ENGAGE 2024 Professional Learning Conference

Opening a new school has a specific set of challenges and blessings.  It can feel like "you're not in Kansas anymore".  As we share our experiences opening Wilson MS, Adams MS, and Worthington MS, participants will gain insights into adapting instructional strategies, building culture in a new place, and embracing innovation.  While this will be from a fine arts perspective (we teach orchestra and choir), the content can be applied to any teacher or support staff interested or curious about what opening a new campus can really involve, and how you can make your new school feel like home for you and your students quickly, without getting losing your mind in the process.

Session Attendees will learn about the reasons teachers take attendance, how attendance affects funding and other fun topics! Come join us for some engaging discussion!

Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, OH MY! In this session we will talk about ways to integrate STEAM activities into your lessons. Join us for a rotation of STEM lessons, and get hands on experience with engaging activities. At the end of the session you will walk away with multiple lesson plans and ideas to bring to your classroom.

Meet "DAVE," Dopamine Attention Variability Executive-dysfunction. Whether 504 is your love language and you see e-Sped in your sleep, you’re a veteran accommodator, new to the realm of neurodivergence, or even an ADHD-denier (*gasp*), there is something in this session for you. Like so many other labels out there, there is so much misinformation floating around and plenty of misunderstandings to clear up. With 1 in 11 students diagnosed with ADHD, we are all touched by these unique individuals who on any given day can leave us drained of all patience, cracking up hysterically, or scratching our heads in bewilderment.

This session is about debunking ADHD untruths and understanding what this neurodivergence is really about, along with many of the ways it potentially impacts our students (hint: it's not actually about attention or hyperactivity!). We will learn how to recognize traits, guide kids through the struggles, highlight the strengths, and support our students as they figure themselves out.