Teaching and Learning CoLab 2024: Full Schedule

8:00am MDT

Conference Check-in

Parking is free in Orange Lot, Blue Lot, Green Lot, or Purple Lot. Check-in at the Atrium of Hays Student Center to receive your nametag and conference swag. Reminder: the conference schedule is available on Sched.

Wednesday May 29, 2024 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Hays Student Center Atrium 721 Landrum Ln, Sterling, CO 80751

9:00am MDT

Conference Welcome & Keynote Address: Landan Schaffert

CDE Kickoff
CDE leadership welcomes attendees to kickoff the day.

Welcome from Northeastern Junior College
President Rear Admiral White

Keynote Session
Our keynote speaker is Landan Schaffert. Landan grew up on his family’s farm and ranch operation south of Otis, Colorado where he developed a love for agriculture. In 2008, he was awarded the full-ride Boettcher Scholarship, a prestigious, merit-based scholarship and academic award which paid for his college education. Landan graduated summa cum laude in the spring of 2015 from Colorado State University with two bachelor’s degrees, one in Political Science and the other in Agricultural Business. He was named one of the nine Shining Stars of CSU’s Graduating Class of 2015. He then went on to earn his alternative teaching license and taught math, science, and social studies at his hometown high school in Otis for eight years before becoming the school counselor there, a role he now holds. Landan is currently completing a dual master’s degree in school counseling and clinical mental health counseling from Adams State University. He is also legally blind and can only see shapes, shadows, and shades and is passionate about empowering others while demonstrating what it looks like to persevere through adversity!

Lighting of the Torch
Join CDE and NE BOCES staff for this inspirational kickoff embracing the Olympic spirit!

Logistics from CDE Team
Conference logistics, FAQs

Wednesday May 29, 2024 9:00am - 9:45am MDT
Hays Student Center Ballroom 721 Landrum Ln, Sterling, CO 80751

10:00am MDT

Eliciting and Interpreting Student Thinking

Brain science research indicates that activating and integrating prior knowledge is one of the most powerful teaching strategies one can utilize in the classroom. In this session, elementary educators will focus on ways they can uncover the prior knowledge and experiences of their students through formulating and posing questions, listening and interpreting ideas, and probing and unpacking student thinking. Teachers will walk away with new tools they can immediately employ in the classroom; strategies that elicit students’ preconceptions and encourage metacognition across various content areas.

Speakers

Tamera Sakotas

DMNS

Wednesday May 29, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
ESF Room 125

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5

10:00am MDT

Math Education Mastery for Leaders: Transformative Strategies for Math Education Success

Unveil the magic of math education leadership! Dive into the secrets of successful math classrooms, even if numbers aren't your forte. Discover the keys to engaging, fun math experiences and learn how to support them. Gain expert tools to evaluate any classroom in a 5-minute walkthrough, empowering you to boost student and teacher math enthusiasm and effectiveness. No equations needed—just a passion for transforming math education! Join us to revolutionize teaching practices, make math enjoyable, and empower your entire school community.

Speakers

Jason Cushner

Math Specialist, Colorado Department of Education

Jason Cushner is a PAEMST awardee who comes to us from Estes Park, where his career has included teaching, instructional coaching, and service as a school board member.

Wednesday May 29, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
ESF Room 126

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

10:00am MDT

Social Emotional Learning in Schools: Creating a Caring Classroom Environment

Our schools and classrooms are in a constant state of change, particularly over the past few years. This session will discuss how to assess what students need from a social/emotional wellness perspective; how to ensure we provide supports for social/emotional learning for all students and will give some ideas for how we can redesign schools with a focus on building stronger relationships.

Speakers

Michelle Malvey

Behavioral Health Training Specialist, CDE

Michelle Malvey is a Behavioral Health Training Specialist in the Heath Education Unit at CDE. She is a former principal, district MTSS Coordinator, school psychologist and teacher with a passion for making sure everyone in the school environment gets what they need on a daily... Read More →

Wednesday May 29, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Hays Student Center TAG

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

10:00am MDT

Supporting Oral Language Development using Content Language Objectives

The Science of Reading provides a roadmap for effective foundational reading instruction that supports all students, but some important adjustments, considerations, and teacher knowledge are required to ensure that Multilingual Learners and Multilingual learners with disabilities have access to the content. This session will focus on how to create lesson plans that focus on content and language through the creation of Content Language Objectives.

