RefreshED 2025

In this session we will focus on ways we can internailze our science curriculum to make lessons more engaging for students while still keeping instruction aligned with standards and rigorous. 

This session will guide educators in reimagining Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a powerful, practical tool to support teaching and learning. Participants will explore how AI can be effectively leveraged to assist with lesson planning, including aligning with TEKS and other academic standards, as well as differentiating instruction and scaffolding learning experiences to meet diverse student needs. Through hands-on examples and collaborative discussions, educators will leave with actionable strategies for integrating AI into their instructional practices—enhancing efficiency, fostering creativity, and helping to close learning gaps in meaningful ways.

Managing challenging behaviors with empathy and skill is essential to creating a safe and supportive learning environment. De-Escalation Strategies for the Classroom is a practical, skill-building training designed to help educators respond confidently and effectively when students exhibit signs of emotional escalation. This training empowers educators to build strong relationships, reduce disruptions, and support students in developing lifelong self-regulation skills.

This presentation will explore the critical need for trauma-informed schools and the importance of understanding how trauma affects students; aimed at helping educators develop a comprehensive understanding of what it means to create a trauma-informed school environment—one that is safe, supportive, and responsive to the needs of all student. We begin by examining Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their long-term impact on learning and behavior. Trauma, its various causes, and how it manifests in students are defined and explored. Participants will be introduced to various resources and supports available to help educators work effectively with traumatized students, emphasizing strategies that promote healing and learning. Self-care techniques for educators are discussed to ensure they maintain their well-being while supporting students through difficult experiences.

Join us for an interactive session designed to explore the power of the use of Lead4ward playlist strategies in the elementary classroom. This session will provide teachers with practical tools and techniques to engage students and enhance learning through structured, student-centered playlists. Teachers will learn how to implement playlist strategies that support all learners, ensuring that content is accessible and engaging. Whether you're new to Lead4ward or looking to deepen your understanding, this session will equip you with innovative strategies to boost student success and make learning both fun and effective.
Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the principles behind Lead4ward playlist strategies
• Practical tips for using the student-centered playlists
• Differentiating instruction through playlists to meet diverse learning needs
• Ideas for integrating playlist strategies into daily classroom routines

Strong instruction starts with strong preparation. In this session, educators will engage in the Unit and Lesson Internalization Protocols to deepen their understanding of what to teach and how to teach it. Participants will unpack high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) to identify essential content, key learning goals, and instructional moves that drive student success. Through guided collaboration and practical application, this session empowers teachers to plan with purpose, ensuring lessons are both aligned and impactful.

In this professional development session, we will explore how to effectively integrate IXL into your classroom to enhance student learning and boost achievement through individualized instruction. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how IXL’s adaptive features and real-time analytics can provide personalized learning paths for each student, catering to their unique needs and skill levels. We will dive into best practices for using IXL as a powerful tool to differentiate instruction, set targeted goals, track student progress, and provide immediate feedback. Through hands-on demonstrations and practical strategies, you will leave this session equipped to use IXL as a means to foster greater student engagement, motivation, and success, ensuring that all learners can achieve their full potential.

*Participants will need to bring a charged device

Unlock the power of engagement to transform your social studies classroom! This interactive professional development session equips educators with practical, research-based strategies to boost student interest, participation, and retention. Participants will explore dynamic techniques—such as storytelling, inquiry-based learning, movement, and primary source analysis—that make content meaningful and memorable. Walk away with ready-to-use ideas that spark curiosity, foster deeper understanding, and ensure learning that lasts.

Participants will dive deep into the powerful functionalities of Eduphoria Aware, an innovative online testing platform designed to enhance assessment strategies and data-driven decision-making in educational settings.

Course Highlights:

Learn to effectively form and manage assessment teams that can collaboratively design and review assessments, fostering a culture of shared responsibility and continuous improvement.
Gain experience in creating assessments tailored to diverse learner needs. Understand the importance of a systematic naming convention for assessments, which will streamline organization and retrieval of assessment data.
Delve into the rich data that Eduphoria Aware provides. Participants will learn how to interpret and analyze assessment results to identify trends, strengths, and areas for improvement.
Discover how to leverage assessment data to inform and implement targeted reteaching strategies. Use insights gained from data analysis to provide tailored interventions, ensuring all students receive the support they need to master core concepts.
Explore best practices in creating and administering diversified assessments that cater to a wide range of learning styles and abilities. Learn to utilize the secure, online testing platform to deliver assessments efficiently and effectively.

By the end of this course, educators will be equipped with the skills to make informed curriculum decisions, enhance student learning outcomes, and drive effective intervention strategies through the power of data-driven assessment practices. Join us to unlock the full potential of Eduphoria Aware and transform your approach to teaching and learning!

The goal of this session is to provide teachers with the knowledge and confidence to read and interpret important documents such as IEPs and 504 plans, with a particular focus on BIPs. Time will be devoted to reviewing a sample BIP and developing/practicing strategies for use in the classroom to confront challenging behaviors while preserving the dignity and safety of all parties involved to the fullest extent possible.  

Every classroom has students who seem hesitant, disengaged, or unmotivated to participate in learning activities. Engaging Reluctant Learners (K–4) is a hands-on, interactive training designed to equip educators with effective, research-based strategies to spark interest, build confidence, and foster active participation in even the most hesitant learners.

This session equips teachers with practical strategies to build strong relationships with students, set clear classroom expectations, and differentiate instruction for SPED and EB learners. Focused on increasing student engagement, participants will leave with tools to create an inclusive and supportive environment.

True mathematical proficiency goes beyond memorizing steps—it’s rooted in deep conceptual understanding. In this session, educators will explore why building conceptual understanding is essential for helping students make meaningful connections, transfer learning to new situations, and develop mathematical confidence. Together, we’ll unpack the difference between procedural fluency and conceptual knowledge, examine how they support one another, and engage in math tasks that model what conceptual learning looks like in action. Participants will leave with practical, high-impact strategies that promote sense-making, reasoning, and student discourse—key components in creating a math classroom where every learner can thrive.

This professional development session will equip educators with essential tools to take Social Studies to the next level, leveraging standards to create compelling questions while exploring historical thinking skills. Participants will learn to design purposeful assessments using formative techniques and Claim-Evidence-Reasoning frameworks while addressing how to select appropriate primary and secondary sources. Educators will walk away with strategies to craft engaging learning experiences that foster deep understanding, civil discourse, and skill development in Social Studies classrooms.

Boost student engagement and motivation through gamified learning! This session will highlight the benefits of gamification, show you how to design game-based activities, and offer simple tools and strategies for implementation. Walk away with practical ideas and resources you can use right away-even if you are not a tech expert.

Note to participants: Please bring Chromebooks. 

Unpack the major pitfalls that students encounter when trying to be "problem performers" instead of "problem solvers". Understand what strategies ACTUALLY help students unpack math problems to determine the best path to solve.