The number line is the ultimate field of play in mathematics, serving as the foundation for every winning drive from elementary to the pros. In this high-energy session, we’re breaking down the film on the beaded number line—a hands-on, visual model that gives your 3rd–5th grade "mathletes" the vision they need to find the gaps in abstract math.
In this session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of trauma and its impact on student behavior, learning, and relationships in the classroom. We will explore the core principles of trauma-informed teaching and how to create a safe, supportive, and predictable learning environment for all students. Through real-life scenarios, reflection, and collaborative discussion, participants will learn practical strategies to respond to challenging behaviors with empathy, build strong relationships, and support emotional regulation. Attendees will leave with actionable tools and classroom practices that promote resilience, increase student engagement, and foster a positive, inclusive classroom community.
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.
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 SchoolNorthwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247
In this session, participants will explore movement-based strategies for teaching grammar focuses to help students internalize key concepts. We'll also dive into fun, practical techniques for coaching students to apply their grammar skills when editing their own writing — leaving you with a playbook of ready-to-use ideas for your classroom.
The most meaningful way for students to learn is through meaningful and authentic conversations and experiences. Come learn the power of your words and conversation to grow your students and get them excited to write in authentic ways.
Teachers will learn the key elements of the enVision+ topic and lesson structure, dive into print components and digital resources on Savvas Realize, and explore innovative ways to strengthen instruction and increase student engagement.
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, PACEE and SLC 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
Looking to add a new power play to your math playbook? Step into this interactive strategy session where we’ll take a closer look at an underused classroom MVP — Cuisenaire Rods. Through hands-on exploration and team huddles, you’ll learn how to put this tool into action to help students clearly show their mathematical thinking and build stronger understanding of relationships among numbers.
Come engage with the critical thinking of our comprehension & response TEKS as we intentionally interact with texts. Leave with resources, ideas, and strategies to use with any text!
(say it Mc-GOY) I am a certified English teacher who enjoys learning & sharing about literacy, leadership, assessment, curriculum design, & school improvement. I share free TEKS-based resources on my website: www.tinyurl.com/ToshShares
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT Rm. 806 - Northwest High SchoolNorthwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247
Every championship team starts with a strong starting lineup — players who are prepared, coached, and ready to perform when it matters most. In this session, educators will discover how to put their best Tier 1 instructional strategies on the field by leveraging Lead4ward's Think Along structure to build confident, skilled writers in every classroom. The Think Along is more than a reading tool — it is a powerful coaching framework that walks students through the thinking process step by step, modeling how to read closely, gather evidence, and construct a response that scores. Participants will explore how to intentionally integrate the Think Along into daily Tier 1 instruction, guiding students from first read to finished written response with clarity and purpose. From understanding the prompt to organizing evidence to crafting a well-supported constructed response, educators will leave with a full starting lineup of ready-to-use moves, modeled lessons, and classroom strategies that ensure every student — not just the all-stars — is suited up and ready to compete. This is Tier 1 instruction at its finest — no substitutions needed.
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.
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 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT Rm. 1314 - Northwest High SchoolNorthwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247
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 →
In this session participants will look at the 2024 Technology Application standards and explore ways that educators can easily integrate them into content instruction. Walk away with resources that can be woven into your instructional playbook.
Come to learn more about using Patterns of Wonder in your classroom. Are you looking for simple ways to integrate it daily? Are you looking for alternate books to use? This session will explore not only the basics of Patterns of Wonder, but also some tips and tricks to make it an easy resource to use in your classroom.
Get ready to call the right plays in your math classroom! Just like a coach designing a winning game plan, this session will show how to use your new math resource to orchestrate effective small group instruction that moves every learner down the field. You’ll explore strategies for diagnosing needs, selecting targeted activities, and adjusting your approach in real time to keep your team in sync and scoring. Coaches and educators alike will walk away with actionable play-calling techniques to boost engagement and achievement in every quarter.
Teachers will learn the key elements of the enVision+ topic and lesson structure, dive into print components and digital resources on Savvas Realize, and explore innovative ways to strengthen instruction and increase student engagement.
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.
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 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT Rm. 1314 - Northwest High SchoolNorthwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247
Participants will explore practical strategies to differentiate instruction for gifted learners and reflect on how to apply these strategies in their own classrooms.
