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Pike's ElevatED 2026
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Tuesday, July 21
 

8:20am EDT

Superintendent's Welcome
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:20am - 8:30am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Speakers
DL

Dr. Larry Young

Superintendent, MSD of Pike Township
Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:20am - 8:30am EDT
Pike Performing Arts Center

8:30am EDT

Keynote Address
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Pike Performing Arts Center

9:45am EDT

Keynote Speaker Session
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
N106

9:45am EDT

WIDA
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Q117

9:45am EDT

3-5 Strategies to teach narrative writing
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Strong intermediate narratives go beyond recounting events. This session gives teachers concrete lesson ideas for helping students generate meaningful problems, craft satisfying solutions, and produce well-structured narratives aligned to Indiana’s Academic Standards — with practical links to Savvas woven throughout.
Speakers
avatar for Didi Harris

Didi Harris

Literacy Consultant, Smekens Education
As a literacy consultant with Smekens Education, Didi Harris partners with educators to strengthen reading and writing instruction through practical, evidence-based strategies. Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher, interventionist, and reading specialist, she helps teachers... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
P114

9:45am EDT

Critical Reading Process
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session introduces teachers of all content areas to a three-phase critical reading framework designed to help all students, including struggling readers, engage with rigorous, complex texts. Participants will explore how to scaffold instruction across the Activate (planning and pre-reading), Engage (vocabulary and interaction), and Extend (application and analysis) phases. Through research-based practices and collaborative discussion, teachers will examine strategies for supporting students as they interact with complex texts and develop deeper comprehension skills.
Speakers
avatar for Christina Layton

Christina Layton

Instructional Specialist, MSD of Pike Township
Christina is a strategic instructional leader with extensive experience in classroom instruction, curriculum design, professional development, and instructional coaching. Now in her 30th year in public education, Christina spent 17 years as an English teacher at Carmel High School... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Q108

9:45am EDT

6-8 Strategies to teach narrative writing
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Middle school narrative writing demands more than plot — it requires intentional craft. This session helps teachers prioritize the non-negotiables of narrative instruction, from generating compelling problems and solutions to guiding students toward purposeful control of ideas, organization, voice, and detail. Teachers leave with classroom-ready strategies that raise the rigor of narrative writing across grades 6–8.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Gordon

Courtney Gordon

Literacy Consultant, Smekens Education
Courtney grew up in London, Ontario where powerful experiences in her own schooling led to her passion for teaching and education.

That passion took her to Grace College in Indiana where she secured a BA in Elementary Education and landed her first teaching job at a nearby middle school. Courtney later returned to Grace as an Adjunct Professor of Education after earning her Master’s Degree from Olivet Nazarene... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
P116

9:45am EDT

How to Use Middle School Math Resources to Increase Student Achievement
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Unlock the full potential of your middle school math curriculum with this comprehensive resource deep dive. This session walks educators through a powerful toolkit designed to boost student engagement and academic growth. Using high-quality materials from McGraw Hill, we will explore how to effectively manage online and print assignments, customize assessments to meet class needs, and integrate Desmos for deeper conceptual understanding. Additionally, we will cover practical workflows for using Annotate.net with iPads and maximizing the impact of ALEKS for personalized learning.
Speakers
avatar for Jessica Bullard

Jessica Bullard

Exceptional Learners/Mathematics Educator, MSD of Pike Township

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
X203

9:45am EDT

Introduction to Canva
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Join our "Introduction to Canva" session to unleash your creative potential. Learn the basics of Canva, a powerful graphic design tool, and discover how to create stunning visuals with step-by-step guidance. Explore a wide variety of templates, design elements, and customization options to bring your ideas to life with ease and creativity.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Watson

Courtney Watson

Lead Learning Guide, friEdTech
Courtney is a Lead Learning Guide at friEdTechnology who is passionate about equipping all learners with the necessary tools to help them become successful and ensuring they have fun while learning. With twenty-plus years of experience, Courtney is a certified educator and trainer... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Q116

9:45am EDT

MagicSchool for Teachers: Designing Joyful, High-Impact Learning with MagicSchool {Beginner}
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This MagicSchool Teacher session is for staff that have not or barely used MagicSchool this past school year.

