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2024 Literacy Connects Us to the World
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Thursday, July 18
 

8:00am CDT

Teaching Better by Design: How to Improve Reading and Writing Assignments
Thursday July 18, 2024 8:00am - 9:05am CDT
Engage A-D
Speakers
avatar for Jim Burke

Jim Burke

Jim Burke is the author of numerous bestselling Heinemann titles, including the English Teacher’s Companion, Fourth Edition and What’s the Big Idea? The question he’s always tried to answer is “How can we teach our students better?” He seeks these answers daily through his work in his own classroom at Burlingame High School in California where he still teaches after twenty years. Facing the same constraints and challenges... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 8:00am - 9:05am CDT
Engage A-D
  Keynote

9:15am CDT

Emojis for Emergent Bilinguals: Using Emojis to Hack Tone & Mood in Literary Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Collaborate B
Teaching tone got you tongue-tied? Teaching mood got you melancholy? Hack tone and mood for emergent bilinguals in a language they understand: emojis! 😀 In this session, you will learn how to support emergent bilinguals' comprehension of tone and mood in literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry through the use of emojis. Not only are emojis a universal language, emojis can help emergent bilingual learners to recognize patterns of mood and tone in a text and utilize these patterns to successfully answer assessment questions. Join us in crying while we laugh 😂 as we hack tone and mood for our emergent bilinguals.
Speakers
avatar for Emily Sucevic

Emily Sucevic

English II Teacher, Arlington ISD
Emily Sucevic is entering her eighth year in K-12 education and her fourteenth year as an educator. She has been passionately teaching English II for seven years now and always seeks to make content relatable for her students. As the English Department Chair for her campus, Emily... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Collaborate B
  Emergent Bilinguals

9:15am CDT

Space to Talk: Creating Dialogic Classroom Environments
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Motivate B
Purposeful classroom dialogue has been shown as a key contributor to developing higher student achievement. Current educational research-based practice literature points to the necessity for teachers to create environments rich in student dialogue. In this session we will explore two instructional strategies that will foster critical thinking through dialogue.
Speakers
avatar for Kimberly Soesbee

Kimberly Soesbee

Secondary ELA Facilitator, Grand Prairie ISD
Kimberly Soesbee is an international writing coach, author, and instructional leader. For more than 20 years, Kimberly has helped corporations and school districts improve their performance through targeted professional development efforts. She is pursuing a doctorate in Educational... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Motivate B
  Engagement Strategies

9:15am CDT

Fluency and Comprehension Connection
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Innovate D
This session will explore "The Megabook of Fluency". Educators will deepen their understanding of the critical link between fluency and comprehension. We will explore strategies in a holistic and effective approach to literacy instruction.
Speakers
avatar for Nikki Hagood

Nikki Hagood

Elementary ELAR Content Specialist, ESC Region 11
Nikki Hagood is currently working as an ELAR Elementary Instructional Content Coach for ESC Region 11. She spent most of her career teaching upper elementary ELAR in both rural and urban districts in Texas. As a teacher, Nikki worked as a curriculum writer and department head. She... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Innovate D
  Reading, Reading

9:15am CDT

Making the Connection: The Science of Teaching Reading and Research Based Instructional Strategies
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Innovate C
Participants in this session will engage in making the connection between the Science of Teaching Reading with TEA’s Research-Based Instructional Strategies by examining reading strategies for secondary students.   Educators and leaders in attendance will be engaged in science, research, and the power of knowledge to showcase an integrated approach to literacy instruction for middle and secondary students.  By the end of the session, participants will leave with a variety of tools and resources to take back to their 6-12 ELA classrooms that align to the Science of Teaching Reading.
Speakers
avatar for Najah Rayburg

Najah Rayburg

Lead Professional Learning Specialist, Amplify
Najah Rayburg is a Lead Professional Learning Specialist with Amplify who has supported countless educators and leaders across the nation with all things K-5 and 6-12 literacy.  Prior to her work with Amplify, she was an educator in Texas for 10 years as well as a reading specialist... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Innovate C
  Reading

