For Health Teachers: Join Project Heart Start for a high-impact, hands-on training designed to give you the skills and confidence to act in a cardiac emergency. This session covers the "Big Four" life-saving skills: Hands-Only CPR, AED operation, recognizing a heart attack, and the Heimlich Maneuver. Participants will practice with mannequins and trainers to ensure they are ready to step in when it matters most. (Note: This is a skills-based session and does not provide the formal certification required for nurses, athletic trainers, or coaches.)
Under the premise that when our Spanish students create, culture comes alive, this interactive workshop for SLA teachers presents dynamic and effective strategies, tested in SLA2, that place the student at the center of learning. By comparing two musical genres created or transformed by Hispanic communities in the United States, the workshop proposes an approach in which students research, analyze, and present content collaboratively. The session demonstrates how music can serve as a tool to explore identity, culture, and the experience of the Hispanic diaspora, while promoting critical thinking, oral communication, and cultural connection. Participants will gain practical and adaptable resources to design meaningful learning experiences that integrate cultural analysis and student production in their classrooms.
Sonia Balasch is an educator and scholar with more than two decades of teaching experience at both the secondary and university levels across the United States. She holds a Ph.D. in Hispanic Linguistics from the University of New Mexico and a bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics... Read More →
In this session, Teachers will be the students and experience Amplify Classroom. Amplify Math is a structured, problem-based approach and builds on students’ curiosity while strategically developing math fluency and lasting grade-level understanding.
Your students are seeking ways to impact the world around them. Connecting learning to real-world issues: Makes school more meaningful, Helps students see the relevance of history, civics, and literacy, Encourages long-term civic participation, Promotes fairness and inclusion, Ensures diverse perspectives are heard. Join us to workshop real-world strategies to help your students engage and advocate for the issues that are important to them.
This session introduces the Multiliteracy Dialogic Notetaker, a pedagogical tool designed to deepen language and literacy development while centering translanguaging and border literacies in bilingual and multilingual classrooms. Used in an AP Bilingual U.S. History classroom, this approach reframes note-taking as meaning-making rather than simple transcription. Students engage their full linguistic repertoires, moving across languages, modalities, and cultural references, to process complex academic ideas and texts. Grounded in translanguaging theory and multiliteracies frameworks, the notetaker encourages the use of multiple languages, visuals, diagrams, quotations, reflections, and conceptual mapping. Bi-multilingual students use this tool to synthesize historical analysis, organize and connect historical schema, and develop academic classroom practices while discovering their voice across languages.
Teachers will get the chance to participate in NMHIM’s “mini” exhibit design project and learn how to implement exhibit design principles in their classrooms. Using museum grade replicas from the museum’s collections, educators will learn through hands on experience the value of exhibit design principles in teaching history and how they can integrate NMHIM resources into their classroom.
Do your Geometry (or Algebra 2, PreCalc, Stats, etc.) students come to you with poor Algebra skills or low confidence? How can we help our students be more successful and feel more confident while also making sure they learn the required grade level content. I would like to make the case for leveraging technology to help our students become better thinkers and problem solvers so that we aren't just teaching them to be mini calculators. We will discuss how using handheld calculators, online calculators, and even a little AI can help buoy student confidence so that they can be active learners in their higher level math classes so that we can move beyond teaching skills to instead teach how to think critically and problem solve.
Ready to move beyond paperwork and get to the heart of achievement? Join this energetic, hands-on session to transform how we approach student support. Instead of seeing accommodations as a "compliance check," we’ll explore how the APS Promising Practice of Student Success Systems serves as a bridge to high-level mastery. What You’ll Experience: Collaborative Inquiry: Work with peers across grade levels to solve real-world classroom challenge. The "Support Toolkit": Get hands-on with evidence-based strategies, like tiered graphic organizers and visual anchors, that actually work. Data-Driven Action: Use a cycle of inquiry to ensure interventions are precise and effective. The Takeaway: Leave with a clear roadmap for implementing accommodations with fidelity, ensuring every student—regardless of their starting point—can access grade-level content and feel empowered. Let’s turn high expectations into tangible success!
