Teaching & Learning Summit 2025
SESSION III PROGRAMS
VOICE & CHOICE SESSIONS
- SESSION III -
1:00 - 1:45PM
Annotation Strategies for the Content Areas
This session highlights annotation techniques that turn reading into active thinking. We will focus on methods such as the X Marks the Spot, the 4As, and the Three Levels of Response to help students analyze and understand complex texts. Participants will leave with a set of practical tools that improve comprehension and support stronger critical analysis in any subject.
Presenters: Mai-Linh Cummings
Target Audience: All Educators
Location: E229
Sessions Offered: II, III, IV
MTSS Practices: Learning Objectives, Flexible Methods, Learner's Mindset or Self-reflection, Critical Thinking or Feedback
Art as a Therapeutic Tool for Students
This session will explore how art can be used as a therapeutic tool to support student well-being, self-expression, and resilience. Teachers will learn strategies for integrating creative practices into daily instruction that help students manage emotions, reduce stress, and build positive connections. The session will also highlight how these approaches align with MTSS Tier 1 supports and promote social-emotional learning.
Presenters: Bridget O'Leary
Target Audience: K-8
Location: M8
Sessions Offered: II, III
MTSS Practices: Perseverance or Social/Emotional Learning
ATLAS
Join this virtual session to explore Atlas, our district’s new curriculum mapping platform. Participants will learn how to navigate the system, access curriculum maps, and more to ensure alignment across grade levels and content areas. This session will help teachers feel confident using Atlas as a tool to support curriculum planning, reflection, and continuous improvement.
Presenters: ATLAS Consultant
Target Audience: 6-12
Location: DLL - Virtual
Sessions Offered: III, IV
MTSS Practices: Global Citizens or Student Identity, Perseverance or Social/Emotional Learning, Communication & Collaboration or Community, Learner's Mindset or Self-reflection, Critical Thinking or Feedback
Be Fearless With AI In the Classroom
Have you ever wondered how AI tools can help students and educators succeed in the classroom? In this session you will discover how to be fearless in using AI. I will share firsthand how small, easy-to-use AI tools have made a big impact in not only my learning and growth but my students. You’ll see how we’ve used AI in creative ways to support our education. I will give you examples of how tools like ChatGPT, Magic School AI, Brisk, and Canva have helped me personalize learning, simplify tough topics, and get immediate feedback for students. You’ll see how AI is a thought partner in my classroom community when it comes to writing tasks, creating visuals, and breaking down complex subjects into manageable parts, all while helping the learners stay engaged and motivated. I am excited to show you how AI has made a big difference in my education and that of my students, and you will leave with ideas on how you can help your students use these tools to achieve success too!
Presenters: Rayna Freedman
Target Audience: All Educators
Location: E326
Sessions Offered: III, IV
MTSS Practices: N/A
Bullying, Cyberbullying and Harassment: What Are They? What Are Gateway Behaviors to Them? And How Can We Address Them?
Join this interactive presentation based on the work of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARC) out of Bridgewater State University. Educators will explore the various kinds of bullying and harassment and what they look like in today's classrooms. The session will include understanding "gateway behaviors" to bullying and how we can address them.
Presenters: Pete Cavanaugh
Target Audience: All Educators
Location: Library
Sessions Offered: II, III
MTSS Practices: N/A
Co-Planning Session for Secondary Level Co-Taught Classrooms (Any Content Area)
Co-teaching begins by cultivating a shared mindset of inclusion, collaboration, and co-instruction—ensuring that all teachers (general and special education) engage in training that shifts them from working in isolation toward planning, instructing, and assessing together. This PD track will focus on joint planning, differentiated instruction, shared assessment, and full inclusion of all students, aligning with the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. Through the lens of MTSS, co-teaching teams will collaboratively plan Tier 1 instruction that meets the needs of all learners, while using data-driven decision-making to design targeted Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions within the classroom. Time will be embedded for co-teachers to engage in intentional planning around their identified area of focus, using MTSS principles to ensure instruction, supports, and progress monitoring are aligned and equitable for every student.
Presenters: Julie Cullen
Target Audience: 6-12
Location: E221
Sessions Offered: III
MTSS Practices: N/A
Creativity Meets Service Learning
Students have ideas, passions, and the power to make a difference—but they need guidance, support, and a spark to get started. In this interactive session, Jacob Cramer will share stories from his decade-long journey creating Love For Our Elders, a national initiative connecting students with older adults through letter writing. Participants will explore how small acts can grow into meaningful service projects, discover strategies for integrating service learning into classrooms, and leave with actionable tools to ignite curiosity, empathy, and action in their students.
Presenters: Jacob Cramer
Target Audience: All Educators
Location: W203
Sessions Offered: I, II, III, IV
MTSS Practices: Global Citizens or Student Identity, Perseverance or Social/Emotional Learning, Communication & Collaboration or Community
Cultivating Safe and Supportive Classrooms: SEL Strategies for all Learners
This learning session will begin with a foundational understanding of Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs), the impact on the developing brain, and classroom strategies to support student self-regulation and a positive classroom community.
