2026 GOCSD Innovation Summit: Full Schedule

Access the pages below to view the sessions, and learn more about our speakers and sponsors. Log in to view your schedule of selected sessions. The Attendees Guide has everything you need to have the best experience!

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8:30am CDT

Breaking the Busy Work Cycle: Authentic Enrichment for Advanced Learners

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT

Fall Creek

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.

Speakers

Christina Wallace

Gifted Teacher & Facilitator, Waynesville R-VI School District

Chandi Koeppel

Gifted Teacher, Waynesville R-VI School District

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT
Fall Creek

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School, Administrators, Professional Developers, Instructional or District Specialists
LEVEL Any

8:30am CDT

Making Growth Visible with Effect Size, Quadrants, and Routines

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT

Short Creek 3

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.

Speakers

Jennifer Renegar

Data & Assessment Specialist, Republic Schools

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT
Short Creek 3

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School, Administrators, Professional Developers, Instructional or District Specialists
LEVEL Any

8:30am CDT

Quick Coping Strategies You Can Put Into Practice This School Year

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT

Short Creek 4

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!"

Speakers

Elizabeth Deckard

Special Education Teacher, Pleasant Hope R-VI

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

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School, Administrators, Professional Developers, Instructional or District Specialists
LEVEL Any

8:30am CDT

Sprinkling Joy: Everyday Ways to Uplift Your School Community

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT

Short Creek 2

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.

Speakers

Maggie Barnett

Kindergarten Teacher, Hollister School District

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT
Short Creek 2

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School, Administrators
LEVEL Any

8:30am CDT

Unleashing Mathematical Brilliance: What Students Need to Truly Understand

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT

Cooper Creek 1

Results from NAEP show only 36% of 4th graders and 26% of middle school students are proficient in mathematics (NCES, 2022). In this session, participants will explore the foundational understandings that unlock mathematical thinking across number, fractions, and proportional reasoning. Through student vignettes, hands-on tasks, and thought experiments, we will examine common curricular barriers, and the specific ideas students must develop to move forward. Participants will leave with practical strategies and ready-to-use experiences designed to strengthen these critical understandings in their own classrooms.

Speakers

Patrick Sullivan

Professor of Mathematics, Missouri State University

Patrick Sullivan is a Professor of Mathematics at Missouri State University where he teaches content and methods for prospective elementary through secondary mathematics teachers. He has NCTM publications in the areas of elementary mathematics, sharing mathematical authority, integration... Read More →

Brandi Compass

Instructional Coach, Springfield R-12

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT
Cooper Creek 1

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, Administrators, Professional Developers, Instructional or District Specialists
LEVEL Any

8:30am CDT

Wild About Wellness: Helping Staff Bloom to Support Student Success

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT

Main Ballroom (Enter right side)

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.

Speakers

Nancy Leonard

Wellness Facilitator, Republic R-III School District

Taylor Shields

Process Coordinator, Republic R-III School District

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT
Main Ballroom (Enter right side)

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School, Administrators, Professional Developers, Instructional or District Specialists
LEVEL Any

8:30am CDT

Wonder in the Elementary Classroom

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT

Short Creek 1

In classrooms where joy and curiosity are intentionally cultivated, students take on the cognitive heavy lifting. When learning is infused with a sense of wonder, engagement shifts from compliance to genuine investment. Educators can spark this transformation by designing experiences that invite exploration—through purposeful games, rich partner discourse, and thoughtfully crafted puzzles.

Speakers

Patricia Rodriguez

3rd Grade Teacher, West Plains Public Schools

Hello! I am Patricia Rodriguez. I am moving back to the classroom after instructional coaching for 5 years. I’ll teach 3rd grade!

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT
Short Creek 1

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary
LEVEL Any

8:30am CDT

Between the Lines: A Roundtable for Instructional Coaches

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT

Hensley Ferry

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.

Speakers

Lydia Ross

Instructional Coach, Rolla School District

Thursday July 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:15am CDT
Hensley Ferry

Roundtable Session

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School, Administrators, Instructional Technologists
LEVEL Any

9:30am CDT

Aligning Your Actions with Your Priorities in the Principalship

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am CDT

Roark Creek

This session will provide strategies for individuals serving in leadership roles to align the time they spend each day with their priorities. Current school principals will share how they use the process of prioritization to clarify the most-important actions they must take each day. Participants will reflect on how their own actions align with the priorities of their schools and will explore tools that can help manage and organize their time.

Speakers

Christy Coursey

Executive Director of Elementary Learning, Republic School District

Camie Lyons

Elementary Principal, Republic School District

Erin Wayt

Principal, Republic School District

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am CDT
Roark Creek

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Administrators, Professional Developers, Instructional or District Specialists
LEVEL Any

9:30am CDT

From Burnout to Balance: Building Habits That Support Well-Being

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am CDT

Short Creek 1

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.

Speakers

Rachel N. Johnson

Kindergarten Teacher, Truman Elementary, Rolla 31 School District

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am CDT
Short Creek 1

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School
LEVEL Any

9:30am CDT

The Great! The Good! The Bark! Therapy Dogs Paws-itively Impacting Student Success!

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am CDT

Cooper Creek 1

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!

Speakers

Amy Jo Kilgore

Early Childhood Center Principal, Hollister RV School District

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am CDT
Cooper Creek 1

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School, Administrators, Professional Developers, Instructional or District Specialists
LEVEL Any

9:30am CDT

Math You Can Touch: Everyday Objects That Make Math Click!

Thursday July 30, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am CDT

Old Glory - Hilton Promenade

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.

Speakers