Hi, I'm Allison! I'm a special education teacher with 14 years of experience working with high school students with diverse learning and communication needs. I currently teach in a self-contained Social Communication Skills program and serve as a Department Chair.I'm passionate about... Read More →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am MDT 22 San Juan401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
We recognize that many students come to school carrying the effects of stress, trauma, or difficult life experiences. This session highlights the important role educators play in providing stability, care, and guidance. Participants will explore how educators can create dialogue that can help create safe, supportive environments that promote healing and resilience for all students. This engaging and supportive session invites educators to explore how healthy communication can be woven into the everyday life of their school communities. Educators will learn meaningful values that strengthen relationships, build accountability, and help students grow towards their best self through participatory activities and group discussion. Schools and classrooms hold incredible potential to nurture not only academic growth but also the development of compassionate, capable, and resilient individuals. Grounded in the work of Kay Pranis and Carolyn Boyes-Watson, authors of Circle Forward: Building a Restorative School Community, this session will introduce the Seven Core Assumptions that provide a basic idea about human nature and our relationships to the world. Educators will reflect on the “prism” through which we see ourselves and others, gaining insights that strengthen empathy, understanding, and connection. Join us for a collaborative and uplifting experience designed to inspire, support, and empower your work with students and colleagues.
Participants will experience Tile Farm Academy, a simple, powerful 10-minute daily math routine that builds number sense, flexible thinking, and joyful engagement. The session highlights three connected activities: Daily Digits (short, meaningful fluency), Number Portraits (creative mathematical expression), and Tile Talk (student-centered math discourse). Together, these routines create a low-floor, high-ceiling environment where all students can participate and think deeply. Teachers will engage in the routine as learners, explore classroom-ready examples, and leave with practical structures they can implement immediately. The focus is on making math both meaningful and enjoyable—without adding complexity to the school day.
Alex Romero is an APS alumnus and veteran teacher who co-created Tile Farm Academy to make math learning beautiful and joyful for people of all ages. Tile Farm is a new math education app developed in part by APS alumni, meant to highlight the beauty and joy of math for people of... Read More →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am MDT 19 Isleta401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
In an era of data-driven instruction, the bridge between daily classroom activity and official reporting must be seamless. This training focuses on mastering the Standards-Based Progress Report (SBPR) integration within your grade book. By aligning assignment entry with reporting templates, educators can eliminate the "end-of-term crunch" and provide stakeholders with a crystal-clear view of student mastery.
In this interactive session, participants will explore how to design meaningful, standards-aligned learning experiences that empower students to create, capture, and reflect on their learning. Educators will actively engage with Seesaw’s multimodal tools to make student thinking visible, differentiate instruction, and strengthen home-school connections.
This session will guide participants in considering key concepts students need instructionally for decoding, reading fluency and writing. Additionally, participants will be provided with exemplar goals that align to students’ needs. Participants will be given time to explore current IEP goals of students they serve and will be able to collaboratively plan on the instruction and progress monitoring that will support these goals.
Tawnya Yates is a Certified Academic Language Therapist and former Board Member for the Southwest Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. She has worked as a reading interventionist in the public schools serving students with dyslexia in both general and special education... Read More →
Participants will learn about the be engaged in examples of how to build arts integrated units while incorporating district provided curriculum, GLAD strategies, and student exposure to the arts. Participants will also be engaged in a conversation about how arts integration can benefit student engagement and inclusion.
Genius Hour has become a powerful entry point for student voice and choice in the classroom, but how do we move beyond passion projects to rigorous, standards-aligned learning experiences? This interactive 50-minute session will guide educators in transforming traditional Genius Hour into high-impact project-based learning. Participants will explore practical strategies to scaffold student inquiry, increase academic depth, and align projects with meaningful learning goals. Through hands-on activities and real classroom examples, attendees will leave equipped to design and implement enriched Genius Hour experiences that foster critical thinking, creativity, and sustained engagement.
Ready to take learning outside but not sure where to start? This interactive session introduces simple, high-impact outdoor learning routines that any teacher can implement immediately. No field trip required. Participants will experience quick, repeatable strategies such as observation routines, nature journaling, and structured discussion protocols that support engagement, behavior, and inclusive participation. Co-facilitated with local outdoor educator Molly Madden, the session includes authentic examples of student work and real-world outdoor learning practices. Educators will leave with ready-to-use tools and a clear plan for getting students outside in meaningful, manageable ways whether for 10 minutes or a full lesson.
Hi, I'm Charlie Ciernia, a resource teacher supporting PreK-5 outdoor learning, nature journaling, and project-based learning. I'm one of the lead teachers for the Los Padillas Wildlife Sanctuary Signature Academic Field Experience, where students engage in hands-on, place-based... Read More →
The Activate Learning has partnered with OpenSciEd to create an exciting digital learning platform where students can benefit from an interactive, engaging online experience when using the OSE curriculum. Participants will experience first-hand our intuitive digital platform, which features enhancements for the OSE curriculum that make science teaching and learning more accessible.
