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Stop the cycle of "extra work" and transform your classroom into a hub for deep thinkers. This session moves beyond repetitive practice to explore authentic enrichment—experiences that enhance the curriculum through high-level inquiry and creative application. Learn to replace standard assignments with impactful strategies like "Fermi Problems," curriculum compacting, and tiered tasks without the burden of writing a second lesson plan. By shifting from "more" to "deeper," you will gain practical tools to challenge advanced learners effectively.
Do you ever feel like you grade harder or not hard enough compared to your teammates and you gave the same assignment or assessment? Are you wanting to create a more consistent grading environment for the students in your school? At the end of this presentation, participants will have research and examples of practices to take back to the classroom and their team on ways to calibrate the grading process to create consistency for their students.
As accountability systems like APR place equal weight on achievement and growth, schools need practical ways to monitor and respond to both. While achievement is frequently measured, growth often remains invisible until benchmark or state assessments. This session introduces a classroom-connected framework for making growth visible in real time using effect size from common assessments. Participants will use a Growth–Achievement Matrix to identify student needs, select targeted instructional routines, and plan next steps. Attendees will engage in hands-on application and leave with actionable strategies to improve student outcomes and positively impact APR performance.
As educators, we know our students are showing an increase in behavioral issues and struggle with emotional regulation. According to the Child Mind Institute, approximately 10 percent of students struggle with mental health concerns. That means potentially one to two students in EVERY classroom need instruction on coping strategies. At the end of this session, you will be able to implement actionable coping strategies in your day-to-day lesson plans which will benefit your students who currently need them and those who will undoubtedly face stressors in their future. Also, 10 attendees will have a chance to win a "Take 5 Box!"
I have worked in education for 7 years. I have been with the Pleasant Hope district since 2019. I worked as a special education paraprofessional while completing my teaching certification in Missouri. Now, I teach at the Pleasant Hope Ranch school supporting students with behavioral... Read More →
Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT Short Creek 4
Small gestures can lead to big change. This session highlights fun, meaningful ways to “sprinkle joy” among staff all year long while engaging parents and the wider community. Participants will walk away with ideas to inspire, connect, and sustain teacher happiness and school spirit.
Join us to explore the Stripes school store, a student-led school-based enterprise at Ozark High School. This session will highlight the journey of launching the store, how students are earning Market Value Assets (MVAs), and strategies for recording and reporting this data. Participants will reflect on ways to start their own school-based enterprise or expand existing programs to provide students with real-world experiences that develop skills, build confidence, and prepare them for future careers. Learn practical ideas to empower students through hands-on, career-focused learning in your own school.
Discover how to design and implement a comprehensive staff wellness program at both the district and building levels. Like a well-tended garden, intentional support helps staff take root, grow, and flourish, strengthening student success and overall school culture. Presenters will share practical, easy-to-implement wellness strategies, ideas for building community partnerships, and approaches that extend beyond traditional pillars of nutrition and fitness to include mental, financial, and social health. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to cultivate a sustainable wellness program where both staff and students can thrive.
Every instructional coach knows that the most important work often happens in the margins—between the data points, the formal evaluations, and the "I’m just fine" hallway conversations. Join us for a dynamic roundtable where we’ll dive into the nuanced art of building-level leadership. From decoding teacher resistance to fostering a culture of critical thinking, we’re moving beyond the clipboard to discuss what actually moves the needle in Missouri classrooms. Whether you’re a veteran lead teacher or a first-year coach, bring your toughest scenarios and your best "wins" for a collaborative deep dive into the craft of coaching. The goal? To leave with fresh strategies for reading the room and refining the result.
This session will showcase Table Rock Career Center and Reeds Spring High School’s rigorous work in the Real World Learning platform including community partnerships, job shadows, internships and Registered Youth Apprenticeships while identifying best practices with Market-Value Assets and how to turn those into credentials that have life-changing impact on students’ lives through Registered Youth Apprenticeships.Since 2018, Table Rock Career Center and Reeds Spring High School has slowly worked into the RYA space, utilizing a variety of career explorations, work-based learning community/industry partnerships and strategies to assist students with being on a trajectory toward career pathway success.
Registered Youth Apprenticeship Consultant, Missouri State University
After 32 years in education, I have spent the last two years as the Southwest Regional Registered Youth Consultant for the state of Missouri. Before retiring, I spent the last 5 years building the BoMO Works Internship and Apprenticeship program for Bolivar High School. It is my passion... Read More →
According to the 2025 MSTA teacher survey over 71% of educators said they have considered leaving the profession this year, with 41% of respondents saying job-related stress was a factor. The first half of this session will go over tools and practical daily habits, educators can utilize to set clear, consistent work boundaries so they can focus attention to other passions outside of school. Participants will also engage in activities, like some simple restorative stretches, that can improve their mental and physical well being. Participants will come away with new skills and supports so they can avoid the teacher burnout.
School-wide music video. Pickleball tournament. Community Car Shows. Building a marimba. Journaling. Mental Health Education. Senior projects can be more than a capstone—they can be a catalyst for real change. In our program, students identify something that would improve their lives, the school, or the community, then turn their research into action. This session will share how we structure student-led projects that move beyond compliance to authentic impact. Participants will learn practical frameworks for guiding inquiry, supporting project management, and assessing real-world learning so students can apply what they know in meaningful ways.
Therapy dogs are a powerful way to support student success! This session will highlight how a therapy dog can transform a school environment by building relationships, supporting emotional regulation, and increasing student engagement. Participants will gain insight into how a therapy dog can positively impact school culture, while also receiving practical, real-world guidance for implementing a successful program. From training and safety to scheduling and expectations, this session will equip you with the tools and confidence to bring the power of paws into your school!
Discover how simple, everyday items can become powerful math manipulatives. In this roundtable session, we’ll share quick, classroom-ready ideas for using common objects to model concepts, increase engagement, and deepen understanding. Participants will exchange strategies and leave with practical activities they can use right away.
This session will highlight how strong community partnerships expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities beyond the walls of the school building. Participants will explore ways to collaborate with local businesses, industry partners, and community organizations to provide students with authentic experiences such as job shadows, internships, and mentorships. The focus will be on helping students connect their passions to purposeful career pathways through real-world exposure and relationships. Attendees will leave with practical ideas for growing partnerships and reimagining learning as a shared effort between schools and the community.
