Aledo ISD Empower 2026

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

Cafetorium

Limited Capacity seats available

The way leaders think and act shapes how their people learn and perform. This session covers three simple tools you can use to build a stronger learning environment for the people you lead.

Speakers

Trevor Ragan

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
Cafetorium

Science of Learning

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, Administrators, PreK-2nd
Subject Cross-disciplinary
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX

10:15am CDT

Glow & Grow: Making Writing Feedback Work

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

B106

Limited Capacity seats available

Join us to explore how meaningful feedback can transform student writing! In this session, we’ll dive into teacher-led conferences, peer-to-peer feedback, and using Magic School to provide structured, actionable comments. Participants will learn strategies for building a culture of accountable talk, guiding students to give and receive “glows and grows,” and supporting all learners, including gifted and ESL students, through targeted, growth-focused feedback. Walk away with practical tools to make writing conferences engaging, efficient, and truly impactful.

Speakers

Hope Tuel

6th - 8th ESL, Aledo ISD

Emily Kelley

5th Grade RLA, Walsh Elementary

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B106

Student Feedback

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th
Subject Reading/Language Arts
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX, GT, ESL

10:15am CDT

Grow Our Own: Pathways into Specialized Student Support Roles

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

B110

Limited Capacity seats available

This informational professional learning session is designed to support staff who are interested in transitioning into specialized student support roles such as Speech-Language Pathology, Diagnostician, School Psychology, and related fields. Facilitators will share their personal journey into their current role, offer a realistic “day in the life” perspective, and highlight key skills and mindsets needed for success. Participants will also receive practical information about local and regional preparation programs, certification pathways, and resources that provide an accessible track for growing into these roles from within our district.

Speakers

Kelly Paiz

Diagnostician, Aledo ISD

Mandy Overturff

TSVI, Aledo ISD

Shannon Elliott

Speech-Language Pathologist

Jill Keith

School Psychologist, Aledo ISD

Sarah Hall

Lynn Jameson

Executive Director of Special Programs, Aledo ISD

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B110

Student Support

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, Administrators, PreK-2nd
Subject Special Education
Credit 1.5hr., FLEX, CPE

10:15am CDT

Get to Know Your Chromebook

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

A105

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

In this session, we will explore practical tips and shortcuts for using your Chromebook to complete everyday tasks efficiently. Participants will also learn key differences between Windows and ChromeOS, including navigation, file management, and common tools, to help make the transition smoother and more confident.

Speakers

Michael Cullers

Technology, Aledo ISD

Michael Lotter

ALEDO ISD

Tim Burley

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A105

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, Administrators, PreK-2nd
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX

10:15am CDT

MagicSchool: Setting Up Student Rooms

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

B114

Limited Capacity seats available

Master the complete setup and management of Student Rooms. Explore best practices for structuring rooms to boost student outcomes and scale AI implementation across your classrooms.

Speakers

Allen Schagene

Professional Development and Community Specialist, MagicSchool AI

Allen Schagene is originally from Louisville, Kentucky, and has taught in both private and public schools in Houston, Texas. He is a lifelong learner dedicated to helping educators, caregivers, and students develop meaningful AI literacy skills. With twelve years of experience as... Read More →

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B114

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th
Subject Artificial Intelligence
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX

10:15am CDT

Yes, you CANVA!

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

A101

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Create It, Teach It: Join us as we explore and create lessons utilizing Canva to enhance student engagement and achievement. A portion of this session will be focused on a Canva "Make and Take" to better prepare you for the upcoming school year.

Speakers

Stacey Utley

1st Grade Teacher

Maggie Tass

Jennifer Sarvis

1st Grade Teacher

Ashton Adams

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A101

Audience PreK-2nd, 9th-12th
Subject Student Engagement
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

1:00pm CDT

Small Moves, Big Gains Part 1

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

B201

Limited Capacity seats available

Small Moves Big Gains, by Nancy Motley, Seidlitz Senior Educational Consultant, focuses on how small, everyday teacher habits can increase student talk, deepen thinking, and improve learning. This session highlights simple, high-impact strategies that make classrooms more interactive, language-rich, and student-centered — without adding extra work. You’ll leave with practical ideas you can use right away to help students talk more, think more, and achieve more.

Speakers

Kayla Cope

ESL Program Specialist, Aledo ISD Administration

Hi Bearcats!I'm excited to be starting my 24th year in public education and my 14th year as an ESL Specialist. It’s a true privilege to support the Emerging Bilingual families and staff of Aledo ISD!I began my teaching career in College Station ISD, working with 5th and 6th grade... Read More →

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B201

Academic Discussion

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, Administrators, PreK-2nd
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, ESL, FLEX

1:00pm CDT

Empowered to L.E.A.D: Supporting Every Student, Every Teacher

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

B202

Limited Capacity seats available

In this professional learning session, educators will explore how the L.E.A.D. framework can be used intentionally to support students and teachers in meaningful, practical ways. Participants will reflect on real classroom and campus scenarios, share strategies, and walk away with actionable ideas for building a culture rooted in learning, empathy, accountability, and dedication.