9:15am CDT

Mentor Texts for a Variety of Literacy Tasks
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Inspire A
You may have heard it said that students should write about a text and then write like the text.  Mentor texts can be used for a variety of purposes to meet multiple RLA TEKS. In this session, learn to use mentor texts from sentence construction to extended constructed responses of all genres.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Ann-Marie Morgan

Dr. Ann-Marie Morgan

Curriculum Director, Venus ISD
Dr. Morgan taught high school English for 12 years before taking on roles such as instructional specialist, professional development supervisor, and curriculum director.
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Inspire A
  Reading

9:15am CDT

Reimagining The Canon: Incorporating Modern, Diverse Texts in the Secondary ELAR Classroom
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Collaborate A
In English, there are many books that teachers feel are staples in their curriculum. To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men, and the many works of Shakespeare are some of the texts that many English teachers believe are essential. However, have we ever stopped to consider how these texts resonate with our students? In this session, English teachers will learn ways in which they can incorporate more diverse, modern texts into their curriculum while still leaving room for those staples we know and love.
Speakers
avatar for Becki Clesse

Becki Clesse

Adv. English II Teacher, Arlington ISD
This year will be my 8th in education and I teach Advanced English II at Arlington Collegiate High School in Arlington ISD. Previously, I’ve taught courses such at AP Literature and Composition, IB HL Language and Literature, Humanites, STAAR Remediation for 10th-12th graders, and... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Collaborate A
  Reading

9:15am CDT

Cultivating a Garden of Original Thought: Nurturing Ideas to Grow Authentic Writing
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Create B
Explore authentic writing amidst AI's rise. Participants engage in collaborative discussions, revise AI-generated pieces, and analyze multifaceted feedback. Like nurturing a garden, this session equips educators to foster originality and critical thinking, preparing students for the digital age while maintaining academic integrity.`
Speakers
avatar for Donna Rother

Donna Rother

National Content Specialist, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Donna Rother is a lifelong educator with over 35 years of service in public education. During her time in Texas public schools, Donna served as an elementary and middle school teacher, elementary and middle school principal, as well as principal of a large suburban high school. As... Read More →
avatar for Kaley Douglas

Kaley Douglas

Account Executive, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Create B
  Writing

9:15am CDT

Imitation to Write: Scaffolding Writing
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Inspire B
During this session we will: analyze the elements of writing using scaffolds, analyze what a simple/complex/ and compound sentence are, examine readers vs. writers eye,  and use mentor text and engaging prompts to imitate authors.
Speakers
avatar for Shelita Lang, CALT

Shelita Lang, CALT

HEB ISD
I am a dedicated educator with a rich history in promoting literacy. Over the course of twenty-three years, my teaching career has revolved around cultivating reading and writing skills in students. My journey began teaching 6th grade ELAR in FWISD. Subsequently, I took on the role... Read More →
SC
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Inspire B
  Writing

9:15am CDT

Level up your Writing Instruction - Research-based practices in action
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Innovate A
Writing has often been the deprioritized afterthought in non-tested grade levels, and that’s led to a major problem of practice: Unused skills around writing instruction leading to a lack of teacher confidence in the subject matter. With 60% of ELA standards focused on Writing & Language, it’s surprising that writing doesn’t happen more in the classroom. STAAR’s recent redesign has brought writing development back to the forefront, and this session will cover some of the research-based practices that can help move the needle on student performance, strong writing instruction, and overall volume of writing tasks. Free resources for turnkey implementation will be shared for immediate impact in your classrooms and schools.
Speakers
avatar for Sheryl Colaur

Sheryl Colaur

Solutions Architect, NoRedInk
Sheryl is passionate about helping students learn and has dedicated her career to spreading the word around literacy solutions and quality instruction! A classically trained singer, Sheryl entered the classroom as a K-6 music teacher. Over the last decade, she has worked as an Account... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Innovate A
  Writing

9:15am CDT

Real Writing in the AI World
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Innovate B
The effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on our future cannot be ignored. As teachers of writing, we have a responsibility to understand the implications of large language models behind programs such as ChatGPT. And, we have a responsibility to our students to discuss benefits and drawbacks of utilizing AI. Participants will build a general awareness of writing-related AI and explore strategies for designing and evaluating writing assignments that honors human thought and voice over AI-generations.
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Gunn, MH