Speakers

Hunter Smith

Multilingual Learners with Educational Disabilities Specialist, Colorado Department of Education

Hunter Smith, Multilingual Learners with Educational Disabilities Specialist, CDE Hunter Smith was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. He began his teaching career as a bilingual teacher in the primary grades in Denver Public Schools. Subsequently, he became a special educator for... Read More →

Brie Johnson

Senior Literacy Consultant/Multilingual Learner Focus, CDE

Wednesday May 29, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
ESF Room 218

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5

10:00am MDT

Transforming the Status Quo: Adaptive AI's Uncharted Territories in Public Education

In this interactive session, we will challenge the status quo use of AI as a mere technical tool, urging a more thoughtful approach. Participants will delve into the distinctions between technical and adaptive AI, reflect on their pedagogy, and design learning ecosystems to foster innovation and measurable outcomes, steering away from perpetuating ineffective practices. Learning Objective: Participants will explore how AI transcends its technical tool status in education and apply strategies to emphasize its potential benefits in redesigning teaching methods, personalizing learning, and meeting the needs of diverse students.

Speakers

Antonio Vigil

Aurora Public Schools

Born and raised in North Denver, Antonio is a servant leader who has taught in, learned from, opened up, transformed, and regenerated schools throughout the city and country over the past twenty-six years. As a throughline for all these professional experiences, Antonio has dedicated... Read More →

Wednesday May 29, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
ESF Room 124

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

10:00am MDT

Digital Treasures: Exploring the Library of Congress

This workshop delves into the extensive collection of digital primary sources accessible via the Library of Congress website. Housing over 70 million digital resources available for free and out-of-copyright, our nation's library offers an unfettered look into the history of the United States. No matter the age or subject area, primary sources inspire critical thinking through the use of inquiry and analysis. Join us to discover teacher-created, ready-to-use materials suitable for enhancing lessons in literacy, social studies, STEM and beyond.

Speakers

Keith Patterson

Director, TPS Western Region

Kile Clabaugh

Program Manager, TPS Western Region @ MSU Denver

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about Library of Congress primary sources or granting opportunities.

Wednesday May 29, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Hays Student Center Room 219

Disciplinary Literacy Standards Implementation Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

10:00am MDT

CAS in CTE: Colorado Academic Standards and their alignment within Career and Technical Education courses

This session will highlight the need for academic standards and explore how they can be incorporated into existing CTE courses. Specifically the facilitators will demonstrate how high school Math and ELA standards could be reinforced and more explicitly aligned to a selection of CTE courses.

Speakers

Olivia Gillespie

Literacy Content Specialist, CDE

Joe Brenkert

Math Content Specialist, CDE

Wednesday May 29, 2024 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Hays Student Center Room 207

Standards Implementation

Company 9 -12

11:15am MDT

Developing Oral Language using Collaborative Talk Structures

Oral language is the foundation from which literacy skills emerge. Developing Oral language is a process that occurs throughout the day, over time, with skilled preparation and planning. This session will model collaborative talk structures that can be implemented in the classroom to support all students including Multilingual Learners and students with disabilities.

Speakers

Hunter Smith

Multilingual Learners with Educational Disabilities Specialist, Colorado Department of Education

Brie Johnson

Senior Literacy Consultant/Multilingual Learner Focus, CDE

Wednesday May 29, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
ESF Room 126

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5

11:15am MDT

Math classroom Routines for Reasoning - Secondary

This session details classroom structures designed to support robust learning experiences and introduced in the bestselling books "Teaching for Thinking" and "Routines for Reasoning". Multiple grade bands, from kindergarten through high school, will benefit from this exploration into ways to enhance math classroom practices and pedagogies.

Speakers

Beth Schroeder

Elementary Teacher, Mountain Valley School District

Tabitha Nickerson

CDE

Joe Brenkert

Math Content Specialist, CDE

Wednesday May 29, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Hays Student Center Room 207

Best First Instruction

Company 3 - 5, K - 2

11:15am MDT

DEI in the Science Classroom: A Practical Approach to Inclusivity

Have you been wondering what DEI is, how to implement it, and what it has to do with science? In this presentation teachers will learn what DEI is and how we as science educators can use it in our classrooms. You will also learn how to use scientifically accurate inclusive language and how that supports your students. A curriculum audit tool specific to DEI created by myself in conjunction with, UCCS and CU Denver's SHED department graduate school faculty will also be available for you to take back to your schools and use.

Speakers

Joanne McGuire

CAST Board, Stargate School (Charter in Adams 12 Five Star)

Wednesday May 29, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
ESF Room 125

Disciplinary Literacy

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

11:15am MDT

Integrating Social Studies and RWC in the Elementary Classroom

This session will provide elementary teachers with strategies for integrating social studies and reading, writing, and communicating in the classroom. Research shows that students who receive instruction in social studies have improved literacy scores. Learn more about the importance of social studies instruction in the elementary classroom!

Speakers

Olivia Gillespie

Literacy Content Specialist, CDE

Stephanie Hartman

Social Studies Content Specialist, CDE

Learn more about the state social studies organization!

