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TransformED 2026
Audience: Administrator/Leadership clear filter
Monday, October 19
 

8:30am EDT

KEYNOTE: Visible Learning: From Big Ideas To Practice! Secondary
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session offers an introduction to Visible Learning and highlights various signature practices outlined in the Illustrated Guide to Visible Learning. Participants begin by exploring the foundational evidence base of Visible Learning (VL), then engage in practical applications primarily focused on the signature practice of Teacher Clarity that
can be implemented tomorrow!
Speakers
avatar for Tommy Thompson

Tommy Thompson

Educational Consultant, Corwin
Tommy Thompson is a full-time educational consultant who has delivered presentations in
nearly all 50 states as well as Canada. Mr. Thompson draws from his experiences as an award-
winning principal, classroom teacher, and school district leader. His partnerships with leading
resear... Read More →
Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

8:30am EDT

Building Belonging in Jackson County: Bringing Best Buddies to K–12 Schools
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Building Belonging in Jackson County: Best Buddies Across All Grade Levels explores how K–12 schools can create inclusive communities where students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities build meaningful, one-to-one friendships. Participants will learn how Best Buddies can integrate into existing school structures and empower students as leaders for inclusion across elementary, middle, and high school.
Speakers
avatar for Lydia Goff, MSW

Lydia Goff, MSW

Lead Program Manager, Best Buddies

Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

8:30am EDT

The New Age of Changing Behavior
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Talk about different ways to promote positive behavior in the school setting. Different interventions to try to re-train student's brains.
Speakers
avatar for Madison Lilley

Madison Lilley

Early Elementary At Risk Corrdinator, Northwest

avatar for Caitlin Williams

Caitlin Williams

504/Tier 3/McKinney-Vento Coordinator, Northwest Public Schools

Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

8:30am EDT

Fact vs. Fiction: Mastering Your Stories
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
What internal story are you bringing to your toughest conversations? When stakes are high our brains naturally jump to conclusions. Join this workshop to master your internal narrative. You will walk away with practical tools to dismantle unhelpful assumptions, regain emotional control and enter high stakes discussions ready to achieve real results.
Speakers
avatar for Kelsea Roe

Kelsea Roe

Continuous Improvement Education Consultant, JCISD

Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

8:30am EDT

How to implement academic interventions and progress monitoring to support student growth: a workshop for elementary educators
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session will discuss how to identify and implement academic interventions and progress monitoring tools at Tiers 1, 2, and 3 at the elementary level. The majority of the session will focus on practice case studies where attendees will learn and practice how to identify the appropriate tier for intervention, the appropriate skill to target during intervention, how to identify an intervention, how to identify an appropriate progress monitoring tool, and decision-making on student progress.
Speakers
CC

Courtney Chamberlain

Psychologist, JCISD

DG

Dana Garcia

Psychologist, JCISD

Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

8:30am EDT

Classroom Environment and Structures (Elementary)
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session will equip educators with actionable strategies to design classroom environments that promote student success through proactive physical arrangements, establishing clear expectations and routines, and effectively using classroom visuals
Speakers
avatar for Tami Morrow

Tami Morrow

SEBH Professional Learning Specialist, Michigan Technical Assistance Center ( MIMTSS TA Center)
My name is Tami Morrow and I earned my master in social work in 1994 from Wayne State University.  After earning my MSW, I worked in a variety of clinical and community settings, particularly an outpatient mental health practice specializing in providing individual, group and family... Read More →
Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

8:30am EDT

Integrated Social Emotional Learning
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Integrated Social Emotional Learning is a creative way to being SEL services to the student while building peer connections throughout classes. By using the strengths of the students to meet the needs of the class, it promotes an interactive way to strengthen the student community.
Speakers
avatar for Bryana Johnson, BSW

Bryana Johnson, BSW

School Social Worker, Vandercook Lake Schools

Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

8:30am EDT

Thriving in Teaching: Wellness Practices for Educators
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Teaching is both rewarding and demanding. Educator wellness matters. This session explores proactive strategies to manage stress, prevent burnout, and reduce compassion fatigue, enabling educators to thrive while supporting students’ academic, social, emotional, and behavioral well-being.
Speakers
avatar for Delilah Smith, M.A., LPC

