STLinATL: Full Schedule

Join us March 10-11, at Woodward’s Summit for Transformative Learning (STLinATL) 2025, where the future of education unfolds in an exhilarating two-day journey. This year, we’re thrilled to explore the theme “Embracing the Future of Education,” a beacon for the path ahead in deeper learning.

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8:30am EDT

The Radical (and Not So Radical) Future of Grading

Tuesday March 11, 2025 8:30am - 9:20am EDT

Gresham Chapel

As a nation, we are both challenging and being challenged by long-standing structures, beliefs, and assumptions about how we work, live, and connect—with each other and with our planet. What does this mean for the future of how teachers grade–one of the oldest structures in our schools and the incarnation of our beliefs about teacher expertise, what it means to be educated, and how we determine who wins and who loses in a meritocracy? How might equitable grading help us to let go of outdated and unhelpful limitations in the most influential element of our schools, and inspire improvements throughout our teaching and learning?

Speakers

Joe Feldman

Founder and CEO, Crescendo Education Group

Joe has worked in education for over 20 years, including as a teacher, principal, and district administrator, and is the founder and CEO of Crescendo Education Group (crescendoedgroup.org), which since 2013 has supported hundreds of K-12 schools, districts, and colleges/universities... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 8:30am - 9:20am EDT
Gresham Chapel

Keynote

9:30am EDT

Be True to You: Bell Hooks’ Perspective on Spirituality in Education

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT

The LJ

Presentation Link:

Step into the transformative world of bell hooks' spiritual pedagogy. Thirty years ago, hooks (1994) released Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom, a groundbreaking work that revolutionized teaching. In her follow-up book, Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope, hooks (2003) delves into spirituality in education, offering a roadmap for holistic leadership and teacher training. This dynamic session will immerse participants in the contemplative, critical, culturally relevant, and intersectional insights from hooks (2003), particularly the chapter titled “Spirituality in Education,” where she asserts, “We can’t begin to talk about spirituality in education until we talk about what it means to have a life in the spirit. So we are not just teachers when we enter our classrooms, but we are teachers in every moment of our lives.” Utilizing this quote as a guiding principle, participants will encounter a space to practice the teachings of bell hooks’ spiritual pedagogy while engaging the essence of being well (Be True to You). In this session, participants will engage in reflective dialogue and discussion, guided by five teachable moments of embodiment, calling, opportunity, liberation, and home (hooks, 2003).

Participants will experience five teachable moments:
TM #1: “Embodying the Teachings”- a mind and body approach to well-being practices
TM #2: “Calling the Spirit”-encountering challenges of living in the spirit in educational spaces
TM #3: “Opportunity”-being true to the core and bridging across differences with compassion
TM #4: “Liberation of the Spirit”-recognizing a spoken and lived truth in community
TM #5: “Returning Home”-maintaining the integrity of being guided by sacrificial love

Speakers

Rosalynne Duff

Founder, Mental Wrap

Rosalynne Duff is an educator, minister, leader, and healer with more than a decade of experience in urban education, centering on liberation and transformational pedagogy. She started her teaching career in Louisville, KY, and resides in Atlanta, GA. Rosalynne owns Mental Wrap, LLC... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT
The LJ

Workshop

9:30am EDT

Designing A Whole School Discussion Strategy

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT

W121

Discussion is at the heart of any great school community and communication skills are central to mission statements and portraits of a graduate. Yet, few schools have an intentional strategy for teaching, practicing, and assessing discussion skills across grades and divisions!

At REAL Discussion, we partner with schools to design and implement customized discussion skills strategies. We're experts in discussion pedagogy, gen-z and alpha learners, and change management -- and we know that the best academic leaders balance big-picture purpose with programmatic realities.

Join this session to imagine a whole-school discussion skills strategy, thinking both philosophically (why does this work matter? what language do we use to describe it?) and tactically (what do we already do? how do we know? what obstacles to alignment exist?). Leave with a roadmap for your school's journey towards intentional discussion skills instruction!