Wednesday May 29, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Hays Student Center Room 219

Disciplinary Literacy

Company K - 2, 3 - 5

11:15am MDT

Entry Points For All Students

Participants will be able to take one of their lessons and create four levels for students to choose which one they will complete. The four levels include: Emerging, Progressing, Meets, and Exemplary. No matter where is student is on the learning progression, they will be able to feel successful for choosing one assignment to do... no opt outs.

Speakers

Jessica May

Teacher of the Year, Turner Middle School, Thompson School District

Jessica May was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota and moved to Colorado in 1977. She began teaching in 1997 in the Thompson School District at the middle school level, from English Language Arts and social studies, to math, science, life skills, and her current position at Turner Middle... Read More →

Wednesday May 29, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
ESF Room 218

Disciplinary Literacy Standards Implementation Best First Instruction

Company 6 - 8

11:15am MDT

Building Health Skills to Support SEL

This session will explore Colorado Comprehensive Health Education Standards related to social emotional learning. Based on the standards participants will identify key health skills of communication, self-management, decision making, and advocacy. Participants explore and create strategies for introduction, reinforcement, and mastery of the skills.

Speakers

James Hurley

Health and Physical Education Content Specialist, Colorado Department of Education

Wednesday May 29, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Hays Student Center Room 230

Standards Implementation Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

11:15am MDT

Teaching HB 21-1200 – “How Do You Teach Your Students about Their Next Financial Steps After High School?”

House Bill 21-1200 (and the corresponding revisions to state standards) require districts and schools to teach students a variety of new topics to prepare for life after high school. But even more importantly, these are the skills parents and former students say they wished they had learned before they graduated. College costs and student loans, aid applications like FAFSA and CASFA, the home buying process, retirement plans and pensions, and many other PFL topics need to find places in your classes by Fall of 2024. This session will look at strategies to integrate these topics (and others) into your existing classes, as well as free lesson resources that already exist to boost your efforts.

Speakers

Jay LeBlanc

Education Program Director, Economic Literacy Colorado

ELC covers a variety of PD training for teachers in financial literacy and economics topics, as well as student programs like the Stock Market Experience and Invest In Girls. Visit our table for more details about summer and fall classes and programs!

Wednesday May 29, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
ESF Room 124

Standards Implementation Best First Instruction

Company 6 - 8, 9 -12

11:15am MDT

You Got ANTs - Stop Ranting and Start Living

Your mind is naturally prone to Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs). Uncover the most persistent types of ANTs and acquire techniques to halt these troublesome patterns. ANTs wreak havoc in your life. This program empowers participants to enhance their self-awareness and communication skills, enabling them to overcome obstacles in work, school, and home. Are you prepared to break free from what's hindering your progress? Have negative beliefs and behaviors taken root? Everything begins with a thought. Align your thoughts, transform your life.

The most effective way to address the Mental Health crisis is through a proactive mental fitness program. Stay ahead by nurturing your mental well-being. And nurture enhanced communication within yourself and with others to positively impact the lives of one another and our students.

Speakers

Cindy Saylor

NLP-P & Mental Wellness Speaker, Saylor's Journey, LLC

Visit Saylor's Journey to learn more about Mental Fitness Bootcamps. Personal & professional development programs focusing on emotional, social, and mental fitness. You got ANTs... and not what you think. ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts).

Wednesday May 29, 2024 11:15am - 12:15pm MDT
Hays Student Center TAG

Standards Implementation Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

12:15pm MDT

Lunch Break

Lunch in Hays Student Center Ballroom.

Wednesday May 29, 2024 12:15pm - 1:00pm MDT
Hays Student Center Ballroom 721 Landrum Ln, Sterling, CO 80751

1:00pm MDT

Getting your Internship Program off the ground

Participants will work through district plans to get their internship programs off the ground (or to enhance existing programs)

Speakers

Katie Kraft

CEI

Wednesday May 29, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
ESF Room 124

Best First Instruction

Company 9 -12

1:00pm MDT

Incorporating Linguistic Scaffolds into Lesson Plans

Participants will discuss and practice linguistic scaffolds to incorporate into lesson plans to support access to content for Multilingual Learners (MLs).

Speakers

Doris Brock-Nguyen

Lindsay Swanton

CDE, Office of CLDE

Wednesday May 29, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
ESF Room 125

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

1:00pm MDT

Leaders Building a Culture of "We Care" for School Staff

This session will provide an opportunity for school leaders explore how to create a culture of "We Care". Our schools and classrooms are in a constant state of change, particularly over the past few years. This session will discuss how school leaders can assess what students and staff need from a social/emotional wellness perspective; how to ensure we provide supports for social/emotional learning for all student and staff and will give some ideas for how we can redesign schools with a focus on building stronger relationships.