Jennifer Gunn, MH

Literacy Consultant, Region 10
Jennifer Gunn is currently a Teaching & Learning Consultant for English and advanced academics with the Region 10 Education Service Center. Additionally, she is an adjunct English professor with Dallas College. With 29 years in education, Jennifer Gunn has devoted over 24 years to... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 9:15am - 10:15am CDT
Innovate B
  Writing

10:25am CDT

Unlocking Student Potential: Exploring the Brain's Power in Mindsets, Motivation, and More (K-12)
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Motivate B
Dive into the pivotal role of growth mindset in enhancing student learning. Gain insights, tools, and practical strategies to incorporate lessons on resilience, goal-setting, and learning from mistakes into your daily academic activities.
Speakers
avatar for Esmeralda Orozco

Esmeralda Orozco

Reading Academies Course Leader, ESC Region 11
As a devoted educator and advocate for bilingual education, Esmeralda serves as a Cohort Leader in the Reading Academy at ESC Region 11. She holds a master's degree in Bilingual Education from Southern Methodist University and various certifications in Early Literacy and Bilingual... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Motivate B
  Engagement Strategies

10:25am CDT

Incorporating Knowledge Building in the Secondary ELAR Classroom
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Innovate A
If you’re a secondary ELAR teacher who likes to keep up with the latest research, you have probably experienced both excitement and frustration when interacting with Science of Reading content. This research makes intuitive sense to the experienced educator, yet it seems like all of the resources and focus are at the elementary level. How do we bring the benefits of knowledge building to our students in middle and high school?  In this session we will look at the fundamental changes in perspective we must make as secondary educators when it comes to shifting our focus from skill building to knowledge building in our ELAR classrooms. Participants will walk away with tangible strategies for how to incorporate building background knowledge into your already existing curriculum.
Speakers
avatar for Natalie Dollar

Natalie Dollar

Teacher, Gainesville High School
Natalie Dollar just finished her sixth year teaching English at her alma mater, Gainesville High School. She received her BA in English and Religion from Hendrix College in 2002, and a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies from the University of Amsterdam in 2011. Before teaching... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Innovate A
  Knowledge Building

10:25am CDT

Bridging the Reading Divide
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Collaborate B
Bridging the reading divide in all content areas with IEP goals is crucial for supporting students with diverse learning needs. Incorporating specific reading goals tailored to each student's abilities and challenges, educators can help students access and comprehend content across various subjects. IEP goals that focus on reading skills in all content areas can create a more inclusive learning environment where students receive the support they need to succeed.
Speakers
avatar for Monica Alsaker

Monica Alsaker

Inclusion Special Education Instructional Specialist, ESC Region 11
Experienced educator with a demonstrated history of ten years in general education and fourteen years in special education. Experienced in professional development and staff development for LEAs across the region. Skilled in the creation of unique professional development for LEAs... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Collaborate B
  Reading

10:25am CDT

From Research to Practice: Empowering Students to Master Encoding and Decoding in Upper Elementary
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Innovate D
In this professional development session, educators will understand the research findings on encoding and decoding skills in literacy education and learn practical strategies to empower students to master these crucial abilities. Participants will view practical classroom strategies and instructional techniques from a practicing teacher’s classroom used to support students in becoming confident and proficient readers and writers.
Speakers
avatar for Traci Gerick

Traci Gerick

Master Teacher, Rankin ISD
avatar for Nikki Hagood

Nikki Hagood

Elementary ELAR Content Specialist, ESC Region 11
Nikki Hagood is currently working as an ELAR Elementary Instructional Content Coach for ESC Region 11. She spent most of her career teaching upper elementary ELAR in both rural and urban districts in Texas. As a teacher, Nikki worked as a curriculum writer and department head. She... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Innovate D
  Reading

10:25am CDT

Leaning Into Adolescent Literacy: Elevating Learning with Strategies for Diverse Texts
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Create B
Participants learn and practice evidence-based methods to directly teach important content vocabulary, teach students to figure out unknown words and engage in fun stimulating activities
Speakers
avatar for Lois Ballard-Stephenson

