RSAC 2024

Participants will get ideas of how to incorporate a "Thinking Classroom" into their junior high math classes by getting students up and moving around to promote engagement. This format allows all students to take part in randomized groups and collaboratively work together on solving curricular problems. Teachers will learn how to turn their current curricular questions into "thinking" questions that better allow their students to do the thinking. Teachers will also participate in a BTC lesson, so they can see how this looks in a classroom. Teachers will also be shown possible templates to use for their BTC problems and how to utilize them in their classrooms.

The session will explore research in cognitive psychology and related disciplines, focusing on effective learning methods for lifelong learning and skill mastery. Participants will be provided with practical examples of these methods to utilize in their classrooms.

In this session, participants will leave with gamification ideas that can easily be implemented, are standards driven, empower students, and make learning fun. Using these student driven activities and giving students a voice and choice in their learning is just one more way to bring back the FUN and help increase engagement! We will reference our own experiences increasing engagement with gamifying as well as teacher and student feedback. Our inspiration comes from some of our favorite professional texts (Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, Explore Like a Pirate, and Fully Engaged). Get inspired and bring in collaboration and creativity into your classroom.

In this session, Mike, South Cook, IL. 2023 Elementary School Principal of the Year, will share the punk rock mindset and how the ideas of PASSION, UNITY, & DIY create classrooms and schools where students and staff are engaged, are ALL part of the culture and learning, and have ownership of what happens. Punk Rock Classrooms focuses on uniting educators to drop egos, work together emphasizing their own strengths and relying on their crew where they may have an area of growth. Educators do not need flashy programs, software, or scripted curriculum to engage our students. With the punk rock mindset, educators can bring life changing lessons to their students that will not be forgotten. There is no reason that a classroom should not resemble that punk show you still remember 20 years later: small club, no flashy lights or pyrotechnics, cramped sweaty youth in the pit together, singing along and being just as much of the show as the band. Our classrooms need to resemble this, students moving around, collaborating and working together, taking over the “mic” and taking charge of their learning on their terms. A teacher should be in the middle of the classroom, moving around and facilitating just as when that hardcore vocalist turns the mic to the crowd and has them sing the chorus. The band is there to facilitate, but the crowd is taking the energy where they know it needs to go. Our teachers need to step aside and let our students do this.

School teachers and administrators are key to building a strong school community. Join us in this session as we share strategies that you can implement within your current structures in order to develop more inclusive practices. As a platform for discussion, four strategies will be shared that center around 1) reflecting on personal practices in how we show up for our students and staff in ways that are open and inclusive, 2) strengthening School Improvement Plans to reflect an equitable lens, 3) reviewing school data sources and committee structures to ensure that we are focused on all students and their individual growth, and 4) realigning our stakeholder engagement practices in ways that best reflect the students and communities we serve. Our goal is for you to leave our session with concrete next steps that can easily be implemented in order to achieve your goals around building a thriving and inclusive school community.

Successful partnerships with colleagues and families are built on effective collaboration. This is crucial for implementing inclusive practices and promoting student academic and social-emotional learning. In our discussion, we will cover communication styles, challenges to collaboration, and strategies for improving partnerships with general educators, special educators, paraprofessionals, administrators, and families. We will also provide resources that can be implemented immediately.

Educators inevitably face the complex challenge of supporting students with behavioral and academic needs. This session, "Empowering Educators: Resourceful Strategies for Supporting Students with High Behavioral and Academic Needs," is designed to equip educators with practical and equity-driven strategies and solutions to meet these challenges head-on. Participants will learn how to implement compassionate interventions aligned with the CASEL SEL Framework that foster a positive and inclusive environment so students can thrive this year and beyond. This session also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between teachers, administrators, and support staff. Participants will leave with actionable insights and strategies that can be immediately applied in their own educational settings. Discover how you can transform your approach to supporting students in challenging situations, and together we can create a more supportive, equitable and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Discover the transformative power of Object-Based Learning (OBL) in the modern classroom with our presentation on "Engaging Minds: Active Teaching through Object-Based Learning." This innovative educational approach leverages physical objects to stimulate student engagement, enhance critical thinking, and deepen understanding across various subjects.
Join us as we explore how OBL can bring abstract concepts to life by integrating tangible artifacts into lesson plans. Participants will gain insight into the diverse benefits of OBL, including improved retention, heightened curiosity, and the development of observational and inferential skills.
Our interactive presentation, inspired by the Smithsonian’s Teacher Innovator Institute, will showcase practical examples from different educational settings, demonstrating how everyday objects, historical artifacts, and art pieces can serve as powerful educational tools. Attendees will learn how to curate and incorporate objects into their own teaching practices, creating immersive and interactive learning experiences.
Additionally, we will discuss the logistical aspects of implementing OBL, such as sourcing objects, managing classroom dynamics, and aligning with curriculum standards. By the end of the session, educators will be equipped with actionable strategies to foster a more engaging and participatory classroom environment through the use of object-based learning.
Prepare to be inspired by this dynamic approach that not only captivates students but also enriches their educational journey, turning passive learning into an active exploration of the world around them.

