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Back-to-School ConnectED Conference 2026
Company: Elementary clear filter
Friday, July 31
 

8:15am EDT

Opening Keynote: What Great Educators Do Differently
Friday July 31, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am EDT
Speakers
TW

Todd Whitaker

Speaker, Author
Dr. Todd Whitaker has been fortunate to be able to blend his passion with his career. Recognized as a leading presenter in the field of education, his message about the importance of teaching has resonated with hundreds of thousands of educators around the world. Todd is a research... Read More →
Friday July 31, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am EDT
Gym

9:30am EDT

Brains on Overdrive: Behavior in the Age of Screens and Stress K4-5
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
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
JD

Jennifer Dorriety

Board Certified Behavior Analyst, District Office
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
416

9:30am EDT

Data at a Glance: Using Spreadsheets to Monitor ES Progress
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
In this session teachers will learn how to use a spreadsheet that takes essential standard data and calculates progress automatically to develop a plan of action. Teachers will learn how to edit the spreadsheet and change it to meet the needs of their team. The spreadsheet tracks separate classroom progress as well as whole grade levels.
Speakers
avatar for Michael James

Michael James

2nd Grade Teacher, West Pelzer Elementary School
Michael James is a fourth grade teacher in his 8th year of teaching upper elementary. Michael is passionate about developing systems that work for teachers. In his mind, data is a tool that can help all teachers define success for each of their students if used in an effective wa... Read More →
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
409

9:30am EDT

Extension in the Elementary Reading Classroom
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Turn “early finishers” into eager explorers. In this session, literacy coaches will share practical, high-impact extension activities that deepen comprehension, strengthen vocabulary, and spark independent thinking in elementary readers.
Speakers
MB

Mary Beth Smith

Literacy Coach, Hunt Meadows Elementary School
RR

Rebecca Ratcliffe

Literacy Coach, Wren Elementary School
HM

Haley Mahon

Literacy Coach, West Pelzer Elementary School
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
404

9:30am EDT

Getting Started with Freckle
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Join our Renaissance representative to learn more about Freckle.
Moderators Speakers
avatar for Lisa Baumohl

Lisa Baumohl

Renaissance

Sponsors
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
402

9:30am EDT

Interpreting Decoding and Encoding Assessments
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
In this session, teachers will learn how to interpret spelling inventories (encoding assessments) and the LETRS word-reading assessment (decoding assessment) to guide instructional decisions. Analyses can be used to both group students and determine learning objectives for individual students.
Speakers
KR

Kim Ragan

Interventionist and Literacy Specialist, West Pelzer Elementary School
M.Ed. Literacy, Certified Literacy Specialist, Orton-Gillingham - Trained
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
406

9:30am EDT

PebbleGo and Let Them Grow!
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Participants will learn how to navigate PebbleGo and how this resource can be beneficial in the classroom for all readers, regardless of his/her reading level. They will also learn how to access the many resources that are available through the app/website, and how these resources can enhance lessons with all learners.
Speakers
avatar for Brenda Perry

Brenda Perry

Elementary Librarian, Cedar Grove Elementary School
With over 14 years experience as a classroom teacher and elementary librarian, I am passionate about helping students discover the joy of reading. As a librarian, I am dedicated to connecting learners with books that build confidence in reading and encouraging them to become lifelong... Read More →
avatar for Jodi Cowart

Jodi Cowart

Middle School Librarian, Powdersville Middle School
With over 25 years in public education at the elementary and middle school levels serving as a fourth grade classroom teacher, teacher of Gifted & Talented, a Reading Coach and a librarian, my heart lies in connecting teachers and students to excellent books and resources that support... Read More →
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
415

9:30am EDT

Seesaw AI: Smarter Tools for Elementary Classrooms
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Seesaw AI is purpose-built for elementary classrooms to tackle real challenges and boost student success. Our AI tools support teachers in creating meaningful learning experiences that connect with every student and lay the foundation for lifelong learning. Discover how to save time on assignments, assessments, and communication so you can focus on what matters most: your students.
Understand Seesaw’s AI Philosophy + Principles
Learn how to use Seesaw’s AI features
Moderators Speakers
avatar for Seesaw

Seesaw

Seesaw

Sponsors
avatar for Seesaw

Seesaw

Seesaw

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
401

9:30am EDT

Where Wonder Begins: Science Curriculum Highlights
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session will guide teachers in using the NSTA-recommended mapping strategy to connect engaging phenomena to standards and instruction. Participants will explore how real-world phenomena can drive student curiosity, questioning, and deeper scientific understanding. Teachers will also dig into curriculum folders to examine the wide range of available resources, including lesson materials, pacing guides, assessments, and support tools that can be used to strengthen science instruction throughout the year.
Speakers
BO

