2025 All Systems Go: A Teaching and Learning Conference: Full Schedule

9:00am CDT

Rocketing Reluctant Learners: Engaging Teaching Strategies for the Music Classroom🚀🎶

Tuesday June 24, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

Through real-world examples, hands-on activities, and proven engagement strategies, attendees will discover ways to create a more inclusive and student-centered learning environment. Whether you’re working with shy singers, disengaged students, or those who simply need an extra push, this session will provide actionable tools to help all learners thrive in the music room.

Speakers

Shelly Swafford

Teacher, Choir, Denton ISD

Shelly Swafford is a dedicated music educator with 25 years of teaching experience and a passion for engaging all learners, especially those who are reluctant to participate. She is currently the Director of Choirs at McMath Middle School in Denton ISD, where she fosters a supportive... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Collaborate B

Student Engagement

global Y

10:00am CDT

Beyond Boundaries: Transforming Inclusive Classrooms with Bold and Innovative Teaching Strategies

Tuesday June 24, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Collaborate B

This session offers an in-depth exploration of integrated approaches to teaching and learning in inclusive environments, emphasizing the benefits of educating students with disabilities alongside their non-disabled peers. Participants will learn how to create collaborative, innovative, and supportive learning spaces that empower all students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Grounded in evidence-based practices, this session will provide educators with tools and techniques to foster collaboration between general and special education teams, ensuring every student’s needs are met. Using real-world examples and engaging activities, participants will leave with a clear understanding of how to implement inclusive teaching practices and a renewed commitment to making bold moves for student success.

Speakers

Tamika Williams

Director of Special Education, Crowley ISD

Tamika Williams is an accomplished educator, leader, and author with over 24 years of experience in the field of education. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce, a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Collaborate B

common

global Y

11:00am CDT

6th Grade World Cultures Extravangnaza

Tuesday June 24, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Collaborate B

Come along on a journey through the cultures of the world through trade books, technology, hands on actitivities, and geography. Discover the many, many places you can take your students through these resources and sharing years of experience. Come ready to learn and share!

Speakers

Amanda Stanfield

6th grade teacher, Stephenville ISD

6th grade World Cultures Teacher- 8 years24 years experience in 1st-8th gradeSocial Studies is my heart!

Tuesday June 24, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Collaborate B

Social Studies

global Y

1:15pm CDT

Cultivating Growth: Empowering Small Groups for Middle School Math Success

Tuesday June 24, 2025 1:15pm - 2:05pm CDT

Collaborate B

In this session, educators will explore effective strategies for utilizing small group instruction in middle school mathematics to support the diverse needs of all students. Participants will engage in tasks designed to demonstrate how to create dynamic small group environments that foster collaboration, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. We will discuss techniques for grouping students strategically, differentiating instruction, and utilizing formative assessments to guide instruction. By the end of the session, participants will walk away with practical tools and resources to implement small-group strategies that promote equitable learning outcomes and enhance student engagement in mathematics.

Speakers

Tiffany Stevenson

Instructional Content Specialist - Secondary Mathematics, Education Service Center Region 11

Tiffany Stevenson is a dedicated Instructional Content Specialist specializing in Secondary Mathematics at ESC Region 11. With 12 years of experience in education, she has spent her career working in Title I schools, where she has been committed to ensuring equitable access to quality... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 1:15pm - 2:05pm CDT
Collaborate B

common

2:15pm CDT

Spotting the Signs: When to Refer Students for Speech and Language Assessments

Tuesday June 24, 2025 2:15pm - 3:05pm CDT

Collaborate B

Early identification of speech and language challenges is crucial for student success in the classroom. This workshop will equip educators with the knowledge and tools to recognize speech and language difficulties that may require further assessment. Participants will learn the key developmental milestones, common red flags, and best practices for collaborating with speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and families.

Speakers

Laura Lewis

Speech-Language Pathologist, ESC 11

Laura Lewis is a speech and language pathologist who works for ESC Region 11. She graduated with a BA in education from Baylor University and an MS in communication Disorders from the University of Texas at Dallas. She has over 20 years of experience as a school based SLP and... Read More →

Tuesday June 24, 2025 2:15pm - 3:05pm CDT
Collaborate B

common

9:00am CDT

Do I have your attention? Maximize Student Attention with Strategies Rooted in Cognitive Science

Wednesday June 25, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

Collaborate B

Capture and sustain student attention with research-backed strategies designed to enhance learning and engagement. In this session, participants will explore effective techniques grounded in cognitive science, including the power of clear explanations to reduce cognitive overload, the use of accountable questioning to promote active thinking and participation, and the strategic use of choral responses to reinforce memory retention. Join us to discover practical tools that maximize student focus and foster a dynamic learning environment.

