior

10:15am CDT

Power Struggles in View: Practical Tips for a Peaceful Crew

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

Rm. 1115 - Northwest High School

Power struggles with students can quickly derail learning and create unnecessary stress for both educators and learners. In this engaging session, we’ll explore common power struggles that arise in the classroom—such as defiance, refusal to follow directions, and attention-seeking behaviors. Through real-world examples and interactive discussions, participants will gain practical, research-backed strategies to de-escalate conflicts, set clear boundaries, and foster a positive classroom environment. Walk away with proactive techniques to build respect, maintain authority without confrontation, and keep your classroom running smoothly—no tug-of-war required!

Presenters

Stephanie McDonald

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
Rm. 1115 - Northwest High School 2301 Texan Dr, Justin, TX 76247, USA

Learning Environment, All Contents

Audience All Levels
TOPIC Behavior

10:15am CDT

Winning Strategies: Tier 1 Classroom Supports with Emergent Tree

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

Rm. 1207 - Northwest High School

Every successful team starts with a strong game plan. In this training, educators will explore how Tier 1 classroom supports serve as the foundation for building a positive, structured learning environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed. Using a sports-themed “playbook” approach, participants will learn how to proactively coach positive behavior, set clear expectations, and implement universal strategies that keep the classroom running smoothly.
You will walk away with a clear game plan for implementing Tier 1 supports, using Emergent Tree effectively, and building a classroom team that is ready for success!

Presenters

Jamessia Steele

Behavior Interventionists, Prairie View and 7-Hills Elementary

Ariel Greco

Lynley Phillips

Behavior Interventionist

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
Rm. 1207 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Learning Environment, All Contents

Audience All Levels
TOPIC Differentiation

10:15am CDT

I'm Not Getting Them Ready for Kindergarten Book Study

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

Rm. 803 - Northwest High School

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.

Presenters

Rachel Lawson

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
Rm. 803 - Northwest High School Northwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247

Planning, PreK | Instruction, PreK | Learning Environment, PreK

Audience Elementary
TOPIC Differentiation

10:15am CDT

ParentSquare - Beyond the Basics

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

Rm. 1205 - Northwest High School

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.

Presenters