2026 GOCSD Innovation Summit

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 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.

In a world of instant answers, innovative classrooms must shift from information retrieval to "Cognitive Wrestling." This hands-on session provides a practical framework to transform searchable assignments into high-rigor challenges AI can’t solve alone. Participants will audit a current lesson using our "Un-Googleable Rubric" and leave with four "Task-Hacking" strategies to immediately deepen Tier 1 instruction. Move beyond the AI panic and rediscover the power of task design that demands human critical thinking.

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.

Research indicates that educators spend approximately two and a half hours each week addressing student behavior. That’s nearly 15 FULL DAYS of a school year! With increasing demands on teachers, we cannot afford to lose valuable instructional minutes to preventable disruptions. This session focuses on simple, effective classroom management strategies and routines that create clear expectations and maximize instructional time. Participants will see video exemplars and hear what students, teachers, and administrators think it looks like. In addition, attendees will leave with tools to design a classroom management plan, ensuring systems are in place before students arrive.