Delilah Smith, M.A., LPC

K-12 Literacy Dyslexia Consultant, MiMTSS TA Center

Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

8:30am EDT

Modeling with Meaning: Using CORE vocabulary Effectively
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Participants will gain an understanding of CORE Vocabulary (what it is, how it is used, applying to student needs) and learn how to model CORE Vocabulary using the SMORRES Technique. This is a great session for general or special education teachers and teacher assistants, especially those supporting students using low tech or speech generating devices to aid in communication skills. A brief overview of Assistive Technology resources, including specific CORE vocabulary visuals, will be included in the session.

Speakers
avatar for Elisabeth Mills

Elisabeth Mills

Special Education Teacher, JCISD

avatar for Lynnelle Tans

Lynnelle Tans

Speech Pathologist, JCISD

Monday October 19, 2026 8:30am - 9:45am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

9:55am EDT

Stronger Together: Activating Family Partnerships in MTSS
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Family partnerships are an essential component of effective school systems and student success. When families and educators collaborate, they can better support students' academic, behavioral, and social development.

This session introduces the concept of family partnerships within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Participants will explore the foundational principles of family engagement, examine the differences between family involvement and authentic partnerships, and learn strategies for schools to collaborate with families across the MTSS tiers. By the end of the session, participants will better understand how meaningful family partnerships support data-based decision-making and student outcomes.
Speakers
avatar for Amy Basket

Amy Basket

Implementation Specialist, MIMTSS Technical Assistance Center
Amy Basket, MEd, MAT, is an educational leader and Implementation Specialist for Michigan's MTSS Technical Assistance Center. Based in Essexville, Michigan, she partners with District Implementation Teams to build sustainable, data-driven systems for behavior and reading support. Amy brings an extensiv... Read More →
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

9:55am EDT

Unlocking The Potential For Students To Drive Their Learning
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session highlights signature practices featured in the Illustrated Guide to Visible Learning that educators can use to increase student engagement and agency. Participants will leave this session understanding the relationship between Teacher
Clarity and Students That Drive Their Learning and some of the skills critical to creating Visible Learner classrooms.
Speakers
avatar for Tommy Thompson

Tommy Thompson

Educational Consultant, Corwin
Tommy Thompson is a full-time educational consultant who has delivered presentations in
nearly all 50 states as well as Canada. Mr. Thompson draws from his experiences as an award-
winning principal, classroom teacher, and school district leader. His partnerships with leading
resear... Read More →
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

9:55am EDT

Restorative Practices: Building Relationships to Improve Student Outcomes
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This interactive session introduces educators to the principles and purpose of restorative practices and explores how they can be used to strengthen relationships, build community, and respond to student behavior in more meaningful ways. Participants will examine the difference between restorative and traditional punitive approaches, experience restorative strategies firsthand, and practice conversations they can use immediately with students and colleagues. The session will conclude with participants identifying one practical restorative action they can bring back to their school and implement right away.
Speakers
avatar for Kim Brown

Kim Brown

Attendance, Truancy & Special Populations Coordinator, Jackson County Intermediate School District
Kimberly Brown (Kim) is a member of the Whole Child Team at Jackson County Intermediate School District (JCISD), where she currently serves as the Attendance, Truancy, and Special Populations Coordinator and County Attendance Officer. She has held this role for the past five school... Read More →
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

9:55am EDT

Beyond the Scoreboard: Mastering the MICIP Athletic Director’s Strategic Playbook
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Beyond the Scoreboard: Mastering the MICIP Athletic Director’s Strategic Playbook

Stop reacting to crises and start leading with systemic precision. This professional learning session introduces a high-fidelity framework designed specifically for athletic directors to move their departments from "hired and hope" to "hired and developed". Participants will master the "Universal Multi-Year Strategic Cycle", a research-based improvement protocol that shifts the focus from blaming individuals to fixing policy and process failures.

