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Do your read-alouds spark surface-level recall or deep inquiry? After implementing high-level questioning frameworks in my classroom, student engagement during literacy blocks soared. In this session, participants will move beyond passive listening to design interactive read-aloud experiences that demand critical thinking. We will practice "think-aloud" modeling and develop strategic stopping points that require students to analyze, infer, and evaluate. Attendees will leave with a "Read Aloud Planner" template and a curated list of complex texts perfect for K-8 inquiry. Please bring a favorite picture book to use during our hands-on planning workshop.
This past year, we noticed a frustrating pattern in our reading intervention data: students’ phonics skills and decoding accuracy were improving, yet their overall reading progress had stalled. This led us to dig deeper to find the missing piece of the puzzle. The answer? Fluency! In this session, participants will explore how targeted fluency intervention can unlock progress for striving readers who appear “stuck.” Using real case studies from an elementary intervention room, participants will examine practical routines that build accuracy, automaticity, and prosody. Attendees will leave with research-informed strategies and a clear plan for strengthening fluency during intervention.
Literacy Specialist, Logan-Rogersville School District
Lindsey Conner serves as the Elementary Literacy Specialist at the Logan-Rogersville School District, where she leads professional development, supports curriculum development and initiatives, and provides coaching for classroom teachers. Before her current role, she supported young... Read More →
Stop fighting student apathy and start building learner agency. Discover how our district replaced traditional ELA with high-interest, choice-based pathways like Game On: Sports Literature and Travel Tales. We will share our framework for mapping Missouri Learning Standards to thematic units while integrating Real World Learning (RWL). Participants will receive an implementation toolkit, including sample course frameworks and student interest surveys. You will leave with a replicable model to increase engagement. Join us to transform your secondary ELA curriculum into a dynamic system that empowers students through voice and choice.
This session connects educators and leaders who are committed to supporting staff wellness. Through collaboration and shared ideas, participants will explore innovative, practical, and evidence-informed strategies to strengthen well-being in their schools and districts. This meeting will serve as the GOWellness Networks’s first meeting of 2026-2027.
This session explores how Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) empowers teachers to build on students’ natural mathematical thinking. Participants will learn how to use student strategies to guide instruction, ask purposeful questions, and create a classroom where all learners can succeed. Through real- world classroom examples and experiences, and hands-on problem solving, educators will leave with practical tools to differentiate instruction, increase engagement, and deepen conceptual understanding in math for every student.
How can you teach students to communicate effectively while also making it relevant to the digital environment all around us? Podcasting! In this session, attendees will hear one teacher's experience bringing podcasting into her classroom and how it can be adapted for other ages or subjects. Participants will leave with materials to help them supply, plan, and teach podcasting in their own classroom.
What if the curriculum you already have is the starting point for meaningful, real-world learning? In this session, you’ll learn how to connect standards and curriculumn like puzzle pieces to create engaging, real-world projects. Walk away with steps and strategies that feel manageable and realistic to try for your classroom.
Classroom/STEM Educator, Reeds Spring School District
I’m an educator who loves creating hands-on, real-world learning experiences that make students excited to think, explore, and problem solve. I’m passionate about connecting learning across subjects, building strong classroom community, and helping students see themselves as capable... Read More →
Wednesday July 29, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am CDT Short Creek 3
What does it actually take to move from vision to classroom impact? In this interactive workshop, leadership teams co-design a clear, actionable 3-year implementation plan grounded in real constraints like time, culture, and staff readiness. Facilitated by Magnify Learning and leaders from Joplin Schools, participants will leave with aligned priorities, next steps, and a roadmap to build momentum—not just another initiative. This session models the same process used over the last decade in successful district implementations nationwide.
Magnify Learning partners with schools and districts to implement Project Based Learning that boosts learner engagement, achievement, and future-ready skills. Our proven PBL Mastery Program creates sustainable PBL at the leadership and teacher levels to transform school culture.
Kick off the 2026–27 school year with the GoLiteracy Network! This session invites literacy leaders (coaches, interventionists, administrators, university professors, and other educators leading literacy efforts in their context) to reconnect and refocus for the year ahead. Participants will network with colleagues, share priorities and challenges, and strengthen our professional community supporting literacy improvement. We will also launch this year’s GoLiteracy book study, introducing the selected text and outlining how our learning will unfold throughout the year. Join us to start the year with new connections, fresh ideas, and a shared commitment to improving literacy outcomes for students.