Speakers

Liza Garonzik

Founder, R.E.A.L. Discussion

Liza Garonzik is the Founder of REAL Discussion: a company on a mission to teach and celebrate face-to-face communication skills, starting in the classroom. REAL empowers educators with research-backed tools to explicitly teach the in-person discussion skills today's students need... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT
W121

Workshop

9:30am EDT

Grading and Reporting Student Learning: Effective Policies and Practices

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT

W300

This presentation describes what we know about effective grading and reporting policies and practices. Keeping in mind the many practical challenges teachers face, we review the importance of fairness, honesty, and equity in grading and describe ways to ensure meaningful communication between teachers, students, and families. Procedures for implementing new reporting structures, including standards-based and competency-based grading models, are highlighted, together with policies and practices that should be avoided due to their negative consequences for students, teachers, and schools.

Guskey, T. R. (2024). Engaging Parents’ and Families in Grading Reforms. Corwin.
Guskey, T. R. (2020). Get Set, Go! Creating Successful Grading and Reporting Systems. Solution Tree.
Guskey, T. R., & Brookhart, S. M. (Eds.) (2019). What We Know About Grading: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What’s Next? ASCD.
Guskey, T. R. (2015). On Your Mark: Challenging the Conventions of Grading and Reporting. Solution Tree.
Guskey, T. R., & Bailey, J. M. (2010). Developing Standards-Based Report Cards. Corwin.
Guskey, T. R. (2009). Practical Solutions to Serious Problems in Standards-Based Grading. Corwin.

Speakers

Thomas Guskey

Professor Emeritus, University of Kentucky

Thomas R. Guskey, PhD, is Professor Emeritus in the College of Education, University of Kentucky. A graduate of the University of Chicago’s renowned Measurement, Evaluation, and Statistical Analysis (MESA) program, he began his career in education as a middle school teacher, served... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT
W300

Workshop

9:30am EDT

How Writing Can Deepen and Reinforce Learning

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT

Library Conference Room A-B

Presentation Link:

Writing is a powerful tool for deepening knowledge, enhancing reading comprehension, and developing analytical thinking. It also plays a crucial role in helping all students engage with grade-level material. Yet, writing remains one of the most challenging tasks we ask students to master. To unlock the power of writing instruction, we need to: (1) reduce overwhelm by starting at the sentence level when needed, (2) teach grammar and writing conventions in the context of students’ own writing and, (3) integrate writing activities into the core curriculum—across all subjects and grade levels. This presentation will explore practical strategies and examples of effective writing activities that support these goals.

Speakers

Natalie Wexler

Education Author and Speaker

Natalie Wexler is an education writer and the author of The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America’s Broken Education System—and How to Fix It (Avery 2019). She is also the co-author, with Judith C. Hochman, of The Writing Revolution 2.0: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT
Library Conference Room A-B

Workshop

9:30am EDT

Keeping the Responsive Classroom Fire Burning

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT

Carlos Science Atrium

Presentation Link:

Maintain focus, enthusiasm, and consistency with the Responsive Classroom approach.
Many times teachers start out strong and then lose steam both throughout the school day and the school year. Along the way, that excitement and enthusiasm for the RC approach may dwindle. In this session, you will learn strategies to help you stay motivated and focused as you keep the fire burning to support the momentum of learning in your classroom. This session will deepen your understanding of current Responsive Classroom practices that support change in student academics and behaviors.

Speakers

Crystal Cooper

Consultant, Responsive Classroom

Dr. Crystal Cooper is a former teacher of the year and twenty-five-year veteran instructional leader. She has gained a reputation as a passionate thought leader who leads with intention, insight, and grace. Her Responsive Classroom journey began while teaching in Paterson, New Jersey... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT
Carlos Science Atrium

Workshop

9:30am EDT

Maximizing Teacher Performance with Instructional Coaching

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT

W126

If teachers are the most important factor influencing student learning outcomes, then Independent Schools need an effective way to continually develop and grow teachers. Instructional Coaching is a job-embedded model for improving teacher effectiveness and efficacy. Independent Schools who do not have an Instructional Coach on staff can train department chairs to provide Instructional Coaching to teachers. In this session, you will learn about the benefits of Instructional Coaching and how to implement coaching practices using the faculty you currently have.

