Aledo ISD Empower 2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to Aledo ISD’s Summer Learning Academy!

10:15am CDT

Brains Before Books: From Shutdown to Success in Reading and Writing

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

Limited Capacity seats available

When reading and writing feel overwhelming, many students respond by shutting down or avoiding the task. In this session, we explore how brain-based regulation strategies and foundational literacy supports can help struggling readers and writers re-engage in learning. Participants will leave with practical classroom strategies—such as movement, flexible seating, and emotional regulation tools—that reduce overwhelm and increase student confidence.

Speakers

Ashley Swords

3rd Grade Teacher

Jill Taloa

Thursday May 28, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A109

Classroom Management

Audience 3rd-5th, PreK-2nd
Subject Reading/Language Arts
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX, GT

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

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

Differentiation Stations: A Strategy Walkthrough

FULL

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

A109

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

This session is designed to empower teachers to design differentiated lessons that foster critical thinking, student choice, and creative expression—essential for meeting the needs of GT learners. In this station-based workshop, participants will walk away with practical strategies, adaptable resources, and a personalized action plan to implement differentiation immediately in their classrooms.

Speakers

Shelly Morrill

GT Coordinator, Aledo ISD

Shelly Morrill has been an educator for over 20 years and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with Specialization in GT. Parenting her own gifted children sparked her interest in finding better ways to nurture, inspire and educate gifted students. Shelly has served... Read More →

Friday May 29, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
A109

Differentiation

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

10:15am CDT

What Gifted Kids Want You to Know (A Teacher’s Guide to the Inner World of Advanced Learners)

FILLING

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

A109

Limited Capacity filling up

Purpose:
Help teachers understand gifted learners beyond test scores—how they think, feel, and experience school—and what teachers can do immediately in response.
Outcomes
Teachers will:
• Understand common social-emotional and cognitive traits of gifted learners
• Reframe “challenging” behaviors
• Identify small shifts that make a big difference

Speakers

Emily Mooney

GT Specialist- Stuard & Vandagriff Elementaries, Aledo ISD

Nora Hawkins

Jill Hall

Friday May 29, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
A109

Classroom Management

Audience 3rd-5th, PreK-2nd
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX, GT

1:00pm CDT

Beyond the Classroom: Integrating GT and ESL Learning Through VR

FULL

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

A109

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

This session explores how virtual reality can be used to integrate Gifted and Talented and ESL instruction through immersive, language-rich learning experiences. Participants will learn how VR supports higher-level thinking, inquiry, and creativity while providing visual and contextual supports that enhance language development and access for English learners. Teachers will leave with practical strategies for using VR to extend learning beyond the classroom for diverse student populations.

Speakers

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

10:15am CDT

1:00pm CDT

2:45pm CDT

8:30am CDT

10:15am CDT

1:00pm CDT

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