Lois Ballard-Stephenson

CORE Learning
Lois Ballard-Stephenson is an Education Services Specialist for CORE. Lois has more than 30+ years of experience in public education. She earned her teaching credentials from Seattle Pacific University and completed a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a reading... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Create B
  Reading

10:25am CDT

No Reading Strategy Left Behind
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Inspire B
When students, of all levels, master strategies like: previewing, writing guided questions, highlighting, text annotation, writing marginal notes, summarizing and using graphic organizers to increase critical thinking, they become strong and independent readers. These strategies help students to navigate rigorous, academic texts and increase metacognition awareness during the reading and writing process. In this session, participants will review relevant research, discuss how the above strategies enhance writing across content areas, and practice the strategies using texts from core disciplines, and be prepared to help teachers implement strategies in their lessons during the first week of class.
Speakers
avatar for Camille L. Holmes

Camille L. Holmes

Secondary ELAR Coordinator, Cedar Hill ISD
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Inspire B
  Reading

10:25am CDT

Reading Resilience: Building Bridges for Secondary Struggling Readers
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Inspire A
In today's diverse classrooms, fostering reading resilience is essential. In this session, we will explore innovative strategies that differentiate instruction in order to engage reluctant readers and instill confidence in their abilities, enabling them to overcome obstacles and thrive in their literacy journey.
Speakers
avatar for Elisha Vega

Elisha Vega

Secondary RLA Content Coordinator, Birdville ISD
Elisha Vega brings over two decades of dedicated experience to her role as the Secondary RLA Coordinator for Birdville ISD. Throughout her career, she has served in various capacities including ELAR teacher, Reading Specialist, Intervention Specialist, Academic Coach, and RTI Coordinator... Read More →
avatar for Adrian Baylor

Adrian Baylor

Secondary Multilingual Program Lead, Birdville ISD
Adrian Baylor is a Secondary Multilingual Program Lead for Birdville ISD. She supports secondary teachers of newcomers and emergent bilingual students through the implementation of coaching cycles, professional development, and collaborative lesson planning. In addition, she writes... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Inspire A
  Reading

10:25am CDT

Reimagining The Canon: Incorporating Modern, Diverse Texts in the Secondary ELAR Classroom
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Collaborate A
In English, there are many books that teachers feel are staples in their curriculum. To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men, and the many works of Shakespeare are some of the texts that many English teachers believe are essential. However, have we ever stopped to consider how these texts resonate with our students? In this session, English teachers will learn ways in which they can incorporate more diverse, modern texts into their curriculum while still leaving room for those staples we know and love.
Speakers
avatar for Becki Clesse

Becki Clesse

Adv. English II Teacher, Arlington ISD
This year will be my 8th in education and I teach Advanced English II at Arlington Collegiate High School in Arlington ISD. Previously, I’ve taught courses such at AP Literature and Composition, IB HL Language and Literature, Humanites, STAAR Remediation for 10th-12th graders, and... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Collaborate A
  Reading

10:25am CDT

911 ECR Emergency! Mastering Extended Constructing Response
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Innovate B
Based on the latest state assessment data, it is evident that students across all grade levels face difficulties when tasked with writing extended constructed response items (ECRs). The subpar performance highlights a pressing need for improved instructional methods. This session is dedicated to addressing the challenges associated with teaching ECR writing by providing practical strategies, valuable insights, and engaging collaborative activities. The goal is to equip teachers with the necessary tools to guide their students toward crafting exceptional ECRs. Join me for a hands-on, interactive workshop tailored to enhance teachers' proficiency in teaching evidence-based writing more effectively.
Speakers
avatar for Chandra Shaw, M. Ed.

Chandra Shaw, M. Ed.