Speakers

Joni Myres

Science Teacher, Aledo ISD

Tyler Bauer

6th Grade RLA, McAnally Middle School

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B202

Behavior Management

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Subject L.E.A.D. Matrix
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX

1:00pm CDT

Connection Before Correction

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

B208

Limited Capacity seats available

Students are more likely to engage, regulate, and learn when they feel safe, seen, and connected. This session explores the importance of building strong relationships with students before placing academic or behavioral demands. Participants will learn how connection serves as the foundation for regulation and positive behavior, and why correction without connection often leads to resistance, escalation, or shutdown.

Through real-world classroom examples, this presentation will highlight practical strategies for establishing trust, using co-regulation, and responding to challenging behavior with empathy and consistency. Educators will leave with tools they can immediately apply to reduce power struggles, support emotional regulation, and create environments where students are ready to learn.

Speakers

Brittany Mallory

Gini Lott

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B208

Classroom Management

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Subject Wellness
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX

1:00pm CDT

From Surface to Synthesis: Two Power Routines for Deeper Thinking

FILLING

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

B206

Limited Capacity filling up

In this interactive workshop, teachers will learn two research-based questioning routines that help students ask better questions, make meaningful connections, and think more deeply about content. By using protagonists, participants will explore the Question Pencil Routine—a framework that helps students generate intentional questions across eight question stems—and the Hexagonal Questioning Routine—a collaborative strategy that makes conceptual connections visible and builds higher-order thinking skills. Through hands-on practice, teachers will discover how to implement these routines in their classrooms, scaffold for diverse learners (including English language learners), and use these strategies to guide student inquiry and learning. Perfect for teachers seeking to move beyond surface-level questions and foster genuine curiosity and engagement!

Speakers

Hannah McConnell

Instructional Specialist, Aledo ISD

Zan Banks

4th Grade RLA/SS

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B206

High-level Questioning

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Subject Cross-disciplinary
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

1:00pm CDT

Yes, Even If You "Don't Like Poetry": Practical Strategies for Deep Analysis

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

B110

Limited Capacity seats available

Poetry can feel intimidating — abstract, confusing, even inaccessible. But what if it’s actually the most efficient way to teach rigorous comprehension? In this hands-on session, we’ll demystify poetry and model simple, repeatable protocols that help readers unpack meaning, analyze craft, and support claims with evidence. Because poems can be brief, students can go deeper — and those thinking skills transfer seamlessly to novels, primary sources, and beyond. Even if you just need a moment surrounded by beautiful words and well-crafted lines, this session is for you.

Speakers

Staci Hammer

RLA Curriculum Coordinator, Aledo ISD

Staci Hammer coordinates the reading language arts curriculum for Aledo ISD. Her passions include developing teacher expertise and empowering students to identify as readers, writers, listeners, speakers, and thinkers.

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B110

Reading/Language Arts

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, Administrators
Subject Reading/Language Arts
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

1:00pm CDT

Breakout Session with Trevor Ragan: Leading Learners: How Our Mindsets and Actions Shape the Learning Environment

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

Cafetorium

Limited Capacity seats available

The way leaders think and act shapes how their people learn and perform. This session covers three simple tools you can use to build a stronger learning environment for the people you lead.

Speakers

Trevor Ragan

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Cafetorium

Science of Learning

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, Administrators, PreK-2nd
Subject Cross-disciplinary
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX

1:00pm CDT

IEP Strategies and Supports with Accommodations & Modifications

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

A109

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will focus on practical, classroom-ready strategies which align to IEP goals. Participants will explore how to design meaningful accommodations and modifications in their lessons and use data binders to track progress efficiently to support student growth. Teachers will leave with concrete tools, examples, and systems they can immediately apply to strengthen IEP implementation and progress monitoring.

Speakers

Kelsey Smith

Katie Tonemah

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
A109

Special Education

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Subject Cross-disciplinary

1:00pm CDT

Stage to Classroom: Strengthening Rigor, Discourse, and Literacy Across Content Areas

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

B204

Limited Capacity seats available

This session introduces practical theatre-based strategies that increase cognitive engagement, academic language development, and depth of understanding across content areas. Through structured approaches such as perspective reading, hot seating, tableaux, and guided discourse, teachers will learn how to strengthen literacy, student voice, and standards-driven rigor while supporting multilingual learners and diverse levels of readiness.