Speakers

Paola Pineda

Early Elementary Instructional Coach High-Quality Instructional Materials Specialist, ESC Region 11

Paola Pineda is an Instructional Content Specialist at ESC Region 11 with over 16 years of experience enhancing educational outcomes for all students, including emergent bilingual learners. She has previously served as an English and Spanish Reading Academies Cohort Leader, District... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Collaborate B

Student Engagement

global Y

10:00am CDT

Unlocking Literacy: Multi-Component Phonics Instruction for Emergent Bilinguals

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Collaborate B

Unlock the full potential of emergent bilingual students during phonics instruction by leveraging phonology, morphology, semantics, syntax, and crosslinguistic connections. This session will provide practical strategies to enhance decoding and meaning-making while honoring students’ linguistic resources. Teachers will explore ways to make phonics instruction more accessible, engaging, and effective for multilingual learners.

Speakers

Paola Pineda

Early Elementary Instructional Coach High-Quality Instructional Materials Specialist, ESC Region 11

Esmeralda Orozco

Reading Academies Cohort Leader, ESC Region 11

Esmeralda Orozco serves as a Cohort Leader in the Reading Academy at ESC Region 11, bringing a strong background in bilingual education and early literacy. She holds a master’s degree in Bilingual Education and various certifications that support her work with educators. She integrates... Read More →

Wednesday June 25, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Collaborate B

Literacy

global Y

11:00am CDT

PLC It Through: Connecting You to Implementation Success

Wednesday June 25, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Collaborate B

Session Description: This session provides actionable guidance and collaborative frameworks for leaders to leverage PLCs effectively, ensuring the successful implementation of Bluebonnet Learning materials. Join us to harness the collective expertise of your PLC teams and maximize the impact of learning for all students.

Speakers

Rebecca Phifer

Texas Lesson Study Program Manager, ESC Region 11

See previous submission

Trinity Bankhead

Instructional Content Specialist: Texas Lesson Study Coach, ESC Region 11

Session previous session

Adriana Banks

Instructional Content Specialist, Region 11

See previous submission

Wednesday June 25, 2025 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Collaborate B

common

1:15pm CDT

Enhancing Inclusion: Implementing Assistive Technology in Learning

Wednesday June 25, 2025 1:15pm - 2:05pm CDT

Collaborate B

This training is for administrators, teachers, speech-language pathologists, related service providers, and other professionals who will be collaborating on Assistive Technology (AT) considerations. This workshop will review assistive technology and the law. We will focus on research and best practices for considering the need for assistive technology. Team members will learn to utilize results to inform future decision making. This session is aligned with the Instructional Strategies and Teachers and Staff components of the TEA-required self-assessment.

Speakers

Susan Key

special education specialist, ESC11

Susan Key is a Special Education Specialist for Education Service Center Region 11, supporting Assistive Technology, Complex Access Needs, and the STAAR Alternate 2 assessment. She has worked with all ages and grades of special education students within the school setting for 16... Read More →

Laura Lewis

Speech-Language Pathologist, ESC 11

Wednesday June 25, 2025 1:15pm - 2:05pm CDT
Collaborate B

common

2:15pm CDT

Teacher, Know Thyself – Mitigating Implicit Bias in the Classroom

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:15pm - 3:05pm CDT

Collaborate B

There are many influences on the complex issue of student academic achievement. This session will address one of them.

Through presentation and interactive participation attendees will learn how their own implicit bias can shape student mindset, and explore practical ways to mitigate these biases.

Speakers

James Hopper

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:15pm - 3:05pm CDT
Collaborate B

common

9:00am CDT

Leveraging Sentence Stems: Enhancing Language Skills and Socialization Opportunities

Thursday June 26, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

Collaborate B

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!

Speakers

Leigh Anne Frazier

Unlocking Learning: The Power of Metacognition, ESC Region 11

Leigh Anne has been in education for more than 30 years as a bilingual teacher, coach, and specialist. She was raised in Guatemala and considers herself a third-culture human being. She has a passion for ensuring students are academically successful while developing and nurturing... Read More →

Thursday June 26, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Collaborate B

common

10:00am CDT

Brain Busters: Debunking Neuromyths in Education

Thursday June 26, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Collaborate B

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.

Speakers

Paola Pineda

Early Elementary Instructional Coach High-Quality Instructional Materials Specialist, ESC Region 11

Thursday June 26, 2025 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Collaborate B

Brain Science

global Y

1:30pm CDT

Getting the Most out of Desmos - From Online Calculator to Test Mode

Thursday June 26, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT

Collaborate B

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.

Speakers

David Henson

Math Coach, Region 11

David Henson brings the intensity and excitement of a contact sport to teaching mathematics. By focusing on active, hands-on learning, he taps into students' natural curiosity, turning lessons into compelling explorations. From activities involving falling teddy bears, to investigations... Read More →

Thursday June 26, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm CDT
Collaborate B

common

2:30pm CDT

From Skills to Scores: Strategies for Excelling on the STAAR ECR

Thursday June 26, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT

Collaborate B

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.

Speakers

Erin Abernathy

Instructional Content Specialist, ESC 11

Erin Abernathy is an Instructional Content Specialist for Elementary English Language Arts and Reading at ESC Region 11. She has been an educator since 2004, bringing over two decades of experience to her current role. Erin spent 14 years in the classroom and served as an instructional... Read More →

Thursday June 26, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm CDT
Collaborate B

common