Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference

10:00am CDT

Happy Students Learn More: Building an Emotionally Upbeat Classroom

Monday July 15, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

The Emotionally Upbeat Classroom involves creating an atmosphere of positivity. Negative emotions block thinking and learning; while positive emotions promote creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Happy people learn more and are more prosocial; and the more prosocial learners are, the more positive and upbeat the classroom climate will be (Bergin, 2018). In this collaborative session, participants walk away with four tools for building an emotionally upbeat learning environment and understanding the research behind each strategy.

Presenters

Jen Foster

Sr. Program Coordinator, eMINTS National Center

Jen Foster has been harnessing the power of technology to support instruction for more than 20 years. Over the last 12 years, Jen has provided professional development to a wide variety of educators, school administrators, instructional coaches, etc. to enhance and grow their tech... Read More →

Monday July 15, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 96

Level Administrators, All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education
Subject Community Building, eMINTS

11:00am CDT

Innovate for Impact! Empower with Empathy, Equip with Inquiry

Monday July 15, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 96

Innovation is most impactful when we inquire with empathy to guide our design thinking. This session will guide teachers to try on a community's shoes, by experiencing real problem vignettes, just like the students would. Ignite your student passion for compassion with strategies to empower learners with empathy. Brainstorm innovative solutions that matter to your school and community. Take-home a toolkit to equip your students with design thinking through inquiry to guide their problem-solving potential. From a first-person perspective, this session will inspire teachers to experience the problem and develop solutions from the perspective of the students for their community.

Presenters

Nicholas Linke

eMINTS National Center, Educational Program Coordinator III

Nicholas Anthony Linke is an eMINTS National Center educational program coordinator. After graduating from University of Missouri with a duel degree in Biology and Philosophy and returned for his Maters in Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum. He also taught as science teacher for... Read More →

Doug Caldwell

eMINTS National Center, Training and Marketing Manager

Monday July 15, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 96

Level Administrators, Middle Teachers, High Teachers
Subject Community Engagement, CTE, eMINTS, Science

12:00pm CDT

For the Love of the Game

Monday July 15, 2024 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 28

Do you love teaching? Oh course you do or maybe you did.. but sometimes presenting the material to the students and then grading it may take what seems like forever. Let me show you how to use technology to make your teaching and assessment days smoother, memorable, and amusing. Jump back into the teaching with "For the Love of the Game".

Presenters

Christie Brown

Teacher, Summerdale School

Monday July 15, 2024 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 28

Level Elementary Teachers
Subject Assessment, eMINTS, Google/ Google Classroom, Science, Social Studies, STEM/STEAM, Technology

12:00pm CDT

Pelican's Nest Science Lab: Lets Go to the Bay! Secondary Edition

Monday July 15, 2024 12:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Pelican's Nest - Bus meets in front of ninth grade academy

Grab your sunscreen and come learn about the Pelican's Nest Science Lab, BCBE's award-winning marine and environmental science program. Teachers will experience an overview of the programs, field experiences, and environmental labs. View the many classroom resources available to check-out for your home campus use. Participants will also be invited to the Pelican's Nest Google Classrooms, which provide the rigor around the relevance. We will head to the bay to seine, cast, dig, and sift! Come get WET and inspired! You will deepen your own understanding of how to give students ownership and responsibility for Mobile Bay! Participants need to be prepared to get wet.

Presenters

Kacie Hardman

Pelican's Nest Elementary Lab Director, Central Office Staff

Hi, I’m Kacie Hardman. I have been an educator for 16 years. I am passionate about students having ownership to their learning through their wonder! I am happily married to my husband Fred and we have three children. You can find us having fun together by the water most days of... Read More →

Monday July 15, 2024 12:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Pelican's Nest - Bus meets in front of ninth grade academy

Level Administrators, Central Office, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers
Subject Community Building, Community Engagement, Differentiation, eMINTS, Google/ Google Classroom, Science, STEM/STEAM

1:00pm CDT

Who's Afraid of Chat GPT?: Learning More About AI in the ELA Classroom

Monday July 15, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 92

In this session, we will do the following:
1.Explain how “generative AI” works, including what it can—and can’t—do.
2. Recognize our own beliefs and biases regarding AI in the classroom.
3. Decide one place where AI can help our planning/teaching.

Presenters

Morgan Plash

Teacher, Elberta High

Greetings! My name is Morgan Plash, and I've been teaching English at Elberta High School since 2016. Before landing in Baldwin County, I taught English in Frisco, Texas. I have taught English Language Arts at all levels from 6-12, including Gifted English and AP Language. I am a... Read More →

Monday July 15, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 92

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Librarians, Special Education
Subject Assessment, Chromebook, Differentiation, ELA, eMINTS

11:00am CDT

Empowering Educators: Using Prosocial Education to Cultivate Lasting Change

Tuesday July 16, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 96

In this interactive session, you will explore the critical role of prosocial education in addressing the unique challenges in student behavior and classroom management in today's classrooms. You will gain a deeper understanding of how prosocial education promotes empathy, collaboration, and student engagement, ultimately leading to stronger schools and more resilient students and teachers. Through engaging discussions, real-world examples, and practical strategies, you will learn how to integrate prosocial principles into everyday teaching practices and school culture.

Presenters

Jen Foster

Sr. Program Coordinator, eMINTS National Center

Tuesday July 16, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 96

Level Administrators, All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education
Subject Community Building, eMINTS

11:00am CDT

For the Love of the Game

Tuesday July 16, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 28

Presenters

Christie Brown

Teacher, Summerdale School

Tuesday July 16, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 28

Level Elementary Teachers
Subject Assessment, eMINTS, Google/ Google Classroom, Science, Social Studies, STEM/STEAM, Technology

12:00pm CDT

Resistance is Futile: Outgrowing AI-Phobia

Tuesday July 16, 2024 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 96

Lost in the AI hype-hyperdrive? This session explores how to turn AI into a powerful iterative tool for your classroom by exploiting its weaknesses. Uncover authentic real-world uses of AI that boost learning by reframing the shortcomings as opportunities. Design ways to integrate AI that makes new assignments more authentic rather than old assignments less difficult. Walk away with a plan of practical ideas to implement AI tomorrow. Stop the information overload, resistance isn’t just futile, it’s fertile.

Presenters

Nicholas Linke

eMINTS National Center, Educational Program Coordinator III

Doug Caldwell

eMINTS National Center, Training and Marketing Manager

Tuesday July 16, 2024 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 96

Level Administrators, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Librarians
Subject CTE, Digital Citizenship, eMINTS, Technology

12:00pm CDT

Pelican's Nest Science Lab: Let's Go to the Bay! Elementary Edition

Tuesday July 16, 2024 12:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Pelican's Nest - Bus meets in front of ninth grade academy

Presenters

Kacie Hardman

Pelican's Nest Elementary Lab Director, Central Office Staff

Tuesday July 16, 2024 12:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Pelican's Nest - Bus meets in front of ninth grade academy

Level Administrators, Central Office, Elementary Teachers
Subject Community Building, Community Engagement, Differentiation, eMINTS, Google/ Google Classroom, Science, STEM/STEAM

1:00pm CDT

Podcasting: New Media Literacy & Alternative Assessment

Tuesday July 16, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 254

This session will focus on the connection between podcasting and traditional literacy practices already in teacher repertoires.

Presenters

Morgan Plash

Teacher, Elberta High

Alex Homan

Baldwin County High, Teacher

Tuesday July 16, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 254

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Librarians, Special Education
Subject Arts, Assessment, Chromebook, Community Engagement, Differentiation, Digital Citizenship, ELA, eMINTS, Reading

1:00pm CDT

Use Design Thinking to Develop Escape Rooms

Tuesday July 16, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 96

Escape Rooms continue to be a very popular activity in schools and communities worldwide. The key design-thinking inspired steps in this session can guide students and teachers alike to design their own Escape Room for any grade level or subject. Receive resources, advice, templates, and planning assistance to engage your students in online and collaborative learning with online resources to design sample puzzles, beta-test those sample puzzles together. This session is your opportunity to break out beyond classic escape room combination locks and keys and maximize your Escape Room using modern tech and design-thinking steps.

Presenters

Nicholas Linke

eMINTS National Center, Educational Program Coordinator III

Doug Caldwell

eMINTS National Center, Training and Marketing Manager

Tuesday July 16, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 96

Level All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Librarians
Subject Assessment, Community Building, eMINTS, Google

9:00am CDT

Wednesday July 17, 2024 9:00am - 9:50am CDT

Room 96

Why is prosocial education so important? Join us in discovering the positive impacts of prosocial education on teaching and learning. We will explore how prosocial education supports STEM learning, team science, and collaborative learning projects. Participants will leave with a variety of prosocial education strategies that can be implemented with all learners.

Presenters

Jen Foster

Sr. Program Coordinator, eMINTS National Center

Wednesday July 17, 2024 9:00am - 9:50am CDT
Room 96

Level Administrators, All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education
Subject Community Engagement, eMINTS

10:00am CDT

From Carrots & Sticks to Growth Mindsets: Transforming Classroom Management

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 96

Tired of the constant battle with extrinsic motivators? This session will explore how to move beyond rewards and punishments and foster a growth mindset classroom built on intrinsic motivation and helps students learn to regulate their own behavior. Discover the power of descriptive praise and natural consequences to empower students and encourage positive behavior change. You will leave this session with practical strategies to transform your classroom management and cultivate a love of learning in your students!

Presenters

Jen Foster

Sr. Program Coordinator, eMINTS National Center

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 96

Level Administrators, All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education
Subject Community Building, eMINTS

10:00am CDT

Pelican's Nest Science Lab: Local Relevance in the K-12 Classroom!

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 95

Come find out about BCBE's award-winning K-12 Marine and Environmental Science Program! Teachers will experience an overview of the program, field experiences, and environmental labs. View the many classroom resources available to check-out through out the year. Participants will also be invited to the Pelican's Nest Google Classrooms, which provide the rigor around the relevance. Come deepen your own understanding of how to give students ownership and responsibility to Mobile Bay!

Presenters

Kacie Hardman

Pelican's Nest Elementary Lab Director, Central Office Staff

Celeste Rivenbark

Other, Pelican's Nest Secondary Director

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 95

Level Administrators, All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers
Subject Community Building, Community Engagement, eMINTS, Science, STEM/STEAM

10:00am CDT

Who's Afraid of Chat GPT?: Learning More About AI in the ELA Classroom

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am CDT

Room 92

Presenters

Morgan Plash

Teacher, Elberta High

Wednesday July 17, 2024 10:00am - 10:50am CDT
Room 92

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Librarians, Special Education
Subject Assessment, Chromebook, Differentiation, ELA, eMINTS

11:00am CDT

Podcasting: New Media Literacy & Alternative Assessment

Wednesday July 17, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am CDT

Room 92

This session will focus on the connection between podcasting and traditional literacy practices already in teacher repertoires.

Presenters

Morgan Plash

Teacher, Elberta High

Alex Homan

Baldwin County High, Teacher

Wednesday July 17, 2024 11:00am - 11:50am CDT
Room 92

Level Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Librarians, Special Education
Subject Arts, Assessment, Chromebook, Community Engagement, Differentiation, Digital Citizenship, ELA, eMINTS, Reading

12:00pm CDT

Pelican's Nest Science Lab: Local Relevance in the K-12 Classroom!

Wednesday July 17, 2024 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT

Room 95

Presenters

Kacie Hardman

Pelican's Nest Elementary Lab Director, Central Office Staff

Celeste Rivenbark

Other, Pelican's Nest Secondary Director

Wednesday July 17, 2024 12:00pm - 12:50pm CDT
Room 95

Level Administrators, All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers
Subject Community Building, Community Engagement, eMINTS, Science, STEM/STEAM

1:00pm CDT

Strong Relationships = Powerful Learning

Wednesday July 17, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT

Room 96

In our technology-rich classrooms, strong relationships are the key to unlocking student potential. This session is designed for educators who want to foster respectful, supportive connections with their students. Strong relationships lead to increased student engagement because students who feel connected to their teachers are more likely to be motivated and participate actively in class. These positive relationships lead to an improved classroom climate as strong relationships create a safe and positive learning environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and asking questions. Positive relationships can help students develop self-confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging therefore enhancing student well-being. Additionally, when students have strong connections to their teachers they tend to achieve higher grades and test scores and greater academic achievement. Join us in discovering practical strategies for building trust, fostering open communication, and creating a classroom culture where every student can thrive!

Presenters

Jen Foster

Sr. Program Coordinator, eMINTS National Center

Wednesday July 17, 2024 1:00pm - 1:50pm CDT
Room 96

Level Administrators, All Teachers, Elementary Teachers, Middle Teachers, High Teachers, Career Tech Teachers, Counselors, Librarians, Special Education
Subject Community Building, eMINTS

Gulf Regional Innovative Teaching Conference - GRITC 2024