Walk away with a complete, professional-grade infrastructure, including a 12-month operational rhythm and a 5-year strategic roadmap. Whether your goal is improving athlete retention, academic integration, or community perception, this playbook provides the standardized protocols necessary to build a lasting legacy for your student-athletes.
Speakers
avatar for Max Clark

Max Clark

Continuous Improvement Education Consultant, JCISD

Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

9:55am EDT

Section 41 is Changing- Now what? Understanding Michigan’s New English Learner Requirements for 2026-26
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Understanding ELD requirements, staffing, program models, LAP, and funding
Speakers
avatar for Tracy Galloway

Tracy Galloway

Multilingual Learner Liaison, JCISD

Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

9:55am EDT

Confidently Responding to Behavior (Elementary)
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session equips teachers with foundational brain science knowledge and practical strategies to confidently interpret the function of student behavior and support real-time self-regulation to improve learning outcomes.
Speakers
avatar for Tami Morrow

Tami Morrow

SEBH Professional Learning Specialist, Michigan Technical Assistance Center ( MIMTSS TA Center)
My name is Tami Morrow and I earned my master in social work in 1994 from Wayne State University.  After earning my MSW, I worked in a variety of clinical and community settings, particularly an outpatient mental health practice specializing in providing individual, group and family... Read More →
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

9:55am EDT

Looking Beneath the Surface: Understanding Trauma, Behavior, and Educator Well-Being
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Student behavior often communicates a need rather than a problem to be solved. This trauma-informed training helps educators better understand the impact of trauma on behavior, emotional regulation, and learning while providing practical strategies for fostering safety, connection, and resilience in the classroom. Participants will also explore the importance of educator wellness, recognize signs of secondary traumatic stress, and learn strategies to support their own well-being. Attendees will leave with increased compassion, practical tools, and a renewed understanding of how to support both students and themselves.
Speakers
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

9:55am EDT

Step Into My Shoes: Uncovering Blind Spots
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
We all share the same goal, supporting student success, yet the daily realities of teaching in a classroom and leading a school can feel worlds apart. This interactive workshop is designed to step past surface level assumptions and explore unseen realities in each others roles.
Speakers
avatar for Kelsea Roe

Kelsea Roe

Continuous Improvement Education Consultant, JCISD

Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

9:55am EDT

AAC Apps Training
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Participants will gain an understanding of the 3 main AAC (Augmentative/Alternative Communication) apps that students use within our county (TCWP, LAMP, TD Snap), Learn how to edit, create buttons, and navigate 3 AAC apps. Bring a device and specific questions for your students!
Speakers
avatar for Elisabeth Mills

Elisabeth Mills

Special Education Teacher, JCISD

avatar for Lynnelle Tans

Lynnelle Tans

Speech Pathologist, JCISD

Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

9:55am EDT

Game On! Gamification 101
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Unlock student potential by bringing gaming into your teaching practice. Designed for educators seeking innovative instructional tools, this session covers popular gamified assessment platforms to create a more immersive and interactive classroom environment.
Speakers
avatar for Jeanelle Wonders

Jeanelle Wonders

Educational Technology Consultant, JCISD

Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 11:10am EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

9:55am EDT

Inclusion is Evolving - Are You?
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 12:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
(Virtual Presentation) For inclusion to be possible in today’s complex classrooms and schools, we need to evolve from outdated interpretations of what it means to understand and support students. In this session, through humor and real-world stories, Dr. Moore unpacks what has changed, what hasn’t, and what comes next. Participants will reexamine what inclusion means through updated lenses of diversity, identity, and belonging. In our ongoing journey towards more equitable education for all students, together we’ll surface hard truths, explore diverse lived experiences, and reflect on concepts that are critical to consider when understanding and implementing inclusion as everyday practices.
Speakers
avatar for Shelley Moore Ph.D.

Shelley Moore Ph.D.

Based in British Columbia, Canada, Dr. Shelley Moore is a highly sought-after inclusive education researcher, teacher, consultant and storyteller. She has worked with school districts and community organizations around the world. Her research explores how to support teachers to design... Read More →
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 12:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

9:55am EDT

Become a Google Gemini Certified Educator
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 12:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Discover how Google's AI assistant, Gemini, can support teaching and learning while preparing to earn the Google Gemini for Education Certification. This hands-on workshop guides educators through Gemini's educational features, responsible AI practices, prompting techniques, and classroom applications.