Literacy Specialist, Logan-Rogersville School District
Lindsey Conner serves as the Elementary Literacy Specialist at the Logan-Rogersville School District, where she leads professional development, supports curriculum development and initiatives, and provides coaching for classroom teachers. Before her current role, she supported young... Read More →
Wednesday July 29, 2026 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT Compton Ferry
Discover how strong partnerships between families and schools can transform a school community through the power of the Leader in Me framework (you do not need to be a Leader in Me school to walk away with many valuable resources). In this engaging session, presenters will share their unique perspective serving on both the Staff Lighthouse Team and the Parent Lighthouse Team, working together to bridge the gap between home and school. Learn how intentional collaboration has led to increased family engagement and a thriving school culture. This session will highlight impactful initiatives such as school-wide assemblies, Family Nights, Parent Lighthouse efforts, and community-building events like the Turkey Trot 5K, Pancakes with the Grinch, and quarterly PLC treats. Participants will also explore growth over time through MRA survey data, showcasing the journey from where the school began to where it is today. Walk away with practical ideas, inspiration, and strategies to strengthen your own school-family partnership because truly, it takes a village.
Students in grades 3 and above who are significantly behind in reading require more than typical instruction—they need targeted, intensive intervention. This session explores evidence-based strategies to rebuild foundational skills, including phonemic awareness, decoding, and fluency, while accelerating progress toward grade-level expectations. Learn how to identify skill gaps, prioritize instruction, and provide explicit, systematic support for older struggling readers. Whether you are a classroom teacher or interventionist, you will leave with practical tools to help students close gaps, build confidence, and become more proficient, independent readers.
Have you found understanding school finance to be difficult? You are not alone, most educators, parents and community members find it very complex and hard to understand. This session is designed to strengthen financial literacy among educators and administrators by breaking down the complexities of Missouri’s public school funding system. Participants will deepen their understanding of key components of the state’s funding formula and identify major revenue sources, including local, state, and federal contributions. The session will also explore how legislative decisions shape school funding, with opportunities to analyze proposed bills and their potential impact on districts. Through this learning, attendees will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to effectively advocate with state legislators, develop strong communication strategies with policymakers, and engage thoughtfully in education policy discussions that influence the future of their schools and communities. Participants will leave with a School Finance 101 Quick Guide and Advocacy Toolkit.
By middle and high school, we often assume students “have language”—but gaps in speaking and listening quietly limit comprehension, participation, and achievement. This session will show you how to: Turn classroom talk into a tool for thinking—not just participation Structure discussions so every student processes, speaks, and learns Maintain rigor while reducing linguistic barriers Through practical, classroom-ready strategies, you’ll learn how to increase engagement, strengthen reasoning, and improve retention—without adding more to your plate.
District ELA Facilitator, Carthage R9 School District
I am the math Instructional Facilitator for the Carthage R9 school district. I am have my Masters in Education and my Reading Specialist K-12 certification.
ADHD is not a behavior problem, it’s an executive functioning challenge. In this session, educators will gain a clear understanding of how the ADHD brain works and why traditional strategies often fall short. Participants will learn practical, classroom-ready interventions that support focus, task completion, and independence. This session will also reframe common 504 accommodations into more effective, brain-based approaches that align with how students with ADHD actually function.
This session introduces educators to beginner-friendly AI tools designed to simplify lesson planning, grading, and communication. Participants will explore how AI can save valuable time, enhance instructional design, and personalize learning experiences for all students—including effective applications to support English Language Learners. Real classroom examples will illustrate how these tools can reduce workload and create more space for meaningful student interaction. Bring a charged laptop for guided hands-on practice.
This is our first GOSPED Network meeting of the 26-27 school year. We will network and discuss current topics in special education and set the course for our upcoming year.
This workshop shares how our school used Lead4Change to empower students as leaders and problem-solvers. Participants will learn how we integrated leadership lessons into daily routines, guided students through identifying real school and community needs, and supported them in planning and implementing service projects. We’ll highlight structures that built student voice, collaboration, and ownership, along with practical strategies for getting started, including an introduction to the free curriculum. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use ideas, resources, and inspiration to build a culture of leadership and meaningful change in their own schools.
PreK-12 educational leader and OER fan & advocate from southwest Missouri. Recently completed dissertation which examined the OER adoption process in Missouri's #GoOpen schools. Participant in ISKME collaborative group focused on policy and advocacy for OER. Excited to learn more... Read More →
Coaching looks different everywhere–and that’s where the learning lives. This session invites anyone whose role includes "coaching" to connect and explore what is working, what’s evolving, and how others are adapting their coaching to meet educator and student needs. This meeting will serve as the GOCoach Network’s first meeting of 2026-27.
This session will provide an overview of the brain and the central nervous system and how student behavior is shaped by the state and function of the CNS. Attendees will learn to recognize brain states and respond appropriately, using conscious presence and somatic techniques to guide the student toward regulation.
This session provides practical strategies for addressing challenging behaviors in both special education and general education classrooms. The presentation incorporates insights from CPI, Autism Helper, and Conscious Discipline, along with classroom-tested approaches developed through years of experience. Attendees will also explore a visual schedule format that has been successfully implemented and adapted over the past decade to align with evolving curriculum demands and the integration of educational technology.