This session introduces educators to practical ways MagicSchool can strengthen lesson planning, differentiation, feedback, and instructional design. Participants explore core tools that help streamline preparation while supporting strong, engaging instruction. Through hands-on activities and classroom examples, teachers learn how to incorporate MagicSchool into the way they already plan and teach. The focus is on building fluency with the tools that support stronger, more efficient instructional practice.
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Q114

9:45am EDT

RTI within MTSS
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This collaborative session will provide principals an opportunity to engage with the draft RTI Process Guide and contribute to the continued development of a shared district understanding of RTI within MTSS. Together, participants will review the process used to develop the draft, examine key shifts in practice, and discuss how the guidance can support more coherent, decision-making across tiers. The session is designed as a working conversation where principals can offer feedback, surface questions, and help identify the next steps needed to strengthen implementation across schools.
Speakers
AW

Ayana Wilson-Coles

Academic Support Coordinator, MSD of Pike Township

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Z201

9:45am EDT

Braiding the Ropes: Powering Up Literacy
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Join us for a fast-paced, high-impact session where we bridge the gap between theory and practice. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies to weave Scarborough’s Reading Rope and Sedita’s Writing Rope directly into your daily lessons. Discover how to intentionally align reading and writing to spark ""aha!"" moments and build stronger, more confident communicators.
Speakers
avatar for Melissa Abernathy

Melissa Abernathy

Director of Literacy Programs, Indiana Literacy Cadre

Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
X201

9:45am EDT

K-2 Strategies to teach narrative writing
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Every story needs a problem and a solution — and this session builds K–2 narrative instruction around exactly that. Explore developmentally appropriate ways to guide young writers from pictures and labels through simple sentences, with practical lesson ideas for generating story problems and crafting resolutions. Connections to Savvas make these strategies easy to use the very next day.
Speakers
avatar for Holly Sluyter

Holly Sluyter

Literacy Consultant, Smekens Education
Holly Sluyter equips educators with transformative professional development, leaving teachers confident and prepared to implement best-practice reading and writing strategies. As a literacy consultant with Smekens Education, she inspires impactful "aha moments" that elevate instruction... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
P112

9:45am EDT

Co-teaching (Parallel and Alternative Teaching Models)
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This professional learning session will focus on strengthening effective co-teaching practices through the models of Alternative Teaching and Parallel Teaching. Participants will explore how both approaches can increase student engagement, provide targeted support, and improve access to grade-level instruction within the least restrictive environment. The session will include practical examples, collaborative planning strategies, and intentional differentiation techniques designed to meet diverse learner needs while maximizing the impact of both educators in the classroom.
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
X207

9:45am EDT

IA/Teacher Training - Supporting Classroom Management in ELA Classrooms
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Instructional Assistants are often the steady presence students rely on during reading and writing time and a key partner for teachers to help keep learning on track. So what does strong support from an instructional assistant look like in literacy instruction? In this session, participants will explore practical ways instructional assistants can reinforce routines, support student behavior, and keep learners engaged during ELA content, helping create more focused, productive classroom environments where literacy learning can thrive.
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
P113

9:45am EDT

Stop the Bleed
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
Z202

9:45am EDT

Enhance District Vision Screening Practices Through Certification Course
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Align your practice with the latest state mandates by joining the district-wide initiative to achieve the Prevent Blindness Children’s Vision Screening Certification. This session prepares school nurses to implement the 2025 Indiana Vision Screening Guidelines, closing critical gaps in follow-up care for absent students, new enrollees, and those with special needs. By mastering these evidence-based, nationally recognized standards, you will ensure full compliance with IC 20-34-3-12 and provide a consistent, equitable screening process that identifies vision concerns early and improves every student’s readiness to learn.
Speakers
JW

Jessica Wagel

District Nurse, MSD of Pike Township
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:45am - 12:00pm EDT
P107/109

11:00am EDT

Keynote Speaker Session
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
N106

11:00am EDT

WIDA
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Q117

11:00am EDT

Robust Vocabulary Learning Strategies for Concept Learning and Reading Comprehension
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This workshop equips educators in grades 3–12 with research-validated strategies to move vocabulary instruction beyond rote memorization and toward deep conceptual understanding. Participants learn how to prioritize high-utility academic words (Tier 2) and domain-specific technical terms (Tier 3). The curriculum emphasizes the "Robust Vocabulary" framework, which focuses on active student engagement rather than passive dictionary look-ups. Educators will master the art of creating student-friendly explanations that replace complex definitions with accessible, relatable language. Participants will learn how to provide students with multiple exposures to new words in diverse contexts.Teachers will explore active-processing techniques, such as using word associations and non-examples, to ensure new terms are integrated into long-term memory. The session offers practical applications for all disciplines, demonstrating how robust vocabulary directly unlocks complex texts in Science, Math, Social Studies, and ELA. Finally, the program fosters "word consciousness," empowering teachers to build a classroom culture where students are motivated to notice and use sophisticated language. This workshops is designed to ensure that vocabulary becomes a powerful engine for reading comprehension and student voice across disciplines and grade levels.
Speakers
avatar for Tracy Bunting

