May 2026 Secondary Math Newsletter
April 27th, 2026
“Great teaching doesn’t end in May—it grows in the summer. Invest in your craft now, and watch your students multiply the impact next year.”
Contact Information (Middle School Math)
Dr. Lakeita L. Lyles, District Instructional Specialist for Secondary Mathematics.
Please feel free to contact via the following means:
Email: lakeita.lyles@killeenisd.org
Text: (601) 597-7204
Office Phone: (254) 336-0321
Contact Information (High School Math)
Ms. Kristine Carr, District Instructional Specialist for Secondary Mathematics.
Please feel free to contact via the following means:
Email: kristine.carr@killeenisd.org
Text: (908) 227-8650
Office Phone: (254) 336-0324
KISD IN-DISTRICT SUMMER PD
The wait is over, our Summer PD Remix Catalog has officially dropped!
This year’s 80’s-inspired theme, “Drop the Beat. Elevate Learning,” is all about one priority: strengthening Tier 1 instruction so every student experiences high-quality, engaging learning every day.
This summer, we’re remixing our practice with a clear focus on what matters most: powerful core instruction that reaches every learner the first time.
Our sessions are built around the REMIX mindset:
R – Refine Tier 1 instructional practices to ensure clarity, rigor, and alignment
E – Engage all learners through intentional, research-based strategies
M – Maximize instructional time and impact in every lesson
I – Integrate effective tools and strategies to support diverse learners
X – eXpand student success through strong, consistent core instruction
Don’t forget to explore the Killeen ISD Summer PD Catalog for even more ways to grow and learn during the month of July. (CLICK ON THE PHOTO ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CATALOG)
Sessions will fill quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot and invest in strengthening your Tier 1 practices for the year ahead.
MAY
Middle School Math
High School Math
Teacher Exchange Day Information
Teachers have the option to “exchange” Friday, September 4, 2026, for one (1) day of summer professional learning. The following criteria apply for professional learning sessions:
Session eligibility:
1. A minimum of 6 hours in length, either as a single session or as two 3-hour sessions, completed as a learner or as a presenter.
2. *In-district or out-of-district learning during non-contract days (June 1, 2026 – August 3, 2026 only) (Out-of-district PD must be approved by the district instructional specialist over that content. Approval must be submitted to CIS before attending PD.)
3. Related to 2026-2027 teaching assignment and specific content
4. No compensation or stipend received for attending or presenting sessions
JUNE
"Click on the session dates below to register in STRIVE."
High School Math
(High School Math) Be the DJ: Using TI-Nspire to Mix Engagement & Flow
This session focuses on practical strategies for running warm-ups, tracking attendance, organizing seating, and keeping students actively engaged from bell to bell. Walk away with ready-to-use routines that help you keep your class in sync while maximizing instructional time.
JULY
"Click on the session dates below to register in STRIVE."
Middle School Math
Middle School Math (6th & 7th Grade): Double Block Remix: Maximizing Time, Amplifying Impact
Learn how to design and implement effective small group instruction that targets student needs, increases engagement, and drives mastery of grade-level TEKS.
Session 1: July 20th 8AM - 11AM (KISD Career Center)
Session 2: July 21st 12PM-3PM (KISD Career Center)
(MS & HS Math) Don’t Miss a Beat: Responding to Mathematical Thinking in Real Time
How do we make effective instructional decisions in the moment? This session focuses on using academic monitoring to gather real-time evidence of student thinking and respond with purpose. Participants will practice selecting and sequencing student work, addressing misconceptions as opportunities for learning, and making instructional pivots that keep the mathematics on track and students engaged in meaningful thinking. (Aligned to T-TESS 1.2, 2.3, 2.5)
Session 1: July 20th 8AM-11AM (KISD Career Center)
Session 2: July 20th 1PM-4PM (KISD Career Center)
(MS & HS Math) Remix the Math: Let Students Own the Thinking
How do we move beyond participation to true student thinking and ownership? This session focuses on building a classroom culture where student discourse drives learning, engagement is rooted in meaningful thinking, and teachers respond proactively to both academic and behavioral needs. Participants will explore strategies for fostering collaboration, facilitating student-led conversations, and creating an environment where all learners feel safe to take risks and engage deeply in mathematics. (Aligned to T-TESS 2.3, 3.2, 3.3)
Session 1: July 20th 8AM-11AM (KISD Career Center)
Session 2: July 20th 1PM-4PM (KISD Career Center)
Middle School Math (7th, 8th, and 8th Algebra I): Desmos Remix: Graph It, Move It, Master It
Explore how Desmos can transform student engagement through interactive graphing, real-time feedback, and concept visualization to deepen mathematical understanding.
Session 1: July 21st 8AM-11AM (KISD Career Center)
Session 2: July 22nd 12PM-3PM (KISD Career Center)
Middle School Math (7th, 8th, 8th Algebra I): TI-Nspire Remix: Power Tools for Deeper Thinking
Unlock the full potential of the TI-Nspire by exploring its dynamic features to model, analyze, and visualize mathematical concepts. Learn how to integrate the TI-Nspire into daily instruction to promote problem-solving, student discourse, and deeper conceptual understanding.