Participants will receive coaching, hands-on practice, and dedicated time to complete the certification exam during the session.
Speakers
avatar for Paul Smith

Paul Smith

Educational Technology Consultant, JCISD


Monday October 19, 2026 9:55am - 12:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

11:20am EDT

Out of the Box Interventions: Practical Strategies to Re-Engage Students Before They Disengage
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This interactive session challenges educators to shift from “What’s wrong with this student?” to “What does this student need?” Participants will explore creative, relationship-based approaches to addressing the root causes of student absenteeism, disengagement, and challenging behaviors. Through collaboration and hands-on activities, participants will design intervention plans that move beyond traditional consequences and identify at least five practical strategies they can implement immediately to better support student attendance and engagement.
Speakers
avatar for Kim Brown

Kim Brown

Attendance, Truancy & Special Populations Coordinator, Jackson County Intermediate School District
Kimberly Brown (Kim) is a member of the Whole Child Team at Jackson County Intermediate School District (JCISD), where she currently serves as the Attendance, Truancy, and Special Populations Coordinator and County Attendance Officer. She has held this role for the past five school... Read More →
Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

11:20am EDT

Building Belonging in Jackson County: Bringing Best Buddies to K–12 Schools
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Building Belonging in Jackson County: Best Buddies Across All Grade Levels explores how K–12 schools can create inclusive communities where students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities build meaningful, one-to-one friendships. Participants will learn how Best Buddies can integrate into existing school structures and empower students as leaders for inclusion across elementary, middle, and high school.
Speakers
avatar for Lydia Goff, MSW

Lydia Goff, MSW

Lead Program Manager, Best Buddies

Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

11:20am EDT

Launching Your Behavior Framework Playbook
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Kick off your districts journey toward systemic clarity in this hands on workshop. This will be the first in a series dedicating to authoring a custom, physical Behavior Framework Book. Leaders will take core behavioral values, map out book architecture and draft clear thresholds for all components of a behavior system. Walk away with Chapter 1 drafted and a clear roadmap for your districts playbook.
Speakers
avatar for Kelsea Roe

Kelsea Roe

Continuous Improvement Education Consultant, JCISD

avatar for Julie Page

Julie Page

SEL/Mental Health & Wellness Coordinator, JCISD

Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

11:20am EDT

Build the System, Not the Initiative A District Infrastructure That Sustains Any Priority
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Every district has a graveyard of good ideas, initiatives that launched with energy, drifted, and quietly disappeared when the person driving them moved on. The problem is rarely the initiative. It's the absence of a durable structure to carry it.

This session gives district leaders a practical, initiative-agnostic implementation system: one set of teams, routines, coaching structures, and data practices that any priority can plug into- literacy, attendance, grading reform, AI policy, or whatever comes next. Grounded in implementation science from the National Implementation Research Network and the coherence work of Fullan and Quinn.
Participants will leave with the six essential components of an implementation infrastructure, the NIRN Hexagon as a selection gate for deciding what's worth adopting in the first place, a meeting-level operating structure that survives staff turnover, and a self-diagnostic for locating the gaps in their own district.

Participants will be able to:

Distinguish the what of an initiative from the how of implementation, and explain why sustainability lives in the latter
Identify the six components of a district implementation infrastructure and assess their district's current state
Apply a structured selection process to evaluate new programs for need, fit, and capacity before adoption
Name concrete first moves to strengthen implementation infrastructure without a reorganization
Speakers
avatar for Cari Bushinski

Cari Bushinski

Director of Professional Development, Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators

Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

11:20am EDT

ASVAB Utilization for Career Exploration
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
The primary focus of the presentation will be explaining how the ASVAB can be utilized as more than just a military entrance exam. While the ASVAB is used to determine eligibility and career opportunities for students interested in military service, it can also be a valuable career exploration and aptitude tool for students who have no interest in joining the military.
Speakers
avatar for Jordan Morrison