Beth Owings

STEM Teacher/ Lead Elem Science Teacher, Spearman Elementary School
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
408

9:30am EDT

From Compliance To Persistence
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session highlights new instructional strategies I have used and refined to increase student engagement, ownership of learning, and depth of understanding. Participants will explore how intentional lesson design, student choice, and structured inquiry can shift classrooms from teacher-led to student-driven learning. Practical examples and ready-to-use ideas will be shared so strategies can be implemented immediately.
Speakers
avatar for Abbie McReynolds

Abbie McReynolds

Seventh Grade Science Teacher, Palmetto Middle School
Abbie McReynolds is a 7th grade science teacher at Palmetto Middle School. She is passionate about designing instruction that increases student engagement, ownership, and persistence in learning. Through her classroom practice, she has focused on shifting from teacher-led instruction... Read More →
avatar for Carlye Cole

Carlye Cole

Special Education Teacher, Palmetto Middle School
My name is Carlye Cole. I currently teach an intellectual disabilities self-contained classroom at Palmetto Middle School. With 11 years of experience in Anderson School Distrcit One, I have worked with a wide range of students and abilities across both middle and elementary school... Read More →
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
509

9:30am EDT

Pear Assessment for Beginners
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Ready to get started with Pear Assessment? This beginner-friendly session will walk you through the essentials of creating interactive assessments that provide real-time insight into student learning. Teachers will explore core tools, see examples in action, and spend dedicated time building their own assessment. You’ll leave with a completed resource and the confidence to start using Pear right away.
Speakers
avatar for Caytee Chapman

Caytee Chapman

Chemistry Teacher, Powdersville High School
I’m Caytee Chapman, a chemistry teacher at Powdersville High School in Anderson School District One. I teach College Prep, Honors, and AP Chemistry and enjoy helping students build strong conceptual understanding through problem-solving, inquiry, and real-world connections.
Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
506

10:30am EDT

Accommodations Made Easy
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This presentation provides a practical breakdown of commonly seen IEP accommodations, offering clear classroom examples to eliminate implementation confusion in core subjects. It equips educators with a universal checklist for quick reference and essential advice on communicating these supports to parents during assessments. Lastly, we provide the essential resources to implement accommodations effectively, ensuring all students receive their legally mandated support.
Speakers
avatar for Jill Walls

Jill Walls

Resource Teacher, Hunt Meadows Elementary School

CH

Cynthia Hembree

Special Education Teacher, Hunt Meadows Elementary School
MC

Miranda Cubitt

Special Education Teacher, Hunt Meadows Elementary School
Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
409

10:30am EDT

Authentic Assessment and Insights with Seesaw
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Effective formative assessment is key to guiding instruction and supporting student growth. In this session, explore how to use Seesaw to create auto-graded assessments that deliver real-time insights into student understanding and save teachers’ time.
Explore formative assessment types
View assessment data
Create formative assessments
Moderators Speakers
avatar for Seesaw

Seesaw

Seesaw

Sponsors
avatar for Seesaw

Seesaw

Seesaw

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
401

10:30am EDT

Extension in the Elementary Reading Classroom
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Turn “early finishers” into eager explorers. In this session, literacy coaches will share practical, high-impact extension activities that deepen comprehension, strengthen vocabulary, and spark independent thinking in elementary readers.
Speakers
MB

Mary Beth Smith

Literacy Coach, Hunt Meadows Elementary School
RR

Rebecca Ratcliffe

Literacy Coach, Wren Elementary School
HM

Haley Mahon

Literacy Coach, West Pelzer Elementary School
Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
404

10:30am EDT

From Stories to Sources: Sparking Curiosity in 3rd–5th Grade Learners!
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session, led by a 4th grade teacher and a school librarian, explores engaging ways to teach research to 3rd–5th grade students using read-alouds, picture books, graphic novels, and primary sources. Participants will learn practical, classroom-tested strategies to spark curiosity, build background knowledge, and promote critical thinking across content areas. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use ideas and lessons that make research interactive and meaningful.
Speakers
DA

Deidre Ables

Media Specialist, West Pelzer Elementary School
This marks my eleventh year at West Pelzer as a school librarian. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Clemson University and a Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina. I recently obtained National Board Certification in 20... Read More →
WB

