Join us for an energizing, hands-on session focused on engaging early learners through music, movement, and imagination. Discover how classic songs, finger plays, and storytelling routines can spark joy, build connection, and support early development—no tech required! You’ll leave with fresh ideas and timeless tools to create meaningful, screen-free moments that children will love.
Designed to help educators and support staff develop expertise in collecting and utilizing data to effectively implement Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs). Participants will learn how to design data-driven BIPs, collect meaningful behavioral data, and use that data to monitor progress and guide decision-making. The session emphasizes practical strategies for ensuring fidelity in BIP implementation and fostering collaboration among team members to support student success.
Equips educators and administrators with a comprehensive understanding of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) and the continuum of special education services. This course will explore how to identify and implement effective SDI strategies that align with individual student needs, ensuring access to the general curriculum. Participants will also learn how to navigate the SPED service continuum, from least restrictive to more intensive settings, while maintaining compliance with IDEA. The focus will be on practical application, ensuring instruction is both individualized and impactful.
Equips educators with evidence-based instructional strategies designed to meet the diverse needs of students receiving special education services. This course will explore differentiated instruction, scaffolding techniques, and methods for fostering engagement and independence in inclusive and self-contained settings. Participants will learn how to align teaching practices with IEP goals, integrate accommodations and modifications, and apply data-driven decision-making to support student progress. The course emphasizes practical, research-backed approaches to create meaningful and effective learning experiences for all students.
Come learn about the trajectory of a young writer and how to support students transitioning from scribbling, labeing, and sentence forming. Additionally, you will see how students engage with each stage of the writing process.
Part one of the proficiency series by Brandee Mau from Avant. In this interactive session, participants will take a deeper dive into a powerful proficiency analogy, explore real student language samples, and engage in a consensus protocol to build a shared understanding of proficiency levels. By grounding the discussion in the Avant Proficiency Rubric, educators will sharpen their ability to identify performance characteristics, align expectations, and design instruction that targets meaningful growth. This session is eligible for 3 exchange hours.
Come dig into how central and controlling ideas can be developed for authentic reading response that aligns with the ECR rubric. Discuss ways to help students develop their own central & controlling ideas with details, facts, and examples. Leave with resources, lessons, and ideas to explicitly teach idea development in writing.
Elevate Your PE Practice: Tools, Activities, and Opportunities - This session is designed to help you strengthen your PE program with practical ideas and new strategies. Learn what practices have been most effective for your colleagues this year, gather ideas for challenges you may face next year, and leave with ready-to-use large group activities from the curriculum writing team. You’ll also hear from the Adapted PE team about how you can become a Special Olympics coach and create even more opportunities for your students!
This essential session provides a full day of learning on the Denton ISD Instructional Framework. This session focuses on the three components of the framework, how the framework supports teaching for understanding, and the importance of utilizing the framework in teacher planning and for student learning.
Help GT students discover the "power of potential" in the classroom. Experience strategies and gather tools to create and support a collaborative community. Equip teachers and empower GT learners to thrive in the classroom. This workshop fulfills the annual six-hour update for GT educators and is appropriate for grades K-12.
Learn about strategies for increasing the number of students in private lessons and how to effectively utilize solo and ensemble activities to improve the level of individual musicianship in band/choir/orchestra students.
Continue your learning from the August PD session Toolkit for Building an Inclusive Curriculum with UNT Onstead Institute’s Beth Link. Take a deeper dive on responsibly teaching global cultures, current events, and art history by teaching difference meaningfully.
Discover how cross-linguistic connections validate and celebrate students' home (heart) language as a valuable toll for learning additional languages. Explore strategies to bridge linguistic knowledge, and empower multilingual learners by leveraging the strengths of their home language in both the Secondary Dual Language and Secondary ESL classroom.
Designed to help educators and administrators provide effective, research-based interim support for students suspected of or identified with dyslexia. This course will cover strategies for delivering targeted instruction, accommodations, and progress monitoring while awaiting evidence-based dyslexia interventions. Participants will learn how to implement evidence-based practices that address reading challenges and ensure continuity of support in compliance with IDEA and Texas Dyslexia Handbook guidelines. The focus is on equipping educators with practical tools to meet student needs and promote academic success during the interim period.
Focuses on empowering students who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) by fostering their ability to express themselves, share their ideas, and actively participate in classroom and social settings. Participants will explore strategies to integrate AAC tools effectively, provide meaningful communication opportunities, and honor the unique voices of students with complex communication needs. The session emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive environments where AAC users can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Provides educators and campus leaders with essential strategies for creating structured, inclusive, and effective special education environments. This course covers key elements of classroom setup, including organization, instructional planning, behavior management, and aligning practices with the TTESS rubric. Participants will also learn how to foster productive relationships with paraprofessionals, ensuring cohesive support for students. By the end of the course, educators will be equipped to design and manage classrooms that promote student engagement, independence, and academic success.
Learn about strategies and structures for developing effective student leaders within your fine arts program to assist with creating a positive program culture and to assist you with the management and administration of various aspects of the program.
Streamline collaboration, data analysis, and instructional planning with the power of AI! In this session, you'll explore practical ways to integrate AI tools into your Professional Learning Community (PLC) process. From generating discussion prompts to analyzing student data and refining lesson plans, discover how AI can save time and enhance decision-making.
