Aledo ISD Empower 2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to Aledo ISD’s Summer Learning Academy!

1:00pm CDT

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

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

2:45pm CDT

Visual Supports in the Classroom

LIMITED

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

Supporting Diverse Learning Needs

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

8:30am CDT

Refining Your Core5 Implementation and Using Data to Personalize Learning

LIMITED

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

B201

Limited Capacity seats available

Objectives:
Review and Reflect on the Core5 Adaptive Blended Learning Model and Best Practices
Analyze student level reports to understand instructional priorities
Explore resources for meeting instructional priorities

Please bring a device for some hands-on activities.

Speakers

Vicki Boring

Professional Learning Facilitator, Lexia Learning

Katie Tonemah

Friday May 29, 2026 8:30am - 10:00am CDT
B201

Special Education

Audience K-5 Special Education Teachers
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX

10:15am CDT

Active Literacy: High Engagement Strategies for PreK–2 Readers

LIMITED

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

B201

Limited Capacity seats available

How do we ensure every child is thinking, responding, and learning during foundational literacy lessons? In this session, teachers will explore engagement strategies based on the explicit instruction practices of Anita Archer. Through modeling and collaborative practice, participants will experience routines that increase opportunities for student responses, support active participation, and strengthen early reading instruction in PreK–2 classrooms.

Speakers

Audra Ellerbusch

Early Literacy Specialist, Aledo ISD

I am entering my 24rd year in education with a deep passion for teaching Reading and Language Arts and empowering young learners. As a proud mom of four amazing boys and a wife of 25 years, I cherish both my family and my career. My heart is in literacy education, and I am dedicated... Read More →

Friday May 29, 2026 10:15am - 11:45am CDT
B201

Reading/Language Arts

Audience PreK-2nd
Subject Early Literacy
Credit 1.5hr., CPE, FLEX, ESL

Aledo ISD Empower 2026

1:00pm CDT

Kayla Cope

2:45pm CDT

Dawn McNair

8:30am CDT

Vicki Boring

Katie Tonemah

10:15am CDT

Audra Ellerbusch

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