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 SchoolNorthwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247
Every great sports broadcast starts with preparation — and so does a great read aloud. In this hands-on session, teachers will learn how to transform read aloud into an interactive, high-leverage instructional tool. Explore how to plan strategic stopping points, craft think alouds aligned to the TEKS, and design turn-and-talk opportunities that spark meaningful student discourse. You'll get prep time and leave with a read aloud game plan ready to run from day one.
Every great athlete knows that two-a-days build the strength, endurance, and mental toughness it takes to compete at the highest level. The same is true for our readers. In this power-packed session, educators will lace up and dive into the world of paired texts — a dynamic instructional approach that challenges students to think harder, read deeper, and push beyond the surface of a single text. Just as two-a-day practices sharpen an athlete's skills from multiple angles, paired texts train the brain to analyze, synthesize, and draw connections across two carefully selected passages. Participants will explore strategies for intentional text pairing, scaffolding complex thinking, and coaching students through evidence-based discussion and writing. Leave this session with a training plan full of practical tools and classroom-ready resources that will condition your students to become stronger, more confident readers — one rep at a time.
In this Game Clock & Check-Ins session, you’ll learn how to use timely assessments—both formal and formative—to keep your math instruction on pace and your players moving toward mastery. Just like a coach checking the game clock and calling strategic timeouts, you’ll explore quick “check-ins” that give immediate feedback and inform your next play in small groups or whole-class settings. Discover how purposeful assessments help you adjust your game plan in real time, ensure students are mastering key skills, and drive meaningful growth. Walk away ready to use your math resource to make every minute of instruction count.
In this session, elementary classroom teachers will learn how to maximize their Tier 2 time with students who have reading gaps. Teachers will learn to create intervention plans, create flexible groups within their class or grade level, match the plan to resources, and create student goal-setting folders.
Get your classroom ready for game day math! This session will show educators how to use your new math resource to implement problem-solving and discourse routines that keep students actively engaged and thinking strategically. Explore hands-on approaches for fostering meaningful math conversations, building reasoning skills, and guiding students to work collaboratively through challenging tasks. You’ll leave with practical strategies to help every student advance down the field toward stronger conceptual understanding.
Participants will explore practical strategies to differentiate instruction for gifted learners and reflect on how to apply these strategies in their own classrooms.
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.
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 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
Come explore the skills tested from the Writing Process TEKS in the STAAR Revising passages. Leave with ideas, lessons, and resources to use in any unit to engage students in thinking like writers!
(say it Mc-GOY) I am a certified English teacher who enjoys learning & sharing about literacy, leadership, assessment, curriculum design, & school improvement. I share free TEKS-based resources on my website: www.tinyurl.com/ToshShares
Wednesday July 22, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT Rm. 806 - Northwest High SchoolNorthwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247
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.
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
In this session, elementary classroom teachers will learn how to maximize their Tier 2 time when working with students who have gaps in math. Teachers will learn to create intervention plans, create flexible groups within their class or grade level, match the plan to resources, and create student goal-setting folders.
Participants will explore practical strategies to differentiate instruction for gifted learners and reflect on how to apply these strategies in their own classrooms.
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 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 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 SchoolNorthwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247
Whole Brain Teaching is an instructional approach that combines direct teaching with movement, speaking, listening, and collaboration to actively engage every part of the learner’s brain. Instead of students sitting passively, they are constantly interacting through gestures, partner talk, call-and-response, and immediate practice. This keeps attention high, builds strong classroom routines, and helps students retain information more effectively. In this session, participants will learn the core strategies of Whole Brain Teaching, including how to use attention-getters, structured partner teaching, and simple gestures to reinforce learning. They will also explore how to increase student engagement, improve classroom management, and create a fast-paced, positive learning environment where all students are actively involved. By the end, teachers will leave with practical, ready-to-use techniques they can implement right away in their classroom
Come engage with the critical thinking of our comprehension & response TEKS as we intentionally interact with texts. Leave with resources, ideas, and strategies to use with any text!
(say it Mc-GOY) I am a certified English teacher who enjoys learning & sharing about literacy, leadership, assessment, curriculum design, & school improvement. I share free TEKS-based resources on my website: www.tinyurl.com/ToshShares
Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT Rm. 806 - Northwest High SchoolNorthwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247
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.