Session 1: July 21st 12PM-3PM (KISD Career Center)
Session 2: July 22nd 8AM-11AM (KISD Career Center)
Middle School Math: Small Group Remix: Differentiation on Beat
Learn how to design and implement effective small group instruction that targets student needs, increases engagement, and drives mastery of grade-level TEKS.
Session 1: July 21st 12PM-3PM (KISD Career Center)
Session 2: July 22nd 8AM-11AM (KISD Career Center)
i-Ready Remix 101: Dropping the Basics, Building the Foundation (New Teachers)
2nd - 8th Grade New to KISD Teachers and Teachers new to teaching get started with i-Ready by exploring key features through the Try It–Discuss It–Connect It framework.
i-Ready Remix 201: Elevate, Accelerate, Dominate (Returning Teachers)
2nd - 8th Grade Take your use of i-Ready to the next level by analyzing data trends, personalizing instruction, and maximizing impact through targeted pathways and progress monitoring.
(MS Algebra 1 & High School Math) Function of the Day: Daily Beats That Build Algebra Skills
Explore how a daily “Function of the Day” routine builds vocabulary, strengthens understanding of key features, and helps students make connections across multiple representations.
Middle School Math: Manipulative Remix: Hands-On Learning That Hits Different
Discover how to effectively use manipulatives to build conceptual understanding, support problem-solving, and make abstract math concepts tangible for middle school learners.
Session 1: July 23rd 9AM-12PM (KISD Career Center)
Session 2: July 23rd 1PM-4PM (KISD Career Center)
High School Math
(MS & HS Math) Don’t Miss a Beat: Responding to Mathematical Thinking in Real Time
How do we make effective instructional decisions in the moment? This session focuses on using academic monitoring to gather real-time evidence of student thinking and respond with purpose. Participants will practice selecting and sequencing student work, addressing misconceptions as opportunities for learning, and making instructional pivots that keep the mathematics on track and students engaged in meaningful thinking. (Aligned to T-TESS 1.2, 2.3, 2.5)
Session 1: July 20th 8AM-11AM (KISD Career Center)
Session 2: July 20th 1PM-4PM (KISD Career Center)
(MS & HS Math) Remix the Math: Let Students Own the Thinking
How do we move beyond participation to true student thinking and ownership? This session focuses on building a classroom culture where student discourse drives learning, engagement is rooted in meaningful thinking, and teachers respond proactively to both academic and behavioral needs. Participants will explore strategies for fostering collaboration, facilitating student-led conversations, and creating an environment where all learners feel safe to take risks and engage deeply in mathematics. (Aligned to T-TESS 2.3, 3.2, 3.3)
Session 1: July 20th 8AM-11AM (KISD Career Center)
Session 2: July 20th 1PM-4PM (KISD Career Center)
(High School Math) Don’t Stop Calculating: Desmos for STAAR
This session focuses on using the Desmos scientific calculator to support STAAR success. Explore key features, shortcuts, and strategic uses that help students solve problems more efficiently and accurately.
(High School Math) Be the DJ: Using TI-Nspire to Mix Engagement & Flow
This session focuses on practical strategies for running warm-ups, tracking attendance, organizing seating, and keeping students actively engaged from bell to bell. Walk away with ready-to-use routines that help you keep your class in sync while maximizing instructional time.
(High School Math) Don’t Just Press Play: Make Savvas Instructional
Savvas provides strong instructional content, but without a consumable, teachers must intentionally plan how students engage with the material. This session focuses on transforming Savvas presentations into active learning experiences. Teachers will explore practical strategies to ensure students are doing the thinking, not just viewing the content.
Session 1: July 22nd 8AM-11AM (KISD Career Center)
Session 2: July 22nd 1PM-4PM (KISD Career Center)
(MS Algebra 1 & High School Math) Function of the Day: Daily Beats That Build Algebra Skills
Explore how a daily “Function of the Day” routine builds vocabulary, strengthens understanding of key features, and helps students make connections across multiple representations.
FINISH STRONG
Please make note of the following:
- District Algebra Readiness Window is May 11–15, 2026.
- If a grade 7 student scores 235 or higher on their EOY MAP test, they qualify for Algebra I in Grade 8. They DO NOT have to take the Algebra Readiness exam.
- If a student does not qualify with either method, they will have an opportunity to retest in August 2026.
Once your grade 7 students have completed the EOY MAP exam, I will pull and flag students who already qualify. I will distribute that list of students to campuses with a letter template to be used to send letters home to those students’ parents.
When the District Algebra Readiness Window closes, I will add those scores to the spreadsheet and mark the additional students who qualify and send that letter template as well.
I will distribute a non-qualified letter template for other students with the implication they can request a retest during the August 2026 window. Some of the students who fall just short of passing will be offered an opportunity to attend a Summer Algebra Readiness Camp.
Once I have the spreadsheets completed, I will compile and separate them by campus and share with you.
When the District Algebra Readiness Window closes (at the close of business on Friday, May 15, 2026), I will add those scores to the spreadsheet and mark the additional students who qualify and prep their letters.
I will prep non-qualified letters for other students with the implication they can request a retest during the August 2026 window. Some of the students who fall just short of passing will be offered an opportunity to attend a Summer Algebra Readiness Camp.
Once I have the spreadsheets completed, I will compile and separate them by campus and share with you.