Why is education consistently rated the most stressful job in America? Why do educators have high rates of insomnia, obesity, diabetes and auto-immune disease? More importantly, what can we, individually and collectively, do about it? Dan will present simple, proven tips in the areas of stress, sleep, nutrition, movement, and leadership gathered from decades of research and observation. Any few of these, compounded over time, can have a tremendously positive impact on our physical, mental and emotional health over the course of our careers. 

Discover how generative AI can help educators create vibrant, language-rich environments that support diverse student populations. This session explores how AI tools can develop dynamic, multilingual, and accessible content that fosters communication, engagement, and deeper understanding. Participants will learn strategies for:  Designing language-rich activities and materials that integrate AI-generated visuals, text, and audio. Using AI to scaffold instruction and provide real-time language support. Enhancing vocabulary acquisition and academic language development through creative AI tools. With practical examples and interactive activities, this session will empower educators to transform their classrooms into hubs of rich, inclusive communication, equipping all students for success. 

We have found that by using simple theater exercises and Universal Design for Learning, our inclusive class of general education students, special education students, and English Learners have become more engaged in reading, working together, and public speaking. Using a series of simple exercises that can be worked into the ELA curriculum, our students continually show a deeper level of engagement. You don’t need to have theater expertise to do these activities. You only need to facilitate them. In this session, we will workshop several exercises beginning with facial and body expressions, simple tableaux (poses), and then add dialogue to create short scenes. These activities are useful for the inclusive classroom, the general education classroom and mild/moderate special education classrooms. 

Join us in a discussion as to some of the outs and ins of the wonderful world of collaborative teaching partnerships from the Gen Ed side of the spectrum and find out some practices and discoveries that make collaborative classroom partnerships work and what you might need to consider if you're new to them as a General Education educator like me or a Special Education educator like my partner in crime! 

This presentation will highlight the importance of play in early childhood classrooms. Participants will learn the different levels of play and importance of each level.  Presenters will focus on how to scaffold skills and incorporate language into play to create enriching experiences in natural setting. 

Effective communication with parents and families is not just a necessity; it's a cornerstone of student success. However, navigating these interactions can often feel like a daunting task. This session is designed to equip you with practical, student-centered strategies that will help you build trust and foster collaboration with parents and families. Whether you are engaging in face-to-face conversations, sending emails, or utilizing digital tools, this session will provide you with the skills and confidence needed to communicate effectively. 

During this session, you will learn how to approach communication with empathy, ensuring that your interactions are not only clear and purposeful but also considerate of the parents' perspectives. We will delve into techniques for handling difficult conversations with confidence, allowing you to address concerns and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner. 

By attending this session, you will gain valuable insights into the following areas: 

Building Trust and Collaboration: Discover strategies to establish and maintain trust with parents, creating a foundation for effective communication and collaboration.  

Empathetic Communication: Learn how to communicate with empathy, understanding the parents' viewpoints and addressing their concerns with sensitivity. 

Handling Difficult Conversations: Gain confidence in managing challenging interactions, turning potential conflicts into opportunities for positive outcomes. 

Clear and Purposeful Messaging: Ensure that your messages are clear, concise, and aligned with your goals, whether you are communicating in person or through digital platforms. 

Strengthening Parent-Teacher Partnerships: Walk away with actionable tools to enhance your partnerships with parents, fostering meaningful engagement and collaboration. 

Creating a Supportive Environment: Learn how to create a supportive and inclusive environment for every student, ensuring that their needs are met through effective communication with their families. 

This session is an invaluable opportunity for educators and school staff to enhance their communication skills, leading to more effective collaboration with parents and ultimately benefiting the students. Join us to gain practical tools and techniques that will empower you to navigate parent communication with confidence and success. 

In this session, we will: - Reflect on asset-based mindsets for working with Long-Term English Learners (LTELs) with IEPs - Practice using student evidence to recognize and amplify the unique linguistic strengths that Long-Term English Learners bring to the classroom - Create actionable steps for applying asset-based practices within your own context, ensuring better outcomes for all students - Challenge the deficit narrative surrounding the intersection of LTEL students with IEPs 

Unlock the potential of independent learning for every student. This session, presented from the perspective of a General Education teacher, explores strategies to foster self-regulation and independence in learners of all abilities. With a focus on practical applications, attendees will discover how to integrate UDL (Universal Design for Learning) principles to ensure accessibility and success for diverse classrooms. Whether you're new to independent learning or looking to refine your approach, this session offers tools and insights to support your teaching practice. 

In this session, we will cover the core concepts of independent learning, emphasizing the importance of goal setting, time management, and self-assessment. Participants will learn how to create a learning environment that encourages students to take ownership of their education, fostering a sense of responsibility and motivation. 

We will explore various strategies to support independent learning, including differentiated tasks and assignments that cater to individual learning styles. By incorporating UDL principles, educators can design lessons that are accessible to all students, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds. This approach promotes equity and enhances student engagement. 

Attendees will gain insights into the role of high expectations in independent learning. We will discuss how to set and communicate clear expectations, and how to provide the necessary scaffolding to help students meet these expectations. Practical examples will illustrate how these strategies can be implemented in diverse classroom settings. 

The session will also cover various assessment methods that support independent learning. We will examine the benefits of formative assessments, self-assessments, and peer assessments, and how they can be used to provide meaningful feedback and promote continuous improvement. 

By the end of this session, participants will have a solid understanding of independent learning and the tools to implement it effectively in their classrooms. They will leave with practical strategies to empower their students to become self-regulated, independent learners.