Tracy Bunting

English Learner Program Specialist, MSD of Pike Township
Tracy Bunting has been a dedicated educator for over 31 years with a heart for under-served and under-resourced populations. She has been a Pike Township Instructional Specialist since 2011 but has been an educator for over 30 years. She began her career in Fort Wayne Community Schools... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Q108

11:00am EDT

3-5 Strategies to teach informative writing
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Informative writing at the intermediate level goes beyond listing facts. This session gives teachers concrete lesson ideas for helping students organize information purposefully, embed evidence and content-specific vocabulary, and elaborate beyond the obvious — with clear connections to Savvas curriculum ready to use across any informative writing unit.
Speakers
avatar for Didi Harris

Didi Harris

Literacy Consultant, Smekens Education
As a literacy consultant with Smekens Education, Didi Harris partners with educators to strengthen reading and writing instruction through practical, evidence-based strategies. Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher, interventionist, and reading specialist, she helps teachers... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
P114

11:00am EDT

Beyond the Basics: Leveling Up Literacy
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session explores the exciting shift from foundational skills to deep, complex literacy by examining the upper strands of Scarborough’s Reading Rope and Sedita’s Writing Rope to develop critical readers and writers.
Speakers
avatar for Melissa Abernathy

Melissa Abernathy

Director of Literacy Programs, Indiana Literacy Cadre

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
X201

11:00am EDT

6-8 Strategies to teach informative writing
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Help students move beyond surface-level reporting with a clear instructional approach to informative writing. Teachers will explore how to teach organizational structures based on purpose, embed text evidence and domain-specific vocabulary with elaboration, and craft introductions and conclusions that go beyond the predictable.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Gordon

Courtney Gordon

Literacy Consultant, Smekens Education
Courtney grew up in London, Ontario where powerful experiences in her own schooling led to her passion for teaching and education.

That passion took her to Grace College in Indiana where she secured a BA in Elementary Education and landed her first teaching job at a nearby middle school. Courtney later returned to Grace as an Adjunct Professor of Education after earning her Master’s Degree from Olivet Nazarene... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
P116

11:00am EDT

How to Use Middle School Math Resources to Increase Student Achievement
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Unlock the full potential of your middle school math curriculum with this comprehensive resource deep dive. This session walks educators through a powerful toolkit designed to boost student engagement and academic growth. Using high-quality materials from McGraw Hill, we will explore how to effectively manage online and print assignments, customize assessments to meet class needs, and integrate Desmos for deeper conceptual understanding. Additionally, we will cover practical workflows for using Annotate.net with iPads and maximizing the impact of ALEKS for personalized learning.
Speakers
avatar for Jessica Bullard

Jessica Bullard

Exceptional Learners/Mathematics Educator, MSD of Pike Township

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
X203

11:00am EDT

Click, Collab, Create: Empowering Student Agency with Canva
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Reclaim your prep period and spark student-led empowerment! Learn to use Canva’s Visual Suite—including Magic Activities, LearnGrid, Whiteboards, and Video— to make collaboration a breeze in just a few clicks. Learn low-effort, high-impact workflows to put students at the center of learning. Walk out with a ready-to-use activity you can implement tomorrow.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Watson

Courtney Watson

Lead Learning Guide, friEdTech
Courtney is a Lead Learning Guide at friEdTechnology who is passionate about equipping all learners with the necessary tools to help them become successful and ensuring they have fun while learning. With twenty-plus years of experience, Courtney is a certified educator and trainer... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Q116

11:00am EDT

Teaching without the Burnout: Customizing MagicSchool Tools for Everyday Work {Advanced}
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This MagicSchool Teacher session is for staff that have used MagicSchool on a regular basis this past school year.

