Back-to-School ConnectED Conference 2026

Back-to-School ConnectED Conference 2026

8:15am EDT

Opening Keynote: What Great Educators Do Differently

Friday July 31, 2026 8:15am - 9:15am EDT

Gym

Speakers

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

Audience General Audience, Admin, Bookkeepers, Office Staff, Attendance Clerks, School Counselors, Nurses, Related Arts, Athletics, Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, High, K4, New to District, Special Education, Classroom Assistants

9:30am EDT

From Compliance To Persistence

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

509

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

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 →

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

General Audience

Audience Elementary, Middle

9:30am EDT

Pear Assessment for Beginners

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

506

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

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

General Audience

Audience Elementary, Middle, High, Special Education, Related Arts, New to District

9:30am EDT

7 Mindsets: Student Wellness

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

202

Limited Capacity seats available

Come learn about the 7 Mindsets software and how it supports restorative practices in the classroom.

Speakers

Sarah Dean

Regional Sales Director, 7 Mindsets

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
202

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

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

9:30am EDT

CANCELLED From Silence to Sensemaking: Using Talk as a Tool for Learning

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

518

Limited Capacity seats available

In this interactive session, we’ll dive into how “thinking partners” and engaging discourse routines can spark meaningful conversations and deepen student understanding. Discover how anchoring phenomena can drive curiosity and sensemaking, all while tapping into the rich funds of knowledge students bring with them every day.

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
518

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

9:30am EDT

iReady - Teacher Toolbox Classroom Resources

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

511

Limited Capacity seats available

Teachers learn to navigate Teacher Toolbox and how to find resources to support teacher-led instruction, independent practice, and assessment. Teachers use i-Ready data to plan for differentiated support using Toolbox resources within an upcoming unit or lesson.
•Navigate Teacher Toolbox and use resources to plan for differentiated support

Speakers

Melissa Campbell

Professional Learning Specialist, iReady/Curriculum Associates

Melissa brings 19 years of public education teaching and coaching experience to her work as a Professional Learning Specialist with Curriculum Associates. Her passion for data-informed instruction and data analysis drives the professional learning she designs and facilitates, with... Read More →

Sponsors

Curriculum Associates

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
511

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle

9:30am EDT

Power Tools for Teaching

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

505

Limited Capacity seats available

Implementing these four Power Tools into daily classroom practice will provide in-depth opportunities for students to show what they know and take ownership of their own learning. These strategies will also help teachers become more informed about student performance, misconceptions, and progress toward mastery... and require little to no prep!

Speakers

Ashley Weaver

8th Grade Math Teacher, Powdersville Middle School

Dr. Ashley Weaver is a National Board Certified, 8th grade math teacher at Powdersville Middle School with 18 years of experience in the classroom. Her goal as an educator is to convince the world that every person is a "math person." When not in school, you can find her with her... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
505

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle

9:30am EDT

Soundtrap Podcasts

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

207

Limited Capacity seats available

Join this session to learn about creating student podcasts with Soundtrap

Speakers

Tina Shah

Sales Representative, Soundtrap

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
207

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

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

9:30am EDT

Tracking Student Data

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

507

Limited Capacity seats available

This session is designed to share and present how to track student and teacher data using Learning Target Trackers and Google Sheets to share data. Utilizing this data allows teachers and student to be aware of where each class and student are in their mastery journey.