Speakers

Michelle Malvey

Behavioral Health Training Specialist, CDE

Wednesday May 29, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
ESF Room 126

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

1:00pm MDT

Math classroom Routines for Reasoning - Elementary Focus

Speakers

Beth Schroeder

Elementary Teacher, Mountain Valley School District

Tabitha Nickerson

CDE

Joe Brenkert

Math Content Specialist, CDE

Wednesday May 29, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Hays Student Center Room 207

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5

1:00pm MDT

Trauma-informed strategies in Visual Arts Education

Art can plan an important role in the education of students who have experienced various forms of trauma. Effective and evidenced-based interventions can help provide a sense of agency within students and encourage a sense of safety and empowerment. This session introduces a variety of resources, strategies, and tips for teachers that can be incorporated into art-making.

Speakers

Donna Goodwin

Visual Art Content Consultant/Assistant Professor of Art Education, CDE

I am the Visual Arts Content Consultant for CDE in the Standards and Instructional Support office as well as a professor of Art Education at the University of Northern Colorado and am so happy to be with you today discussing CDE's researched Best, First Instruction of the Colorado... Read More →

Wednesday May 29, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
ESF Room 218

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

1:00pm MDT

Using AI to Speed Up Formative Assessment

Educators have too much on our plates without something to help. If only we had a team of grading assistants, graphic artists, instructional designers, junior writers, assessment developers, and student tutors who could read, write, and generate images faster than the most effective team. Come to this workshop and you'll leave with that team in your pocket.

We'll review AI programs that are free or low-cost for educators, and will run on any internet-enabled device. These tools can help draft teaching materials, integrate formative assessments, provide feedback on student work, encourage student-self-assessment, and support family communication and engagement.

These tools can also help ease school administrators' duties, and help a district team streamline operational duties as well.

In short, you'll leave this session with tools to make being an educator more sustainable, and the confidence to use them.

Speakers

Andrew Gitner

High School English Teacher, Golden High School

After teaching at a charter school for 3 years, Andrew Gitner was extremely insecure when he first got the job at Golden. He was convinced he would be fired at any minute for any reason because, you know, charter drama. This insecurity pushed him to learn a ton of skills, pedagogies... Read More →

Wednesday May 29, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Hays Student Center TAG

Best First Instruction

Company 6 - 8, 9 -12

1:00pm MDT

Open Educational Resources to expand your curriculum options

The OERColorado Project is a statewide initiative to provide digital collections of free openly licensed curriculum resources for PK-12+ educators to use in their teaching and classrooms. Open Education is a movement to increase access to educational resources across all disciplines and subject areas. The resources in the OERColorado digital library include free lessons, classes, textbooks, simulations, games, rubrics, icebreakers, and many other tools for teachers to use in face-to-face, online and blended learning environments. OERColorado as a searchable repository of free resources supports teachers in customizing their classroom experience to their learner demographic and context. Educators attending the session will create an OER adoption plan for their classroom, school or district context with the support of the OERColorado professional development coordinator. Learn more about adopting OER textbooks, complete curricula or just locating support materials. All at no cost to you or your district. Think “Teacher’s pay teachers,” but Free!

Speakers

Theresa Becker

Professional Development Coordinator, OERColorado

Visit us to learn more about the OERColorado.org curriculum libraries. These repositories provide Colorado's PK-12+ public educators access to free openly licensed education resources, lessons plans, full courses, professional development, primary sources, collections, etc.

Wednesday May 29, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Hays Student Center Room 230

Disciplinary Literacy Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

1:00pm MDT

SEP 2- Developing & Using Models to Unravel Phenomena

Come join us for a collaborative hands-on session, where we will learn and practice some practical evidence-based strategies that will allow you to better weave the Science and Engineering Practices of Modeling into your current lessons and labs, in ways that replicate the way that real scientists and engineers use models. Expect something that you can use in your classroom tomorrow to get your students using and developing Models.

Speakers

Tim Blesse

Teacher Programs Consultant, Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Tim Blesse, has 31 years of experience as a classroom science educator in both private and public schools, teaching students from grades 3-12. He also has had 25 summers of experience working as an interpretive naturalist and hiking guide in Rocky Mountain National Park, working for... Read More →

Wednesday May 29, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Hays Student Center Room 219

Disciplinary Literacy Standards Implementation

Company 6 - 8, 9 -12

1:15pm MDT

Teaching Literacy in Physical Education

I don’t teach literacy; I need to keep students moving. This session will explore how physical education teachers can use disciplinary literacy strategies to engage students and support schoolwide literacy efforts. Participants will explore the use of alternative text, literacy strategies, aligned with PE standards, while keeping students moving.