Jordan Morrison

Staff Sargeant, Recruiting and Retention NCO, Albion Michigan Army National Guard Armory

Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

11:20am EDT

Beyond the Checklist: Rethinking Graduation in Michigan
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Many educators view graduation requirements as a fixed checklist of courses that every student must complete. In reality, the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) was designed around demonstrated proficiency of high school content standards, not seat-time or a one-size-fits-all sequence of courses. The MMC provides far more flexibility than most educators realize.
This engaging session will challenge common misconceptions and demonstrate how districts can leverage MMC flexibilities and Personal Curriculum (PC) options to create meaningful, individualized pathways to a diploma. Participants will explore practical examples, dispel common myths, and discover innovative approaches that connect graduation requirements to students' Educational Development Plans (EDPs), career aspirations, and postsecondary goals.
Let's Rethink High School Together!
Speakers
avatar for Rashell Bowerman

Rashell Bowerman

Educational Consultant, MDE
Rashell Bowerman has been an Instructional Consultant with the Michigan Department of Education for over 14 years. As the department’s resident expert on Michigan’s graduation requirements, the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC), she supports local districts in ensuring that students... Read More →
Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

11:20am EDT

Outdoor Learning at the Dahlem Environmental Education Center
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Curious how the Dahlem Environmental Education Center can support what you do in the classroom and provide outdoor learning opportunities for your students? Join us to find out more about field trip options, including the immersive Annie’s Big Nature Lesson, as well as outreach to your school and other program opportunities. We will share environmental education program topics, financial assistance resources, and how you can sign up for a program.
Speakers
avatar for Hannah Schauer

Hannah Schauer

Executive Director, Jackson County Dahlem Center

Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

11:20am EDT

Section 41 is Changing- Now what? Understanding Michigan’s New English Learner Requirements for 2026-26
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Understanding ELD requirements, staffing, program models, LAP, and funding
Speakers
avatar for Tracy Galloway

Tracy Galloway

Multilingual Learner Liaison, JCISD

Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

11:20am EDT

Go Green, Go Competitive: Creating Our Envirothon Team and Green School Legacy
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session will share the journey of how we successfully launched a school Envirothon team and used that momentum to earn our official Michigan Green Schools certification. By aligning the hands-on, competitive training of Envirothon with the state's green school activity requirements, we created a powerful ecosystem where student passion drives school-wide environmental action. Most importantly, we will describe how this dual initiative served as a bridge for our science department, breaking down traditional subject silos and uniting biology, chemistry, and earth science under a shared, real-world mission.
Speakers
avatar for Marcelo Leonardi

Marcelo Leonardi

Vandercook Lake MS/HS Principal, Vandercook Lake Public Schools

Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

11:20am EDT

DBT Skills in the Classroom
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This training will provide educators with an introduction to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) concepts and how emotions, individual experiences, and environmental responses can interact and contribute to emotional dysregulation. Participants will be introduced to foundational DBT-based strategies that support mindfulness, balanced decision-making, effective communication, acceptance, emotional awareness, and regulation. The training will offer educators a general understanding of how these tools may be used to support students in the school environment.
Speakers
avatar for Fran Adams

Fran Adams

Mental Health Professional, JCISD

Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

11:20am EDT

How to stay in it for the long haul: How to consistently show up and be your best to be the educator you aspire to be
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
The field of education can be an exhausting grind. This session will teach you self-management strategies around movement, eating, sleep and connection with others so that you can have awesome energy every day to be the positive force for students that you want to be.
Speakers
avatar for Joe Zessin

Joe Zessin

Jackson High Assistant Principal 9th & 10th Grade, Jackson Public Schools

Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

11:20am EDT

Integrated Social Emotional Learning
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Integrated Social Emotional Learning is a creative way to being SEL services to the student while building peer connections throughout classes. By using the strengths of the students to meet the needs of the class, it promotes an interactive way to strengthen the student community.
Speakers
avatar for Bryana Johnson, BSW

