TransformED 2026

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.

Interactive read-aloud is a responsive instructional practice that supports students’ social, emotional, and cognitive growth. It sparks creativity, strengthens critical thinking, and builds vibrant literacy communities. In this hands-on session, participants will experience the power of interactive read-aloud and explore engaging ways to cultivate book joy with their students.

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.

Academic Clubs are a great way for students express interest but it can be hard to find funding or other resources to host a club. Jackson College is dedicated to helping revive interest in space science in our community. Not only do we host a whole slew of events on campus that any astronomy club could take advantage of as well as specialized equipment, including an observatory, we are looking to lend out equipment to interested teachers willing to host their own astronomy club. If you have a group of interested students join us and see what we can offer to help provide students with more amazing experiences.

Interactive read-aloud is a responsive instructional practice that supports students’ social, emotional, and cognitive growth. It sparks creativity, strengthens critical thinking, and builds vibrant literacy communities. In this hands-on session, participants will experience the power of interactive read-aloud and explore engaging ways to cultivate book joy with their students.

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.

Academic Clubs are a great way for students express interest but it can be hard to find funding or other resources to host a club. Jackson College is dedicated to helping revive interest in space science in our community. Not only do we host a whole slew of events on campus that any astronomy club could take advantage of as well as specialized equipment, including an observatory, we are looking to lend out equipment to interested teachers willing to host their own astronomy club. If you have a group of interested students join us and see what we can offer to help provide students with more amazing experiences.

This session is designed to capture your voice and perspective as an educators. Through interactive protocols, participants will unpack and share their own experiences in the classroom, helping surface insights into the realities of teaching today. By capturing and honoring the perspectives in the room, we will not only build collective understanding, but also think about practical ways to apply these shared protocols and approaches into your classroom. You will leave with tools and resources to foster environments where all voices are valued and learning becomes a shared journey.

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.

Interactive read-aloud is a responsive instructional practice that supports students’ social, emotional, and cognitive growth. It sparks creativity, strengthens critical thinking, and builds vibrant literacy communities. In this hands-on session, participants will experience the power of interactive read-aloud and explore engaging ways to cultivate book joy with their students.

Presenters will share tried and true strategies that allow for comprehension, formative assessment, and student engagement. Participants will participate in a workshop format and leave with guided strategies and a "blue print" to sparking curiosity of students, understanding of content and improved comprehension of material.