Presenters: Ashley Dube
Target Audience: All Educators
Location: W205
Sessions Offered: III
MTSS Practices: Perseverance or Social/Emotional Learning, Communication & Collaboration or Community
Dedham Public's New PD Tracking - Frontline
DPS is using a new PD tracking software, Frontline Professional Growth! Change is hard, but come to this session to ease your mind as we walk through how to use the program, including: signing up for PD, attending conferences, completing Continuing Education Plans and more!
Presenters: Ed Paris
Target Audience: All Educators
Location: E327
Sessions Offered: III, IV
MTSS Practices: N/A
Demystifying AI: What It Is, What It Isn’t, and What It Means for Teaching & Learning
AI is here — but what does that really mean for you as an educator? What does it mean for your students? In this session, we’ll clear up the confusion and talk plainly about what AI can actually do, what it can’t, and how to use it without feeling overwhelmed. We’ll look at real examples of classroom applications, discuss the risks and limitations, the need for AI literacy at every level, and try out a simple framework you can use to decide when and how AI might help you. You’ll leave with practical takeaways you can apply right away — and the confidence to approach AI on your terms.
Presenters: Erick Straghalis
Target Audience: All Educators
Location: W206
Sessions Offered: I, II, III
MTSS Practices: Learning Objectives, Global Citizens or Student Identity, Communication & Collaboration or Community, Flexible Methods, Flexible Materials, Learner's Mindset or Self-reflection, Critical Thinking or Feedback
Employing Visible Thinking Strategies for Engagement
This presentation will offer a hands-on professional development session focused on making student thinking visible! Together, we’ll explore engaging routines and resources that help students share their reasoning, reflect on their learning, and build deeper understanding. Teachers will walk away with resources to build a toolbox of ready-to-use strategies that can be applied across subjects to spark curiosity, encourage collaboration, and strengthen critical thinking in the classroom.
Presenters: Ethan Dolleman
Target Audience: 6-12
Location: W302
Sessions Offered: II, III
MTSS Practices: Communication & Collaboration or Community, Flexible Methods, Learner's Mindset or Self-reflection, Critical Thinking or Feedback
Empower Student Leadership Through Discourse
This session will focus on ways to empower student leadership by creating opportunities that promote productive discourse in the classroom. Strategies we discuss will be relevant for all educators and learners PK-12. Teachers are invited during this session to share out other instructional strategies they recommend as well. If this session sounds right for your students come talk with us!
Presenters: Kate Garand
Target Audience: All Educators
Location: W308
Sessions Offered: I, II, III
MTSS Practices: Perseverance or Social/Emotional Learning, Communication & Collaboration or Community, Learner's Mindset or Self-reflection, Critical Thinking or Feedback
Epic! School Plus
K–5 educators will explore Epic! School Plus, a digital reading platform that gives students access to thousands of high-quality books and audiobooks. Participants will learn how to set up student accounts, assign texts aligned to curriculum goals, and track reading progress. The session will also highlight ways to use Epic! to foster independent reading, build vocabulary, and promote a love of literacy in every classroom.
Presenters: Cherish Mims (Epic! Consultant)
Target Audience: K-5
Location: E325 - VIRTUAL
Sessions Offered: III, IV
MTSS Practices: Flexible Methods, Flexible Materials
How to Become a Screencastify Superstar
Staff will be able to learn how to adapt a tool for planning a UDL lesson.
Presenters: Jenny Dolan and Meghan Armstrong
Target Audience: All Educators
Location: W107
Sessions Offered: II, III, IV
MTSS Practices: Flexible Methods, Flexible Materials, Learner's Mindset or Self-reflection
Inclusive by Design: UDL & MTSS with NotebookLM
Struggling to find the time to adapt materials for every learner? Meet NotebookLM, your new AI-powered thinking partner from Google. In this hands-on session, you'll learn how to upload your existing curriculum documents - like PDFs, articles, and even Google Docs - and instantly create summaries, FAQs, and differentiated activities. Join us to explore a powerful tool that helps you effortlessly design instruction that meets the needs of all students.
Presenters: Kevin Kaufman
Target Audience: All Educators
Location: E222
Sessions Offered: II, III
MTSS Practices: Flexible Methods, Flexible Materials, Flexible Assessments, Learner's Mindset or Self-reflection
Increasing CKLA Engagement Through Stations
Join us for a hands-on session focused on bringing energy and engagement to your CKLA station rotations! We’ll explore simple, practical ways to set clear routines, design meaningful station activities, and keep students focused and independent throughout rotations. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas, management tips, and one ready-to-use strategy to make your next CKLA rotation run smoothly and keep students excited about learning. *Be sure to bring your Chromebooks and materials (digital or hard copy) of a unit you want to plan!