Speakers

Allison Petersen

K-8 Instructional Coach, Christian Heritage School

Allison is the author of Kickstart Your Coaching Cycles and founder of the #NewtoCoaching Community, where new Instructional Coaches can learn, connect, and be encouraged as they transition from the classroom to coaching. She discovered that coach was her calling early in her educational... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT
W126

Workshop

9:30am EDT

Portrait of an Innovator

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT

W200

What does it take to thrive in a future shaped by constant change, technological advancements, artificial intelligence, and global challenges? What competencies, character traits, and skills do people need to succeed in their career and life? How does that future connect with what students need to succeed in college and beyond?
Join us for a discussion on the Portrait of an Innovator, where a strong academic background provides the foundation for the essential skills, behaviors, and mindsets that tomorrow's leaders need to succeed, including creativity, collaboration, and innovation. We'll paint a picture of that future-ready innovator in careers as diverse as business, healthcare, higher education, and beyond. Together, we'll connect the Portrait of an Innovator with Woodward's Portrait of a Learner, identifying practical ways to cultivate these traits in students and educators alike. Discover how painting a Portrait of an Innovator can prepare the next generation to lead in an ever-evolving world.

Speakers

Scott Sanchez

Collaborator in Chief, Innovators Atlanta

Scott is a human driven executive, with expertise in product management and design, customer driven innovation, and collaborative leadership with a history of turning deep insights into simple, yet impactful products and experiences to delight customers.Scott most recently served... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT
W200

Workshop

9:30am EDT

Thanks for The Feedback and Radical Candor

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT

W124

Presentation Link:

In this interactive workshop, teachers and administrators will get a summary of key points from the books Thanks for the Feedback and Radical Candor. This professional development opportunity will help all participants get better at receiving feedback and better at delivering it as well.

Speakers

Peyten Williams

Founder, Bowbend Consulting

Peyten Williams is the founder of Bowbend Consulting, a company dedicated to inspiring and equipping parents and communities to raise thriving children of character. At Bowbend, Peyten offers parent coaching, workshops for parents and schools, consulting for schools, and professional... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT
W124

Workshop

9:30am EDT

The Why, What, and How of Equitable Grading: An Overview

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT

Bowers Commons (Chapel Activity Room)

Discover how schools and teachers across the country—whether working with students who excel or those who struggle— are using practical, research-backed grading improvements to enhance learning, strengthen the integrity of report cards and transcripts, reduce student stress, and even boost teacher satisfaction. How are these common sense grading practices more accurate, fair, and motivational than our century-old way of grading students, as demonstrated by academic research as well as classroom-based evidence? Explore both incremental and transformative upgrades to grading that build on what educators already do and believe. Learn effective strategies to address skepticism and misconceptions, ensuring that all stakeholders understand how equitable grading fosters higher expectations, deeper learning, and greater success for every student.

Speakers

Joe Feldman

Founder and CEO, Crescendo Education Group

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT
Bowers Commons (Chapel Activity Room)

Workshop

9:30am EDT

Unlocking the Power of AI

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT

Moss Lecture Hall

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the educational landscape. This interactive workshop will equip educators with the knowledge and tools to harness AI's potential. We'll focus on how AI can enhance teacher efficiency through practical applications for tasks like lesson planning, assessment, and feedback. Participants will explore engaging activities and pedagogical approaches to develop students' AI literacy, ensuring they understand and can ethically utilize this technology. The session aligns with UNESCO competencies and provides participants with a toolkit of resources to help them integrate AI into their classrooms.

Speakers

Elizabeth Helfant

Dean of Curriculum and Instruction, Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School

Elizabeth Helfant is the Dean of Curriculum and Instruction for MICDS, a JK-12 school of 1250 students in Missouri. Following graduation from Davidson College in 1984, Ms Helfant began her career in education teaching chemistry, physics, and mathematics. She has been in education... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 9:30am - 10:45am EDT
Moss Lecture Hall

Workshop

11:00am EDT

Leap of Learning: Embracing Risks in the Classroom

Tuesday March 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Gresham Chapel

Join me for an interactive workshop designed to inspire students to step outside their comfort zones and embrace the power of risk-taking and vulnerability in their learning journey. "Leap of Learning" will guide participants through an engaging discussion that highlights the benefits of “failing forward.” Discover strategies to help students overcome fear, foster creativity, and enhance problem-solving skills—all while creating a supportive classroom environment. Whether it's tackling challenging projects or asking questions freely, this talk empowers students to view risks as opportunities for growth and innovation. Take the leap with me and redefine your approach and purpose to teaching and learning!