In this hands-on session, educators identify the everyday tasks that take the most time, such as lesson planning, differentiation, communication, and documentation. Participants explore how MagicSchool tools can be customized to support those needs. Educators build workflows that align with the way they already plan and teach, creating tools they can reuse to save time, stay organized, and focus more energy on meaningful teaching and student interaction.
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Q114

11:00am EDT

K-2 Strategies to teach informative writing
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Teaching young writers to share what they know requires explicit, scaffolded instruction. This session gives K–2 teachers practical lesson ideas for helping students embed topic-specific vocabulary, elaborate on what they know, and move from drawing and labeling into simple informative sentences — with direct connections to Savvas curriculum.
Speakers
avatar for Holly Sluyter

Holly Sluyter

Literacy Consultant, Smekens Education
Holly Sluyter equips educators with transformative professional development, leaving teachers confident and prepared to implement best-practice reading and writing strategies. As a literacy consultant with Smekens Education, she inspires impactful "aha moments" that elevate instruction... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
P112

11:00am EDT

Effective Strategies for Checking for Understanding
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Participants will learn how to apply research proven strategies that will provide real-time feedback to assess student learning to inform teachers about their students’ progress in learning. Participants will takeaway strategies for checking for understanding before, during, and after class, verbally, in writing, and through physical movements describing how to engage students in learning activities to reinforce what they know and are able to do.
Speakers
avatar for Wonda Kimble

Wonda Kimble

Instructional Coach, MSD of Pike Township
avatar for Kara Hazelwood

Kara Hazelwood

Instructional Coach, MSD of Pike Township
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Z201

11:00am EDT

IA/Teacher Training - Supporting Classroom Management in ELA Classrooms
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Instructional Assistants are often the steady presence students rely on during reading and writing time and a key partner for teachers to help keep learning on track. So what does strong support from an instructional assistant look like in literacy instruction? In this session, participants will explore practical ways instructional assistants can reinforce routines, support student behavior, and keep learners engaged during ELA content, helping create more focused, productive classroom environments where literacy learning can thrive.
Speakers
avatar for Jessica Miller

Jessica Miller

Professional Learning Specialist, CIESC
Jessica is currently a Professional Learning Specialist with Keep Indiana Learning, a Department of CIESC, and supports teachers, schools, and districts in the areas of math and instructional coaching. Jessica has been in the field of education since 2008. She earned her Bachelor’s... Read More →
avatar for Morgan Mason

Morgan Mason

Professional Learning Specialist, Keep Indiana Learning, CIESC
Morgan Mason began teaching in 2015, serving grades 1, 3, and 4 before transitioning to instructional coaching. She supports teachers and schools with professional development in literacy practices, Science of Reading implementation, and early learning development. She earned her... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
P113

11:00am EDT

Stop the Bleed
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Z202

11:00am EDT

Track it, Teach it, Document It
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This professional learning session will focus on practical systems for collecting meaningful student data in real time while maintaining consistent documentation of IEP service delivery and accommodations. Participants will explore efficient strategies for progress monitoring, creating sustainable documentation routines, and establishing a clear cadence for recording supports and services throughout instruction. The session will provide tools and examples designed to streamline compliance practices while supporting informed instructional decision-making and student growth.
Speakers
avatar for Patrick McGinley

Patrick McGinley

TA Specialist, Indiana IEP TA Center

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
X209

1:15pm EDT

3-5 Strategies to teach persuasive writing
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Before students can argue, they need to learn to persuade. This session helps intermediate teachers guide students in taking evidence-based positions, organizing reasons with supporting details, and elaborating beyond the obvious. Teachers will leave with practical lesson ideas that connect directly to Savvas curriculum materials.
Speakers
avatar for Didi Harris

Didi Harris

Literacy Consultant, Smekens Education
As a literacy consultant with Smekens Education, Didi Harris partners with educators to strengthen reading and writing instruction through practical, evidence-based strategies. Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher, interventionist, and reading specialist, she helps teachers... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
P114

1:15pm EDT

6-12 Strategies to teach argumentative writing
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Argumentative writing is among the most complex — and most assessed — skills students face. This session helps teachers make the critical distinctions between persuasion and argumentation clear, guiding students to acknowledge multiple viewpoints, align positions with evidence, and support claims with well-elaborated proof. Teachers will leave with classroom-ready tools that raise rigor and prepare students for standardized writing demands.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Gordon

Courtney Gordon

Literacy Consultant, Smekens Education
Courtney grew up in London, Ontario where powerful experiences in her own schooling led to her passion for teaching and education.

