Aledo ISD Empower 2026

Aledo ISD Empower 2026

Welcome to Aledo ISD’s Summer Learning Academy!

8:30am CDT

Keynote with Trevor Ragan: How to Get Better at Getting Better CafetoriumTrevor Ragan

10:15am CDT

Creating LEADers through LEAD A103Laura Patton • Jeff Crissey • Autumn Stephens • Laurie Harrison

Brains Before Books: From Shutdown to Success in Reading and Writing A109Ashley Swords • Jill Taloa

How to Lose Your Negative Mindset About 10 Stations B109Julie Johnson • Shara Hetherington • Carrie Young • Sophie Collins

I have an answer, do you have a question? B112Robin Newkirk • Adriane Jenkins

Amplify Desmos Math (K–5): Navigating the Platform & Exploring Your New Curriculum Lecture HallDeanne Torres

Fluent and Fearless B108Hannah McConnell • Tiffany Stokes • Kaylee Jones

Writing with Checklists A107Lara Blanchard • Sherie Griswold

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

Motivation Matters: Empowering Students through authentic experiences, growth and extensions B104Becca Presnall • Olivia Ulmer • Linda Capps • Jenna Farrell • Molly Moore

Glow & Grow: Making Writing Feedback Work B106Hope Tuel • Emily Kelley

Grow Our Own: Pathways into Specialized Student Support Roles B110Kelly Paiz • Mandy Overturff • Shannon Elliott • Jill Keith • Sarah Hall • Lynn Jameson

Get to Know Your Chromebook A105Michael Cullers • Michael Lotter • Tim Burley

MagicSchool: Setting Up Student Rooms B114Allen Schagene

Yes, you CANVA! A101Stacey Utley • Maggie Tass • Jennifer Sarvis • Ashton Adams

1:00pm CDT

Small Moves, Big Gains Part 1 B201Kayla Cope

Empowered to L.E.A.D: Supporting Every Student, Every Teacher B202Joni Myres • Tyler Bauer

Connection Before Correction B208Brittany Mallory • Gini Lott

To Unit Plan or Not to Unit Plan: That Is the Question A101Andrea Reyher • Julia Hudson

Beyond the Basics: Cultivating Excellence in Early Literacy B108Grace St.John-Staver • Autumn Starks

Folk Dances for Community Building A105Olivia Ramirez

From Surface to Synthesis: Two Power Routines for Deeper Thinking B206Hannah McConnell • Zan Banks

Amplify Desmos Math 3–5: Inside the Math Block (Model Lesson) B210Marissa Torres

Amplify Desmos Math K–2: Inside the Math Block (Model Lesson) B106Barb Williams

Stemscopes Success: Navigate, Plan, Teach B104Tammy Schank • Keely Hulme

Yes, Even If You "Don't Like Poetry": Practical Strategies for Deep Analysis B110Staci Hammer

Making Thinking Visible: Increasing Rigor Through Interactive Science Notebooking B112Haley Loftin • Elizabeth Garcia

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

IEP Strategies and Supports with Accommodations & Modifications A109Kelsey Smith • Katie Tonemah

Stage to Classroom: Strengthening Rigor, Discourse, and Literacy Across Content Areas B204Joseph Dassinger

Supporting Students with Active Neuro-Minds (ADHD): Strategies for Engaging Minds & Bodies A103Axelle Brown • Amy Rankin

TBRI- Trust-Based Relational Intervention- Caregiver Training A107Galen Smith • Anne Navarrette

Welcome to MagicSchool: Time-Saving AI Tools B114Allen Schagene

2:45pm CDT

From Silence to Insight: Unlocking Student Thinking with Chalk Talks B203Tiffany Nakamura

Better Together: The Art of the Teacher-Paraprofessional Partnership A107Kelli Gardner • Kaitlin Phillips

Ready for it? Empowering Young Leaders B108Ashley Caldwell • Georgi Hernandez • Madison McCutcheon • Constance Wall • Brittany Burns

Building the Culture, Designing the Work: Creating Meaningful Collaboration in Secondary Classrooms B107Rachel Grier • Sarah Zedler

Choice Boards That Work: Make, Take, and Differentiate! B112Stacey Utley • Jennifer Sarvis

One Classroom, Many Learners: Making Differentiation Work B106Jennifer Campbell

Understanding EB Needs and How to Help Close the Gap A109Audrey Mann

Uke Can Do It! Teaching Ukulele in the Elementary Music Room A105Olivia Ramirez

Excellence in Action: AISD Campus Teacher of the Year Panel CafetoriumTyler Bauer • Tricia Pettigrew • Elizabeth Garcia • Olivia Ulmer • Emily Lyle • Teressa Love • Emily Kelley • Anna Reed • Sara Garner • Stacey Roberson • Amber Crissey

Amplify Desmos Math (K-2): mClass and Boost Learning A103Deanne Torres

McGraw-Hill High School Math: Navigating the Platform and Exploring the Curriculum B202Keely Hulme

Mistakes That Matter: Using Error Analysis to Strengthen Mathematical Thinking B104Caitlin Burton • Tonya Hardin

We Need to Talk…. About your Parent Communication! B206Hannah McConnell • Heather Street

5 Questions for Any Text B110Staci Hammer

High Impact, Low Overwhelm: Practical RLA Moves That Strengthen Student Thinking B109Katelyn Smith

Master Your Alternative Curriculum A101Chelsea Folts

Part 1 and 2 Introduction to the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) B205Amy Olson