This session centers on the power of shared responsibility for students. Teams learn how to use common data, structured protocols, and collaborative planning to design coordinated academic and relational supports. Emphasis is placed on moving from individual problem‑solving to collective ownership of student success.
I love connecting with educators who are passionate about supporting the whole child. Let's talk about creating strong teaching teams, providing wraparound services in middle schools, removing barriers to student success, and designing systems that move students beyond compliance... Read More →
PART 1: This session will introduce new Student Success Systems Resource Teachers (SSSRTs) to the foundational beliefs, structures, and practices that support strong student success systems. Training components will build on each other and facilitate participants’ understanding of their role and school systems and initiatives that align to foster strong relationships, tiered data driven interventions, and ultimately student success. **INVITATION ONLY**
My name is Jeanie Stark, and I am honored and humbled to call myself an educator. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Special Education from West Texas A&M University and am highly qualified in Reading, Social Studies, and Mathematics at the... Read More →
Review of I.D.E.A. as it pertains to Adapted Physical Education. Adapted PE Evaluation Process and review of TGMD II and Authentic Observation Method. Goal Writing and Data Collection. Documentation for purposes of Present Levels of Progress towards goals. Movement Activities for Special Needs students
In this 50-minute deep dive, Teaching & Learning Coaches will learn how to balance the tactical with the personal. We’ll cover the vital meetings you need to schedule, the logistical tasks you can’t afford to skip, and the relational groundwork required to turn educators into collaborative partners.
Marissa is a 25-year teaching veteran of middle and high school ELA, social studies, and drama. She is a national-board certified teacher who has taught in public, private, and charter school settings.
Kelly Mitchell considers herself a life-long learner who is continually seeking new programs and apps to enhance student learning. Kelly is a passionate educator with 15 years teaching experience in elementary education and currently an EdTech Support Specialist.. In addition to teaching... Read More →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am MDT 15 Zuni401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
The Activate Learning has partnered with OpenSciEd to create an exciting digital learning platform where students can benefit from an interactive, engaging online experience when using the OSE curriculum. Participants will experience first-hand our intuitive digital platform, which features enhancements for the OSE curriculum that make science teaching and learning more accessible.
An introductory session about how to get set with your TI Nspire calculators and Navigator this session will ho through many of the basic functionality of the Nspires and their capabilities. Great for teachers new to the technology or veterans who want a refresher, that want to learn some of basic capabilities and how they can implement using the Nspires. We will cover many of the basic functions on the calculator and graphs pages that can help students with their number sense as well as explore capabilities of the Geometry, Spreadsheet, and Data and Statistics pages.
This session explores how real-world scenarios can transform student engagement by connection personal finance concepts with Environmental STEM themes. Teachers will experience and design learning opportunities that center inquiry, student voice, and authentic decision-making. Through practical examples and collaborative planning, participants will see how financial literacy can extend beyond standalone courses and become a meaningful context for interdisciplinary learning. Educators will leave with adaptable strategies and ideas for integrating real-world, inquiry driven experiences that help students make relevant connections between content, their lives, and the future they are shaping.
My name is Priscilla Del Aguila. I am a National Board's Certified teacher with 11 years of Middle and High School school experience at Albuquerque Public Schools. Endorsed in Social Studies, TESOL, and Health. I work at Rio Grande High School, as the IMPAC and Personal Finance teacher... Read More →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am MDT 31 Santa Ana401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
The New Gradebook, a comprehensive visual and functional evolution of our classic grading interface. This update isn't just a cosmetic refresh; it is a strategic tool designed to reduce administrative overhead, foster collaboration, and streamline the digital workflow for modern educators. The New Gradebook is designed to let teachers focus on what they do best: teaching. By centralizing tools and removing the hurdles of external syncing, SIS is providing a more stable and intuitive environment for academic tracking.
All APS students and staff have access to Read&Write, come and explore this toolbar with me on how to provide this INCLUSIVE PRACTICE while implementing the most powerful technology tool for supporting diverse learners. Read&Write has a wide variety of accessibility features including text to speech, translations, vocabulary support, study tools, word prediction, speech recognition, topic dictionaries and so much more. Learn how to support various learners discreetly while providing accessibility and removing barriers for all.
Bridge the gap between how the brain processes new information and how it stores it for the long term. Teachers will explore the "Big 3" biological foundations—neuroplasticity, the amygdala, and dopamine—before diving into high-leverage cognitive strategies like retrieval practice and dual coding. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of the "forgetting curve" and a toolkit of low-stakes, actionable activities to ensure student learning "sticks" beyond the classroom door.
