Engaging Educators 2025: Full Schedule

12:15pm CST

"Be Amazing" in your role in 2025!

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

Join us for this uplifting session as we explore "Be Amazing: Tools for Living Inspired", by Erin Ramsey. Receive a complimentary book which will help you stay on course in living well and making amazing contributions for yourself and for others through living inspired.

Speakers

Cara Small

Southeast Early Learning Connection Coordinator

Gina DeFreece

Southeast ELC Coach Consultant

Jodi Mootz

Southeast Early Learning Connection Assistant Coordinator

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
TJ 230

Session 2

12:15pm CST

A Brief Introduction to AQuESTT, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

CATS 107

This session will provide a brief introduction to AQuESTT and illustrate the connections between school accountability and continuous improvement. SPOILER ALERT: AQuESTT is at the center of both!

Speakers

Derek Ippensen

Assistant Administrator, Office of Coordinated School and District Support; Director of Accountability, Nebraska Department of Education

Dr. Derek Ippensen is the Assistant Administrator in the Office of Coordinated School and District Support and serves as the Director of Accountability for the Nebraska Department of Education. He is a sixteen-year educator with four years in the science classroom and twelve years... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
CATS 107

Session 2

12:15pm CST

Addressing Reading Deficiencies in K-3: Guidance and Resources Under the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

TJ 302

Supporting early literacy is critical for student success. This session will help K-3 teachers navigate the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act by focusing on understanding common reading challenges and utilizing approved screeners to identify students in need of support. Participants will also explore tools and resources aligned with the Act to guide intervention planning. Additionally, the session will highlight practical strategies for collaborating with families, empowering them to reinforce reading growth at home.

Speakers

Olivia Alberts

Reading Specialist, Nebraska Department of Education

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
TJ 302

Session 2

12:15pm CST

Buff Nuggets: Using AI to Create Interactive & Collaborative Learning Experiences

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

PAC

Want to take your AI game to another level? With creative AI prompting and scenarios, Brian will show educators how to develop engaging, student-centered activities that get more people involved!

Speakers

Brian Buffington

Brian Buffington loves helping teachers and leaders do more with technology. He’s passionate about using tech in creative, fun, and engaging ways. His background as a middle school teacher, musician, entrepreneur and youth minister gives him a unique perspective on K-12 education... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
PAC

Session 2

12:15pm CST

Connecting with the Healthcare Industry to Enhance Health Science Courses

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

CATS 209

Connections with healthcare professionals and facilities can lead to enhanced student understanding of the available careers in their local community and the education and skills required to enter the careers. Additionally, healthcare professionals WANT to connect with students interested in a healthcare career, as well as their teachers. Learn how to establish new partnerships and enhance existing ones in this session.

Speakers

Jami Denny

Health Science Specialist & HOSA State Advisor, NDE

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
CATS 209

Session 2

12:15pm CST

Doane Graduate Leadership Programs

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

TJ 228

The presentation will include an overview of the Doane graduate studies programs for Educational Leadership, Educational Specialist, and the Doctoral Program.

Speakers

Teresa Perkins, Ed.D.

DIrector M.Ed. Leadership, Dept. Chair COE grad studies, Assistant Professor, Doane University

Teresa Perkins, Ed.D.Assistant Professor, Director M.Ed Leadership and EDSC Department Chair, Doane University.Dr. