Pike's ElevatED 2026: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

9:45am EDT

K-2 Strategies to teach narrative writing

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

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

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

K-2, ELA

11:00am EDT

K-2 Strategies to teach informative writing

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

P112

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

Holly Sluyter

Literacy Consultant, Smekens Education

Tuesday July 21, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
P112

K-2, ELA

1:15pm EDT

K-2 Strategies to teach persuasive writing

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

P112

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

Holly Sluyter

Literacy Consultant, Smekens Education

Tuesday July 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
P112

K-2, ELA

2:30pm EDT

3-12 Strategies to target short constructed-response writing

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

P112

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

Holly Sluyter

Literacy Consultant, Smekens Education

Tuesday July 21, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
P112

3rd-12th, ELA

12:15pm EDT

MagicSchool AI: Accommodations and Resources for Exceptional Learner Students

Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT

P112

Discover how MagicSchool can support your exceptional learners with personalized accommodations and differentiated resources. In this hands-on session, one of Pike’s AI Ambassadors will guide you through practical strategies for creating inclusive learning experiences for students with diverse needs—from generating accessible content and differentiated assignments to developing accommodations for IEPs and 504 plans. Learn how to reduce barriers to learning, build student independence, and save time on resource creation. Whether you're supporting students with learning disabilities, English language learners, gifted students, or other exceptional needs, this session will show you concrete ways to make your classroom more equitable and responsive.

Speakers

Hannah Stigter-Hinshaw

Resource Teacher, MSD of Pike Township

Hannah Stigter-Hinshaw is a fourth-year educator at New Augusta North Public Academy. Licensed in Mild to Moderate Intervention and English Language Learners, with a pending Reading Intervention license, she is passionate about creating accessible learning environments. She enjoys... Read More →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
P112

K-12, All content areas

1:30pm EDT

Canva AI & Canva Code

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT

P112

In this hands-on session, discover how AI-powered design tools can transform your classroom instruction. We'll explore Canva's AI features to help you create professional, visually engaging materials in minutes, not hours. You'll also learn how to build interactive content for your students (without knowing how to code) using Canva Code. Whether you're designing lesson materials, creating assessments, or building student-facing activities, this session will equip you with practical strategies to leverage both Canva AI and Canva Code to save time and inspire creativity. Perfect for educators at all tech levels!

Speakers

Patti Hammerle

Instructional Coach, MSD of Pike Township

As the Instructional Coach at the Pike Career Center, I have the incredible opportunity to share my teaching and technology experience with the CTE teachers. My professional journey started in the business world but quickly transitioned to education and has included writing curriculum... Read More →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
P112

K-12, All content areas

9:30am EDT

Practical Ethics for the AI Classroom

Thursday July 23, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am EDT

P112

AI is already in our schools. The real challenge is figuring out how to use it without losing the human side of teaching. This session looks at the practical side of AI ethics, covering everything from students using it for assignments to teachers using it for prep and grading. We will talk about how to set clear boundaries, maintain academic integrity, and make sure AI stays a tool for learning instead of a replacement for it. You will walk away with a simple framework to help you and your students navigate these tools responsibly.

Speakers

Ryan Murray

Professional Learning Specialist, Central Indiana Educational Service Center

Thursday July 23, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
P112

K-12, All content areas

10:45am EDT

Practical Ethics for the AI Classroom

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am EDT

P112

Speakers

Ryan Murray

Professional Learning Specialist, Central Indiana Educational Service Center

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am EDT
P112

K-12, All content areas

1:15pm EDT

Teacher Planning: K-1 ELA & Writing side-by-side planning

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT

P112

This afternoon coaching experience moves from professional learning into real planning, as Smekens consultant Didi Harris works directly alongside Pike Township teachers to apply the morning’s strategies to upcoming units, lessons, and district writing priorities. It’s collaborative, practical, and immediate — turning the day’s learning into instruction that’s ready to deliver.

Speakers

Doris Ann Brewer

Instructional Specialist, MSD of Pike Township

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 →

Thursday July 23, 2026 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT
P112

K-1, ELA

9:45am EDT

11:00am EDT

1:15pm EDT

2:30pm EDT

12:15pm EDT

1:30pm EDT

9:30am EDT

10:45am EDT

1:15pm EDT

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