Discover how Seesaw’s enhanced instructional tools and built-in AI are purposefully designed to save teachers time, boost creativity, and strengthen student engagement. From creative tool enhancements to data-driven insights, you’ll walk away ready to deliver meaningful, joyful learning experiences that meet every learner where they are.
Is math a subject to be feared or a playground to be explored? This session focuses on Mathematical Mindsets—the 8 Standards for Mathematical Practice that transform students into problem solvers. We move beyond "getting the right answer" to embracing persistence and logical reasoning. You’ll learn to create "low floor, high ceiling" environments where every student thinks like a mathematician! This is a hands-on deep dive. You’ll spend the session immersed in games that prioritize strategy and perseverance. We will explore how to transition students from performing basic operations to tackling deeper, more complex problem-solving scenarios. Make & Take Masters: Ready-to-print logic game masters for your classroom. Beast Academy Intro: Explore this engaging program available from the APS Gifted Resource Library (Best for Gifted classroom but also helpful in enrichment, grades 2+). Door prize drawing: a Beast Academy Puzzle Book!
Join us for a detailed overview of the 2023 New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey (NM-YRRS) results. The session will discuss the 2023 NM-YRRS findings for Bernalillo county and New Mexico, highlighting key trends in student mental health, substance abuse, violence, and school safety as well as resiliency factors. Participants will review data from Bernalillo county and learn how to access additional county, state and national data for the health topics most important to them. This session is designed for school district staff interested in student health and promoting health equity strategies to create safer, more supportive environments for all youth.
Explore how the use of NMOER, open pedagogy and authentic assessments can better prepare students for success in the age of AI. Authentic assessments offer meaningful opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning by incorporating reflections on their cultures, experiences, and strengths, moving beyond reliance on traditional testing. Tour NMOER for relevant instructional resources.
Erica Wheeler has worked as an educator in New Mexico for two decades. Currently, she is the Humanities Specialist with the New Mexico Public Education Department where she supports social studies instruction and fine arts programming. Ms. Wheeler helped write the recently enacted... Read More →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:00am - 12:20pm MDT 60 Chaco401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Discover strategies to support students with ADHD, Autism, and other neurological differences by utilizing executive functioning (EF) coaching to boost engagement and academic success. Join a collaborative brainstorming session focused on developing an EF coaching program for at-risk students within your school. This session offers a chance to network with professionals dedicated to assisting neurodivergent learners. Participants will gain insight into how EF coaching can address and mitigate differences in executive functioning that impact learning and participation.
How can we design experiential, project-based units for ELs that incorporate language and content skills? In this hands-on session, participants will explore numerous examples of project-based units specifically designed to support and engage high school EL students across different content areas. After discussing examples, participants will have the opportunity to brainstorm a project-based unit for their own classroom and receive feedback on their ideas. This session is targeted for HS educators, but the concepts covered are applicable for MS as well.
This 80-minute collaborative session provides an overview of the CSTAG behavioral threat assessment model and the role of the Integrated Support Team (IST) in supporting prevention- and intervention-focused responses in schools. Grounded in the Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines (CSTAG), this session highlights how Albuquerque Public Schools’ IST uses a proactive, multidisciplinary approach to identify and respond to student needs early and effectively. Participants will learn how IST collaborates with site-based threat assessment teams to review concerns, assess levels of risk, and develop intervention plans that prioritize student safety, well-being, and connection. This structured process shifts the focus from punishment to support by connecting students and families to appropriate school-based and community resources. Through real-world examples, guided discussion, and collaborative application activities, participants will learn to distinguish between threat classifications and apply practical strategies for de-escalation, self-regulation, and early intervention in the classroom. The session emphasizes aligning behavioral threat assessment with restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and positive school climate. Participants will also hear directly from school administrators and staff about their experiences collaborating with IST and how the threat assessment process has informed their interventions and responses to student threats.
Professional Learning Program Manager, Brisk Teaching
Taylor Brock, M. Ed. is a Professional Learning Program Manager leading educators across the country in developing sustainable, thoughtfully implemented ed tech practices that drive effective, joyful learning experiences for all students.
Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:00am - 12:20pm MDT 22 San Juan401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Dig into hands-on learning that brings agriculture to life in any classroom—no garden required! In this interactive session, participants will experience the “Garden in a Glove" activity, explore simple hydroponic systems, and discover ready-to-use agricultural literacy resources that connect science, reading, and real-world applications. Teachers will learn how to engage students through inquiry-based activities, spark curiosity about where food comes from, and build understanding of plant growth and sustainability. Walk away with practical, low-cost strategies and lessons that make agriculture meaningful, accessible, and fun for all learners. We will be giving away 25 small classroom hydroponic systems to some lucky teachers in this session.