Literacy Consultant, Region 10
Chandra Shaw is a seasoned educator with more than 24 years of experience in literacy instruction. She has taught students of all ages and backgrounds, from elementary school to high school, and has trained thousands of educators on best practices for teaching reading and writing... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Innovate B
  Writing

10:25am CDT

Unlock the Power of Writing with AI: Your Ultimate Guide to Writing Excellence
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Innovate C
Are you tired of the same old writing instruction methods that fail to engage and motivate your students? Look no further than Curipod and Brisk Teaching. With Curipod's state-of-the-art AI feedback capabilities, your students will receive personalized guidance, helping them develop essential writing skills and feel confident in their abilities. With Brisk Teaching, you'll have all the resources you need to provide feedback, create engaging resources, and inspect your students' writing- all with the help of AI. Don't settle for mediocre writing instruction any longer. Join me and transform the way you teach and support writing in your classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Brent Mischnick

Brent Mischnick

Instructional Content Specialist - Digital Learning, ESC Region 11
Brent is an experienced educator who has been teaching at various levels of education for 15 years. He has taught in multiple school districts for 10 years and then served as an Innovation Leader in Castleberry ISD for five years. Brent is currently a member of the Digital Learning... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 10:25am - 11:25am CDT
Innovate C
  Writing

11:40am CDT

Panel Discussion
Thursday July 18, 2024 11:40am - 12:20pm CDT
Engage A-D
Thursday July 18, 2024 11:40am - 12:20pm CDT
Engage A-D

12:35pm CDT

Incorporating Knowledge Building in the Secondary ELAR Classroom
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Innovate A
If you’re a secondary ELAR teacher who likes to keep up with the latest research, you have probably experienced both excitement and frustration when interacting with Science of Reading content. This research makes intuitive sense to the experienced educator, yet it seems like all of the resources and focus are at the elementary level. How do we bring the benefits of knowledge building to our students in middle and high school?  In this session we will look at the fundamental changes in perspective we must make as secondary educators when it comes to shifting our focus from skill building to knowledge building in our ELAR classrooms. Participants will walk away with tangible strategies for how to incorporate building background knowledge into your already existing curriculum.
Speakers
avatar for Natalie Dollar

Natalie Dollar

Teacher, Gainesville High School
Natalie Dollar just finished her sixth year teaching English at her alma mater, Gainesville High School. She received her BA in English and Religion from Hendrix College in 2002, and a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies from the University of Amsterdam in 2011. Before teaching... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Innovate A
  Knowledge Building

12:35pm CDT

Research-Based Instructional Strategies (RBIS) Overview
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Motivate B
Join us for a quick overview of the two-day Research-Based Instructional Strategies professional development session offered here at ESC Region 11. 
Speakers
avatar for BeTina Edwards Wilson

BeTina Edwards Wilson

Amplify Texas HQIM and RLA Instructional Specialist, ESC Region 11
My name is BeTina Edwards-Wilson, and I am an Amplify Texas HQIM and RLA Instructional Specialist at ESC Region 11. I have experience in various roles as an educator – Assistant Principal, Instructional Coach, and Instructional Specialist. My passion is to help motivate and build... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Motivate B
  Knowledge Building

12:35pm CDT

Bridging the Reading Divide
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Collaborate B
Bridging the reading divide in all content areas with IEP goals is crucial for supporting students with diverse learning needs. Incorporating specific reading goals tailored to each student's abilities and challenges, educators can help students access and comprehend content across various subjects. IEP goals that focus on reading skills in all content areas can create a more inclusive learning environment where students receive the support they need to succeed.
Speakers
avatar for Monica Alsaker

Monica Alsaker

Inclusion Special Education Instructional Specialist, ESC Region 11
Experienced educator with a demonstrated history of ten years in general education and fourteen years in special education. Experienced in professional development and staff development for LEAs across the region. Skilled in the creation of unique professional development for LEAs... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Collaborate B
  Reading

12:35pm CDT

Fluency and Comprehension Connection
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Innovate D
This session will explore "The Megabook of Fluency". Educators will deepen their understanding of the critical link between fluency and comprehension. We will explore strategies in a holistic and effective approach to literacy instruction.
Speakers
avatar for Nikki Hagood

Nikki Hagood

Elementary ELAR Content Specialist, ESC Region 11
Nikki Hagood is currently working as an ELAR Elementary Instructional Content Coach for ESC Region 11. She spent most of her career teaching upper elementary ELAR in both rural and urban districts in Texas. As a teacher, Nikki worked as a curriculum writer and department head. She... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Innovate D
  Reading

12:35pm CDT

Leaning Into Adolescent Literacy: Elevating Learning with Strategies for Diverse Texts
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Create B
Participants learn and practice evidence-based methods to directly teach important content vocabulary, teach students to figure out unknown words and engage in fun stimulating activities
Speakers
avatar for Lois Ballard-Stephenson