That passion took her to Grace College in Indiana where she secured a BA in Elementary Education and landed her first teaching job at a nearby middle school. Courtney later returned to Grace as an Adjunct Professor of Education after earning her Master’s Degree from Olivet Nazarene... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
P116

1:15pm EDT

Student Collaboration Strategies
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session helps secondary educators design and implement effective collaboration strategies that deepen student learning. Participants will explore the distinction between authentic collaboration and traditional group work, examining how purposeful structures promote shared responsibility, academic dialogue, and critical thinking. Educators will learn practical strategies for preparing, managing, and assessing collaborative learning experiences—including how to establish clear expectations, assign meaningful roles, and build accountability systems.
Speakers
avatar for Christina Layton

Christina Layton

Instructional Specialist, MSD of Pike Township
Christina is a strategic instructional leader with extensive experience in classroom instruction, curriculum design, professional development, and instructional coaching. Now in her 30th year in public education, Christina spent 17 years as an English teacher at Carmel High School... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Q108

1:15pm EDT

Introduction to Canva
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Join our "Introduction to Canva" session to unleash your creative potential. Learn the basics of Canva, a powerful graphic design tool, and discover how to create stunning visuals with step-by-step guidance. Explore a wide variety of templates, design elements, and customization options to bring your ideas to life with ease and creativity.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Watson

Courtney Watson

Lead Learning Guide, friEdTech
Courtney is a Lead Learning Guide at friEdTechnology who is passionate about equipping all learners with the necessary tools to help them become successful and ensuring they have fun while learning. With twenty-plus years of experience, Courtney is a certified educator and trainer... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Q116

1:15pm EDT

MagicSchool with Students: Fostering Joyful Learning Experiences with MagicStudent {Beginner}
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This MagicSchool Student session is for staff that have not or barely used MagicSchool this past school year.

This session introduces educators to MagicStudent and the ways it can support engaging, student centered learning. Participants explore how MagicStudent helps students ask questions, develop ideas, and receive differentiated support and feedback while teachers remain in control. Educators learn practical ways to bring MagicStudent into classroom activities so students can engage more deeply with content, build confidence, and take a more active role in their learning.
Speakers
avatar for Morgan Jadeja, M. Ed

Morgan Jadeja, M. Ed

PD and Community Engagement Specialist, MagicSchool AI
Morgan Jadeja is a dedicated former educator and literacy advocate whose work is rooted in a deep belief that every learner deserves experiences that reflect and celebrate who they are. A proud alumna of Vanderbilt University (B.S. in Elementary Education and Child Studies) and the... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Q114

1:15pm EDT

Reimagining Mathematics Teaching and Learning
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
How do we build a shared understanding of what effective mathematics instruction looks like and why it matters? Participants will explore the difference between teaching for procedures and teaching for deep understanding, engaging in rich mathematical tasks and examining authentic student work. Through these experiences, teachers will reflect on current practices and consider how instructional decisions impact student learning. This session establishes a foundation for shifting toward mathematics classrooms where reasoning, problem solving, and student thinking are central.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Flessner

Courtney Flessner

Director, Keep Indiana Learning - CIESC
Courtney is currently the Director at Keep Indiana Learning, the professional learning department of the CIESC in Indianapolis, IN. Prior to joining KINL in 2021, Courtney spent 17 years working in traditional public, private, and public charter schools in Indiana, New York City... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
X202

1:15pm EDT

K-2 Strategies to teach persuasive writing
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Even the youngest writers have opinions worth sharing. This session builds on that instinct with foundational, age-appropriate persuasive writing instruction — guiding K–2 students to state a clear position and support it with simple details. Practical connections to Savvas give teachers a confident path from this session directly into classroom practice.
Speakers
avatar for Holly Sluyter

Holly Sluyter

Literacy Consultant, Smekens Education
Holly Sluyter equips educators with transformative professional development, leaving teachers confident and prepared to implement best-practice reading and writing strategies. As a literacy consultant with Smekens Education, she inspires impactful "aha moments" that elevate instruction... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
P112

1:15pm EDT

Effective Strategies for Checking for Understanding
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Participants will learn how to apply research proven strategies that will provide real-time feedback to assess student learning to inform teachers about their students’ progress in learning. Participants will takeaway strategies for checking for understanding before, during, and after class, verbally, in writing, and through physical movements describing how to engage students in learning activities to reinforce what they know and are able to do.
Speakers
avatar for Wonda Kimble

Wonda Kimble

Instructional Coach, MSD of Pike Township
avatar for Kara Hazelwood

Kara Hazelwood

Instructional Coach, MSD of Pike Township
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Z201