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 →
avatar for Julianne Kaye

Julianne Kaye

Media Specialist, Hunt Meadows Elementary School
I have dedicated 24 years to education, including six years as a first- and third-grade teacher and the past 18 years as an elementary school librarian, where I inspire a love of reading and lifelong learning in my students. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Lenoir-Rhyne... Read More →
Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
406

10:30am EDT

Tier 2 by Design: Using Data to Group with Purpose
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This professional development session will help teachers use student data intentionally to create effective instructional groups that target specific learning needs. Participants will explore how to group and regroup students by essential standards, allowing for more focused instruction, flexible support, and responsive teaching that drives student growth.
Speakers
avatar for Candice Garrison

Candice Garrison

Literacy Coach, Concrete Elementary School
Candice Garrison is the Literacy Coach at Concrete Primary and has served in this role for 4 years. Prior to becoming the Literacy Coach, Candice taugh Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. Candice has a passion for helping students learn to read and close gaps! She specializes in helping... Read More →
avatar for Nicole McGaha

Nicole McGaha

Literacy Coach, Oak Hill Elementary School
Nicole McGaha is a veteran educator who truly "gets" the classroom. With over 18 years of experience under her belt, she spent over a decade teaching before stepping into her current role as the Literacy Coach at Powdersville Elementary. For the last five years, Nicole has focused... Read More →
Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
407

10:30am EDT

Where Wonder Begins: Science Curriculum Highlights
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session will guide teachers in using the NSTA-recommended mapping strategy to connect engaging phenomena to standards and instruction. Participants will explore how real-world phenomena can drive student curiosity, questioning, and deeper scientific understanding. Teachers will also dig into curriculum folders to examine the wide range of available resources, including lesson materials, pacing guides, assessments, and support tools that can be used to strengthen science instruction throughout the year.
Speakers
BO

Beth Owings

STEM Teacher/ Lead Elem Science Teacher, Spearman Elementary School
Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
408

10:30am EDT

Pear Assessment for Beginners
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Ready to get started with Pear Assessment? This beginner-friendly session will walk you through the essentials of creating interactive assessments that provide real-time insight into student learning. Teachers will explore core tools, see examples in action, and spend dedicated time building their own assessment. You’ll leave with a completed resource and the confidence to start using Pear right away.
Speakers
avatar for Caytee Chapman

Caytee Chapman

Chemistry Teacher, Powdersville High School
I’m Caytee Chapman, a chemistry teacher at Powdersville High School in Anderson School District One. I teach College Prep, Honors, and AP Chemistry and enjoy helping students build strong conceptual understanding through problem-solving, inquiry, and real-world connections.
Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
506

11:30am EDT

Lunch - Multiple Locations
Friday July 31, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Lunch is provided at three lunch stations around the building. If your second session is in the Library, WRHS, or a 200 Classroom, you will pick up your lunch in the WRMS Cafeteria. If your second session is in a 400 classroom, you will pick up your lunch in the WRMS main hallway. If your second session is in a 500 classroom, you will pick up your lunch in the WRMS learning stairs area. Eating locations include: gym, cafeteria, learning stairs, courtyards, outside tables, or a classroom.
Friday July 31, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Multiple Locations

12:45pm EDT

Co-Teaching That Works: Practical Strategies for Elementary Classrooms
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
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
avatar for Jordanne Kittrell

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 →
WB

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 →
LW

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

12:45pm EDT

Cracking the Code: Upper Elementary & Tier 3
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
What do we do when students face foundational gaps but the curriculum keeps moving forward? Join the Anderson 1 Literacy Coaches for a practical session on maximizing your Tier 3 time. We will move beyond basic remediation to focus on high-impact strategies that help struggling readers tackle grade-level content. You will leave with a toolkit of "high-leverage" scaffolds designed to build student confidence and bridge the gap between intensive support and classroom success for upper grade students.
Speakers
avatar for Nicole McGaha

Nicole McGaha

Literacy Coach, Oak Hill Elementary School
Nicole McGaha is a veteran educator who truly "gets" the classroom. With over 18 years of experience under her belt, she spent over a decade teaching before stepping into her current role as the Literacy Coach at Powdersville Elementary. For the last five years, Nicole has focused... Read More →
avatar for Candice Garrison

Candice Garrison

Literacy Coach, Concrete Elementary School
Candice Garrison is the Literacy Coach at Concrete Primary and has served in this role for 4 years. Prior to becoming the Literacy Coach, Candice taugh Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. Candice has a passion for helping students learn to read and close gaps! She specializes in helping... Read More →
AG

Amber Greer

Literacy Coach, Cedar Grove Elementary School
Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
402

