Back-to-School ConnectED Conference 2026

Back-to-School ConnectED Conference 2026

9:30am EDT

Brains on Overdrive: Behavior in the Age of Screens and Stress K4-5

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT

416

Limited Capacity seats available

Do you have students that struggle with regulating emotions, coping with frustration, or having the stamina to persist through difficult tasks? This session breaks down how screen exposure and stress affect the brain and gives teachers realistic, classroom strategies they can use immediately to improve student behavior and engagement.

Speakers

Jennifer Dorriety

Board Certified Behavior Analyst, District Office

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
416

Elementary (EC/ES)

Audience Early Childhood, Elementary
Topic/Subject Management

9:30am EDT

Power Partnering: Unlocking the Full Potential of Your TA

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT

403

Limited Capacity seats available

Discover how a well-utilized teaching assistant can transform your classroom. In this session, you’ll gain simple, high-impact strategies to strengthen collaboration, streamline support, and accelerate student learning.

Speakers

Chelsea Roberts

Kindergarten Teacher, West Pelzer Elementary School

Chelsea Roberts is an elementary teacher with 14 years of experience in kindergarten through 2nd grade. She loves creating engaging, hands-on lessons that build strong foundations in literacy and math. Chelsea is passionate about helping students grow as independent learners and enjoys... Read More →

Emily Owens

Kindergarten Teacher Assistant, West Pelzer Elementary School

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
403

Elementary (EC/ES)

Audience Early Childhood, Classroom Assistants, Special Education
Topic/Subject Management

9:30am EDT

Trauma-Informed Teaching That Works

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT

410

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will equip educators with trauma-informed practices that strengthen relationships, support emotional regulation, and create calmer classrooms. Participants will explore easy-to-implement routines and language shifts that make a big impact on student behavior and learning. Attendees will walk away with strategies they can use the very next day.

Speakers

Randy Coleman

Fifth Grade Teacher, Spearman Elementary School

Randy Coleman is an elementary educator dedicated to building trauma-informed, relationship-centered classrooms where all students feel safe, supported, and capable of success. He brings a strong background in instructional leadership, data-driven teaching, and literacy development... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
410

General Audience

Audience General Audience
Topic/Subject Management

9:30am EDT

Adulting- Teaching Students Important Financial Skills

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT

516

Limited Capacity seats available

A High-Impact Strategy to teach financial literacy to secondary students. You will learn about the multi-year program that I have developed and use within my classroom that can be modified to use.

Speakers

Amber Fluharty

9-12th ED/LD Self-Contained, Wren High School

Amber Fluharty is a high school self-contained teacher. I have been teaching within the high school setting for 3 years and spent 7 years teaching self-contained middle school students. I started this project 10 years ago with my former middle school students on a basic level. The... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
516

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High
Topic/Subject Management

9:30am EDT

The Voice

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT

508

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will highlight how schools can intentionally give students a voice through the development and structure of a Lighthouse Team. Participants will learn how student leaders can be selected, organized, and empowered to create a positive school culture, lead initiatives, and provide meaningful input throughout the school year. Teachers will leave with practical ideas for building student leadership opportunities that promote ownership, collaboration, and engagement in their own schools.

Speakers

Nicole Phibbs

8th Grade Math Teacher, Wren Middle School

Angie Gaines

8th Grade Inclusion Teacher, Wren Middle School

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
508

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle
Topic/Subject Management

10:30am EDT

Creating Calm in the Chaos

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT

411

Limited Capacity seats available

Participants will learn various strategies, organizational tips, and management tools to create a calm classroom environment that is conducive for all learners. Participants will leave with ideas, tips, and tricks that can be implemented immediately.

Speakers

Kimberly Terry

Former Kindergarten Teacher - Now Reading Interventionist, Spearman Elementary School

Judy Griggs

Literacy Coach, Spearman Elementary School

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
411

Elementary (EC/ES)

Audience Early Childhood
Topic/Subject Management

10:30am EDT

Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences: An Intro for Educators

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT

508

Limited Capacity seats available

This session provides educators with a brief introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact on student learning, behavior, and well-being. Participants will explore how trauma can affect the developing brain and gain foundational strategies for creating supportive, trauma-informed classroom environments.