1:15pm EDT

Co-teaching (Parallel and Alternative Teaching Models)
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This professional learning session will focus on strengthening effective co-teaching practices through the models of Alternative Teaching and Parallel Teaching. Participants will explore how both approaches can increase student engagement, provide targeted support, and improve access to grade-level instruction within the least restrictive environment. The session will include practical examples, collaborative planning strategies, and intentional differentiation techniques designed to meet diverse learner needs while maximizing the impact of both educators in the classroom.
Speakers
avatar for Katie Mosley

Katie Mosley

TA Specialist, Indiana IEP TA Center
avatar for Niki Avina

Niki Avina

TA Specialist, Indiana IEP TA Center

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
X207

1:15pm EDT

Creative Restoration Experience
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
A guided experience for release, reflection, and realignment
Staff are navigating constant demand, emotional labor, and cognitive overload. These sessions create intentional space to pause, reset, and return to their work with clarity and energy.
Participants can expect guided reflection, creative expression (no artistic experience needed), and practical tools to support ongoing well-being beyond the session.
Speakers
avatar for Sherrita Niles

Sherrita Niles

Creative Restoration Strategist, Center for Interfaith Cooperation

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
N106

1:15pm EDT

IA Training - Supporting Instruction in Math Classrooms
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Instructional Assistants are a powerful support in math classrooms. Students turn to them when they might be feeling uncertain, and teachers rely on them as partners in learning. So how can they best support math instruction? In this session, participants will explore key moves Instructional Assistants can use to support student thinking as they make instruction more accessible and drive learning in meaningful ways.
Speakers
avatar for Jessica Miller

Jessica Miller

Professional Learning Specialist, CIESC
Jessica is currently a Professional Learning Specialist with Keep Indiana Learning, a Department of CIESC, and supports teachers, schools, and districts in the areas of math and instructional coaching. Jessica has been in the field of education since 2008. She earned her Bachelor’s... Read More →
avatar for Morgan Mason

Morgan Mason

Professional Learning Specialist, Keep Indiana Learning, CIESC
Morgan Mason began teaching in 2015, serving grades 1, 3, and 4 before transitioning to instructional coaching. She supports teachers and schools with professional development in literacy practices, Science of Reading implementation, and early learning development. She earned her... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
P113

1:15pm EDT

Enhance District Vision Screening Practices Through Certification Course
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Align your practice with the latest state mandates by joining the district-wide initiative to achieve the Prevent Blindness Children’s Vision Screening Certification. This session prepares school nurses to implement the 2025 Indiana Vision Screening Guidelines, closing critical gaps in follow-up care for absent students, new enrollees, and those with special needs. By mastering these evidence-based, nationally recognized standards, you will ensure full compliance with IC 20-34-3-12 and provide a consistent, equitable screening process that identifies vision concerns early and improves every student’s readiness to learn.
Speakers
JW

Jessica Wagel

District Nurse, MSD of Pike Township
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 3:30pm EDT
P107/109

1:15pm EDT

NEW TEACHERS: Ready, Set, Connect- Launching your Pike Classroom
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Let’s get your tech ready for day one! In this session, we’ll work through your "New Teacher Technology Checklist" together to ensure all your primary tools are operational. You’ll set up your Dell laptop,and learn how to navigate our essential web apps.
A major focus will be on Canvas, our district LMS. We will take a tour of the platform, showing you how to customize your dashboard, set up your notifications, and get your first course ready for students. Whether you are setting up your Skyward gradebook or organizing your Google Drive, you’ll leave this session with a fully configured digital environment. We will also cover how to access support when you need it, from submitting work orders to connecting with our Instructional Technology team. Please bring your district-issued devices for this hands-on workshop.
Speakers
avatar for Audrey Cope

Audrey Cope

District Technology Integrator, MSD of Pike Township
Audrey Cope is a District Technology Integrator in Pike Township in Indianapolis, Indiana. She taught Kindergarten and first grade for 14 years and spent 5 years as a Media Specialist at Central Elementary assisting teachers with technology training, inquiry project and developing... Read More →
avatar for Nicole Faulkner

Nicole Faulkner

Navigation Specialist, MSD of Pike Township
This is a test.
Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 3:30pm EDT
PFC Media Center

2:30pm EDT

3-12 Strategies to target short constructed-response writing
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Discover the key components of effective short constructed responses, including inferential thinking and the use of textual evidence. Learn practical lesson ideas that cater to writers who will face state assessments, helping them develop the necessary writing skills to excel in this important format.
Speakers
avatar for Holly Sluyter