Equips educators with the tools and strategies needed to implement effective phonics intervention plans that support struggling readers. Participants will explore evidence-based approaches to teaching phonics, including systematic and explicit instruction tailored to individual student needs.
Building and maintaining positive relationships is vital to cultivate support, cooperation, and a positive perception of your program. Tips and strategies will be presented about how to communicate and develop positive relationships with community members, campus colleagues, and administrators.
Provides participants with a firsthand experience of the challenges faced by individuals with dyslexia. Through carefully designed simulations, attendees will engage in activities that replicate difficulties in reading, writing, processing, and comprehension. The session aims to foster empathy, deepen understanding of dyslexia’s impact, and highlight the importance of evidence-based interventions and accommodations in educational settings.
Provides educators and campus leaders with essential strategies for creating structured, inclusive, and effective special education environments. This course covers key elements of classroom setup, including organization, instructional planning, behavior management, and aligning practices with the TTESS rubric. Participants will also learn how to foster productive relationships with paraprofessionals, ensuring cohesive support for students. By the end of the course, educators will be equipped to design and manage classrooms that promote student engagement, independence, and academic success.
In this session, CTE teachers will bring their Top 5 CliftonStrengths and discover how to leverage them for classroom impact and professional growth. Explore how your strengths influence your teaching style, classroom culture, and student relationships—and learn how to collaborate more effectively with colleagues whose strengths complement your own. This session is eligible for exchange day hours.
This session is designed to equip educators with the tools and strategies to support secondary emergent bilingual students in developing language skills effetively. Participants will explore a structured approach to setting individualized language goals, engaging students in small group instruction, and creating linguistically accommodated tasks to enhance comprehension and engagement with self-selected texts.
Designed to empower educators with the knowledge and tools to effectively support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This session will provide a foundational understanding of autism, including key characteristics and common challenges faced by students. Participants will explore a range of evidence-based practices proven to enhance communication, social skills, and academic achievement for learners with autism.
As we have students practice the reading response format of the new ECR throughout the year, how can we give targeted feedback that grows them as writers? Let's talk about ways to quickly score student responses and then use those scores to make instructional decisions for small groups. Leave with resources, lessons, and ideas to leverage all that student writing as formative assessment.
Level 2: Must have attended Level 1 first. Required for all Secondary ESL program teachers. Focus on Emergent Bilingual students who have been in US schools for longer than 5 years. Participants will use the foundations of second language acquisition theory to determine specific language supports that can increase Academic English.
Part two of the proficiency series by Brandee Mau from Avant. This session builds on shared understanding of proficiency by engaging participants in a structured protocol to analyze STAMP assessment results. Educators will identify patterns across modes, explore implications for instruction, and collaborate to determine next steps that support student growth and program improvement. Please note: this is designed for ALL World Language teachers, not just those who administer the Level II Avant exam. This session is eligible for 3 exchange hours.
Shared Reading is a crucial (and fun) part of building foundational reading skills in your literacy block. Come learn the characteristics and structure for a given week and how to seamlessly incorporate phonics skills.
Already comfortable with the Canvas essentials? This session is your next step. We'll explore features and strategies that go beyond basic setup to help you create more dynamic, engaging, and user-friendly courses. From improving course design to unlocking lesser-known tools, you'll discover new ways to streamline your workflow, personalize learning experiences, and boost student interaction. Whether you're looking to refine your current practices or add new ones to your toolkit, this session will equip you with ideas and inspiration to level up your Canvas course design.
Equips educators with the tools and strategies needed to implement effective phonics intervention plans that support struggling readers. Participants will explore evidence-based approaches to teaching phonics, including systematic and explicit instruction tailored to individual student needs.
Discover the exciting world of classroom robotics! In this interactive session, you'll explore a variety of educational robots, each designed to engage students in coding, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Get hands-on experience with each robot as you complete challenges and activities that showcase their unique capabilities.
Grow your reach through strategic planning to build buzz for your fine arts program. Elevate your arts program through digital storytelling to celebrate students, families, and program successes.
Designed to help related service providers effectively plan, document, and deliver service minutes that align with student needs and IEP goals. This course will clarify the distinctions between direct, indirect, consult, and integrated service models while providing strategies for efficient scheduling, progress monitoring, and compliance with IDEA requirements. Participants will leave with practical tools to ensure that service time is purposeful, legally sound, and focused on maximizing student outcomes.
Equips educators and administrators with a comprehensive understanding of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) and the continuum of special education services. This course will explore how to identify and implement effective SDI strategies that align with individual student needs, ensuring access to the general curriculum. Participants will also learn how to navigate the SPED service continuum, from least restrictive to more intensive settings, while maintaining compliance with IDEA. The focus will be on practical application, ensuring instruction is both individualized and impactful.
Curious about how to bring big tech into your little learners’ world? This session explores creative, age-appropriate ways to use Promethean Boards to enhance engagement, spark curiosity, and support early learning in Pre-K classrooms. Discover interactive tools, digital resources, and hands-on strategies that align with early childhood best practices.
All Fine Arts programs can attend to discuss budgeting for their programs with organization, systems, and efficiency. The Fine Arts Office will discuss processes and procedures, as well as answer individual questions about your content area/programs to ensure you have a clear plan for success.