Visual Supports in the Classroom B201Dawn McNair

Leverage AI to Transform Critical Writing in Math B204Amanda Coomer

MagicSchool: Building Custom MagicSchool Student Chatbots B114Allen Schagene

8:30am CDT

Lead the Way, Capture the Heart: Aligning LEAD with the EXCEL Model B108Maggie Lozano

Differentiation Stations: A Strategy Walkthrough A109Shelly Morrill

Building Meaning Before Reading B104Cathy Williams • Catalina Rossi

Turning Ideas Into Dollars: A Grant Writing Playbook A105Rod Arnold

Amplify Desmos Math (K–5): Differentiation Strategies Built Into the Curriculum A103Lindsey Rutherford

Amplify Desmos Math (K–5): Navigating the Platform & Exploring Your New Curriculum Lecture HallDeanne Torres

Let’s Talk STEMscopes! Language & Vocabulary Supports for Math Success B109Emily Lyle

Purposeful Craft: The Author's Purpose TEKS - 3-5 B110Tosh McGaughy

Simple is as Simple does at the Teacher Table B112Rebekah Getz • Katie Harbour

Building Collaborative Relationships with Parents for Successful IEP Meetings A101Terry Alexander

Refining Your Core5 Implementation and Using Data to Personalize Learning B201Vicki Boring • Katie Tonemah

Using Technology in a SPED World B107Tiffany Burris

Capture the Flag of Success A107Kristen Loyd

Quick Canvas Quizzes B114Meghan Roberson

Unlocking Student Growth: Using MAP Insights with IXL B106Lexi Jones

10:15am CDT

From Reactive to Proactive: L.E.A.D.ing through De-escalation A107Gina Henze • Heather Street • Katie Griffin

Building Positive Connections in the Secondary Classroom B204Amber Wheeler

What Gifted Kids Want You to Know (A Teacher’s Guide to the Inner World of Advanced Learners) A109Emily Mooney • Nora Hawkins • Jill Hall

Amplify Desmos Math 3–5: Inside the Math Block (Model Lesson) B108Marissa Torres

Amplify Desmos Math K–2: Inside the Math Block (Model Lesson) A103Barb Williams

Figuring out Fluency B206Stacey Roberson

Stemscopes Math (6–Alg I): Making Math Relevant Through Real-World Connections A105Kailea Click • Skye Lindgron • Grace McCurdy • Madison Klein

Active Literacy: High Engagement Strategies for PreK–2 Readers B201Audra Ellerbusch

Purposeful Craft: The Author's Purpose TEKS - 6-12 B110Tosh McGaughy

Studies Weekly - Your Questions Answered B107Danny Hulshult

Implementing PowerUp B203Vicki Boring • Katie Tonemah

Ignite, Engage, Inspire: Driving Instruction Through Rigor and Relevance B104Kristee Allen • Donna Bonaldi • William Smith

Many Goals, One Classroom: The Workshop Model in a Resource Setting B202Erin Gray • Kathryn Wilson • Brandi Shackelford

Winning at WIN- Connect Map and IXL A101Brandy Arnold • Brittany Crimmings

Taking care of YOU! B106Tricia Hackfeld • Annie Walker • Lindsay Fuller • Maggie Alexander

1:00pm CDT

From Chaos to Clarity: Systems for Successful Small Groups B206Kendra Adams

From Feet to Beat: Whole-Body Pathways to Rhythmic Literacy A105Olivia Ramirez

From Simple to Strategic: Advancing Questioning Practices in Early Learning B108Cathy Remigio • Katie Harbour

Amplify Desmos Math (K–5): Differentiation Strategies Built Into the Curriculum A101Lindsey Rutherford

LOVE Learning with Delta Math A107Teressa Love

Focus on Revising! - 6-12 B110Tosh McGaughy

Studies Weekly - Your Questions Answered B107Danny Hulshult

PLAAFP Glow-Ups: From ‘It Works’ to ‘This Drives Instruction" B202Valerie Whitehead

Stay Stong, End Smart: Engagement & Closures That Actually Work B109Karen Lasater

AI Powered Classroom - Reclaiming Your Time B204Matthew Simmons

Beyond the Classroom: Integrating GT and ESL Learning Through VR A109Emily Mooney • Nora Hawkins • Jill Hall

Google Slides to Canva: Dare To Switch? Lecture HallThien Huynh

2:45pm CDT

Google Sheets for Teachers: Because Tracking Student Data on Napkins Doesn't Work B106Paula Vidaurri • Tyler Bauer • Amanda Douglas

Amplify Desmos Math (K-2): mClass and Boost Learning A103Deanne Torres

Light Up Learning with IXL Spark Studio B108Tammy Schank

We Need to Talk…. About your Parent Communication! A101Hannah McConnell • Heather Street

Focus on Revising! - K-5 B110Tosh McGaughy

Learning Through Inquiry B112Luke Campbell • Kate Thomas

Special Programs Curriculum Resources: A Deep Dive into Lexia, TouchMath, Diffit, & More! B104Vicki Boring • Katie Tonemah

Empowering Educators: Morphological Strategies and Tools for Supporting Struggling Readers with Vocabulary and Comprehension B107Amber Jaime • Kelly Dyson

Build-a-Bot Workshop: Practical MagicSchool Chatbots for Any Experience Level B109Thomas Mistler

Google Slides to Canva: Dare To Switch? Lecture HallThien Huynh