As advertised: a library...in a garage...during the summer. The Summer Garage Library is our family's way of building a community of readers in our neighborhood for the past 8 years. Learn about our innovative approach to encourage and support reading during the summer. Includes a book tasting of the 2026-27 Texas Bluebonnet book selections, so you can be ready to share and book talk these texts with your students.
In this session, K–5 teachers will learn practical, real-time monitoring strategies that uncover misconceptions, increase engagement, and allow for immediate instructional adjustments. See how this approach has led to measurable growth across our campus and leave with tools you can implement right away to keep every student in the game.
Participants will explore strategies that challenge advanced thinkers, promote creativity, and encourage deeper levels of understanding while still supporting the needs of the whole classroom. We’ll focus on ways to increase depth, complexity, and student ownership through strategies such as open-ended questioning, flexible grouping, tiered assignments, and opportunities for creative problem solving.
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 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 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT Rm. 1104 - Northwest High SchoolNorthwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247
ITeachers maximize your time with quick and easy planning resources that will allow you to use your student data and provide small group instruction in a “SNAP”
During the training, I will guide participants through the STAR Program website, modeling how to navigate key components and align materials with instructional goals. Teachers will be provided dedicated work time to explore the platform, select relevant resources, and begin creating or organizing materials and downloads to support implementation in the upcoming school year.
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.
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 SchoolNorthwest High School, 2301 Texan Drive, Justin, TX 76247
Huddle up for a dynamic book study debrief of Teaching Mathematics in the Visible Learning Classroom, where we break down the game film and examine the high-impact moves that drive student achievement. Just like a quarterback making split-second decisions at the line of scrimmage, teachers navigate hundreds of micro-decisions each minute—balancing learning intentions, tasks, and assessments to advance every player down the field. In this session, we’ll reflect on key takeaways from our study, share winning plays for surface, deep, and transfer learning, and discuss how to adjust the playbook to meet the needs of every learner. Walk away ready to call smarter plays, use evidence as your scoreboard, and lead your math team to championship-level growth. (Grades K-2 Session)
Score big in math fluency with your new resource! This session will explore how the tool’s built-in features and scaffolds naturally support students’ development of speed, accuracy, and confidence with key skills. You’ll see how fluency grows as students interact with the resource, receive feedback, and progress through increasingly challenging tasks. Walk away with a clear understanding of how to leverage the resource to help every student advance toward math mastery.
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.
This year on my campus I have led a year-long vertical alignment committee around analyzing and streamlining our word problem solving strategies, vocabulary, and rigor! This session will condense this learning and allow you to analyze the depth that word problems reach from K-5, and how to support every student in your math classroom.
Huddle up for a dynamic book study debrief of Teaching Mathematics in the Visible Learning Classroom, where we break down the game film and examine the high-impact moves that drive student achievement. Just like a quarterback making split-second decisions at the line of scrimmage, teachers navigate hundreds of micro-decisions each minute—balancing learning intentions, tasks, and assessments to advance every player down the field. In this session, we’ll reflect on key takeaways from our study, share winning plays for surface, deep, and transfer learning, and discuss how to adjust the playbook to meet the needs of every learner. Walk away ready to call smarter plays, use evidence as your scoreboard, and lead your math team to championship-level growth. (Grades 3-5 Session)
Join in for a power-packed debrief of The Unstoppable Writing Teacher, where we break down the high-impact strategies that turn every student into a writer worth watching. We'll swap winning plays, sharpen our coaching moves, and leave with a refined playbook built for our learners. Your scoreboard is waiting! Let's put some points on it.
In this follow-up book study session, educators will come together to do what the best coaching staffs do after every game — review the footage, break down the key moments, and talk about what it all means going forward. Participants will dig into the big ideas and most critical takeaways from To Read Stuff You Have to Know Stuff, unpacking what the research really says about background knowledge and its powerful connection to reading comprehension. But this session goes beyond the book. Teachers will engage in rich collaborative conversation about what these findings mean for their daily instruction — how they select texts, build knowledge sequences, and create classroom environments where every student has the content knowledge they need to read deeply and think critically. This is not a recap — this is a game plan. Walk away with a renewed sense of purpose, practical instructional implications, and a clear vision for what it looks like to put knowledge-building at the center of your reading instruction. The film does not lie — and neither does the research.
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.
