This hands-on session is designed for grades 6–12 science and social studies teachers to strengthen their use of questions in SchoolNet to design standards-aligned assessments. Participants will explore how to effectively identify and evaluate high-quality assessment items tied to state standards. Emphasis will be placed on analyzing question rigor, aligning items to learning targets, and ensuring that assessments reflect the depth and complexity of the standards. Teachers will also collaborate to refine or develop their own questions that promote critical thinking and mirror the expectations of state assessments. By the end of the session, participants will have a clearer understanding of how to use SchoolNet as a tool for data-driven instruction. Teachers will leave with practical strategies and ready-to-use assessment items that can be immediately implemented to enhance student learning in both science and social studies classrooms.
Learn the basics of using Canva to create clean, professional-looking classroom materials. Participants will practice finding templates, editing text and images, using design elements, and downloading or sharing finished designs.
Get to know basic ClassDojo features for secondary classrooms, including student avatars, class setup, app navigation, and tools teachers can use to support classroom routines.
The specialist team will walk participants through the tool used by DPI to complete audits, then they will model with a sample student. Finally teachers will use the tool to complete a mock audit for a student on their caseload.
Adapted from an EC Conference session titled “Dealing with Difficult People,” this session will discuss perceived parent “friction” that is well intended but often rooted in fear or misunderstanding. Come glean strategies for communicating more effectively with parents.
This session provides a concise overview of the new ELA standards, focusing on their structure, organization, and key shifts. Participants will explore major changes, build familiarity with navigating the standards, and receive a clear timeline for implementation to support next steps in their practice.
Mastering i-Ready isn’t just about "doing the lessons"—it’s about cultivating the data that fuels student success. In this session, we’ll move beyond the surface-level metrics to uncover the hidden gems within your teacher dashboard that help your classroom thrive. Participants will walk away ready to set a clear path for progress, grow their instructional impact by pinpointing exactly where students are struggling, and harvest targeted Tools for Instruction to ensure every learner reaches their full potential.
Mastering i-Ready isn’t just about "doing the lessons"—it’s about cultivating the data that fuels student success. In this session, we’ll move beyond the surface-level metrics to uncover the hidden gems within your teacher dashboard that help your classroom thrive. Participants will walk away ready to set a clear path for progress, grow their instructional impact by pinpointing exactly where students are struggling, and harvest targeted Tools for Instruction to ensure every learner reaches their full potential.
In this session, teachers will learn best practices to manage student Chromebook usage with our classroom management application Classwize. Session participants will see the teacher view AND student view as we discuss appropriate uses of the following: -Rules -Focus Lists -Pushing out desired websites to students -Limiting tabs -Pausing internet access -Screenshot History/Student Journey Reports -Troubleshooting steps
In this session, teachers will learn best practices to manage student Chromebook usage with our classroom management application Classwize. Session participants will see the teacher view AND student view as we discuss appropriate uses of the following: -Rules -Focus Lists -Pushing out desired websites to students -Limiting tabs -Pausing internet access -Screenshot History/Student Journey Reports -Troubleshooting steps
In this session, teachers will learn best practices to manage student Chromebook usage with our classroom management application Classwize. Session participants will see the teacher view AND student view as we discuss appropriate uses of the following: -Rules -Focus Lists -Pushing out desired websites to students -Limiting tabs -Pausing internet access -Screenshot History/Student Journey Reports -Troubleshooting steps
This session will explore how audio / visual podcasting can demonstrate student mastery of content and skills, while providing practical rubrics and steps to implement into their classrooms.
NC Check-Ins are a tool to assess how students are doing towards content mastery, plus it's good practice for the EOGs/EOCs. Come learn how to pull down and read the NC Check-In reports. We will review sample reports and discuss what they can tell us about classroom learning.
The Prior Written Notice is perhaps the most important document. It summarizes the entire meeting and is the first go-to for clarification. Learn how to strengthen your team’s PWNs. Specialists will walk through multiple examples of PWNs and how they can be made stronger. Teachers will have time to explore PWNs they have written in the past.
Attendees will engage with a Math Medic activity from the Math 1 level or higher. I use these materials to promote reading, writing, speaking and thinking in my classroom. With block scheduling, and 90 minute classes for traditional high schools, these materials promote higher order thinking without sacrificing the skills practice. These activities can be completed in 50 to 60 minutes, leaving ample time for further discussion, practice or investigation. I will also show how these activities help students navigate the Math 1 and 3 EOC's.
This session will demonstrate the power of the pre assessment - particularly for prerequisite skills - to maximize student learning. Examples of effective assessments will be provided along with methods for grouping students and what to do within those groups based on the data collected. The session will explore decision-making rules as well as methods teams can use for additional support for all students in EOG or EOC courses.
This training on structured teaching provides educators and support staff with practical strategies to create organized, predictable, and visually supported learning environments for students with autism and significant cognitive disabilities.
This hands-on session will help teachers feel more comfortable supporting students with their Chromebooks. Participants will learn basic Chromebook navigation, common student troubleshooting steps, simple accessibility tools, and practical routines for helping students solve minor issues.