Finally–A tool created for teachers by teachers! Learn about these practical and adaptable rubrics that connect the standards, the SBPR, and the Units of Study. We’ve done the work for you!
How can students use their school campus to investigate real environmental questions and connect their learning to larger ecosystems? In this interactive session, educators will explore a 7th Grade Campus Ecosystem Monitoring Project in collaboration with the Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program (BEMP) and a field experience at Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge. Participants will engage in hands-on investigations using real ecosystem data, including water quality, biodiversity, and weather patterns, while practicing simple, repeatable monitoring protocols that can be implemented on any campus. Teachers will design student-centered investigations that connect classroom data collection to field-based learning, including studies of Rio Grande cottonwood decline. This session prioritizes 7th grade teams from Polk, Harrison, and Ernie Pyle Middle Schools as part of a pilot cohort, with additional schools welcome as the project expands.
Hi, I'm Charlie Ciernia, a resource teacher supporting PreK-5 outdoor learning, nature journaling, and project-based learning. I'm one of the lead teachers for the Los Padillas Wildlife Sanctuary Signature Academic Field Experience, where students engage in hands-on, place-based... Read More →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:00am - 12:20pm MDT 70 Tewa401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
This session explores how culture—more than strategy alone—determines whether team structures truly work. Participants examine how inclusive practices, social‑emotional learning, and joy woven into daily routines create environments where all students feel seen, valued, and capable of taking academic risks.
This 50-minute presentation/tutorial session explores the necessary components that should be present to best support students in a social emotional support classroom, which includes social emotional strategies, visuals, classroom arrangement, data collection, routines and structures, etc. **Required for all NEW Social Emotional Support Teachers ***If Space Available optional for other Social Emotional Support Teachers
Connection Circles are structured discussion routines that build belonging, communication, and engagement across classrooms, PLC teams, and athletic programs. In this hands on workshop, participants will experience a live Connection Circle and explore adaptable formats such as poll based reflection, Would You Rather prompts, and structured small group discussion. Participants will design a ready to use Connection Circle tailored to their classroom, PLC, or team setting. This session supports social emotional learning, inclusive participation, and student voice while providing practical strategies that can be implemented immediately to strengthen relationships and collaboration.
Attend this session and walk away with a better understanding of what Autism characteristics look like in your classroom and your campus. See and hear examples of these characteristics so that you can better understand evaluation reports and approach referrals with greater context for the evaluation process.
We all want to create meaningful change, but we can't do it alone—or by doing everything ourselves. This session is a deep dive into the "who" and "how" of our collective work. Teams will experience a collaborative mapping process to identify where their strengths overlap and where critical gaps exist. You’ll learn to identify the ten essential roles of social change and how to activate them within your own school site. Using the Social Change Ecosystem framework, this session helps individuals and teams clarify their values, align values with actions, and build a more interconnected, effective ecosystem that lasts.
What if classroom culture became your strongest instructional strategy? This interactive session will focus on intentionally teaching Skills, Habits, and Mindsets (SHM) alongside academic content while using Community Building Circles as a structure to deepen student engagement, voice, and accountability. Participants will explore how explicitly naming and reinforcing skills such as perseverance, self-efficacy, self-regulation, and social awareness transforms school and classroom expectations into lived behaviors. Attendees will experience a modeled Community Circle, unpack practical SHM integration strategies, and leave with ready-to-use prompts, structures, and implementation tools. Whether you are looking to strengthen relationships, increase student ownership, or reduce behavioral disruptions, this session provides a clear, actionable framework to build a culture where students thrive academically and socially.
The more open the experience, the deeper the learning! This session will share a variety of ways that standard Savvas Week 6 projects can be transformed into higher-level cognitive journeys. Bridge the gap between scripted curriculum and authentic, student-driven discovery that sticks.
The Activate Learning has partnered with OpenSciEd to create an exciting digital learning platform where students can benefit from an interactive, engaging online experience when using the OSE curriculum. Participants will experience first-hand our intuitive digital platform, which features enhancements for the OSE curriculum that make science teaching and learning more accessible.
Educators will expand upon their knowledge of myWorld Interactive’s flexible instructional model by reviewing program resources and developing instructional routines to help facilitate evidence-based literacy instruction in their classrooms.
A successful transition from high school to adult life begins with understanding who the student is today. This session focuses on choosing and implementing age-appropriate transition assessments that do more than just check a compliance box—they actively build self-determination. Participants will explore a variety of formal and informal assessment tools designed to help students discover their own strengths, preferences, interests, and needs (SPINs). We will discuss practical strategies to move students from passive participants to active leaders in their own IEP and transition planning process, ensuring their voices drive their postsecondary goals.