Speakers

Kendrick Johnson

Founder, Frontier Educational Consulting

Dr. Kendrick Johnson is founder of Frontier Educational Consulting. He began his career as a high school and middle school English teacher in Chicago. Dr. Johnson also spent time as an instructional coach and a director of curriculum and instruction. He later transitioned into working... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Gresham Chapel

Keynote

12:00pm EDT

A LOOM of Her Own: Offering LOOMinous feedback to Student Work (Alexis Horder)

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

W121

In this presentation, Alexis will share how she has been using LOOM to provide feedback to help improve student writing. She will discuss other uses for LOOM in the classroom, student responses to this method, and ways she plans to push this strategy in the future. participants will leave the presentation with a clear understanding of how Loom works and with ideas for how it might be used in other subject areas.

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
W121

Concurrent Session

12:00pm EDT

Beyond ChatGPT: Preparing for the Next Wave of AI in Education (Art Kibert Basler)

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

The LJ

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms education, educators face unprecedented opportunities and challenges. This forward-looking session explores how emerging AI technologies will reshape teaching and learning in the next 1-3 years. We'll examine practical developments like personalized AI tutoring systems and classroom assistants while discussing the broader implications of advancing AI capabilities. Topics include the evolution of AI from current tools to potentially more sophisticated systems, the growing phenomenon of students using AI as learning companions, and how educators can thoughtfully prepare for these changes. Whether new to AI or already implemented in your classroom, this session will provide valuable insights into preparing students for an AI- integrated educational landscape. Join us for an engaging discussion about empowering teachers and students to thrive alongside AI.

Two takeaways: 1) A practical framework for evaluating which emerging AI tools to adopt in their classroom versus which ones to wait on, based on factors like pedagogical value, student privacy, and implementation complexity.
2) Understanding how to prepare students for a future where AI companions and tutors are commonplace, including the benefits and potential psychological/social considerations.

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
The LJ

Concurrent Session

12:00pm EDT

ERB - Meeting the Needs of the Whole Child (Jason Lasnetski)

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

W124

This workshop builds understanding about the value of assessing for social emotional competencies and student well-being in a formalized way using the Whole Child Solution. Participants will receive a framework for how to consider implementing the Whole Child Solution in sustainable ways that work for their unique context.

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
W124

Concurrent Session

12:00pm EDT

From Concept to Classroom: Using Generative AI to Design Engaging and Relevant Content (Tekia Timmons)

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

W200

Generative AI provides high school math teachers with powerful tools to design assignments that connect mathematical concepts to real-world challenges. This session demonstrates how AI can support the creation of dynamic, thought-provoking assessments that foster critical thinking and help students analyze global and local issues. Participants will learn strategies to align AI-generated content with high school math curricula, enabling them to address pressing societal questions while empowering students to see mathematics as a tool for meaningful change.

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
W200

Concurrent Session

12:00pm EDT

Inspiring Students to Level Up Their Lab Reports (Upper Elementary Science): Embedding Student-Based Formative Assessment to Sharpen Scientific Skills (Becky Maas)

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

W126

How can we help students identify and focus on important skills and content? Elementary school scientists often struggle to filter the information they receive and focus their answers. By embedding leveled learning objectives into their lab experiments, the task objectives become transparent, and students are empowered to identify their work level and how they can improve. Come see how learning progressions can clarify and enrich scientific writing and empower students to level up.

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
W126

Concurrent Session

12:00pm EDT

Literacy and Design Thinking in the Elementary Classroom (Summaya Knight, Natalie Rachel, Mary Jarrell)

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

W300

A team of teachers and Instructional Technology Specialists will share how to implement literacy skills while implementing Design Thinking. Participants will engage in hands-on activities, explore real-world classroom examples, and leave with practical strategies for implementing Design Thinking in reading and writing lessons. Whether designing solutions to a character’s problem, creating storyboards for digital storytelling, or using empathy maps to develop strong narrative voices, educators will discover powerful ways to enhance literacy through innovation and design.

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
W300

Concurrent Session

12:00pm EDT

Making the Most of your Math Minutes (or any Content Area)! (Laura Briceno, Lauren Hood)

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

W132

Do you seem to always run out of time to hold small groups or finish class activities before the bell rings? Uncover more instructional class time with a flipped classroom. It's not just for high school and college classes! The focus of this session will be on how and why to implement a flipped classroom for approximately grades 2-8, but the concepts could be adapted for any grade. Laura Briceno & Lauren Hood will walk you through their experience in implementing a "Flipped Classroom Lite" this year in their 4th grade math classrooms. While the focus will be primarily from the perspective of 2 math teachers, a flipped classroom could be implemented in any content area, so teachers from all content areas are welcome! We'll also throw in a few other time-savers as well.