Holly Sluyter

Literacy Consultant, Smekens Education
Holly Sluyter equips educators with transformative professional development, leaving teachers confident and prepared to implement best-practice reading and writing strategies. As a literacy consultant with Smekens Education, she inspires impactful "aha moments" that elevate instruction... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
P112

2:30pm EDT

Robust Vocabulary Learning Strategies for concept Learing and Reading Comprehension
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This workshop equips educators in grades 3–12 with research-validated strategies to move vocabulary instruction beyond rote memorization and toward deep conceptual understanding. Participants learn how to prioritize high-utility academic words (Tier 2) and domain-specific technical terms (Tier 3). The curriculum emphasizes the "Robust Vocabulary" framework, which focuses on active student engagement rather than passive dictionary look-ups. Educators will master the art of creating student-friendly explanations that replace complex definitions with accessible, relatable language. Participants will learn how to provide students with multiple exposures to new words in diverse contexts.Teachers will explore active-processing techniques, such as using word associations and non-examples, to ensure new terms are integrated into long-term memory. The session offers practical applications for all disciplines, demonstrating how robust vocabulary directly unlocks complex texts in Science, Math, Social Studies, and ELA. Finally, the program fosters "word consciousness," empowering teachers to build a classroom culture where students are motivated to notice and use sophisticated language. This workshops is designed to ensure that vocabulary becomes a powerful engine for reading comprehension and student voice across disciplines and grade levels.
Speakers
avatar for Tracy Bunting

Tracy Bunting

English Learner Program Specialist, MSD of Pike Township
Tracy Bunting has been a dedicated educator for over 31 years with a heart for under-served and under-resourced populations. She has been a Pike Township Instructional Specialist since 2011 but has been an educator for over 30 years. She began her career in Fort Wayne Community Schools... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Q108

2:30pm EDT

6-12 Strategies for teaching reading and writing across the disciplines
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Strengthen literacy without abandoning content. This session helps 6–12 content-area teachers embed discipline-specific reading and writing instruction into math, science, and social studies — using the texts and materials they already have, aligned to Indiana’s Academic Standards.
Speakers
avatar for Didi Harris

Didi Harris

Literacy Consultant, Smekens Education
As a literacy consultant with Smekens Education, Didi Harris partners with educators to strengthen reading and writing instruction through practical, evidence-based strategies. Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher, interventionist, and reading specialist, she helps teachers... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
P114

2:30pm EDT

8-12 Strategies for teaching literary analysis
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Literary analysis requires students to read closely, think critically, and write with precision. This session helps teachers build analytical skills from the inside out — guiding students through character, theme, point of view, and author’s craft as they work toward well-developed analytical writing.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Gordon

Courtney Gordon

Literacy Consultant, Smekens Education
Courtney grew up in London, Ontario where powerful experiences in her own schooling led to her passion for teaching and education.

That passion took her to Grace College in Indiana where she secured a BA in Elementary Education and landed her first teaching job at a nearby middle school. Courtney later returned to Grace as an Adjunct Professor of Education after earning her Master’s Degree from Olivet Nazarene... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
P116

2:30pm EDT

AI Literacy: What Students Need for the Future of Work {Advanced}
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This MagicSchool Student session is for staff that have used MagicSchool on a regular basis this past school year.

As AI becomes part of everyday life, schools have an important role in helping students understand how it works and how to use it responsibly. This session explores how AI is shaping careers and the skills students will need in the years ahead. Rather than focusing on specific tools, participants examine the mindsets, skills, and learning experiences that help students work effectively with AI.
Speakers
avatar for Morgan Jadeja, M. Ed

Morgan Jadeja, M. Ed

PD and Community Engagement Specialist, MagicSchool AI
Morgan Jadeja is a dedicated former educator and literacy advocate whose work is rooted in a deep belief that every learner deserves experiences that reflect and celebrate who they are. A proud alumna of Vanderbilt University (B.S. in Elementary Education and Child Studies) and the... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Q114

2:30pm EDT

Click, Collab, Create: Empowering Student Agency with Canva
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Reclaim your prep period and spark student-led empowerment! Learn to use Canva’s Visual Suite—including Magic Activities, LearnGrid, Whiteboards, and Video— to make collaboration a breeze in just a few clicks. Learn low-effort, high-impact workflows to put students at the center of learning. Walk out with a ready-to-use activity you can implement tomorrow.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Watson