Speakers

Brittany Shepherd

9th grade biology teacher, Palmetto High School

Garland Cox

9th grade bio teacher, Palmetto High School

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
507

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High, Special Education, New to District

9:30am EDT

Strengthening Tier 1 with Cooperative Learning and Differentiated Small Group Instruction

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 11:15am EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Strong Tier 1 instruction requires intentional decision-making about how students engage with information, process their learning, and receive the support or challenge they need to make progress. In this session, participants will explore how to use learning goals and student data to determine when whole-group instruction is the most effective pathway and when differentiated small-group instruction may better support learners at different levels of readiness.
During the first half of the session, we will focus on making whole-group instruction more effective by chunking content, pausing for processing, and leveraging cooperative learning structures to promote meaningful interaction, improve comprehension, and increase retention. In the second half, participants will explore how data can inform decisions about when to transition from whole-group to differentiated small-group instruction and how to design targeted learning experiences that provide the appropriate level of support, practice, enrichment, or extension. We will conclude by exploring how the Station Rotation Model can create consistent opportunities for small-group instruction and discussing the shifts necessary to use small groups effectively for Tier 2 support and enrichment, ensuring those experiences address learner needs rather than simply repeating instruction that was not successful the first time.

Speakers

Catlin Tucker

Education Expert, Best-Selling Author, and International Speaker

Dr. Catlin Tucker is an education expert, bestselling author, and international speaker with 24 years of experience in education. Named Sonoma County Teacher of the Year in 2010, she earned a Master’s in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a doctorate... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 9:30am - 11:15am EDT
Library

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

10:30am EDT

Pear Assessment for Beginners

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

506

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

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

General Audience

Audience Elementary, Middle, High, Special Education, Related Arts, New to District

10:30am EDT

7 Mindsets: Student Wellness

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

202

Limited Capacity seats available

Come learn about the 7 Mindsets software and how it supports restorative practices in the classroom.

Speakers

Sarah Dean

Regional Sales Director, 7 Mindsets

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
202

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

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

10:30am EDT

Improving Student Engagment in the Secondary English Classroom

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

517

Limited Capacity seats available

After transitioning from elementary school to high school teaching, I noticed that student apathy became one of my greatest concerns. In this class, I will discuss how I incorporated elementary-style engagement strategies into the high school classroom to help motivate students, increase participation, and encourage a stronger connection to learning.

Speakers

Jessica Johnson

English I and II Honors, Palmetto High School

My name is Jessica Johnson, and as of last year, I have spent 20 years in the classroom. ASD1 has been my home since 2008. Throughout my career, I have taught a variety of grade levels, including 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 9th grade. English has always been a passion of mine, and over... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
517

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

10:30am EDT

Innovating the Classroom: Structure, Songs, and Seating

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

516

Limited Capacity seats available

Traditional secondary classes (especially math classes) can seem extremely stale to students and teachers. In this session I will share a few changes I have implemented to the high school classroom to make it a more inviting and interactive environment and the effect it has had on my students.

Speakers

Denton Carter

High School Math, Powdersville High School

I am a recent graduate of Anderson University and ASD1, and currently teach math at Powdersville High School. I am extremely passionate about my job and care deeply about my students and making a positive impact on their educational journey. I enjoy doing math, watching college sports... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
516

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

10:30am EDT

iReady - Teacher Toolbox Classroom Resources

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

511

Limited Capacity seats available

Teachers learn to navigate Teacher Toolbox and how to find resources to support teacher-led instruction, independent practice, and assessment. Teachers use i-Ready data to plan for differentiated support using Toolbox resources within an upcoming unit or lesson.
•Navigate Teacher Toolbox and use resources to plan for differentiated support

Speakers

Melissa Campbell

Professional Learning Specialist, iReady/Curriculum Associates

Melissa brings 19 years of public education teaching and coaching experience to her work as a Professional Learning Specialist with Curriculum Associates. Her passion for data-informed instruction and data analysis drives the professional learning she designs and facilitates, with... Read More →

Sponsors

Curriculum Associates

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
511

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle

10:30am EDT

Librarians: A Teacher's Secret Weapon

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

504

Limited Capacity seats available

In this session the 3 high school librarians will share our favorite lessons and activities to collaborate with the classroom teachers. We will also share the many ways that librarians and classroom teachers can collaborate to better support our students' learning and meet instructional goals.