Speakers

Lauren Blackston

School Counselor, Powdersville High School

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
508

General Audience

Audience General Audience
Topic/Subject Management

10:30am EDT

Brains on Overdrive: Behavior in the Age of Screens and Stress 6-12

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT

416

Limited Capacity seats available

Do you have students that struggle with regulating emotions, coping with frustration, or having the stamina to persist through difficult tasks? This session breaks down how screen exposure and stress affect the brain and gives teachers realistic, classroom strategies they can use immediately to improve student behavior and engagement.

Speakers

Jennifer Dorriety

Board Certified Behavior Analyst, District Office

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
416

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High
Topic/Subject Management

12:45pm EDT

Co-Teaching That Works: Practical Strategies for Elementary Classrooms

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT

406

Limited Capacity seats available

Participants will explore practical, realistic strategies for implementing co-teaching in K4–5th grade classrooms. Rooted in real classroom partnerships and inspired by Andrea Honigsfeld’s work, this session focuses on what actually works, especially when supporting multilingual learners. Attendees will walk away with simple, actionable ideas they can begin implementing in their classrooms.

Speakers

Jordanne Kittrell

Multilingual Language Specialist, West Pelzer Elementary School

I am the Multilingual Language Specialist at West Pelzer. I have been teaching for 10 years and previously taught both 5th and 6th grade. I hold certifications in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Gifted and Talented, and TESOL. I serve multilingual learners through a co-teaching... Read More →

Whitney Broderick

Fourth Grade Teacher, West Pelzer Elementary School

I will be beginning my 20th year of teaching in the 2026-2027 school year! I have taught all my years in Anderson School District 1 at West Pelzer Elementary. I have taught third and fourth grade. I am certified to teach K4-6th grade and GT! I have my Masters in Elementary Educat... Read More →

Liz Whitfield

Kindergarten Teacher, West Pelzer Elementary School

I graduated from Clemson University in 2021 and graduated with my MAT in 2022 through the Teacher Residency Program. I am in my 4th year as a kindergarten teacher at WPES. My favorite thing about K5 is modeling how to develop a love for learning and equipping children with the superpower... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
406

Elementary (EC/ES)

Audience Early Childhood, Elementary
Topic/Subject Management

12:45pm EDT

Beyond Behavior: Cultivating a Safe and Respectful Classroom

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT

410

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will examine the current factors influencing classroom behaviors and student learning. We will analyze these factors across three distinct categories: Classroom Flow, Teacher Regulation, and Student Regulation.

Speakers

Angie Evatt

Interventionist, Oak Hill Elementary School

Angie Evatt possesses 12 years of experience as a homeschooling mother, in addition to serving 15 years in public education. Her teaching background encompasses Kindergarten, 4th grade, 5th grade, Leadership, and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in schools across Mississippi, North... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
410

General Audience

Audience General Audience
Topic/Subject Management

12:45pm EDT

Combining the Guiding Coalition & Lighthouse Team

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT

411

Limited Capacity seats available

Strong schools are built through strong teams with a shared vision and purpose. This session will explore how we combined our Guiding Coalition and Lighthouse Team into one unified leadership team where their goals align to support the overall mission and growth of the school. Participants will learn practical strategies for building trust, creating shared ownership, strengthening student and teacher leadership, using data to guide decisions, and developing systems that support continuous improvement. Through reflection and discussion, school leaders will leave with ideas for aligning leadership structures, empowering stakeholders, and creating a collaborative culture where everyone works together to support student success.
Impact:
Educators will walk away with practical ideas and strategies for merging the work of a Guiding Coalition and Lighthouse Team into one aligned leadership structure that supports the mission and goals of the school. Participants will gain tools for strengthening collaboration, building shared ownership among staff and students, aligning leadership efforts, and creating systems that support continuous improvement, student leadership, and a positive school culture.

Speakers

Miranda Leopard

Principal, West Pelzer Elementary School

Miranda Leopard is an experienced educational leader currently serving as the principal of West Pelzer Elementary School. She brings over 20 years of experience in education, including the last 12 years at West Pelzer, where she has served as a literacy coach, assistant principal... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
411

General Audience

Audience General Audience
Topic/Subject Management

12:45pm EDT

Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences: An Intro for Educators

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT

508

Limited Capacity seats available

This session provides educators with a brief introduction to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact on student learning, behavior, and well-being. Participants will explore how trauma can affect the developing brain and gain foundational strategies for creating supportive, trauma-informed classroom environments.