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
W132

Concurrent Session

12:00pm EDT

Mindset Math: Innovative Approaches to Transform STEM Education (Rebecca Yin)

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

W134

This presentation will explore how Mindset Math, a global nonprofit with over 100 members, is redefining math education through innovative programs that integrate interdisciplinary studies and creative teaching strategies. Founded in November 2023, Mindset Math now reaches diverse student groups across Mexico, Asia, and other underserved communities.

I will share insights from three core programs designed to engage students in unique learning experiences:

Mindful Mathletes: Combines psychology with math tasks to foster a growth mindset and deepen mathematical thinking. STEM & Stitches: Blends math, crochet, and science to raise climate change awareness, support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and promote the importance of interdisciplinary studies. Around the World in 80 Math Problems: In partnership with the National Math Foundation, this program incorporates movement mats and kinesthetic learning to teach real-world math applications. Participants will gain insights from my teaching experiences at Woodward Academy’s Lower and Middle Schools, Horizons summer camp, and virtual classes, along with evaluations of program outcomes. I will also provide practical strategies for incorporating these methods into traditional classrooms, fostering creative STEM education practices.

The session will conclude with key takeaways on launching a student-driven nonprofit, project development, and creating engaging STEM curricula. Sample presentations and hands-on resources will be shared to support classroom implementation.

Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for enhancing STEM education and promoting interdisciplinary learning.

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
W134

Concurrent Session

12:00pm EDT

Reading Comprehension Across the Curriculum (Jodi Hochman)

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

Library Conference Room A-B

Last school year, the 6th grade transition team analyzed assessment data regarding our students. We found that our students struggled with reading comprehension of informational texts, specially with identifying the main idea of a passage. By late elementary school, most students are no longer “learning to read”, and begin “reading to learn”; our students are expected to read and comprehend texts across academic settings to learn new concepts. Our students with diagnosed and undiagnosed reading disorders can struggle to attain grade-level reading comprehension, and their knowledge gap grows over time. The goal of this session is to prepare teachers, grades six and up, to integrate reading instruction into their classroom instruction. Teachers will leave with intentional, research-based strategies and activities they can try in their classrooms to aid their students’ reading comprehension. They will also have an opportunity to explore digital resources to supplement these strategies. This session will be most helpful to teachers who work with
students from the transition program or who receive accommodation plans. Teachers who frequently feature, or would like to increase their usage of informational text, will find this session beneficial.

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Library Conference Room A-B

Concurrent Session

12:00pm EDT

Reading to life - Mission to Mars (Brannon Fissett, Shelby Carey, Chris Brown)

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

W135

This session highlights an innovative collaboration between technology leaders and classroom educators to transform learning by integrating STEM and literacy. Using the novels A Rover's Story and The Wild Robot as inspiration, students were immersed in a dynamic educational experience that bridged reading comprehension with hands-on STEM activities. Through robotics scenarios tied to the narratives, students tackled challenges that enhanced their critical thinking, mathematical skills, and logical reasoning, while deepening their understanding of the novels’ themes and characters. Attendees will learn how a cohesive partnership between IT professionals and teachers can create engaging, cross-disciplinary opportunities that inspire students and cultivate a lifelong love of learning.

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
W135

Concurrent Session

12:00pm EDT

Teaching Compassion: Personal Perspectives on Education in America and a Roundtable Discussion (Dr. William Nicholson)

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

W136

Goals: This presentation seeks to give an overview, based on my personal experience, on strategies to use to bring SEE learning and a focus on compassion into our teaching by modeling behaviors and sharing stories from our personal lives to enhance what I call the student's HQ (happiness quotient, an area I explore in my Maymester course on "Happiness and Well Being").

Content will largely revolve around first defining "compassion" and why it is needed in the world now more than ever and then, second, asking participants why they teach as a way to get at their core beliefs. I will then collate these core beliefs and compare to my own 9 core beliefs (listed below), which will be displayed in a ppt. I then envision a "roundtable" discussion about how to model/integrate teachers' core beliefs in regards to compassion in the curriculum and how to display them in the classroom.