Lois Ballard-Stephenson

CORE Learning
Lois Ballard-Stephenson is an Education Services Specialist for CORE. Lois has more than 30+ years of experience in public education. She earned her teaching credentials from Seattle Pacific University and completed a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a reading... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Create B
  Reading

12:35pm CDT

Making the Connection: The Science of Teaching Reading and Research Based Instructional Strategies
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Innovate C
Participants in this session will engage in making the connection between the Science of Teaching Reading with TEA’s Research-Based Instructional Strategies by examining reading strategies for secondary students.   Educators and leaders in attendance will be engaged in science, research, and the power of knowledge to showcase an integrated approach to literacy instruction for middle and secondary students.  By the end of the session, participants will leave with a variety of tools and resources to take back to their 6-12 ELA classrooms that align to the Science of Teaching Reading.
Speakers
avatar for Najah Rayburg

Najah Rayburg

Lead Professional Learning Specialist, Amplify
Najah Rayburg is a Lead Professional Learning Specialist with Amplify who has supported countless educators and leaders across the nation with all things K-5 and 6-12 literacy.  Prior to her work with Amplify, she was an educator in Texas for 10 years as well as a reading specialist... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Innovate C
  Reading

12:35pm CDT

No Reading Strategy Left Behind
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Inspire B
When students, of all levels, master strategies like: previewing, writing guided questions, highlighting, text annotation, writing marginal notes, summarizing and using graphic organizers to increase critical thinking, they become strong and independent readers. These strategies help students to navigate rigorous, academic texts and increase metacognition awareness during the reading and writing process. In this session, participants will review relevant research, discuss how the above strategies enhance writing across content areas, and practice the strategies using texts from core disciplines, and be prepared to help teachers implement strategies in their lessons during the first week of class.
Speakers
avatar for Camille L. Holmes

Camille L. Holmes

Secondary ELAR Coordinator, Cedar Hill ISD
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Inspire B
  Reading

12:35pm CDT

Reading Resilience: Building Bridges for Secondary Struggling Readers
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Inspire A
In today's diverse classrooms, fostering reading resilience is essential. In this session, we will explore innovative strategies that differentiate instruction in order to engage reluctant readers and instill confidence in their abilities, enabling them to overcome obstacles and thrive in their literacy journey.
Speakers
avatar for Adrian Baylor

Adrian Baylor

Secondary Multilingual Program Lead, Birdville ISD
Adrian Baylor is a Secondary Multilingual Program Lead for Birdville ISD. She supports secondary teachers of newcomers and emergent bilingual students through the implementation of coaching cycles, professional development, and collaborative lesson planning. In addition, she writes... Read More →
avatar for Elisha Vega

Elisha Vega

Secondary RLA Content Coordinator, Birdville ISD
Elisha Vega brings over two decades of dedicated experience to her role as the Secondary RLA Coordinator for Birdville ISD. Throughout her career, she has served in various capacities including ELAR teacher, Reading Specialist, Intervention Specialist, Academic Coach, and RTI Coordinator... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Inspire A
  Reading

12:35pm CDT

911 ECR Emergency! Mastering Extended Constructing Response
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Innovate B
Based on the latest state assessment data, it is evident that students across all grade levels face difficulties when tasked with writing extended constructed response items (ECRs). The subpar performance highlights a pressing need for improved instructional methods. This session is dedicated to addressing the challenges associated with teaching ECR writing by providing practical strategies, valuable insights, and engaging collaborative activities. The goal is to equip teachers with the necessary tools to guide their students toward crafting exceptional ECRs. Join me for a hands-on, interactive workshop tailored to enhance teachers' proficiency in teaching evidence-based writing more effectively.
Speakers
avatar for Chandra Shaw, M. Ed.

Chandra Shaw, M. Ed.

