Aledo ISD Empower 2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to Aledo ISD’s Summer Learning Academy!

10:15am CDT

How to Lose Your Negative Mindset About 10 Stations

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

Limited Capacity seats available

For years, stations have gotten a bad reputation:

“They’re chaotic.”

“Students aren’t really learning.”

“I can’t meet with every group.”

“It’s too much prep.”

“I don’t have the resources.”

But what if stations aren’t the problem — just the system?

This session will help K-2 teachers lose the negative mindset about stations in 10 practical, doable, classroom-ready literacy stations.

Speakers

Julie Johnson

2nd grade teacher

Shara Hetherington

2nd grade Teacher, McCall Elementary

Carrie Young

2nd Grade Teacher, Aledo ISD

Sophie Collins

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B109

Classroom Management

Audience PreK-2nd
Subject Cross-disciplinary
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

10:15am CDT

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

LIMITED

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

Trevor Ragan is the founder of The Learner Lab - an educational website designed to unpack and share the science of learning and development.

He spends his time with thought leaders and researchers from the worlds of psychology and developmental science, consumes their research, c... Read More →

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

Motivation Matters: Empowering Students through authentic experiences, growth and extensions

LIMITED

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

B104

Limited Capacity seats available

Keeping students motivated can feel tougher than ever—but it doesn’t have to be!

In this session, we’ll explore fun, practical ways to boost engagement by giving students more voice and choice through creative, cross-curricular extensions that connect learning to the real world. We’ll also share simple strategies to build authentic opportunities for student ownership—especially when it comes to tracking personal growth and owning their data.

Get ready for ideas you can use right away to spark curiosity, creativity, and commitment!

Speakers

Becca Presnall

4th grade math teacher, Aledo ISD

Olivia Ulmer

Aledo ISD

Linda Capps

4th. Grade RLA Lynn McKinney Elementary, Aledo ISD

Jenna Farrell

Molly Moore

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B104

Student Engagement

Audience 3rd-5th
Subject Cross-disciplinary
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX, GT

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

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

LIMITED

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

LIMITED

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

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

FULL

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

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

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

2:45pm CDT

Understanding EB Needs and How to Help Close the Gap

LIMITED

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

8:30am CDT

Capture the Flag of Success

LIMITED

Friday May 29, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT

A107

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will show how to use a modified classroom version of capture the flag as an engaging tool for reviewing new and old concepts. It will also show how this could be tied to multiple areas of the Rigor and Relevance Rubric. Cross-curricular examples will be given, so this session can be for all contents.

Speakers

Kristen Loyd

Aledo ISD

Friday May 29, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
A107

Student Engagement

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

1:00pm CDT

From Simple to Strategic: Advancing Questioning Practices in Early Learning

LIMITED

Friday May 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

B108

Limited Capacity seats available

This session explores how intentional, high-level questioning can strengthen thinking, engagement, and language development in early childhood classrooms. Participants will examine the research and background behind effective questioning strategies and why moving beyond simple recall questions is essential for supporting deeper learning in young children.

Speakers

Cathy Remigio

1st Grade Teacher

Katie Harbour

First Grade Teacher, Aledo ISD

Friday May 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B108

High-level Questioning

Audience PreK-2nd
Subject Cross-disciplinary
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, ESL, FLEX, GT

1:00pm CDT

AI Powered Classroom - Reclaiming Your Time

LIMITED

Friday May 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

B204

Limited Capacity seats available

Become a content creation expert by leveraging AI-powered chatbot tools to design engaging, standards-aligned lessons, assessments, and resources with greater efficiency and precision. This session will equip you with practical strategies and reusable prompt frameworks that elevate instructional quality while giving you back valuable time.

Speakers