My core beliefs:
1. Be flexible and courageous/follow your heart
2. Be compassionate/the importance of passion in our lives
3. Be a good person/do the right thing
4. Value friendships
5. Teach how to love as well as how to learn
6. Emphasize long term influence over short term gain
7. Life is about relationships
8. Learn from the past
9. Choose your goals wisely lest you achieve them before age 40 (Dr. James T. Laney, Emory University address)

Takeaways: The main takeaway will be somewhat unconventional. Instead of overloading participants with book and article lists and social media sites, I want to emphasize that the best and often most under-utilized source in this area is YOU!! Know your core beliefs and use those to model compassion, life-long learning, and global citizenship.

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
W136

Concurrent Session

12:00pm EDT

Training Our Hearts and Minds: An Introduction to Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (Megan Joiner, May Engelhardt)

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

Carlos Science Atrium

Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT®) is a system of contemplative exercises designed to strengthen and sustain compassion. Developed at Emory University, CBCT combines brain science with ancient meditative practices. This secular program has been developed for use by educators, medical professionals, as well as in the business field. CBCT practice has been clinically shown to decrease rates of burnout and anxiety in a variety of settings, including education. Learn more about CBCT and what it has to offer you and your team. This workshop will include guided meditative practice.

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
Carlos Science Atrium

Concurrent Session

12:00pm EDT

Transdisciplinary Inquiry: Students as Explorers! (Kader Adjout, Lisa Brown)

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

W139

Students still learn in silos where knowledge is broken down into small unrelated elements; however, when students are given the opportunity to explore, they draw from different disciplines and go beyond the departmental constraints we created for them to try and understand the issue at hand. In this spotlight, we will share our different approaches to make student learning more of a transdisciplinary inquiry through an action-oriented, collaborative exploration of an authentic task that fosters student agency, choice, and interest. Through this nonlinear approach students engage in deeper learning as they construct, make meaning, and transfer knowledge. They learn to read the world through multiple lenses. Come, hear about, and share ideas that promote student inquiry through an un-siloed approach to learning.

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
W139

Concurrent Session

12:00pm EDT

Using YAMM with G-Mail to Improve Student and Parent Communication (Mark Carrington)

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT

W141

This workshop will teach you to work with Y.A.M.M. (Yet Another Mail Merge), an add-on to the Google Mail and Google Sheets platforms. Using YAMM, you can quickly and efficiently send emails to your students that appear as individualized mail when, in reality, you are sending a form letter. If you are a Woodward teacher and register for this presentation BEFORE FEB. 28, I will build a Google folder for you to practice with during the presentation. Bring your laptop to this presentation!

Tuesday March 11, 2025 12:00pm - 12:45pm EDT
W141

Concurrent Session

1:00pm EDT

Bridging Math and Science: Data Collection Meets Function Modeling

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

W126

Discover how to make math come alive through hands-on data collection and function modeling! This interactive session is designed for math teachers eager to create interdisciplinary connections with science. You'll engage in real-world experiments to collect data and use technology—TI-84, TI-Nspire, or Excel—to model the resulting functions.
Learn practical strategies to integrate data analysis and function modeling into your classroom, empowering students to see the beauty of mathematics in action. Whether you’re a tech-savvy educator or just getting started, this session will equip you with ready-to-use activities and insights to inspire your students.
Come prepared to explore, experiment, and elevate your teaching!

Speakers

Diane Broberg

JK - 12 Math and Computer Science Department Chair, Mary Institute & St. Louis Country Day School

Diane Broberg is a 30+ year math educator. From elementary education to college courses, Diane is committed to helping students and teachers develop a passion and love for mathematics. She enjoys helping teachers build skills and resources that engage students in the classroom. As... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
W126

Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Bringing Back the Human Into Leadership

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

Carlos Science Atrium

What happens when you truly put people at the center of your leadership— whether faculty, staff, students, or others? Leadership is the ability to guide, inspire, and support a group or team of people towards a shared goal. Yet, despite over a century of leadership studies, how many great leaders have we worked for? How many times have we wished someone would show more leadership? How often have we been great leaders ourselves? Gone are the days where the leader is expected to have all the answers; the problems we face are too wicked, the amount of information we have is too much, and the pace of change is just too fast. It's now about harnessing the strength of the team and of every individual.
Join us for a session where we’ll explore the evolution of leadership styles and dive into an emerging trend of Human-Centered Leadership. This approach flips the perspective of leadership from the leader to the followers. Together, we'll discuss practical tools and behaviors from the worlds of innovation, creativity, and collaboration that can create better outcomes, stronger relationships, and a culture of connection and impact. Discover how embracing Human-Centered Leadership can not only transform you and your teams, but also inspire lasting impact in every corner of your school and beyond.