Thanks to AI, you can now build fully custom web apps in minutes without having to write a single line of code. These can include review games, interactive tools, and more. In this session we will learn how to create these web apps, and how to deploy them so that others can access them.
Why do we teach science? Is it to memorize the body systems, or to understand why a person gets hungry? In this fast-paced, interactive session, we shift the focus from learning about science to figuring out how the world works. You will explore how to use real-world phenomena to spark curiosity and drive science instruction. Participants will learn how to anchor lessons in meaningful events that encourage students to ask questions, investigate, and build explanations that align with the North Carolina Science Standards’ emphasis on learning through observation, modeling, and investigation.
Why do we teach science? Is it to memorize the phases of mitosis, or to understand why a wound heals? In this fast-paced, interactive session, we shift the focus from learning about science to figuring out how the world works. In this session, you will explore how to use real-world phenomena to spark curiosity and drive science instruction. Participants will learn how to anchor lessons in meaningful events that encourage students to ask questions, investigate, and build explanations that align with the North Carolina Science Standards’ emphasis on learning through observation, modeling, and investigation.
Get to know basic ClassDojo features for secondary classrooms, including student avatars, class setup, app navigation, and tools teachers can use to support classroom routines.
This professional development session equips educators with the essential strategies needed to balance digital tools in the modern world. Particpants will discover strategies to help teach DIgital & AI Literacy to their students by examining lessons taught in the elementary grade bands.
Discover how Gems and LM can help you create engaging, standards-aligned lessons while reducing planning time. In this hands-on session, you'll learn practical strategies for generating lesson ideas, differentiating instruction, creating classroom resources, and streamlining your workflow. Leave with ready-to-use tools and prompts that you can immediately apply in your classroom.
Foundations of Communication is an overview of language development and strategies to encourage and teach communication to early language learners and learners with complex needs. Participants will become familiar with communication functions, Augmentative and Alternative communication and ways to embed language into classroom activities.
This session provides a concise overview of the new ELA standards, focusing on their structure, organization, and key shifts. Participants will explore major changes, build familiarity with navigating the standards, and receive a clear timeline for implementation to support next steps in their practice.
In this session, teachers will learn how to successfully navigate operational workflows and protocols involving all things “technology”. We will cover topics including: -Helpdesk tickets (When? How?) -Teacher device tips (Screenshots, Keyboard Shortcuts) -Limiting student PII (Confidential Send in Gmail) -Email signatures -Utilizing Google products efficiently -Who to contact and when to contact them (Meet the Technology Department)
This interactive workshop is designed to help teachers easily integrate career awareness and college-and-career readiness concepts into everyday learning. Participants will explore how to use MajorClarity by Edmentum, along with ready-to-use digital resources and lesson plans, to introduce students to future career possibilities in an engaging and age-appropriate way. During the session, educators will learn practical strategies for connecting career exploration, goal setting, self-awareness, and academic planning to core subject areas. Participants will leave ready-to-implement resources that support students in discovering their interests, strengths, and future opportunities while building a strong foundation for lifelong college and career readiness.
In this session, teachers will learn best practices to manage student Chromebook usage with our classroom management application Classwize. Session participants will see the teacher view AND student view as we discuss appropriate uses of the following: -Rules -Focus Lists -Pushing out desired websites to students -Limiting tabs -Pausing internet access -Screenshot History/Student Journey Reports -Troubleshooting steps
In this session, teachers will learn best practices to manage student Chromebook usage with our classroom management application Classwize. Session participants will see the teacher view AND student view as we discuss appropriate uses of the following: -Rules -Focus Lists -Pushing out desired websites to students -Limiting tabs -Pausing internet access -Screenshot History/Student Journey Reports -Troubleshooting steps
In this session, teachers will learn best practices to manage student Chromebook usage with our classroom management application Classwize. Session participants will see the teacher view AND student view as we discuss appropriate uses of the following: -Rules -Focus Lists -Pushing out desired websites to students -Limiting tabs -Pausing internet access -Screenshot History/Student Journey Reports -Troubleshooting steps
This is an annually repeated training providing an overview of county support, data notebooks, EC green folder set up, data sheet entry, case load expectations, student progress monitoring tools and Goal book resources to help you start your year off right!
In this professional development session, teachers will examine practical strategies for using AI tools to support rigorous social studies inquiry, strengthen primary and secondary source analysis, and elevate student argumentation. Participants will engage with classroom-ready examples that show how AI can be used to generate guiding questions, model historical reasoning, and provide timely feedback—while still preserving the essential cognitive work students must do themselves. The session will emphasize designing tasks where students critically evaluate AI-generated content, identify bias or inaccuracies, and use evidence to confirm or challenge responses. Attention will also be given to ethical considerations, including academic integrity, appropriate use, and helping students develop responsible AI literacy.
This session introduces 6-8 teachers to using Keeley Probes as a formative assessment tool to uncover student thinking and guide instruction. Participants will experience a probe as learners, analyze student responses to identify misconceptions, and connect their use to the Science and Engineering Practices emphasized in the North Carolina standards. Teachers will leave with practical strategies for using probes to drive discussion, adjust instruction, and support deeper conceptual understanding in science.