Speakers

Tamara Cox

Librarian, Wren High School

Tamara Cox is a librarian with over 20 years of teaching experience. She has been recognized for her work with awards including SC Teacher of the Year Honor Roll, SC Librarian of the Year, School Library Journal Librarian of the Year Finalist, and the I Love My Librarian Award. She... Read More →

Amanda Squires

Librarian, Powdersville High School

Joanna Watkins

Librarian, Palmetto High School

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
504

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

10:30am EDT

Soundtrap Podcasts

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

207

Limited Capacity seats available

Join this session to learn about creating student podcasts with Soundtrap

Speakers

Tina Shah

Sales Representative, Soundtrap

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
207

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

11:30am EDT

Lunch - Multiple Locations

Friday July 31, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT

Multiple Locations

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

Audience General Audience, Admin, Bookkeepers, Office Staff, Attendance Clerks, School Counselors, Related Arts, Athletics, Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, High, K4, New to District, Special Education, Assistants

12:45pm EDT

MTSS: Reaching Every Learner

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

409

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

Mary Beth Smith

Literacy Coach, Hunt Meadows Elementary School

Laura Hammond

School Psycologist, District Office

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
409

General Audience

Audience Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle

12:45pm EDT

7 Mindsets: Student Wellness

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

202

Limited Capacity seats available

Come learn about the 7 Mindsets software and how it supports restorative practices in the classroom.

Speakers

Sarah Dean

Regional Sales Director, 7 Mindsets

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
202

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

12:45pm EDT

Beyond the Answer: Making Mathematical Thinking Visible

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

516

Limited Capacity seats available

This interactive session will take middle and high school math teachers on a deep dive into the South Carolina Math Process Standards, focusing on what it truly means for students to “do math.” Participants will explore each standard through collaborative activities, analyze classroom tasks, and identify what these practices look like in action. Teachers will leave with practical strategies to move beyond procedural instruction and intentionally design learning experiences that promote reasoning, problem solving, and mathematical communication.

Speakers

Hayden Woerner

Assistant Principal, Powdersville High School

Hayden Woerner is the assistant principal at Powdersville High School, where she leads instructional initiatives, supports professional learning communities, and works closely with teachers and students to strengthen teaching and learning. She brings over 17 years of experience in... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
516

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

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

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

12:45pm EDT

Don't get Beanboozled . . . get Beanstacked!

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

507

Limited Capacity seats available

By the end of this session learners will....be connected to and interact with their school's Beanstack dashboard and begin tracking minutes read towards your school's yearly goal to help support their school family.

Speakers

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 →

Katie Moody

Media Specialist, Palmetto Middle School

Media Specialist at Palmetto Middle School, where she has served for the past eight years. She has 20 years of experience in education, having previously served as a classroom teacher in Kindergarten and 1st-4th grades. She also served as an elementary librarian for two years before... Read More →

Andrea Kelly

Media Specialist, Wren Middle School

Media Specialist at Wren Middle School, where she has served for the past seven years. She brings 14 years of experience as a media specialist and a total of 16 years in education, with a passion for fostering literacy, student engagement, and innovative learning experiences.

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
507

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle

12:45pm EDT

From Classroom to Career: Bringing Learning to Life

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

413

Limited Capacity seats available

How do we make learning meaningful? By connecting it to the real world. This session highlights how Discovery Education’s Careers Hub empowers students to explore industries, discover career pathways, and understand the “why” behind what they’re learning. Walk away with practical ways to embed career connections across content areas.

Speakers

Pam Inabinett

Director, Partner Success, SE, Discovery Education

Pam Inabinett brings two decades of South Carolina classroom experience and just the right amount of tech-loving enthusiasm. She started as a classroom teacher before becoming an Instructional Technology Specialist in Dorchester School District Two, where she first discovered the... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
413

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

12:45pm EDT

Introduction to Desmos for Algebra Skills (Grades 7-10)

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

509

Limited Capacity seats available

Teachers will learn how to use desmos with basic functions and algebra skills. This will include 7th and 8th grade algebra standards.