Join us for an insightful session where we’ll share effective strategies and ideas for 6-12 classroom teachers, grounded in the science of reading. Drawing on the valuable insights from our district’s 6-12 teachers participating in LETRS, this presentation will offer practical, research-based approaches to enhance literacy instruction. Whether you're looking to strengthen reading comprehension, vocabulary, or writing skills, you'll leave with actionable strategies to support diverse learners and improve outcomes in your classroom. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from both research and real-world teacher experiences!
District ELA Facilitator, Carthage R9 School District
I am the math Instructional Facilitator for the Carthage R9 school district. I am have my Masters in Education and my Reading Specialist K-12 certification.
When teachers experience industry firsthand, classroom learning becomes more relevant and career-connected for students. Branson Public Schools addressed this challenge through its Teacher Externship Program, placing educators with local businesses to design authentic client-connected projects. In this interactive session, participants will examine the externship structure, explore logistics for implementation, and analyze examples of real-world projects developed with community organizations. Participants will collaborate to identify strategies they can use to launch or strengthen externship experiences in their own districts. Attendees will leave with a practical framework, planning tips, and partnership ideas to implement a successful teacher externship model to make real-world learning available for all students.
We will dive into practical, research-backed strategies for crafting high-quality assessments that drive student growth. Participants will explore how to design a variety of assessment items and track progress effectively, ensuring assessments are clear, aligned with learning goals, and impactful. We’ll also discuss time-saving tools, including AI, to streamline the creation of proficiency scales and assessment item banks. By the end of the session, attendees will have actionable insights to enhance their assessment practices and support ongoing student progress.
Teachers often feel pressure to do more to increase engagement with more activities, more worksheets, and more noise. Research shows rigor and engagement come from thinking, not workload. In this interactive session, participants will experience simple engagement protocols that increase thinking, discussion, and productive struggle without adding planning time. They will use these protocols to transform low rigor tasks into rigorous learning experiences and redesign one of their own lessons. Attendees will leave with ready to use protocols and a practical framework for creating rigorous learning experiences where less teacher work produces more student thinking.
This session explores how a school reimagined Response to Intervention time to ensure every student benefits from intentional, structured learning. Through consistent routines—mini lessons, goal setting, accountability, re-teaching, formative checks, and purposeful work time—educators created a system that maximizes instructional minutes, reinforces essential skills, and builds student ownership. By aligning targeted interventions with meaningful learning for all students, this approach strengthens engagement and ensures no time is lost, fostering a culture where every learner is supported to grow.
Students often struggle with math when problems feel disconnected from their real lives. In this session, participants will explore how MagicSchool AI can be used to create personalized “rooms” and game-based practice spaces that act as on-demand tutors, meeting students where they are and helping them build understanding at their own pace while increasing engagement. Participants will also learn how ChatGPT can help teachers quickly create engaging, real-world math tasks that connect to experiences students recognize, making abstract concepts more accessible. Examples from Building Thinking Classrooms environment will highlight tasks built around familiar contexts like sports and everyday scenarios.
Students cannot access academic content when they are dysregulated. This session explores how self-regulation, coping skills, and executive functioning impact learning across K–12 settings. Participants will leave with practical, brain-based strategies they can implement immediately to support student behavior, increase engagement, and improve academic outcomes.
This ready-to-use learning session equips educators with 20 high-impact literacy strategies designed to meet the diverse needs of today’s learners. Participants will explore practical, classroom-tested approaches that support comprehension, vocabulary development, engagement, and differentiation across content areas. The session includes modeling, examples, and adaptable resources that can be implemented immediately in grades 5–8 classrooms. Strategies are tailored to support a range of learners, including struggling readers, advanced students, and multilingual learners. Educators will leave with a toolkit of interactive techniques, graphic organizers, and scaffolds to enhance literacy instruction and create an inclusive, student-centered learning environment.
Are you "drowning" in the complexities of Missouri state assessments? This session introduces the MAP, EOC, and CCR Prep Assistant, a set of custom Google Gemini "Gems" designed to translate dense DESE blueprints and item specifications into actionable classroom tools. The goal is to SAVE YOU TIME! Every state assessed teacher who attends will receive access to an individualized Gem for YOUR specific grade and content! Participants will explore how to instantly generate practice questions that mimic state-mandated rigor and use "Scorer’s Mindsets" to provide high-impact feedback. You will leave with a personalized "Test Prep Action Plan" and the skills to automate your most time-consuming planning tasks while maintaining strict alignment with Missouri Learning Standards.
Director of Learning Systems & Client Relations, StepUp Consulting
At Step Up we want to be your “How To” guide when it comes to tackling school initiatives! With our Curriculum Management Tool (CMT), Missouri Assessment Teaching Tool (MATT) Book, and our RSP Fast Tracking Tool we strive to help you organize and streamline your process to give... Read More →
Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:00pm - 3:45pm CDT Short Creek 1