This 50-minute presentation and tutorial session will introduce the components of a behavior intervention plan (BIP). This session will also cover the purpose of BIP fidelity, and how to determine next- steps to support students with a behavior intervention plan. **Required for all NEW Social Emotional Support Teachers ***If Space Available optional for other Social Emotional Support Teachers
Representatives from the New Mexico High School Music Theatre Awards will host a workshop helping develop skills for performances that all actors can use.
The Activate Learning has partnered with OpenSciEd to create an exciting digital learning platform where students can benefit from an interactive, engaging online experience when using the OSE curriculum. Participants will experience first-hand our intuitive digital platform, which features enhancements for the OSE curriculum that make science teaching and learning more accessible.
This session explores how schools can move beyond initiative overload to create coherence and impact across multiple frameworks. At Rio Grande High School, leaders aligned Community School practices, Magnet Standards, and district priorities through a "Theme of the Month" approach that makes this work visible and actionable for students, families, and staff. Participates will engage in hands-on activities to map their own school initiatives, identify overlaps, and design practical next steps for alignment. This session provides tools and strategies to strengthen partnerships, reduce initiative fatigue, and create more coherent, student-centered systems. Educators will leave with an alignment map and actionable ideas they can immediately apply in their context.
The Magnet Implementation Team, a dynamic blend of educators, epitomizes innovation and collaborative change. They thrive on adaptability and a diverse skill set, continuous learning, and implementing change. Magnet schools are a diverse learning environment where all staff members... Read More →
Information Security specialist with over 20 years of experience in information management, including 12 years specializing in information security, and a master’s in information and knowledge management. Successfully led the information security management system and the certification... Read More →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm MDT 29 Sandia401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
I am a National Board Certified Teacher with a Wilson level 1 certification and reading endorsement. Teaching literacy is my passion, ELA at Jefferson Middle School for 10 years and K-3 special ed at Osuna for 12 years. As part of my current work with the APS Mentor program, I encourage... Read More →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm MDT 15 Zuni401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Cultivate a growth mindset in your mathematics classrooms! Explore research-based strategies and leave with ready-to-use activities that promote productive struggle and a positive attitude toward learning math.
Join us to explore the Evolution of Community Schools, a session designed to help educators and leaders transition from a "wraparound support" model toward one centered on rigorous, community-connected classroom instruction. This session focuses on strengthening Shared Governance, demonstrating how to align Community School Councils, Instructional Councils, and Principal Advisory Councils to create a unified vision for student success. Participants will explore the career-connected learning continuum—moving from elementary career exposure and middle school exploration to high school experiential learning—and discover how the community school strategy serves as the vital thread connecting them all.
How do we support our students who are new to English in engaging in student-student discussion and academic discourse? In this hands-on session, participants will experience multiple, immediately applicable strategies for supporting multilingual (EL) students in participating in classroom discussions. Participants will have time to plan how to implement these strategies in their classrooms, and will leave with templates for protocols, strategies, and scaffolds for students. This session is mainly geared towards high school and middle school educators.
Students spend over a thousand hours each year learning in our classrooms, and we want that time to mean more than simply getting through the work or getting a grade. This session helps teacher teams change that experience together so that our kids start to see themselves as thinkers, contributors, and capable learners. You’ll choose one profile of a graduate skill your students most need right now and design simple, shared thinking routines that help students make sense of ideas, think through problems, and apply learning across classes. When teams align around this work, classrooms feel different: students are more engaged, conversations go deeper, and learning starts to stick. Participants will leave with a shared focus, a united approach, and a plan they can put into place in the very first week of school.
Implementation Coach, ASU Next Education Workforce
Amber Day is an Implementation Coach with the ASU Next Education Workforce. She has 13 years of experience in shaping the educational landscape as an English teacher, Ed Tech coach, and Instructional Coach. As a leader in professional development, she has coached over twenty educator... Read More →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:00pm - 2:20pm MDT 20 Laguna401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Step into the future of agriculture and discover how technology is transforming the way we grow food! In this interactive session, participants will explore precision agriculture tools, investigate soil health, and experience the engaging, simulation-based Journey 2050 program. Educators will learn how to integrate agriculture into the standards they already teach while bringing real-world problem-solving into their classrooms by analyzing data and making decisions like modern farmers. Through hands-on, engaging activities and ready-to-use resources, teachers will gain practical strategies to connect STEM, technology, and agricultural literacy in meaningful ways. Designed to spark curiosity and participation, this session will provide approaches that engage all learners—including those who are often the hardest to reach.