Speakers

Lisa Houston

Math Instructional Coach, Palmetto High School

Madison Duffie

Math Teacher, Palmetto High School

Drew Hallgren

Math Teacher, Palmetto High School

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
509

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

12:45pm EDT

iReady - Teacher Toolbox Classroom Resources

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

511

Limited Capacity seats available

Teachers learn to navigate Teacher Toolbox and how to find resources to support teacher-led instruction, independent practice, and assessment. Teachers use i-Ready data to plan for differentiated support using Toolbox resources within an upcoming unit or lesson.
•Navigate Teacher Toolbox and use resources to plan for differentiated support

Speakers

Melissa Campbell

Professional Learning Specialist, iReady/Curriculum Associates

Melissa brings 19 years of public education teaching and coaching experience to her work as a Professional Learning Specialist with Curriculum Associates. Her passion for data-informed instruction and data analysis drives the professional learning she designs and facilitates, with... Read More →

Sponsors

Curriculum Associates

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
511

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle

12:45pm EDT

Let's Get Your Students Hooked on Books

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

504

Limited Capacity seats available

Join us for a session all about the love of reading. The 3 high school librarians will share strategies for encouraging even the most reluctant reader to pick up a book. We will also highlight some of our favorite books for every level of reader.

Speakers

Tamara Cox

Librarian, Wren High School

Tamara Cox is a librarian with over 20 years of teaching experience. She has been recognized for her work with awards including SC Teacher of the Year Honor Roll, SC Librarian of the Year, School Library Journal Librarian of the Year Finalist, and the I Love My Librarian Award. She... Read More →

Amanda Squires

Librarian, Powdersville High School

Joanna Watkins

Librarian, Palmetto High School

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
504

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

12:45pm EDT

Poetry and Prose with The PTST Chart

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

517

Limited Capacity seats available

Explore how the PTST Chart helps students organize ideas and prewrite effective thesis statements for poetry and prose analysis.

Speakers

Tyler Gardo

11th and 12th Grade English Teacher, Wren High School

Tyler Gardo is a high school English teacher at Wren High School. He teaches CP, Honors, and AP level English.

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
517

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

12:45pm EDT

Soundtrap Podcasts

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

207

Limited Capacity seats available

Join this session to learn about creating student podcasts with Soundtrap

Moderators

Stacy Carlton

Speakers

Justin Polk

Sales Representative, Soundtrap

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
207

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

12:45pm EDT

Teaching Visual Analysis: Engaging Students Through Art and Images

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

515

Limited Capacity seats available

How to analyze images beyond what you see, using visual clues to break down the content and context of photographs, art, or images of objects.

Speakers

Haley Nichols

High School Art Teacher, Wren High School

Haley Nichols is a certified k-12 Art Educator and Artist with experience in both middle and high school art. She teaches at Wren High School, and is also the chair of the Fine Arts department, as well as Wren High School's 2026-2027 Teacher of the Year. Haley received her teaching... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 1:30pm EDT
515

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High, Related Arts

12:45pm EDT

Secondary Chorus Teachers

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 2:30pm EDT

211

Limited Capacity seats available

Secondary chorus teachers, join clinician Dr. Carol Kreuger for a session designed just for you!

Speakers

Dr. Carol Kreuger

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
211

Audience Related Arts, Middle, High

12:45pm EDT

Strengthening Tier 1 with Cooperative Learning and Differentiated Small Group Instruction

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 2:30pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Strong Tier 1 instruction requires intentional decision-making about how students engage with information, process their learning, and receive the support or challenge they need to make progress. In this session, participants will explore how to use learning goals and student data to determine when whole-group instruction is the most effective pathway and when differentiated small-group instruction may better support learners at different levels of readiness.
During the first half of the session, we will focus on making whole-group instruction more effective by chunking content, pausing for processing, and leveraging cooperative learning structures to promote meaningful interaction, improve comprehension, and increase retention. In the second half, participants will explore how data can inform decisions about when to transition from whole-group to differentiated small-group instruction and how to design targeted learning experiences that provide the appropriate level of support, practice, enrichment, or extension. We will conclude by exploring how the Station Rotation Model can create consistent opportunities for small-group instruction and discussing the shifts necessary to use small groups effectively for Tier 2 support and enrichment, ensuring those experiences address learner needs rather than simply repeating instruction that was not successful the first time.