Presenters: Heather O'Toole and Audrey Bolinger
Target Audience: K-5
Location: E227
Sessions Offered: III, IV
MTSS Practices: Learning Objectives, Flexible Methods, Flexible Materials
Learn with Inquiry Journeys!
You teach all day...it's time for a change! Come be a student in an Inquiry Journeys class taught by Avery Asst. Principal Julia Oettgen. During the lesson, teachers will be able to see first hand how to execute an IQ lesson and identify teacher moves that promote engagement and curiosity!
Presenters: Julia Oettgen
Target Audience: K-5
Location: E331
Sessions Offered: I, II, III
MTSS Practices: N/A
Make It Vertical: Jump-Start Your Building Thinking Classroom - Elementary
Experience Building Thinking Classrooms using vertical boards and random groups, then see how using hints & extensions sustain productive struggle. Walk out with a one-page quick start lesson frame you can try tomorrow. A friendly intro for anyone curious about BTC—no prior experience needed.
Presenters: Sue Looney
Target Audience: K-5
Location: W201
Sessions Offered: III, IV
MTSS Practices: Learning Objectives, Communication & Collaboration or Community, Flexible Methods, Flexible Materials, Formative Assessments, Learner's Mindset, Critical Thinking or Feedback
Newsela Advanced PD for Users: Complementing Your Curriculum
Explore the Newsela collection(s) curated specifically to support CKLA. Leverage curated content and teaching resources to plan learning experiences aligned to your specific instructional priorities.
Presenters: Newsela Consultant
Target Audience: All Educators
Location: E324 - VIRTUAL
Sessions Offered: III
MTSS Practices: Learning Objectives, Flexible Methods, Flexible Materials
STAR360
Grade 6-8 teachers will take a deeper dive into how to use data from Star360 to inform instruction and support their students.
Presenters: Wendy Miller
Target Audience: 6-8
Location: E320 - VIRTUAL
Sessions Offered: I, III
MTSS Practices: N/A
Structures for Improving Student Executive Functioning Skills in your Classroom
In this session we will address whole class systems for supporting all students with a focus on "STOP and Read the Room" language. We will additionally provide templates, tools and tricks that support students ability to attend to tasks, and build their skills as a independent learner.
Presenters: Kimberly Hermesch
Target Audience: All Educators
Location: E330
Sessions Offered: I, II, III
MTSS Practices: Perseverance or Social/Emotional Learning, Communication & Collaboration or Community, Flexible Methods, Flexible Materials, Learner's Mindset or Self-reflection
Supporting All Learners with CKLA
In this session, teachers will explore the supports already embedded in CKLA lessons that promote access for all learners. Together, we will brainstorm and build a bank of scaffolding strategies to strengthen CKLA instruction so that every student can be meaningfully included in the lesson.
Presenters: Sara Follen
Target Audience: K-5
Location: W105
Sessions Offered: I, III, IV
MTSS Practices: Flexible Methods, Flexible Materials
The Power of the Puzzle: Integrating ST Math Puzzle Talks with Your Curriculum
This session will guide you through the process of integrating ST Math Puzzle Talks into your curriculum. We'll explore how these visual, interactive discussions build students' conceptual understanding and foster problem-solving skills. You'll leave with simple, ready-to-use strategies to lead engaging, interactive puzzle talks that get students excited about building their math understanding.
Presenters: Ken Toomey
Target Audience: K-5
Location: W307
Sessions Offered: I, III, IV
MTSS Practices: Learning Objectives, Perseverance or Social/Emotional Learning, Communication & Collaboration or Community, Flexible Methods, Critical Thinking or Feedback
Unleashing Student Creativity and More with Screencastify
This session will show you how to turn Screencastify into a powerful creative platform for your students. Get ready to learn practical, hands-on strategies for getting students to create their own videos. We'll cover everything from student-led presentations to using videos for authentic assessments that give you a real window into their understanding.
Presenters: Judy Foley
Target Audience: All Educators
Location: W303
Sessions Offered: III, IV
MTSS Practices: Global Citizens or Student Identity, Flexible Methods, Flexible Materials, Formative Assessments, Flexible Assessments
Using Boost Data to Inform Instruction
Come learn from our Amplify consultant how to leverage the data in your Boost Teacher Dashboard to determine areas of strength, opportunity, and next steps for your students.
Presenters: Melanie Munoz (Amplify Consultant)
Target Audience: K-2
Location: E321 - VIRTUAL
Sessions Offered: III (K-2), IV (3-5)
MTSS Practices: N/A
Utilizing the Growth Mindset
The growth mindset is the idea of continuous self-improvement and growth. But how can adolescents implement this mindset? This presentation will consider how to commit to a growth mindset, set appropriate goals, recognize multiple intelligences, stay motivated, work within limitations and develop ambitious habits so as to achieve success.
Presenters: Greg West
Target Audience: 6-12
Location: W306
Sessions Offered: III
MTSS Practices: Learning Objectives, Communication & Collaboration or Community, Learner's Mindset or Self-reflection, Critical Thinking or Feedback
