Back-to-School ConnectED Conference 2026: Full Schedule

9:30am EDT

Interpreting Decoding and Encoding Assessments

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

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

Elementary (EC/ES)

Audience Early Childhood, Elementary

10:30am EDT

From Stories to Sources: Sparking Curiosity in 3rd–5th Grade Learners!

LIMITED

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

406

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

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 →

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 →

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

Elementary (EC/ES)

Audience Elementary

12:45pm EDT

Co-Teaching That Works: Practical Strategies for Elementary Classrooms

LIMITED

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

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

1:45pm EDT

Power of the Pivot: Mastering Conversation Turns

LIMITED

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

406

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