Speakers

Joseph Dassinger

Theatre Director, Aledo High School

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B204

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, ESL, FLEX

1:00pm CDT

Supporting Students with Active Neuro-Minds (ADHD): Strategies for Engaging Minds & Bodies

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

A103

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

In this session, educators will gain practical tools and strategies to effectively support K-12 students with active-neuro minds (ADHD) in the school setting. Participants will explore the unique ways these learners process information, regulate emotions, and engage with their environment. The session will focus on understanding how the ADHD brain works, identifying common challenges faced by these students, and implementing proactive supports to foster academic and social success.

Educators will leave equipped with evidence-based strategies for classroom management, flexible instruction, and physical movement integration to help these students thrive. Join us to discover how engaging both the mind and body can transform learning experiences for students with active-neuro minds.

Speakers

Axelle Brown

I am a Special Education Resource and Co-Teacher with over 12 years of experience supporting students across inclusive classroom settings. I specialize in working with learners with ADHD, Autism, Specific Learning Disabilities, and behavioral challenges. As both a teacher with ADHD... Read More →

Amy Rankin

Occupational Therapist, Aledo ISD

I am have been a occupational therapist for 12 years with my primary focus of practice with a pediatric population. Where I have provided occupational therapy services in a pediatric hospital setting, home health setting, and school-based setting. I have served as a school based occupational... Read More →

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
A103

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Subject Cross-disciplinary
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX, GT

1:00pm CDT

TBRI- Trust-Based Relational Intervention- Caregiver Training

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

A107

Limited Capacity seats available

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) is a holistic, attachment-based, and trauma-informed intervention designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children. Developed by Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross at he Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (KPICD) at Texas Christian University,

Speakers

Galen Smith

Anne Navarrette

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
A107

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, Administrators, PreK-2nd
Subject Trauma Informed Care
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX

1:00pm CDT

Welcome to MagicSchool: Time-Saving AI Tools

FILLING

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

B114

Limited Capacity filling up

Discover how MagicSchool reclaims hours of your week through powerful time-saving features like Class Writing Feedback, Quizzes, and Teacher Tools. Learn real-world strategies to eliminate after-school grading and streamline lesson planning so you can focus on what matters most—connecting with students.

Speakers

Allen Schagene

Professional Development and Community Specialist, MagicSchool AI

Thursday May 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B114

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, Administrators, PreK-2nd
Subject Artificial Intelligence
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX

2:45pm CDT

From Silence to Insight: Unlocking Student Thinking with Chalk Talks

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

B203

Limited Capacity seats available

What happens when students discuss ideas without speaking? Powerful thinking. In this session, teachers will experience a Chalk Talk from the student perspective and learn how this simple strategy can transform classroom discussions. We’ll explore how silent written conversations can build participation, deepen thinking, and naturally lead to stronger questions and richer dialogue. Participants will leave with ready-to-use prompts, facilitation tips, and strategies to help students move from quick answers to thoughtful, higher-level responses.

Speakers

Tiffany Nakamura

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
B203

Academic Discussion

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, ESL, FLEX

2:45pm CDT

Building the Culture, Designing the Work: Creating Meaningful Collaboration in Secondary Classrooms

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

B107

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Creating meaningful collaboration in the classroom requires more than simply placing students in groups—it requires intentionally building a learning environment where students feel safe sharing ideas, taking risks, and thinking beyond traditional approaches. This professional development session will focus on practical strategies teachers can use to foster a classroom culture that encourages collaboration, creativity, and student ownership of learning. The session will also address adaptations of familiar collaborative structures to incorporate technology, accommodate large class sizes, and enhance rigorous and creative thinking.

Speakers

Rachel Grier

Sarah Zedler

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
B107

Collaboration

Audience 9th-12th
Subject Math, Reading/Language Arts
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

2:45pm CDT

Understanding EB Needs and How to Help Close the Gap

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

A109

Limited Capacity seats available

Essential information all teachers of EBs need to know and ways we can unlock their potential, including strategies that can work for any student.

Speakers

Audrey Mann

Teacher

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
A109

Emergent Bilingual Students

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Subject Cross-disciplinary
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, ESL, FLEX

2:45pm CDT

Excellence in Action: AISD Campus Teacher of the Year Panel

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

Cafetorium

Limited Capacity seats available

Join us for an inspiring panel discussion featuring our 2025-2026 Campus Teachers of the Year, recognized for their outstanding classroom practices and student impact. Moderated by Dr. Crissey, this session will highlight effective teaching strategies, innovative instructional techniques, and practical tips that drive student success. Whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned educator, you'll leave with actionable ideas and renewed enthusiasm for your craft.