Speakers

Catlin Tucker

Education Expert, Best-Selling Author, and International Speaker

Dr. Catlin Tucker is an education expert, bestselling author, and international speaker with 24 years of experience in education. Named Sonoma County Teacher of the Year in 2010, she earned a Master’s in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a doctorate... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 12:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
Library

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

1:45pm EDT

MTSS: Reaching Every Learner

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

409

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

Mary Beth Smith

Literacy Coach, Hunt Meadows Elementary School

Laura Hammond

School Psycologist, District Office

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
409

General Audience

Audience Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle

1:45pm EDT

7 Mindsets: Student Wellness

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

202

Limited Capacity seats available

Come learn about the 7 Mindsets software and how it supports restorative practices in the classroom.

Speakers

Sarah Dean

Regional Sales Director, 7 Mindsets

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
202

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

1:45pm EDT

Beyond the Answer: Making Mathematical Thinking Visible

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

516

Limited Capacity seats available

This interactive session will take middle and high school math teachers on a deep dive into the South Carolina Math Process Standards, focusing on what it truly means for students to “do math.” Participants will explore each standard through collaborative activities, analyze classroom tasks, and identify what these practices look like in action. Teachers will leave with practical strategies to move beyond procedural instruction and intentionally design learning experiences that promote reasoning, problem solving, and mathematical communication.

Speakers

Hayden Woerner

Assistant Principal, Powdersville High School

Hayden Woerner is the assistant principal at Powdersville High School, where she leads instructional initiatives, supports professional learning communities, and works closely with teachers and students to strengthen teaching and learning. She brings over 17 years of experience in... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
516

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

1:45pm EDT

Building Variety Into Your Unit Plans

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

508

Limited Capacity seats available

Do you ever feel like you do the same types of assignments and activities day after day, unit after unit, year after year? This session is designed to help you re-evalutae your unit planning process to build in variety in content delivery, student practice, and assessment options while still staying focused on essential standards.

Speakers

Leslie Martin

Social Studies Teacher, Powdersville High School

Leslie has been teaching since 2005. She has experience teaching middle school through college, is a master teacher with Clemson University's teacher residency program, and has a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Assessment from Southern Weslyan University.

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
508

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

1:45pm EDT

Don't get Beanboozled . . . get Beanstacked!

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

507

Limited Capacity seats available

By the end of this session learners will....be connected to and interact with their school's Beanstack dashboard and begin tracking minutes read towards your school's yearly goal to help support their school family.

Speakers

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 →

Katie Moody

Media Specialist, Palmetto Middle School

Media Specialist at Palmetto Middle School, where she has served for the past eight years. She has 20 years of experience in education, having previously served as a classroom teacher in Kindergarten and 1st-4th grades. She also served as an elementary librarian for two years before... Read More →

Andrea Kelly

Media Specialist, Wren Middle School

Media Specialist at Wren Middle School, where she has served for the past seven years. She brings 14 years of experience as a media specialist and a total of 16 years in education, with a passion for fostering literacy, student engagement, and innovative learning experiences.

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
507

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle

1:45pm EDT

Film Analysis in the English Classroom

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

515

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will provide a framework unit plan for teaching film analysis with a final product of a writing assessment. This unit works best for novels that have been adapted into a film, and although it uses simple materials, the final assessment promotes a rigorous higher level of thinking.

