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.
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 →
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.
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 →
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.
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 →
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.
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 →