Speakers

Tyler Bauer

6th Grade RLA, McAnally Middle School

Tricia Pettigrew

Elizabeth Garcia

GT Specialist, Aledo ISD

Liz has been in education for 15 years and holds a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership with a specialization in GT. She is passionate about STEM, differentiation, and creating meaningful, hands-on experiences for students.

Olivia Ulmer

Aledo ISD

Emily Lyle

Math Teacher, Aledo ISD

Teressa Love

Emily Kelley

5th Grade RLA, Walsh Elementary

Anna Reed

Sara Garner

Stacey Roberson

3rd Grade Math, Aledo ISD

Amber Crissey

Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction, Aledo ISD

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
Cafetorium

Leadership

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, Administrators, PreK-2nd
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX

2:45pm CDT

McGraw-Hill High School Math: Navigating the Platform and Exploring the Curriculum

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

B202

Limited Capacity seats available

Get an introduction to McGraw Hill, our newly adopted curriculum for grades Geometry, PAP Geometry, Algebra II and Pre-cal. In this session, teachers will explore the digital platform and gain an overview of how the curriculum is organized to support instruction. Participants will be guided through key features of the site, including where to locate lessons, resources, and instructional supports for planning and implementation. By the end of the session, teachers will have a clearer understanding of the structure of the curriculum and feel more confident navigating the platform as they begin preparing to use McGraw Hill in their classrooms.

Speakers

Keely Hulme

Math Instructional Specialist, Aledo ISD

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
B202

Math

Audience 3rd-5th, K-2, 9th-12th
Subject Math
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX, ESL, GT

2:45pm CDT

We Need to Talk…. About your Parent Communication!

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

B206

Limited Capacity seats available

Communicating with parents is HARD. Like a game of telephone, information can be interpreted and shared differently, leading to unintentional confusion or frustration for staff, students, and families. In this interactive session, participants will role-play several parent communication scenarios that inevitably arise each year. Together, we’ll practice navigating difficult conversations with families: How do you broach sensitive topics? How do you maintain a positive working relationship while addressing concerns? Participants will leave with practical strategies for deciding when to send a Remind message, when to email, and when it’s best to pick up the phone and call. Shared resources will include sample scenarios and phone scripts to support productive, respectful conversations with the people who love our students the most.

Speakers

Hannah McConnell

Instructional Specialist, Aledo ISD

Heather Street

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
B206

Parent Communication

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX

2:45pm CDT

5 Questions for Any Text

FILLING

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

B110

Limited Capacity filling up

This professional learning session introduces Marilyn Perle’s “5 Questions for Any Text” as a simple, powerful framework for helping students read more deeply and think critically about what they encounter. Participants will explore how the five questions guide students to analyze purpose, audience, message, and perspective across any type of text. Educators will leave with ready-to-use prompts that support stronger comprehension, discussion, and media literacy across content areas.

Speakers

Staci Hammer

RLA Curriculum Coordinator, Aledo ISD

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
B110

Reading/Language Arts

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th
Subject Reading/Language Arts
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

2:45pm CDT

High Impact, Low Overwhelm: Practical RLA Moves That Strengthen Student Thinking

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

B109

Limited Capacity seats available

Explore seven high-leverage RLA instructional shifts that deepen student thinking and discussion—without adding extra planning, materials, or grading.

Speakers

Katelyn Smith

RLA Instructional Specialist, Aledo ISD

Hi everyone! I’m Katelyn Smith, and I’m the 6-12 RLA Instructional Specialist. While AHS has been my home for several years, I’ve really enjoyed finding a new home at both AMS and MMS and getting to know those campuses this year. Although RLA is my primary focus and where my... Read More →

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
B109

Reading/Language Arts

Audience 6th-8th, 9th-12th
Subject Reading/Language Arts
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

2:45pm CDT

Visual Supports in the Classroom

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

B201

Limited Capacity seats available

In this session, teachers will learn how to implement visual supports for their students to increase independence, student engagement and success in the general and special education classrooms.

Speakers

Dawn McNair

teacher, Aledo ISD

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
B201

Audience 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, 9th-12th, PreK-2nd
Subject Visual Supports
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, ESL, FLEX

2:45pm CDT

MagicSchool: Building Custom MagicSchool Student Chatbots

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT

B114

Limited Capacity seats available

Create personalized chatbots tailored to your curriculum in minutes—no coding required. Learn to add guardrails, deploy safely with students, and provide differentiated support that increases engagement while keeping learning focused and secure.

Speakers

Allen Schagene

Professional Development and Community Specialist, MagicSchool AI

Thursday May 28, 2026 2:45pm - 4:15pm CDT
B114