Literacy Consultant, Region 10
Chandra Shaw is a seasoned educator with more than 24 years of experience in literacy instruction. She has taught students of all ages and backgrounds, from elementary school to high school, and has trained thousands of educators on best practices for teaching reading and writing... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 12:35pm - 1:35pm CDT
Innovate B
  Writing

1:45pm CDT

Emojis for Emergent Bilinguals: Using Emojis to Hack Tone & Mood in Literary Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Collaborate B
Teaching tone got you tongue-tied? Teaching mood got you melancholy? Hack tone and mood for emergent bilinguals in a language they understand: emojis! 😀 In this session, you will learn how to support emergent bilinguals' comprehension of tone and mood in literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry through the use of emojis. Not only are emojis a universal language, emojis can help emergent bilingual learners to recognize patterns of mood and tone in a text and utilize these patterns to successfully answer assessment questions. Join us in crying while we laugh 😂 as we hack tone and mood for our emergent bilinguals.
Speakers
avatar for Emily Sucevic

Emily Sucevic

English II Teacher, Arlington ISD
Emily Sucevic is entering her eighth year in K-12 education and her fourteenth year as an educator. She has been passionately teaching English II for seven years now and always seeks to make content relatable for her students. As the English Department Chair for her campus, Emily... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Collaborate B
  Emergent Bilinguals

1:45pm CDT

Space to Talk: Creating Dialogic Classroom Environments
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Motivate B
Purposeful classroom dialogue has been shown as a key contributor to developing higher student achievement. Current educational research-based practice literature points to the necessity for teachers to create environments rich in student dialogue. In this session we will explore two instructional strategies that will foster critical thinking through dialogue.
Speakers
avatar for Kimberly Soesbee

Kimberly Soesbee

Secondary ELA Facilitator, Grand Prairie ISD
Kimberly Soesbee is an international writing coach, author, and instructional leader. For more than 20 years, Kimberly has helped corporations and school districts improve their performance through targeted professional development efforts. She is pursuing a doctorate in Educational... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Motivate B
  Engagement Strategies

1:45pm CDT

From Research to Practice: Empowering Students to Master Encoding and Decoding in Upper Elementary
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Innovate D
In this professional development session, educators will understand the research findings on encoding and decoding skills in literacy education and learn practical strategies to empower students to master these crucial abilities. Participants will view practical classroom strategies and instructional techniques from a practicing teacher’s classroom used to support students in becoming confident and proficient readers and writers.
Speakers
avatar for Nikki Hagood

Nikki Hagood

Elementary ELAR Content Specialist, ESC Region 11
Nikki Hagood is currently working as an ELAR Elementary Instructional Content Coach for ESC Region 11. She spent most of her career teaching upper elementary ELAR in both rural and urban districts in Texas. As a teacher, Nikki worked as a curriculum writer and department head. She... Read More →
avatar for Traci Gerick

Traci Gerick

Master Teacher, Rankin ISD
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Innovate D
  Reading

1:45pm CDT

Mentor Texts for a Variety of Literacy Tasks
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Inspire A
You may have heard it said that students should write about a text and then write like the text.  Mentor texts can be used for a variety of purposes to meet multiple RLA TEKS. In this session, learn to use mentor texts from sentence construction to extended constructed responses of all genres.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Ann-Marie Morgan

Dr. Ann-Marie Morgan

Curriculum Director, Venus ISD
Dr. Morgan taught high school English for 12 years before taking on roles such as instructional specialist, professional development supervisor, and curriculum director.
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Inspire A
  Reading

1:45pm CDT

Cultivating a Garden of Original Thought: Nurturing Ideas to Grow Authentic Writing
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Create B
Explore authentic writing amidst AI's rise. Participants engage in collaborative discussions, revise AI-generated pieces, and analyze multifaceted feedback. Like nurturing a garden, this session equips educators to foster originality and critical thinking, preparing students for the digital age while maintaining academic integrity.`
Speakers
avatar for Kaley Douglas

Kaley Douglas

Account Executive, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
avatar for Donna Rother

Donna Rother

National Content Specialist, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Donna Rother is a lifelong educator with over 35 years of service in public education. During her time in Texas public schools, Donna served as an elementary and middle school teacher, elementary and middle school principal, as well as principal of a large suburban high school. As... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Create B
  Writing