In this session, you will learn how to access student data and use The APS Data Analysis Protocol to interpret the data and take action. This is not data navigation training. You will learn an interactive process that you can take back to your school to support your students.
With over 23 years experience working with large student data systems, Bryan continues to support the APS community with engaging and insightful trainings on accessing and utilizing student data. Bryan is passionate about empowering educators with the knowledge they need to access... Read More →
As the Senior Director of Strategic Analysis and Program Research (SAPR), Aja Kleinert is dedicated to making data not just accessible, but actionable for the entire Albuquerque Public Schools community. With a BS and MS in Geography from Texas State University, Aja brings a "big... Read More →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 1:00pm - 2:20pm MDT 60 Chaco401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
What happens when an APS LCE Language Specialist and a High School Teaching & Learning Coach move beyond parallel work and become true processing partners? This session highlights how one APS high school leveraged that partnership to transform data talks, 90-Day Plan writing, and instructional decision-making in service of bi-multilingual students. Grounded in the WIDA 2020 ELD Framework, the Marco DALE framework, and a biliteracy lens, we share how data-embedded ELD and intentional biliteracy development were integrated into site-based coaching cycles and collaborative data talks. Participants will examine how longitudinal analysis of EL student data across the APS system informed targeted supports, program design, and instructional planning. Learn how protected collaboration time, shared inquiry, and aligned systems work can dismantle silos, strengthen equity-driven practices, and center students’ linguistic and cultural assets in meaningful, sustainable ways.
Ready to transform your elementary literacy and math blocks? Join us for this hands-on workshop where we leverage Seesaw's AI features to maximize student engagement and minimize teacher workload. We’ll spend the first part of our time exploring how Seesaw AI can be implemented quickly and easily. Then, rotate through targeted math and literacy stations to experience the best features for engaging your students quickly! 1. Differentiate High-Quality Instructional Materials 2. Generate Drag and Drop and Multiple Choice Questions 3. Embed YouTube Videos with Quiz Questions 4. Upload Reading Passages for a Graded Fluency Read 5. Make Learning Visible with the Green Add Button You will leave the session ready to implement quick features or even lessons right away. Let's work smarter for optimal student engagement.
Hello! I am a 2nd grade teacher at Lavaland Elementary (Go Volcanoes!) I am a big fan of educational videos. My favorites are songs that reenforce the topics we are learning about. There are a many things I like about using SeeSaw, but I am currently most excited to be able to embed... Read More →
This interactive session introduces the ECHO model as a powerful, collaborative approach to strengthening literacy and numeracy instruction by highlighting practical and evidence-based strategies being implemented in elementary classrooms. Participants will receive a brief overview of how ECHO supports educator learning through a community of practice with case-based discussion, shared expertise, and real-time problem solving. Participants will engage in structured discussions to reflect on their own practices, share successes and challenges, and learn from peers across the district. This session emphasizes vulnerability, collaboration, and actionable strategies educators can immediately apply in their classrooms. ECHO provides implementation support through low dose, high frequency, virtual profession learning opportunities that are free for educators to attend.
Senior Program Manager, Project ECHO for Education
Heather Summers, an NBCT in Science for Early Adolescence and the Senior Program Manager for STEM with Project ECHO for Education, works in partnership with NMPED and districts throughout New Mexico. She has extensive NGSS implementation knowledge from through teaching and facilitating... Read More →
Participants will learn about the purpose and scope of Behavior Redirectors, including their role in the prevention and de-escalation of student behavior. The session will cover tools and resources used by Behavior Redirectors to establish rapport, use daily check-ins, and how to apply calming strategies with students that present challenging behaviors. Through case studies, attendees will gain insight to the Behavior Redirector role. The session is best suited for those that have been in the role for one day to one year. Those not familiar with the role may also attend.
This session will guide participants in considering key concepts students need instructionally for decoding, reading fluency and writing. Additionally, participants will be provided with exemplar goals that align to students’ needs. Participants will be given time to explore current IEP goals of students they serve and will be able to collaboratively plan on the instruction and progress monitoring that will support these goals.
Tawnya Yates is a Certified Academic Language Therapist and former Board Member for the Southwest Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. She has worked as a reading interventionist in the public schools serving students with dyslexia in both general and special education... Read More →
Discover how Minecraft Education can transform your classroom into a hub of inclusive, collaborative learning! In this hands-on workshop, you won't just learn about the platform; you'll jump into a blocky world to experience it yourself. We will explore how building in Minecraft supports the whole student academically and socially, perfectly aligning with APS's Culture of Care. You'll learn to design simple challenges that foster teamwork, critical thinking, and social-emotional growth for diverse learners. By the end of the session, you'll have a ready-to-use lesson plan and the confidence to let your students build, problem-solve, and collaborate together. Join us and learn how to level up your inclusive practices!