Speakers

James Hurley

Health and Physical Education Content Specialist, Colorado Department of Education

Wednesday May 29, 2024 1:15pm - 1:30pm MDT
Gymnasium

Disciplinary Literacy

2:15pm MDT

Accommodations for Dually Identified Students

Students with disabilities often require accommodations so that they can access and benefit from the rigorous standards-based instruction in the general education classroom with their grade-level peers. This session will focus on how to incorporate accommodations and language learning supports for Multilingual Learners with disabilities in the classroom by using the Principles of Universal Design.

Speakers

Hunter Smith

Multilingual Learners with Educational Disabilities Specialist, Colorado Department of Education

Brie Johnson

Senior Literacy Consultant/Multilingual Learner Focus, CDE

Wednesday May 29, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
ESF Room 126

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5

2:15pm MDT

Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports: Improving education by supporting the whole human

Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports (COMTSS) is a prevention-based framework for school improvement. In order for it to be effective, leaders need to understand and support both staff and students’ whole human needs. Staff and students need to believe that school is somewhere to feel safe, seen, accepted, and believed in as well as challenged to learn and grow. This session will provide a research base surrounding the positive impact of teacher-student relationships and administrator-teacher relationships, as well as provide concrete examples from the field of how to build those relationships. In this session, participants will also learn how to support the key human needs we all share to create an environment of safety and support that encourages engagement and achievement. Presenters will share practical strategies and content from the research and their experiences.

Speakers

Rebecca Knighton

Multi Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Specialist, CDE

Rebecca Knighton is an MTSS Specialist with the Colorado Department of Education. She has a background in middle school general education behavior intervention, gifted education, and systems-level change. She has led professional development at the school, district, and state levels... Read More →

Wednesday May 29, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Hays Student Center Room 230

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

2:15pm MDT

Equity Toolkit Introduction

This session will introduce the NEW Equity Toolkit, developed through a CDE/WestEd partnership and designed to support educators to understand self, understand others, and understand community context to notice things we may not have noticed before. This work will support increased intentionality in effectively serving all students, families, and staff, being responsive to individual and group identities defined by race, ethnicity, socioeconomics, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender, and ability. Resources for preparing teachers and leaders to examine and impact mindsets, policies, practices that will support culturally responsive instruction will be highlighted.

Speakers

Christina Adeboye Sullivan

Program Coordinator, Colorado Department of Education

Dr. Christina Adeboye Sullivan is a native of Iowa, a long-time educator in Minnesota, and now a proud resident of Colorado. She served as a principal and district administrator for 20 years, prioritizing equitable and effective instruction for each student. She earned her PhD in... Read More →

Wednesday May 29, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
ESF Room 218

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

2:15pm MDT

St. Vrain Valley Schools' Approach to AI Training for Educators

In today's rapidly evolving society, St. Vrain Valley Schools are prioritizing AI in education to prepare students for a globalized world. Through the year-long "Exploration AI" professional development program, educators are equipped with the skills to use AI effectively, ethically, and critically. This program includes a Professional Learning Network (PLN) using social media and online platforms, blending asynchronous and synchronous learning, and gamified incentives. Monthly after-hours events feature an EdCamp/Unconference format, tailored to educators' interests. The biggest takeaway for participants is a comprehensive understanding and practical skillset in utilizing AI within educational contexts, aimed at deepening their grasp of AI's potential and ensuring that well-informed teachers can facilitate students' effective use of AI in learning.

Speakers

Jason Kelsall

Learning Systems Strategist, St. Vrain Valley Schools

Wednesday May 29, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Hays Student Center TAG

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

2:15pm MDT

The Power of Student Choice in K-12 Physical Education

When students have choice within the physical education curriculum, instruction, and assessment process, they develop a sense of autonomy that can be highly motivating. The purpose of this session is to introduce strategies for integrating student choice and voice into your K-12 physical education program.

Speakers

Brian Dauenhauer

UNC

TBE

Wednesday May 29, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
ESF Room 124

Standards Implementation

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

2:15pm MDT

Understanding Career and Technical Education- it is for all students."

"Understanding Career and Technical Education - its for all students."

Speakers

Dana Anderson

Assistant State Director for CTE Program Quality, Colorado Community College System

Dana is the Assistant State Director of CTE Program Quality in Colorado, where she previously served as the Program Director for Business, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship. She has worked with CTE programs at the state level for over six years after she left her very successful Business... Read More →

Wednesday May 29, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
ESF Room 125

Standards Implementation

Company 6 - 8, 9 -12

2:15pm MDT

Utilizing the Highly Effective Evaluation Process

This session will offer the opportunity to explore utilization of the Highly Effective Evaluation Process. The part-information session, part-collaborative discussion will explain the Highly Effective evaluation process as well as the process for determining whether it is a good fit for your district. Key considerations and ideas for leveraging stakeholders (e.g., 1338 councils) in planning for implementation for the 2024-25 school year will also be discussed. Districts will have the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters and collaboratively discuss the merits of utilizing the Highly Effective evaluation process in their schools.