Looking for meaningful ways to connect students to real-world science and STEM careers? This session highlights how the North Carolina Zoo app supports classroom instruction through virtual tours, interactive activities, and educator-friendly resources. Participants will explore how Zoo programming and digital content can be used to enhance lessons in science, technology, engineering, and environmental studies. Whether planning a field trip or teaching from the classroom, educators will leave with practical tools, student-facing activities, and ideas to deepen engagement and spark curiosity.
Why do we teach science? Is it to memorize the phases of mitosis, or to understand why a wound heals? In this fast-paced, interactive session, we shift the focus from learning about science to figuring out how the world works. In this session, you will explore how to use real-world phenomena to spark curiosity and drive science instruction. Participants will learn how to anchor lessons in meaningful events that encourage students to ask questions, investigate, and build explanations that align with the North Carolina Science Standards’ emphasis on learning through observation, modeling, and investigation.
Strong foundations aren't built all at once, they are crafted block by block with purpose. Math Catalyst provides targeted, strategic support that helps students rebuild unfinished learning and strengthen foundational skills. In this session you will get a chance to explore these intervention resources and learn how to incorporate it into your intervention block.
Learn how to use Canva to create and edit multimedia projects. Participants will practice working with video clips, audio, voiceovers, timing, transitions, and exporting finished videos.
Numerous sources of educational research show that by widening the contexts in which information is understood greatly increases learning and comprehension. This course seeks to present tangible ways for teachers to collaborate and bring other subjects into their own classroom to improve learning for all.
Discover how the North Carolina Zoo can serve as a dynamic STEM learning resource for K–5 classrooms. This interactive session highlights accessible STEM resources provided by the Zoo, including a newly launched Zoo App and standards-aligned school programs designed to engage students in engineering, problem-solving, and conservation science. Participants will explore how real-world STEM careers at the Zoo can be used to inspire young learners while reinforcing core engineering and design concepts. Participants will engage in a hands-on engineering challenge. Educators will be assigned a specific animal and provided with design criteria based on that animal’s real needs, including space, safety, climate, and enrichment. Using everyday materials and collaboration to design and build an animal enclosure that meets these requirements. Mirroring the concepts used by Zoo professionals and reinforces concepts such as structural integrity, functionality, constraints, and iterative design.
In this session, participants will explore how standards are structured, unpack key concepts and skills, and learn practical strategies for translating them into engaging, standards-aligned instruction. Walk away with a clear game plan for supporting student growth in both movement and health literacy.
In this session, teachers will learn how to securely integrate NotebookLM and Custom Gemini Gems into your instructional design. In this hands-on workshop, you will build focused, source-grounded knowledge bases using your own vetted curriculum materials. Learn to create custom student study partners, automated quiz generators, and rubric feedback tools that streamline your workload. Walk away with immediate, high-impact learning aids tailored to your specific courses while upholding district data privacy standards.
We have a lot of data on students, but sometimes it's hard to get it all organized in a usable format...enter Google Sheets. Come learn basic formatting, conditional formatting, and summary tools that make Sheets do the heavy lifting to make your data make sense.
Discover how to empower student creativity and collaboration by exploring the dynamic features of Google Workspace Creation Tools. This session will equip you with practical strategies to design engaging, hands-on projects using applications like Docs, Slides, and Sites to move students from passive consumers to active creators.
The goal of this training is to build staff understanding of how special education HLP 10 can be intentionally integrated into FBA and BIPs to increase proactive support, teach replacement behaviors and improve student independence and behavioral outcomes.
In this session, teachers will learn best practices to manage student Chromebook usage with our classroom management application Classwize. Session participants will see the teacher view AND student view as we discuss appropriate uses of the following: -Rules -Focus Lists -Pushing out desired websites to students -Limiting tabs -Pausing internet access -Screenshot History/Student Journey Reports -Troubleshooting steps
MCS offers highly-interactive, technology-enhanced STEM lessons for science teachers in grades 6-8. These lessons are closely tied to standards for each grade level, and they require NO prep on the teacher's part! Learn more about these lessons, how to request them, and play with some of the technology we have available!
An interactive session to help educators understand the academic challenges of students with learning disabilities. What defines this population and how can their needs be met in our classrooms?
This hands-on session will help teachers feel more comfortable supporting students with their Chromebooks. Participants will learn basic Chromebook navigation, common student troubleshooting steps, simple accessibility tools, and practical routines for helping students solve minor issues.
Empower middle school students to safely navigate the digital world by teaching privacy and safety, utilizing Common Sense Media's trusted resources. Gain practical, age-appropriate strategies designed to help young teens protect their personal information and make responsible online choices.
This session introduces 6-8 teachers to using Keeley Probes as a formative assessment tool to uncover student thinking and guide instruction. Participants will experience a probe as learners, analyze student responses to identify misconceptions, and connect their use to the Science and Engineering Practices emphasized in the North Carolina standards. Teachers will leave with practical strategies for using probes to drive discussion, adjust instruction, and support deeper conceptual understanding in science.
