Aledo ISD Empower 2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to Aledo ISD’s Summer Learning Academy!

10:15am CDT

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

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

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

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

10:15am CDT

Ignite, Engage, Inspire: Driving Instruction Through Rigor and Relevance

LIMITED

Friday May 29, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT

B104

Limited Capacity seats available

Join us for a dynamic learning session where you'll explore engaging instructional strategies that spark student thinking and creativity. Discover how to make the Rigor and Relevance Rubric the driving force behind meaningful, impactful instruction.
Throughout our time together, you'll experience a variety of high-energy, student-centered activities you can take back to your classroom immediately. Whether you're looking to boost engagement, deepen rigor, or make learning more relevant and memorable, this session will leave you inspired and equipped to transform your classroom.

Speakers

Kristee Allen

Teacher, Aledo ISD

Finishing year 26 in the classroom and year 3 in Aledo ISD. I am passionate about trying and adapting new things to engage students in their learning.
You can always ask me about my pug!

Donna Bonaldi

Teacher, Aledo ISD

William Smith

Friday May 29, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B104

Student Engagement

Audience 6th-8th, 9th-12th
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, ESL, FLEX

1:00pm CDT

Stay Stong, End Smart: Engagement & Closures That Actually Work

FULL

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

B109

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

The first and last five minutes of a lesson can make or break student learning. In this session, participants will learn simple, high-impact engagement and closure strategies that promote student thinking, support language development, and extend learning for gifted students, without adding extra prep. Teachers will leave with tools they can use immediately in any classroom.

Speakers

Karen Lasater

Friday May 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
B109

Student Engagement

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

10:15am CDT

8:30am CDT

10:15am CDT

1:00pm CDT

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