Speakers

Rachel Paul

Paige Moser

Educator Effectiveness Consultant, CDE

Paige Moser serves as the Educator Effectiveness Consultant for the Colorado Department of Education’s Educator Effectiveness Team, which supports districts/BOCES in their efforts to implement meaningful and supportive evaluation systems. She is a passionate educator and teacher... Read More →

Wednesday May 29, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Hays Student Center Room 207

Standards Implementation

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

2:15pm MDT

Facilitating Standards-aligned Inquiry Lessons at Elementary

Have you ever led an inquiry lesson and had it fall flat because students struggled to form questions or structure their inquiry in a way that would lead to learning? Have you ever looked at an evidence outcome that has inquiry or process skills embedded in it and wondered how to help students master it? I will share strategies to help structure and facilitate inquiry lessons with K-5 learners. The examples I use will mostly be from science, but the strategies can be applied across contents. Participants will takeaway strategies they can apply right away.

Speakers

Sam Messier

Director - Standards and Instructional Support, CDE

Facilitating Inquiry at Elementary pptx

Sterling presentation notes docx

Wednesday May 29, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Hays Student Center Room 219

Standards Implementation Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5

3:20pm MDT

Closing Reflection: Jessica May Colorado Teacher of the Year

During this time, participants will have the opportunity to engage in guided reflection as well as complete the closing survey for professional learning hours OR credit hours through NJC.

Jessica May was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota and moved to Colorado in 1977. She began teaching in 1997 in the Thompson School District at the middle school level, from English Language Arts and social studies, to math, science, life skills, and her current position at Turner Middle School in Berthoud as the Family and Consumer Science teacher.
Jessica May has the expertise in creating solid relationships with even the most difficult of students, those from generational poverty and the at-risk population, all the way up to affluent students. She has learned the basic human tendencies of secondary students, along with brain research, she patiently figured out the best ways to connect with each of her students. Patterns of behavior in adolescence, as well as becoming comfortable being vulnerable, honest, and respectful both in and out of her classroom, Jessica has come up with and emphasizes strategies that truly help her bond with students of all issues for life, not just for the school year.
Having won Teacher of the Year three times in the last 7 years in her district, and now the 2024 Colorado Teacher of the Year, she uses the feedback from her students’ end of year surveys in order to fine tune her craft to become a better person and teacher. Jessica also coaches other teachers on classroom management, Social Emotional Learning lessons, and reading in the real world through the lens of every content area.

Speakers

Jessica May

Teacher of the Year, Turner Middle School, Thompson School District

Wednesday May 29, 2024 3:20pm - 4:00pm MDT
Hays Student Center Ballroom 721 Landrum Ln, Sterling, CO 80751

8:30am MDT

Conference Check-in

Thursday May 30, 2024 8:30am - 9:00am MDT
Hays Student Center Atrium 721 Landrum Ln, Sterling, CO 80751

9:00am MDT

Adding Relevancy to the Classroom through Outdoor Experiences

Whether you are in the classroom our outdoors, connecting students to the work in the natural resources and environmental fields can bring relevant experiences to your classroom curriculum. Conservation and environmental education connections can bring standards to life, increase engagement and provide students with the opportunity to find personal connections to what they are learning. Join Colorado Parks and Wildlife to explore how to use outdoor experiences to add relevancy to your curriculum.

Speakers

Kellina Gilbreth

Formal Education Content Specialist, Colorado Parks & Wildlife

Heather Hubbard

Statewide Education Coordinator, CO Parks and Wildlife

Thursday May 30, 2024 9:00am - 10:30am MDT
Hays Student Center Room 230

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

9:00am MDT

Meaningful Career Conversations - An Introduction

These trainings are designed for ANYONE in a position to provide guidance to those seeking to enter the workforce, pursue a specific career path, or change careers (now or in the future) and are centered on fostering hopeful and robust futures.

Trainers will lead participants through comprehensive content, peer-to-peer career conversation practices, reflection exercises, and demonstrations of career-focused tools that can be used across settings and career sectors. Participants will have opportunities to engage in a variety of topical resources and guides to help them to develop the skill sets, confidence, and understanding to support people in pursuing new career opportunities and pathways.

Speakers

Tracy Stegall

Carly Schwab

In a community/non-profit organization, CEI

CEI Strategy Specialist

Thursday May 30, 2024 9:00am - 10:30am MDT
ESF Room 124

Best First Instruction

Company 6 - 8, 9 -12

9:00am MDT

Meeting the Needs of Gifted and Advanced Learners

So many times gifted learners are overlooked and underchallenged because schools primary foci is on reducing achievement gaps.The lack of advanced opportunities for gifted and advanced learners can have detrimental effects on both academic and social emotional needs of these learners. This session will discuss the roots of gifted education and why these learners have specific needs both academically and social emotionally. Characteristics and profiles of gifted learners will be shared and discussed. Research on the needs of gifted learners will be embedded in this session. Gifted learners who are twice exceptional, thrice exceptional, and culturally diverse will be discussed. Participants will be provided with instructional strategies that differentiate learning for gifted and advanced learners that they can use in their classrooms tomorrow. Myths and misconceptions of gifted learners will be addressed in this session.