1:45pm CDT

Imitation to Write: Scaffolding Writing
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Inspire B
During this session we will: analyze the elements of writing using scaffolds, analyze what a simple/complex/ and compound sentence are, examine readers vs. writers eye,  and use mentor text and engaging prompts to imitate authors.
Speakers
avatar for Shelita Lang, CALT

Shelita Lang, CALT

HEB ISD
I am a dedicated educator with a rich history in promoting literacy. Over the course of twenty-three years, my teaching career has revolved around cultivating reading and writing skills in students. My journey began teaching 6th grade ELAR in FWISD. Subsequently, I took on the role... Read More →
SC
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Inspire B
  Writing

1:45pm CDT

Level up your Writing Instruction - Research-based practices in action
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Innovate A
Writing has often been the deprioritized afterthought in non-tested grade levels, and that’s led to a major problem of practice: Unused skills around writing instruction leading to a lack of teacher confidence in the subject matter. With 60% of ELA standards focused on Writing & Language, it’s surprising that writing doesn’t happen more in the classroom. STAAR’s recent redesign has brought writing development back to the forefront, and this session will cover some of the research-based practices that can help move the needle on student performance, strong writing instruction, and overall volume of writing tasks. Free resources for turnkey implementation will be shared for immediate impact in your classrooms and schools.
Speakers
avatar for Sheryl Colaur

Sheryl Colaur

Solutions Architect, NoRedInk
Sheryl is passionate about helping students learn and has dedicated her career to spreading the word around literacy solutions and quality instruction! A classically trained singer, Sheryl entered the classroom as a K-6 music teacher. Over the last decade, she has worked as an Account... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Innovate A
  Writing

1:45pm CDT

Real Writing in the AI World
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Innovate B
The effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on our future cannot be ignored. As teachers of writing, we have a responsibility to understand the implications of large language models behind programs such as ChatGPT. And, we have a responsibility to our students to discuss benefits and drawbacks of utilizing AI. Participants will build a general awareness of writing-related AI and explore strategies for designing and evaluating writing assignments that honors human thought and voice over AI-generations.
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Gunn, MH

Jennifer Gunn, MH

Literacy Consultant, Region 10
Jennifer Gunn is currently a Teaching & Learning Consultant for English and advanced academics with the Region 10 Education Service Center. Additionally, she is an adjunct English professor with Dallas College. With 29 years in education, Jennifer Gunn has devoted over 24 years to... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Innovate B
  Writing

1:45pm CDT

Unlock the Power of Writing with AI: Your Ultimate Guide to Writing Excellence
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Innovate C
Are you tired of the same old writing instruction methods that fail to engage and motivate your students? Look no further than Curipod and Brisk Teaching. With Curipod's state-of-the-art AI feedback capabilities, your students will receive personalized guidance, helping them develop essential writing skills and feel confident in their abilities. With Brisk Teaching, you'll have all the resources you need to provide feedback, create engaging resources, and inspect your students' writing- all with the help of AI. Don't settle for mediocre writing instruction any longer. Join me and transform the way you teach and support writing in your classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Brent Mischnick

Brent Mischnick

Instructional Content Specialist - Digital Learning, ESC Region 11
Brent is an experienced educator who has been teaching at various levels of education for 15 years. He has taught in multiple school districts for 10 years and then served as an Innovation Leader in Castleberry ISD for five years. Brent is currently a member of the Digital Learning... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 1:45pm - 2:45pm CDT
Innovate C
  Writing

2:55pm CDT

Black, White, and Read All Over
Thursday July 18, 2024 2:55pm - 4:00pm CDT
Engage A-D
Bestselling middle grade author Alan Gratz discusses the inspiration behind some of his recent "Black, White, and Red" books, like Ground Zero, Allies, Refugee, Two Degrees, and Heroes, and why young readers have responded so enthusiastically to these and other books just like them.
Speakers
avatar for Alan Gratz

Alan Gratz

Alan Gratz is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of nineteen novels and graphic novels for young readers, including Two Degrees, Captain America: The Ghost Army, Ground Zero, Refugee, Allies, Prisoner B-3087, and Ban This Book. A Knoxville, Tennessee native, Alan is now a full-time... Read More →
Thursday July 18, 2024 2:55pm - 4:00pm CDT
Engage A-D
  Keynote
 
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