Executive functioning consists of many different processes that allow individuals to manage their everyday lives. It’s the skills we acquire that allow us to plan and organize our lives while managing ourselves emotionally. Without control of our executive functioning skills, we struggle to activate ourselves to take action, to stay focused and retain information to our long-term memory, to regulate our emotions and manage our frustrations. Our students require intense and explicit instruction in these areas more than ever before. Teachers will learn about each of the key components of executive functioning, the challenges of teaching executive functioning, and strategies to teach executive functioning skills in the classroom.

What does Taylor Swift have to do with the Trojan War? What does Black Panther have to do with the Epic of Sundiata? Embark on a journey through the realms of mythology and folklore in this breakout session designed for educators seeking to develop an engaging curriculum for high school students. Mythology and folklore serve as windows into the collective imagination of cultures around the world, offering rich opportunities for exploration and interpretation. In this session, we will delve into the process of designing a comprehensive course that goes beyond Greek mythology and introduces students to the captivating tales, symbolic motifs, and cultural significance embedded within world mythology. Learn how to select compelling narratives from diverse cultures and time periods, fostering cross-cultural understanding and empathy among students. Discover innovative teaching strategies for bringing these ancient tales to life, from multimedia presentations to interactive storytelling activities. Gain practical tips for integrating critical analysis, creative expression, and multimedia resources into your curriculum to enhance student engagement and foster deeper connections with the material. Whether you're a seasoned mythology enthusiast or new to the world of folklore studies, this session offers valuable insights and resources for creating an immersive and transformative learning experience for high school students.

Unlock the potential of your middle school ELA classroom with this session dedicated to fostering engagement within your classroom community. Dive into dynamic techniques and proven strategies designed to captivate and inspire young learners. From interactive activities to multimedia integration, discover practical methods to create an environment where every student thrives. Get inspired & revolutionize your approach to teaching ELA in the middle school setting.

Collaboration is fundamental in today's learning environment. Often, we assign collaborative tasks to students without explaining the key elements for success. This session is designed to unravel the core of collaboration and how it can be incorporated into the classroom. Get ready to discover various strategies for teaching people of all ages about teamwork. Participants will also have opportunities to experience digital and hands-on activities to promote and practice collaboration. Together, let’s make sure we’re supporting our learners to become strong collaborators for the classroom and beyond.

For the past three years, I have worked to identify the similarities among school culture and student engagement. Through a very detailed literature analysis, I will share what classroom teachers and school administrators can do in their schools to improve the school culture, while heightening student engagement in the process.

This session will guide you through the exciting world of Pathway Endorsement Programs. Learn how to implement a program that validates student achievement, prepares them for college and career success, and connects them with industry partners.

Key Takeaways:
Demystifying the Framework: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the Pathway Endorsement Program requirements, including a brief overview of Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs), career-focused Instruction, work-based learning experiences, and academic readiness.

Regional Support Systems: Learn more about how one region is providing supports for pathway implementation through resources like Xello and unique events such as the Pathway Playground, team based challegnge days, and indutry signing events.

Industry Partnerships: Learn how to forge valuable connections with local businesses to provide real-world experiences for your students.

Sharing the Journey: A school district will share their firsthand experience implementing a Pathway Endorsement Program, offering insights and best practices.

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, integrating AI into teaching and learning processes is imperative. This workshop will explore the potential of AI in education, focusing on enhancing student engagement and fostering a dynamic and personalized learning environment. Participants will learn practical strategies and innovative tools to effectively incorporate AI into their planning process and promote a more interactive learning experience for students.

This workshop aims to empower educators with the knowledge and tools to transform their teaching and student engagement through AI. It promises to be a dynamic and insightful experience, preparing participants to lead the charge in exploring and integrating AI in the educational environment.

We will demonstrate how to use play based learning in elementary school classrooms as a method of instruction in both large and small scale opportunities to help engage students in authentic and meaning learning opportunities.