Speakers

Scott Sanchez

Collaborator in Chief, Innovators Atlanta

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
Carlos Science Atrium

Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Demystifying DOK: A Practice and Process for Teaching and Learning

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

W132

What is the new information and recent research on Depth of Knowledge? Discover how Depth of Knowledge has become a transformative concept, framework, and language for teaching and learning. Understand how Depth of Knowledge involves "looking beyond the verb" to check and clarify the cognitive demand of learning goals and expectations. Examine how the DOK Levels function as a multi-tiered framework that defines and describes four distinct ways students can understand and use their learning. Explore how to use DOK as a language to specify what exactly and how deeply students must comprehend and communicate their learning. Most importantly, learn how Depth of Knowledge as a practice and process ensures the teaching and learning experience is standards driven and student supportive.

Speakers

Erik M. Francis

Owner, Maverik Education

Erik M. Francis, M.Ed., M.S., is an international author, educator, presenter, and professional development provider with 30 years of experience in education. He is the author of Inquiring Minds Want to Learn: Posing Good Questions to Promote Student Inquiry (Solution Tree), Deconstructing... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
W132

Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Fostering Belonging and Trust in Your Classroom

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

Moss Lecture Hall

Presentation Link:

A hands-on workshop to engage teachers in concrete strategies for fostering belonging and trust in the classroom with students of all ages. Strategies from Priya Parker, Positive Discipline, and with a little Dan Siegel brain research thrown in. Teachers will leave with easy strategies to implement right away in their classroom.

Speakers

Peyten Williams

Founder, Bowbend Consulting

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
Moss Lecture Hall

Workshop

1:00pm EDT

From Overwhelmed to Empowered: Addressing Anxiety in the Classroom

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

The LJ

Presentation Link:

Anxiety is one of the most common challenges students face, impacting their learning, behavior, and well-being. In this session, educators will gain a deeper understanding of student anxiety, its triggers, and how it manifests in the classroom. We will explore practical strategies to create a supportive environment, manage anxious behaviors, and implement proactive interventions that foster student confidence and emotional regulation. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to help students navigate anxiety and thrive in the classroom.

Speakers

Meredith Draper

Middle School Counselor, Woodward Academy

Originally from New York City, Meredith earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Fordham University and a master's degree from Long Island University. With a deep passion for psychology, education, and working with children, Meredith pursued a career that combines all three—professional... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
The LJ

Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Getting Started with Standards-Based Grading

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

W300

School leaders often encounter predictable challenges when attempting to reform grading and reporting—challenges that could have been anticipated and avoided. This presentation highlights three crucial prerequisites, backed by research, that eliminate those problems and help bring honesty and integrity to the grading process. These steps provide the necessary foundation for implementing grading policies and practices that prioritize students’ best interests, facilitate communication between school and home, and make grades honest, accurate, meaningful, and equitable.

Guskey, T. R. (2024). Engaging Parents’ and Families in Grading Reforms. Corwin.
Guskey, T. R., Frey, N., & Fisher, D. (2024). Grading with Integrity. Corwin Press.
Guskey, T. R. (2020). Get Set, Go! Creating Successful Grading and Reporting Systems. Solution Tree.
Guskey, T. R., & Brookhart, S. M. (Eds.) (2019). What We Know About Grading: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What’s Next? ASCD.

Speakers

Thomas Guskey

Professor Emeritus, University of Kentucky

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
W300

Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Keeping the Responsive Classroom Fire Burning

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

W200

Presentation Link:

Maintain focus, enthusiasm, and consistency with the Responsive Classroom approach.
Many times teachers may start out strong and then lose steam both throughout the school day and the school year. Along the way, that excitement and enthusiasm for the RC approach may dwindle. In this session, you will learn strategies to help you stay motivated and focused as you keep the fire burning to support the momentum of learning in your classroom. This session will deepen your understanding of current Responsive Classroom practices that support change in student academics and behaviors.