Bryana Johnson, BSW

School Social Worker, Vandercook Lake Schools

Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

11:20am EDT

The Coaching Journey: Empowering Practice through Mediated Thinking
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Unlock your professional potential with a transformative approach to instructional growth. "The Coaching Journey" is a specialized session designed to empower educators by integrating Cognitive Coaching principles with the innovative power of AI.
In this journey, you are the expert. The AI serves as your dedicated process coach, acting as a sophisticated sounding board to deepen your reflection rather than providing ready-made answers.
By handling the cognitive "heavy lifting" of planning and analysis, this partnership allows you to focus your energy where it matters most: on your students
.
Speakers
avatar for Max Clark

Max Clark

Continuous Improvement Education Consultant, JCISD

Monday October 19, 2026 11:20am - 12:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

12:20pm EDT

KEYNOTE: Visible Learning: From Big Ideas To Practice! Elementary
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 12:20pm - 1:35pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session offers an introduction to Visible Learning and highlights various signature practices outlined in the Illustrated Guide to Visible Learning. Participants begin by exploring the foundational evidence base of Visible Learning (VL), then engage in practical applications primarily focused on the signature practice of Teacher Clarity that
can be implemented tomorrow!
Speakers
avatar for Tommy Thompson

Tommy Thompson

Educational Consultant, Corwin
Tommy Thompson is a full-time educational consultant who has delivered presentations in
nearly all 50 states as well as Canada. Mr. Thompson draws from his experiences as an award-
winning principal, classroom teacher, and school district leader. His partnerships with leading
resear... Read More →
Monday October 19, 2026 12:20pm - 1:35pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

1:45pm EDT

Building Capacity: Unlocking potential through clarity, confidence, and connection
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session explores how to build capacity through strengthening efficacy, leading with clarity, and providing feedback in dynamic environments that lead to greater impact. It equips leaders and teams with actionable strategies to cultivate confidence and competence, ensuring sustained growth and resilience. Through a focus on common challenges educators face in today’s schools, participants will learn concrete approaches that can be implemented immediately to harness the potential and capacity of those they serve.
Speakers
avatar for Tommy Thompson

Tommy Thompson

Educational Consultant, Corwin
Tommy Thompson is a full-time educational consultant who has delivered presentations in
nearly all 50 states as well as Canada. Mr. Thompson draws from his experiences as an award-
winning principal, classroom teacher, and school district leader. His partnerships with leading
resear... Read More →
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

1:45pm EDT

Cultivating Critical Thinking and Engaged Learning
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
In this workshop, we will start by reflecting on our critical thinking practices within our subject areas and teaching. We will engage in activities to help with considering how we approach the difficult and challenging thinking we do daily in our work.

Not only will we reflect on and learn more about our own critical thinking, we will use what we learn to think through ways to help our students learn to both think critically and solve problems thoughtfully and reflectively. Even with the prevalence of AI, most cognitive tasks remain uniquely human. In this workshop, with our focus on critical thinking, we will explore and name these in ways that will inform our teaching.

Some of the questions guiding our work will include,
- In what situations do we rely on critical thinking?
- How do we approach these situations? What does our critical thinking entail and look like in them?
- What are the types of problems in our subject areas that students can solve, and how can we scaffold those problems meaningfully for students?
- What tasks or activities can be offloaded to technology, and what might that look like and/or entail in your subject area and/or at the grade level at which you teach?
- What tasks or activities can not be offloaded to technology? How should/might those be approached?
- What are some tools and strategies for making thinking visible that we ourselves use?
- What are some strategies, activities, and tools for making thinking visible that we can ask students to use?

As we explore these and related questions, we will engage in processes of reflection and inquiry to learn about and to find ways to make our own ways of thinking more visible. We’ll also consider the ways our problem solving and critical thinking show up in the work we ourselves do, and how we can teach these kinds of practices and processes to our students.
Speakers
avatar for Ann Blakeslee, Ph.D.

Ann Blakeslee, Ph.D.