12:45pm EDT

Fostering Joyful Learning Experiences
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Get ready to spark joy in learning with Seesaw! In this session, educators will explore the power of the Green Add Button and dive into Seesaw’s creative tools to enhance engagement, provide meaningful support, and promote student voice at every stage of the learning journey.
Seesaw refresh!
Learn how teachers document classroom moments and learning
Explore how students can capture their own learning
Moderators
avatar for Hannah Kate Blunt

Hannah Kate Blunt

5th grade teacher, Powdersville Elementary School
Hannah Kate Blunt is a 5th grade teacher at Powdersville Elementary. She has taught for nine years, with the majority of her career being in North Carolina. She has been back in Anderson One for one year as a 5th grade self contained teacher on a team where the rest of the teachers... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Seesaw

Seesaw

Seesaw

Sponsors
avatar for Seesaw

Seesaw

Seesaw

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
401

12:45pm EDT

Multiplication Matters: Developing Lasting Fact Fluency
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Students need to master their multiplication and divsion facts, but many kids struggle memorizing them. What if there was a better way to make multiplication facts stick with our kids? After hearing Jennifer Bay-Williams at NCTM, we have begun to rethink what it means to be fluent with multiplication facts. This session will explore what it means to be fluent and then describe instructional strategies that will support students in mastering their foundational and derived multiplication facts.
Speakers
EB

Emily Blakely

5th Grade Teacher, Spearman Elementary School
GB

Gresham Brown

Assistant Principal, Spearman Elementary School
Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
403

12:45pm EDT

MTSS: Reaching Every Learner
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Participants will explore the MTSS framework and how it provides a structured approach to supporting students’ academic and behavioral needs at every level. The session will highlight how Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 supports work together to ensure all students receive appropriate instruction and intervention.
Speakers
MB

Mary Beth Smith

Literacy Coach, Hunt Meadows Elementary School
LH

Laura Hammond

School Psycologist, District Office
Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
409

1:45pm EDT

Administering Star Computer Adaptive Tests
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Join our Renaissance representative to learn more about adminstering Star tests.
Moderators Speakers
avatar for Lisa Baumohl

Lisa Baumohl

Renaissance

Sponsors
Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
401

1:45pm EDT

Brains on Overdrive: Behavior in the Age of Screens and Stress K4-5
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
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
JD

Jennifer Dorriety

Board Certified Behavior Analyst, District Office
Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
416

1:45pm EDT

Cracking the Code: Upper Elementary & Tier 3
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
What do we do when students face foundational gaps but the curriculum keeps moving forward? Join the Anderson 1 Literacy Coaches for a practical session on maximizing your Tier 3 time. We will move beyond basic remediation to focus on high-impact strategies that help struggling readers tackle grade-level content. You will leave with a toolkit of "high-leverage" scaffolds designed to build student confidence and bridge the gap between intensive support and classroom success for upper grade students.
Speakers
avatar for Nicole McGaha

Nicole McGaha

Literacy Coach, Oak Hill Elementary School
Nicole McGaha is a veteran educator who truly "gets" the classroom. With over 18 years of experience under her belt, she spent over a decade teaching before stepping into her current role as the Literacy Coach at Powdersville Elementary. For the last five years, Nicole has focused... Read More →
avatar for Candice Garrison

Candice Garrison

Literacy Coach, Concrete Elementary School
Candice Garrison is the Literacy Coach at Concrete Primary and has served in this role for 4 years. Prior to becoming the Literacy Coach, Candice taugh Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. Candice has a passion for helping students learn to read and close gaps! She specializes in helping... Read More →
AG

Amber Greer

Literacy Coach, Cedar Grove Elementary School
Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
402

1:45pm EDT

Power of the Pivot: Mastering Conversation Turns
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session explores how intentional conversational turns serve as a catalyst for oral language development. Drawing on the Strive for Five framework (Zucker & Cabell, 2024), participants will master "pivoting" techniques to scaffold or challenge student responses in real-time. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to weave academic vocabulary into daily discourse, ultimately boosting student comprehension and expressive confidence.
Speakers
MO

Melissa Oliver

ML Specialist, Spearman Elementary School
Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
406

1:45pm EDT

MTSS: Reaching Every Learner
LIMITED
Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Participants will explore the MTSS framework and how it provides a structured approach to supporting students’ academic and behavioral needs at every level. The session will highlight how Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 supports work together to ensure all students receive appropriate instruction and intervention.
Speakers
MB

Mary Beth Smith

Literacy Coach, Hunt Meadows Elementary School
LH

Laura Hammond

School Psycologist, District Office
Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
409
 
Back-to-School ConnectED Conference 2026
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