Courtney Watson

Lead Learning Guide, friEdTech
Courtney is a Lead Learning Guide at friEdTechnology who is passionate about equipping all learners with the necessary tools to help them become successful and ensuring they have fun while learning. With twenty-plus years of experience, Courtney is a certified educator and trainer... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Q116

2:30pm EDT

QPR Training (Responding to Suicide Risk in Schools)
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Equip yourself with the life-saving skills needed to identify and support students in crisis through the evidence-based QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) model. This essential one-hour session clarifies the educator's role as a "gatekeeper," teaching you how to recognize urgent warning signs, debunk common myths, and ask the "suicide question" directly and confidently. Through practical scenario practice, you will learn how to navigate difficult conversations without judgment, validate student feelings, and follow district-specific referral protocols to connect youth with critical school and community-based supports.
Speakers
KJ

Koyauna Jones

Mental Health and Wellness Grant Coordinator, MSD of Pike Township
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Z202

2:30pm EDT

Understanding the Mathematics We Teach
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session focuses on developing teachers’ understanding of how to use the Indiana Mathematics Standards Frameworks to deepen their knowledge of the content they teach and why it matters. Participants will explore the structure of the frameworks and identify the most critical components for instructional planning. Emphasis will be placed on using the frameworks to inform Tier 1, 2, and 3 instruction, ensuring alignment between standards, instruction, and student needs. Teachers will also make connections between standards and instructional materials, strengthening their ability to use adopted resources with greater clarity and purpose.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Flessner

Courtney Flessner

Director, Keep Indiana Learning - CIESC
Courtney is currently the Director at Keep Indiana Learning, the professional learning department of the CIESC in Indianapolis, IN. Prior to joining KINL in 2021, Courtney spent 17 years working in traditional public, private, and public charter schools in Indiana, New York City... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
X202

2:30pm EDT

Effective Strategies for Checking for Understanding
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Participants will learn how to apply research proven strategies that will provide real-time feedback to assess student learning to inform teachers about their students’ progress in learning. Participants will takeaway strategies for checking for understanding before, during, and after class, verbally, in writing, and through physical movements describing how to engage students in learning activities to reinforce what they know and are able to do.
Speakers
avatar for Wonda Kimble

Wonda Kimble

Instructional Coach, MSD of Pike Township
avatar for Kara Hazelwood

Kara Hazelwood

Instructional Coach, MSD of Pike Township
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Z201

2:30pm EDT

Creative Restoration Experience
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
A guided experience for release, reflection, and realignment
Staff are navigating constant demand, emotional labor, and cognitive overload. These sessions create intentional space to pause, reset, and return to their work with clarity and energy.
Participants can expect guided reflection, creative expression (no artistic experience needed), and practical tools to support ongoing well-being beyond the session.
Speakers
avatar for Sherrita Niles

Sherrita Niles

Creative Restoration Strategist, Center for Interfaith Cooperation

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
N106

2:30pm EDT

IA Training - Supporting Instruction in Math Classrooms
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Instructional Assistants are a powerful support in math classrooms. Students turn to them when they might be feeling uncertain, and teachers rely on them as partners in learning. So how can they best support math instruction? In this session, participants will explore key moves Instructional Assistants can use to support student thinking as they make instruction more accessible and drive learning in meaningful ways.
Speakers
avatar for Jessica Miller

Jessica Miller

Professional Learning Specialist, CIESC
Jessica is currently a Professional Learning Specialist with Keep Indiana Learning, a Department of CIESC, and supports teachers, schools, and districts in the areas of math and instructional coaching. Jessica has been in the field of education since 2008. She earned her Bachelor’s... Read More →
avatar for Morgan Mason

Morgan Mason

Professional Learning Specialist, Keep Indiana Learning, CIESC
Morgan Mason began teaching in 2015, serving grades 1, 3, and 4 before transitioning to instructional coaching. She supports teachers and schools with professional development in literacy practices, Science of Reading implementation, and early learning development. She earned her... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
P113

2:30pm EDT

Track it, Teach it, Document It
LIMITED
Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This professional learning session will focus on practical systems for collecting meaningful student data in real time while maintaining consistent documentation of IEP service delivery and accommodations. Participants will explore efficient strategies for progress monitoring, creating sustainable documentation routines, and establishing a clear cadence for recording supports and services throughout instruction. The session will provide tools and examples designed to streamline compliance practices while supporting informed instructional decision-making and student growth.
Speakers
avatar for Patrick McGinley

Patrick McGinley

TA Specialist, Indiana IEP TA Center

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
X209
 
Pike's ElevatED 2026
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