Professor of English Language and Literature, Eastern Michigan University

avatar for Kristine Gatchel

Kristine Gatchel

Professor of Children's Literature, Eastern Michigan University

Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

1:45pm EDT

Build the System, Not the Initiative A District Infrastructure That Sustains Any Priority
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Every district has a graveyard of good ideas, initiatives that launched with energy, drifted, and quietly disappeared when the person driving them moved on. The problem is rarely the initiative. It's the absence of a durable structure to carry it.

This session gives district leaders a practical, initiative-agnostic implementation system: one set of teams, routines, coaching structures, and data practices that any priority can plug into- literacy, attendance, grading reform, AI policy, or whatever comes next. Grounded in implementation science from the National Implementation Research Network and the coherence work of Fullan and Quinn.
Participants will leave with the six essential components of an implementation infrastructure, the NIRN Hexagon as a selection gate for deciding what's worth adopting in the first place, a meeting-level operating structure that survives staff turnover, and a self-diagnostic for locating the gaps in their own district.

Participants will be able to:

Distinguish the what of an initiative from the how of implementation, and explain why sustainability lives in the latter
Identify the six components of a district implementation infrastructure and assess their district's current state
Apply a structured selection process to evaluate new programs for need, fit, and capacity before adoption
Name concrete first moves to strengthen implementation infrastructure without a reorganization
Speakers
avatar for Cari Bushinski

Cari Bushinski

Director of Professional Development, Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators

Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

1:45pm EDT

The PBL Shift: Designing Learning that Solves Real Problems
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Experience a fast, hands-on Project‑Based Learning (PBL) simulation that demystifies PBL and gives you practical, classroom‑ready ways to bring meaningful projects into your curriculum. PBL is widely recognized for its ability to deepen understanding and boost student engagement. However, many teachers hesitate to use it because it can feel difficult to implement. In this interactive session, participants will experience a fast‑paced mini PBL unit and unpack the key elements that make project‑based learning both powerful and manageable. Participants will leave with a clear sense of what true PBL looks like, along with practical ideas for integrating meaningful projects into their curriculum.
Speakers
avatar for William Montgomery

William Montgomery

Math/Science & STEM Lead Education Consultant, JCISD

Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

1:45pm EDT

Beyond the Checklist: Rethinking Graduation in Michigan
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Many educators view graduation requirements as a fixed checklist of courses that every student must complete. In reality, the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC) was designed around demonstrated proficiency of high school content standards, not seat-time or a one-size-fits-all sequence of courses. The MMC provides far more flexibility than most educators realize.
This engaging session will challenge common misconceptions and demonstrate how districts can leverage MMC flexibilities and Personal Curriculum (PC) options to create meaningful, individualized pathways to a diploma. Participants will explore practical examples, dispel common myths, and discover innovative approaches that connect graduation requirements to students' Educational Development Plans (EDPs), career aspirations, and postsecondary goals.
Let's Rethink High School Together!
Speakers
avatar for Rashell Bowerman

Rashell Bowerman

Educational Consultant, MDE
Rashell Bowerman has been an Instructional Consultant with the Michigan Department of Education for over 14 years. As the department’s resident expert on Michigan’s graduation requirements, the Michigan Merit Curriculum (MMC), she supports local districts in ensuring that students... Read More →
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

1:45pm EDT

Outdoor Learning at the Dahlem Environmental Education Center
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Curious how the Dahlem Environmental Education Center can support what you do in the classroom and provide outdoor learning opportunities for your students? Join us to find out more about field trip options, including the immersive Annie’s Big Nature Lesson, as well as outreach to your school and other program opportunities. We will share environmental education program topics, financial assistance resources, and how you can sign up for a program.
Speakers
avatar for Hannah Schauer

Hannah Schauer

Executive Director, Jackson County Dahlem Center

Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

1:45pm EDT

Building Relationships and Positive Interactions
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This session will equip teachers with evidence-based strategies to build positive relationships with students and create a respectful classroom culture that supports student success and reduces the need for behavioral correction.
Speakers
avatar for Tami Morrow

Tami Morrow

SEBH Professional Learning Specialist, Michigan Technical Assistance Center ( MIMTSS TA Center)
My name is Tami Morrow and I earned my master in social work in 1994 from Wayne State University.  After earning my MSW, I worked in a variety of clinical and community settings, particularly an outpatient mental health practice specializing in providing individual, group and family... Read More →
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