Speakers

Sommer Wilson

12th grade English Teacher, Palmetto High School

Anna Howe

English Teacher, Powdersville High School

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
515

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

1:45pm EDT

Getting HIPPY With It

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

509

Limited Capacity seats available

Looking for a concise way to help students break down primary and secondary sources?
Get HIPPY with it. This strategy helps students analyze a source from a multitude of layers and can be helpful on stimulus based questions or written response.

Speakers

Aubrey Williams

AP US History Teacher, Wren High School

Mrs. Williams is a Secondary Education Social Studies teacher with a passion for primary source materials used to enrich class discussions. Aubrey has been in public education for 10 years and has served as a curriculum writer for the USS Midway. Aubrey was also the ASD1 Teacher of... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
509

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

1:45pm EDT

iReady - Teacher Toolbox Classroom Resources

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

511

Limited Capacity seats available

Teachers learn to navigate Teacher Toolbox and how to find resources to support teacher-led instruction, independent practice, and assessment. Teachers use i-Ready data to plan for differentiated support using Toolbox resources within an upcoming unit or lesson.
•Navigate Teacher Toolbox and use resources to plan for differentiated support

Speakers

Melissa Campbell

Professional Learning Specialist, iReady/Curriculum Associates

Melissa brings 19 years of public education teaching and coaching experience to her work as a Professional Learning Specialist with Curriculum Associates. Her passion for data-informed instruction and data analysis drives the professional learning she designs and facilitates, with... Read More →

Sponsors

Curriculum Associates

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
511

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle

1:45pm EDT

Smarter Planning, Stronger Teaching

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

505

Limited Capacity seats available

This fast-paced, hands-on session introduces K–12 educators to using NotebookLM as a lesson planning assistant. Teachers will learn how to quickly turn their existing materials into engaging, organized, and differentiated lesson plans using the amazing resources that NotebookLM will create.

Speakers

Kathy Beck

Seventh Grade Social Studies Teacher, Powdersville Middle School

I have been teaching middle school students for 21 years. Six of these 21 years have been in Anderson One School District at Powdersville Middle School. I enjoy hiking, reading, and playing Mahjong with my friends when I am not teaching. I love developing ways for students to stay... Read More →

Amanda Moore

Seventh Grade Social Studies Teacher, Powdersville Middle School

I have been teaching for 23 years - all of them in Anderson One School District. I taught 4th grade at Powdersville Elementary for fifteen years and have been at Powdersville Middle the past 8 years. I enjoy reading, crafting, and spending time with my three teenagers when I am not... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
505

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

1:45pm EDT

Soundtrap Podcasts

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

207

Limited Capacity seats available

Join this session to learn about creating student podcasts with Soundtrap

Moderators

Lexie Hendricks

English Teacher, Powdersville High School

Lexie Hendricks is in her 10th year in education and is passionate about seeing students thrive in the classroom. She focuses on implementing a variety of ways to assess student learning in order to meet students' individual needs.

Speakers

Justin Polk

Sales Representative, Soundtrap

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
207

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

1:45pm EDT

The Battle for Authentic Learning: Detecting & Using AI Ethically

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

517

Limited Capacity seats available

Join us to learn why ethical AI matters! We will share strategies for how students can use AI in the classroom to enhance, not supplement, their learning. We will also share strategies for teachers to ensure that students are completing authentic work.

Speakers

Amanda Foster

English Teacher, Powdersville High School

Journalist turned English teacher, I love teaching writing in all forms. I am committed to students becoming strong readers, speakers, listeners, and writers before they graduate high school.

Reilly Shillinglaw

English Teacher, Powdersville High School

Hannah Watson

English Teacher, Powdersville High School

Hannah Watson is an English teacher at Powdersville High School. Hannah is passionate about empowering students to become lifelong learners and critical thinkers.

Friday July 31, 2026 1:45pm - 2:30pm EDT
517

Secondary (MS/HS)

Audience Middle, High

Back-to-School ConnectED Conference 2026

Register to attend