2025 All Systems Go: A Teaching and Learning Conference

In this interactive professional development session, educators will explore the implementation of a differentiated talking chips activity designed to foster collaborative discussions among students. Participants will learn how to effectively utilize this strategy to encourage the use of academic language in response to written texts. By engaging in hands-on activities, educators will gain insights into how to create an inclusive environment that promotes communication and critical thinking. This session aims to equip teachers with practical tools to enhance student engagement and deepen comprehension through collaborative learning experiences. Join us to discover innovative ways to empower students in their discussions!

Ever wondered if what you know about how students learn is really true? Join us for an eye-opening session that challenges common assumptions about teaching and learning. We will explore the latest cognitive science research and reveal surprising insights that can transform your instructional practices. Dispelling neuromyths from our daily teaching practices is essential for becoming a research-informed educator.

What can the Desmos online graphing calculators really do? Applications like Desmos are dynamic platforms that allow and encourage student creativity in mathematics. Participants will explore strategies for starting with the online platform and gradually releasing it to the testing version.

In this session, participants will explore the essential skills students need to succeed on the STAAR Extended Constructed Response (ECR). They will examine the scoring rubric to understand key expectations and analyze sample  responses to identify strengths and areas for growth. Through practical strategies and instructional techniques, educators will learn how to support students in developing clear, well-organized responses with strong evidence and analysis, ultimately improving their confidence and performance on the STAAR ECR.