1:45pm EDT

From Burnout to Balance: Women's Mental Health for Educators.
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This professional development session explores women’s mental health through the unique intersection of the brain, hormones, stress, and the demands of the education profession. Educators will learn about women’s anxiety and depression, the effects of chronic stress, and the impact of perimenopause and menopause on mood, sleep, energy, and cognitive functioning. The session will also move beyond traditional ideas of “self-care” to explore practical, sustainable strategies for managing stress, setting boundaries, recognizing personal needs, and building greater well-being. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of women’s mental health and practical tools to support themselves—and the women around them—through different stages of life and career.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Vincent

Courtney Vincent

Mental Health Professional, JCISD

Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

1:45pm EDT

Junior Change-makers
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
As educators, we can all relate to the constant advocacy for change in the school that is directed by the students. With Junior Change-Makers, this is a space for them to help create the change that is meaningful for the student culture.
Speakers
avatar for Bryana Johnson, BSW

Bryana Johnson, BSW

School Social Worker, Vandercook Lake Schools

Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

1:45pm EDT

Looking Beneath the Surface: Understanding Trauma, Behavior, and Educator Well-Being
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Student behavior often communicates a need rather than a problem to be solved. This trauma-informed training helps educators better understand the impact of trauma on behavior, emotional regulation, and learning while providing practical strategies for fostering safety, connection, and resilience in the classroom. Participants will also explore the importance of educator wellness, recognize signs of secondary traumatic stress, and learn strategies to support their own well-being. Attendees will leave with increased compassion, practical tools, and a renewed understanding of how to support both students and themselves.
Speakers
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

1:45pm EDT

The Big Picture of AT: Tech Tools for Learning, Literacy, and Life
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
This training equips educators with practical assistive technology tools and strategies to support students with a variety of deficits, especially reading and writing. Participants will learn to effectively utilize text-to-speech (TTS) for reading and reading comprehension and speech-to-text (STT) to aid written expression, fostering greater independence and literacy success. We will also explore JCISD’s assistive technology resources, including our top suggested Apps and Extensions. These tools and strategies will be explored on both iPads (iOS devices) and Chromebooks (Chrome browser/extensions). This is a hands-on session working through each tool, app, extension, etc.

Some devices will be provided but it is best if participants can bring their own laptop, iPad, and/ or Chromebook.
Speakers
avatar for Elisabeth Mills

Elisabeth Mills

Special Education Teacher, JCISD

avatar for Lynnelle Tans

Lynnelle Tans

Speech Pathologist, JCISD

Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

1:45pm EDT

All About (Peri)Menopause
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
About 75 million women in the US are currently dealing with menopause symptoms from raging hormones to itchy skin to brain fog and yet the very word "menopause" continues to be associated with stigma and confusion. With so many educators being women age 35+, this is a topic that ALL of us need to be familiar with. This session will be based off of the information covered in actor Naomi Watts' "Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause" best selling book.
Speakers
avatar for Dede Rush

Dede Rush

Northwest High School Science Teacher, Northwest Community Schools

Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203

1:45pm EDT

Financial Wellbeing for Educators: Practical strategies for financial confidence for long-term success
LIMITED
Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Limited Capacity seats available
Financial stress is one of the leading sources of anxiety for working professionals, including educators. Teachers dedicate their careers to helping others succeed, yet many face challenges balancing budgets, managing debt, preparing for retirement, and navigating today's complex financial landscape.

This engaging and interactive professional development session will provide educators with practical, actionable strategies to improve their financial wellbeing. Participants will learn how financial wellness impacts overall health, workplace performance, and personal satisfaction while gaining tools they can immediately implement to strengthen their financial futures.

The session is designed to be educational, non-commercial, and focused on empowering teachers to make informed financial decisions.
Speakers
avatar for Thomas Harris

Thomas Harris

Small Business Relationship Manager, American 1 Credit Union

Monday October 19, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm EDT
Middle School at Parkside 2400 4th St Jackson, MI 49203
 

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