Speakers

Lauren Blackston

School Counselor, Powdersville High School

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
508

General Audience

Audience General Audience
Topic/Subject Management

12:45pm EDT

What if Disney Ran Your Classroom?

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT

510

Limited Capacity seats available

Since 1923, the Walt Disney Company has served as a model for business growth and customer service. Through the pursuit of excellence, especially in its theme parks, it has become the leader in a rapidly changing industry that other companies strive to replicate. There are lessons to be learned from analyzing the "Disney Way," and its strategies can elevate your classroom instruction, climate, and student engagement. You may never teach in the Magic Kingdom, but you can create a classroom that Walt himself would approve.

Speakers

Chris Chapman

Assistant Principal - Freshman Academy Dir., Wren High School

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
510

General Audience

Audience General Audience
Topic/Subject Management

12:45pm EDT

Brains on Overdrive: Behavior in the Age of Screens and Stress 6-12

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT

416

Limited Capacity seats available

Do you have students that struggle with regulating emotions, coping with frustration, or having the stamina to persist through difficult tasks? This session breaks down how screen exposure and stress affect the brain and gives teachers realistic, classroom strategies they can use immediately to improve student behavior and engagement.

Speakers

Jennifer Dorriety

Board Certified Behavior Analyst, District Office

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
416

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High
Topic/Subject Management

12:45pm EDT

Co-Teaching: Achieving Secondary Collaboration

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT

505

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will showcase how to realistically implement co-teaching at the high school level in a sustainable manner. It will focus on co-teaching in the same content area.

Speakers

Savannah Shealy

10-11th English Teacher, Wren High School

Abby Robertson

10-11th English Teacher, Wren High School

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
505

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High
Topic/Subject Management

1:45pm EDT

Brains on Overdrive: Behavior in the Age of Screens and Stress K4-5

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT

416

Limited Capacity seats available

Do you have students that struggle with regulating emotions, coping with frustration, or having the stamina to persist through difficult tasks? This session breaks down how screen exposure and stress affect the brain and gives teachers realistic, classroom strategies they can use immediately to improve student behavior and engagement.

Speakers

Jennifer Dorriety

Board Certified Behavior Analyst, District Office

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
416

Elementary (EC/ES)

Audience Early Childhood, Elementary
Topic/Subject Management

1:45pm EDT

Practical Classroom Strategies

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT

410

Limited Capacity seats available

Is your bag of tricks feeling stale? Seating charts and brain breaks not working like they used to? Then come on in and learn some more tricks for your classroom management utility belt!

Speakers

Sam Line

High School Social Studies Teacher, Powdersville High School

Sam is a 12th Year teacher who has taught in Aiken County, St. Johns County (FL.), and Anderson One. He enjoys connecting with students, being outside, and playing with his two year old daughter.

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
410

General Audience

Audience General Audience
Topic/Subject Management

1:45pm EDT

The Heart of the Classroom

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT

404

Limited Capacity seats available

The importance of your role as a Special Education Assistant. How to effectively support and communicate with your lead teacher.

Speakers

Beth Price

Teacher Assistant, Powdersville Middle School

My name is Beth Price and I am currently a Teacher Assistant at PVMS. I will be going into my ninth year as a Special Education Assistant. I previously taught K4 and K5, and have been in the Education field in some capacity for over 20 years. I have been married for 30 years and have... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
404

General Audience

Audience Classroom Assistants, Special Education
Topic/Subject Management

1:45pm EDT

What if Disney Ran Your Classroom?

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT

510

Limited Capacity seats available

Since 1923, the Walt Disney Company has served as a model for business growth and customer service. Through the pursuit of excellence, especially in its theme parks, it has become the leader in a rapidly changing industry that other companies strive to replicate. There are lessons to be learned from analyzing the "Disney Way," and its strategies can elevate your classroom instruction, climate, and student engagement. You may never teach in the Magic Kingdom, but you can create a classroom that Walt himself would approve.

Speakers

Chris Chapman

Assistant Principal - Freshman Academy Dir., Wren High School

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
510

General Audience

Audience General Audience
Topic/Subject Management

Back-to-School ConnectED Conference 2026

Register to attend