Speakers

Doug Alexander

Gifted Education Specialist, Boulder Valley School District

Doug Alexander, MA NBCT, is an enthusiastic advocate for equity for students who are gifted and those who identify as LGBTQ+. He works as a district gifted education specialist in Boulder Valley School District, and is the president-elect of Colorado Association for Gifted & Talented... Read More →

Michelle DuBois

Gifted Education Coordinator, Boulder Valley School District

Michelle Pacheco DuBois, Ed.D. is the Gifted Education Coordinator for the Boulder Valley School District. Dr. DuBois conducts professional learning nationally focusing on culturally linguistically diverse and twice exceptional learners. She has been recognized by the Colorado House... Read More →

Thursday May 30, 2024 9:00am - 10:30am MDT
ESF Room 126

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

9:00am MDT

Unlocking Mathematical Success

This professional development session focuses on proven methods for success in mathematics. Explore the power of data-driven instruction, learning how to leverage data to inform and enhance your teaching practices. Discover key intervention tools and strategies that empower educators to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Speakers

Jason Cushner

Math Specialist, Colorado Department of Education

Jason Cushner is a PAEMST awardee who comes to us from Estes Park, where his career has included teaching, instructional coaching, and service as a school board member.

Tabitha Nickerson

CDE

Thursday May 30, 2024 9:00am - 10:30am MDT
ESF Room 125

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

9:00am MDT

Writing Strong Literacy Goals

Setting ambitious but attainable goals for students is the starting point for a strong plan of intervention. Writing strong literacy goals based on specific skill deficits is a skill that can be developed. This training will guide participants in how to identify student’s specific skill deficits, outline the components of a well written goal, and design measurable objectives that will create a pathway for literacy success.

Speakers

Jamie Olson

Senior Literacy Consultant, Colorado Department of Education

Karen Ingalls

CDE

Thursday May 30, 2024 9:00am - 10:30am MDT
ESF Room 218

Disciplinary Literacy Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

9:00am MDT

Supporting Struggling Readers in the Secondary Classroom

As our students advance from grade level to grade level, the depth and complexity housed within the content, concepts, and skills of the standards increases. Therefore, the expectation to learn how to read, write, and communicate while simultaneously reading, writing, and communicating to learn requires students to deconstruct the parts of text to understand the whole, as well as the different techniques employed by writers. How can our students deconstruct a text without knowing and understanding the words of a text? In this session, we will honor and polish our current practices to make a difference through a disciplinary literacy approach that asks, "What things can we do universally in our classrooms that would make a difference with our Tier 1 students in terms of continuing to build, maintain, and expand their literacy proficiency?"

Speakers

Olivia Gillespie

Literacy Content Specialist, CDE

Thursday May 30, 2024 9:00am - 10:30am MDT
Hays Student Center TAG

Disciplinary Literacy Standards Implementation Best First Instruction

Company 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

9:00am MDT

An Introduction to WIDA's 2020 Edition of the ELD Standards Framework

Participants will be introduced to educator resources available in WIDA’s 2020 edition of the ELD Standards Framework and on the WIDA website. Comparisons will be made between the 2020 edition and previous editions of WIDA's ELD Standards Framework. Participants will also learn which WIDA resources have not changed and are still available for use.

Speakers

Rebekah Ottenbreit

CDE

Rebekah joined the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) in 2013. She is an English Language Development (ELD) Specialist and the Title IX State Coordinator. Her work focuses on supporting districts in developing and implementing Language Instruction Education Programs and in fulfilling... Read More →

Thursday May 30, 2024 9:00am - 10:30am MDT
Hays Student Center Room 207

Standards Implementation Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

9:00am MDT

Developing a Music Curriculum: Standards Meets Repertiore

Music educators use repertoire to build the curriculum that they teach to students across grade levels and ensembles. In this session, participants learn about organizing a scope and sequence based on the Colorado Academic Standards in Music. An example scope and sequence is applied to a few repertoire selections that can demonstrate how to apply the standards to repertoire across grade levels and ensembles. Tools that will be shared include updates to the Colorado Academic Standards in Music, music at-a-glance documents, example scope and sequence for music documents, and an example music theory-pedagogy inventory document that can be used to review and analyze music selections for teaching music. Participates experience opportunities to connect the standards to music repertoire selections.