Speakers

Crystal Cooper

Consultant, Responsive Classroom

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
W200

Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Making Learning Personal: Redefining Assessment in the Age of AI

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

Library Conference Room A-B

The rise of AI tools like ChatGPT has changed the game for educators, challenging traditional assessments and creating new opportunities for personalized learning. In this hands-on workshop, we’ll start by exploring the skills and mindsets needed to shift toward authentic, future-ready assessments. Then, we’ll focus on strategies to make assessments “ChatGPT-proof” by prioritizing meaningful, critical thinking tasks. To wrap up, you’ll get a hands-on walkthrough of Toddle’s AI Tutors—a game-changing tool for creating personalized learning experiences like never before.

3 Takeaways:

Develop Skills for AI-Enhanced Education: Cultivate the mindset shifts and dispositions needed to lead assessment innovation in the age of AI.
Redesign Assessments for Deep Learning: Learn strategies to create authentic assessments that prioritize critical thinking and reduce reliance on AI-generated responses.
Leverage AI for Personalization: Explore how Toddle’s AI Tutors and other tools can help personalize learning, foster engagement, and meet diverse student needs.

Speakers

Cindy Blackburn

Director of Learning and Engagement, Toddle

Cindy Blackburn, M.Ed., is a former international educator turned curriculum innovator. With over a decade of experience as an elementary teacher and curriculum coordinator, she now serves as the Director of Learning & Engagement at Toddle, specializing in leadership, progressive... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
Library Conference Room A-B

Workshop

1:00pm EDT

Restorative Classroom Management: System, Routines, and Procedures that Prioritize Learning and Facilitate a Dynamic Classroom Culture

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

Bowers Commons (Chapel Activity Room)

It is more important than ever to create learning communities that are positive, structured, safe, and nurturing. The Restorative Classroom Management Cycle will provide you with strategies to cultivate student relationships, promote high expectations, and ensure that learning is the top priority. In this session, you will engage with a four-step management system and leave knowing how to apply this dynamic management system with your own students.

Speakers

Kendrick Johnson

Founder, Frontier Educational Consulting

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
Bowers Commons (Chapel Activity Room)

Workshop

1:00pm EDT

The Why, What, and How of Equitable Grading: An Overview

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

W134

Speakers

Joe Feldman

Founder and CEO, Crescendo Education Group

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
W134

Workshop

1:00pm EDT

The Writing Revolution as a Formative Assessment Opportunity in Middle Grades (4th-8th)

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

W124

Good writing starts with explicit instruction, deliberate practice, and revision. In addition, good writing is an excellent way to formatively assess comprehension. Let’s write together and discuss a roadmap to provide clear, coherent, evidence-based instruction no matter what subject or grade level you teach.

Speakers

Jill Gough

Director of Teaching and Learning, Trinity School

Jill Gough, Director of Teaching and Learning at Trinity School since 2012, facilitates professional development opportunities, builds teacher-administrator partnerships to facilitate a collaborative learning community, and leads educator observations and assessments. In addition... Read More →

Marsha Harris

Director of Curriculum, Trinity School

With 27 years in elementary education, I am dedicated to promoting effective teaching practices, fostering student success, and enhancing the overall educational experience for young learners.As Director of Curriculum, I play a pivotal role in designing and implementing comprehensive... Read More →

Tuesday March 11, 2025 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT
W124

Workshop

2:30pm EDT

Thinking in the Age of AI: What Work Truly Matters?

Tuesday March 11, 2025 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT

Gresham Chapel

In a world where AI can automate tasks, generate ideas, and perform analysis at unprecedented speeds, what is the role of human thinking? This keynote explores the learnings from AI's rapid adoption and asks a provocative question: What work is worth our cognitive load? Together, we’ll examine research on meaningful work, unpack what makes tasks worth doing, and reimagine the future of human cognition in an AI-driven world. Leave inspired and ready to focus your energy on the work that truly matters.

3 Takeaways:

Understand AI’s Strengths and Trajectory: Gain insight into what AI is currently capable of, where it’s headed, and how to navigate its growing role in the workplace.
Define Meaningful Work: Explore frameworks and research on what makes work valuable, fulfilling, and uniquely human in a technology-driven era.
Become an AI Leader: Learn the essential skills, mindsets, and dispositions to lead and thrive in a future where AI is ubiquitous.

Speakers

Cindy Blackburn

Director of Learning and Engagement, Toddle

Tuesday March 11, 2025 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT
Gresham Chapel

Keynote