How do we move from “going outside” to meaningful student inquiry and problem-solving? This interactive session focuses on using outdoor learning to deepen thinking through questioning, investigation, and sensemaking. Participants will engage in a guided inquiry experience using real-world cultural and environmental phenomena, including examples from Petroglyph National Monument, co-facilitated with educator Ben Holt, and engineering-based wildlife conservation challenges inspired by Asombro Institute for Science Education. Teachers will explore strategies that support students in moving from noticing to wondering to investigations, and ultimately to designing solutions to real-world problems. Participants will leave with practical tools to design inquiry-driven and problem-based lessons that support critical thinking, student voice, and inclusive practices across content areas.
Hi, I'm Charlie Ciernia, a resource teacher supporting PreK-5 outdoor learning, nature journaling, and project-based learning. I'm one of the lead teachers for the Los Padillas Wildlife Sanctuary Signature Academic Field Experience, where students engage in hands-on, place-based... Read More →
I am an Navajo woman from Kayenta AZ who has been providing Suicide Prevention training in local communities for the past 7 years. I would like to share my knowledge and experiences with everyone to inform all people of signs of suicidal ideation and that it is 100% PREVENTABLE when... Read More →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm MDT 25 Navajo401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
This 50-minute presentation and tutorial session introduces reinforcement - what it is, what it is not, how it is used. This session will dive into reinforcement systems, specifically token economies that best support students in a social emotional support classroom which includes token economies, point systems, implementation and considerations for implementation. **Required for all NEW Social Emotional Support Teachers ***If Space Available optional for other Social Emotional Support Teachers
This session explores how model making can be used as a Creative Teaching Strategy (CTS) to support deeper thinking and understanding in English Language Arts. Participants will experience how students can construct visual and physical models to represent ideas, analyze texts, and make meaning beyond written responses. Model making provides an accessible entry point for all learners, including multilingual students, by allowing them to organize, interpret, and communicate their thinking in multiple ways. Through hands-on engagement, participants will explore how this strategy strengthens comprehension, supports academic language development, and increases student engagement. Practical applications and classroom connections will be provided to support immediate implementation across grade levels.
Come and discuss the latest information provided by the Tourette's Association of America. You will receive an overview presentation coupled with small group chat concerning how this may impact our students in the classroom. This is a great place to come and learn, discuss, and ask questions related to diagnosis, eligibility, 504, IEP. This will be a great springboard for more discussion in relation to present and future students.
Mother, Wife, Social Justice Warrior, Advocate, and Lover of Life! Talk to me about anything Early Childhood, Classroom, Advocacy, Law or Special Education related!
Tuesday August 4, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm MDT 29 Sandia401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
If you are hosting a student teacher this year, this session is for you! How do I tell my student teacher they need to improve? How do I help them with lesson plans? How do I step away? How do we both teach our students in a meaningful way? We will share insights on effectively working with a student teacher and facing these difficult conversations head on!
I can't wait to meet all of you at the conference! I've been working with Kathy and Ellen for over 30 years and am always inspired, entertained, and in awe of their work! I look forward to sharing Designing the Future with you, our new Middle School curriculum to guide young people to use their own gifts and passions to make the world a better place. See you soon... Read More →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm MDT 15 Zuni401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
How might we transform a field trip into a powerful, student-centered learning experience? In this interactive workshop, educators will partner with the National Park Service education team from Valles Caldera National Preserve to explore and co-design a 6th Grade Academic Field Experience grounded in place-based learning, inquiry, and inclusive practices. Participants will step into the role of a student through a “mini field experience,” engaging with real images, data, and maps from Valles Caldera. Teachers will then work in teams to design a pre- or post-field experience that connects classroom learning to authentic investigations in math, science, literacy, and social studies. This session is also a recruitment opportunity for 6th grade, cross-content teams interested in helping co-design and pilot this experience during the 2026-2027 school year.
Hi, I'm Charlie Ciernia, a resource teacher supporting PreK-5 outdoor learning, nature journaling, and project-based learning. I'm one of the lead teachers for the Los Padillas Wildlife Sanctuary Signature Academic Field Experience, where students engage in hands-on, place-based... Read More →
Tuesday August 4, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm MDT 21 Jemez401 2nd St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