Speakers

Carla Aguilar

Colorado Department of Education + Metropolitan State University of Denver

Thursday May 30, 2024 9:00am - 10:30am MDT
Hays Student Center Room 219

Standards Implementation Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

10:45am MDT

Instructional Routines for Word Recognition Skills

The Elementary Literacy and School Readiness office at CDE has developed a series of turnkey professional development options to support the implementation of evidence-based instructional practices. This session will focus on routines for building word recognition skills: Blending and Segmenting, Phoneme Grapheme Mapping, and Heart Words.

Speakers

Lindsey Beveridge

Senior Literacy Consultant, CDE

Thursday May 30, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Hays Student Center TAG

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5

10:45am MDT

Leading for ALL students-Overcoming barriers by creating buy-in and shared ownership

As leaders, it is challenging to translate a belief in inclusivity into leadership practices that make meeting the needs of all students a reality. This begins with engaging all stakeholders in a collective WHY for this work. This presentation will outline a step-by-step process that leaders can use to develop community-wide awareness, understanding and support for inclusive practices that will serve as a springboard for transforming schools. These concepts can be applied by leaders to any work where a shared understanding and buy-in is needed.

Speakers

Robbyn Fernandez

Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Boulder Valley School District

Robbyn Fernandez is a career educator who has taught internationally and in BVSD. She has been a teacher, assistant principal, principal, executive director and assistant superintendent of schools. She proudly leads BVSD schools in improvement efforts to serve all students.

Thursday May 30, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
ESF Room 124

Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

10:45am MDT

Connecting the Creative Process & the Concept of PLAY to Colorado Arts Standards

In this session participants will be encouraged to spark their creative juices while learning about a simple and fun analogy for structuring and explaining the creative process. Also included will be a discussion around research and three different perspectives of the concept of PLAY. Participants will then make connections to the creative process, the concept of playing, and the Colorado Academic Standards for Dance and Drama/Theatre Arts.

Speakers

Judi Hofmeister

Arts Consultant, CDE

Judi Hofmeister was hired at Douglas County High School in Castle Rock, Colorado in 1993 after leaving a ten-year professional performing-arts career. For twenty years Miss Hofmeister taught theatre, dance, vocal music, and sat as chair of the performing-arts department. In 2000... Read More →

Thursday May 30, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
ESF Room 125

Disciplinary Literacy Standards Implementation Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

10:45am MDT

Instructional Leadership in Literacy: READ Act and Beyond

Join current state, district and school literacy leaders for an interactive session focused on learning about READ Act leadership requirements, tools and resources designed to support districts and schools in implementing strong literacy programs.

Speakers

Karol Gates

CDE

Thursday May 30, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
ESF Room 126

Disciplinary Literacy Standards Implementation Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8

10:45am MDT

Promising pool of educators, military veterans

The CTE instructor pathway validates a veteran's occupational experience and training to provide a CTE teaching authorization in one of the 6 career-related fields. Hear how veterans with career-specific training can provide quality education for Colorado students.

Speakers

Jordan Whittington

Program Director for Health Sciences, Colorado Community College System

Thursday May 30, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Hays Student Center Room 207

Standards Implementation

Company 6 - 8, 9 -12

10:45am MDT

Discovering the Nature and Practices of Science Outside

Join us to gain insight into the nature, practices and instruction of science outdoors. Outdoor experiences can engage students in a continuum of science practices such as making observations, asking questions and/or explaining the natural world, to planning and conducting their own investigations, developing mental models and arguing from evidence. Explore how activities that focus on scientific practices can help make outdoor experiences more engaging for students and deepen their understanding of scientific ideas. Take away several teaching routines that can support multiple grade level expectations and ideas for taking your students outdoors.

Speakers

Katie Naven

Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education

The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education supports the many types of educators who teach concepts we all need to understand: how natural systems work, what we must do to interact responsibly with the environment, and how we can protect natural resources for future generations... Read More →

Thursday May 30, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
ESF Room 218

Standards Implementation Best First Instruction

Company 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

10:45am MDT

Harnessing the Power of Generative AI: Boosting Efficiency in Your Work

Heard of Generative AI, but feel intimidated? Learn what Generative AI is and how it can revolutionize your work processes. We will delve into the fundamentals of Generative AI, exploring its applications in your everyday life and work.

Participants will learn how to identify opportunities for integrating Generative AI into their daily tasks, streamlining workflows, and enhancing productivity. Through real-world examples and hands-on exercises, you'll discover how to leverage this cutting-edge technology.

Speakers

Ashley Ferraro

Jeffco Public Schools

Thursday May 30, 2024 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Hays Student Center Room 230

Standards Implementation Best First Instruction

Company K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, 9 -12

1:00pm MDT

Golf Tournament

Please use this link to register:

Thursday May 30, 2024 1:00pm - 4:00pm MDT
TBA