EmpowerED

This full-day professional learning experience is designed to equip today's educators with practical strategies, tools, and inspiration to elevate teaching and learning. Throughout the day, participants will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of engaging breakout sessions.

Participants will explore high-impact topics including effective classroom management, relationship-building, differentiated instruction, student engagement, and more. Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned educator, you'll leave with actionable ideas and resources to empower every learner.

We Hear Your SOS: Motivating & Inspiring Students with High Yield Instructional Strategies, Discovery Ed

Join us for an engaging, hands-on session where you'll explore Spotlight on Strategies (SOS)—a dynamic collection of research-based strategies. These strategies leverage digital media resources to support differentiated instruction across all grade levels and content areas, making learning more accessible and meaningful for every student.

Through active participation and collaboration, you'll discover how to use strategies within Discovery Education Experience to spark curiosity and deepen engagement in your classroom. Whether you're working with diverse learners or looking to boost student voice and choice, you'll leave with a toolkit of ready-to-use strategies that empower you to Inspire Curiosity, Build Confidence, and Accelerate Learning.

Professional Communication

Effective communication is a cornerstone of professional success—but it’s more than just knowing what to say. This session will explore how to build and maintain your professional brand through intentional communication with students, parents, and colleagues. Learn when and how to document critical conversations, how to manage tough discussions with professionalism, and strategies for fostering productive collaboration with co-workers. Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned educator, you’ll leave with practical tools to communicate clearly, confidently, and effectively in any school setting.

Manipulatives: Linear Equations

Embark on a guided exploration of the sequential progression of mathematical concepts, accompanied by corresponding manipulatives, fostering a profound conceptual grasp of solving equations. This session delves into an array of hands-on manipulatives and pedagogical strategies tailored for educators working with students ranging from Kindergarten to Algebra 1.

Behavior 101 in the General Education Classroom

Come practice some evidence based strategies to help you manage the behaviors in your classroom, and your instructional time for greater learning.

Level- Up Learning: Differentiation Strategies for All Students

This session emphasizes effective, practical strategies, activities, tips, and tools that promote student success. In this session, educators will leave with practical, proven, brain-based strategies that impact instruction in all areas and can be used in the classroom immediately. The basic premise is “Good for all, critical for students who learn differently.” These are teacher-friendly, easy-to-use strategies for differentiating instruction and meeting the learning needs of all students.

Behavior 101: Supporting Special Education Students Across Different Instructional Settings

Come ready to learn, review and practice basic evidence-based strategies to help your special education student across different instructional settings.

Empowering Students to Think Like Scientists

In this session, participants will discover ways to hone their student's problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills. We will explore how Claim Evidence Reasoning (CER), Engineering Design Process (EDP), and the scientific method all support the implementation of our new Scientific & Engineering Practices (SEPs). Join us, as we gain tools that will empower students to think like scientists!

Science Assessment

Understanding of how our new TEKS impact STAAR. We will explore the assessed curriculum documents and blueprints and how to align instruction accordingly.

Universal Design for Learning

In this session, participants will explore how universally designed learning environments enhance accessibility and foster learner agency. Through a blend of research insights, practical strategies, and classroom applications, educators will examine proactive and retroactive approaches to differentiation. We’ll unpack the principles of UDL, discuss how to start with the end in mind (STAAR or Lead4ward), and analyze variability in learner agency. Educators will leave with actionable tools and examples to implement in their classrooms, ensuring that all students are empowered to take ownership of their learning.

Diagnostic Assessments in Mathematics

This session will provide an overview of diagnostic assessments within the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), equipping educators with strategies to pinpoint student understanding and guide instruction effectively. Participants will explore the strands of mathematical proficiency as a framework for assessing comprehension levels, utilizing diagnostic interviews, error analysis, and learning progressions to identify and address student needs. Through practical examples and discussions, educators will gain actionable insights to refine assessment practices and foster deeper learning connections.

Building Classroom Community with Routines and Procedures

Best Practices for the Elementary RLA Classroom

Interpreting Data

This session will explore systems for collecting and managing screening data to drive informed decision-making within educational settings. Participants will examine methods for analyzing screening data to identify trends, pinpoint student needs, and guide instructional planning. Through discussion and practical applications, educators will build connections between screening results and targeted student-level interventions, ensuring data-driven approaches that support meaningful learning outcomes.

CBLI is for You Too: Empowering Educators to Support Emergent Bilingual Students

Join us for an engaging and informative session designed to equip educators with practical, research-validated strategies for supporting emergent bilingual (EB) students. Discover the key components of Content-Based Language Instruction (CBLI), including Second Language Acquisition (SLA), Diversified Support, and Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Practices (CLSP). Learn how to implement these elements effectively in your classroom to promote language development and academic success for all EB students.

Equity in the Classroom

TELPAS Unpacked

Dive into the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) and discover how it measures emergent bilingual students' progress in English across four key domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This session will provide educators with a comprehensive understanding of TELPAS, including its purpose, assessment methods, and how results inform instructional strategies.

Maximizing Learning Through Explicit Instruction

Learn how to design and deliver clear, purposeful instruction that increases engagement, reduces off-task behavior, and helps students master new content through effective routines, modeling, and practice.

Dyslexia & Dysgraphia: What ALL Educators Need to Know

This session will explore the definition and characteristics of dyslexia and dysgraphia across all grade levels. Participants will experience a short simulation of both dyslexia and dysgraphia. Come learn how dyslexia impacts students in all content areas and gain an understanding of common accommodations that are helpful for students with dyslexia and/or dysgraphia.

Using Data to Plan Targeted Interventions

This session will focus on using BOY assessment data to create measurable and attainable goals for small group instruction.

3, 2, 1 Data for STAAR

This session will focus on using your Benchmark Assessment Data to determine WHO to target when making your STAAR push plans.

**More Sessions and Descriptors Coming Soon**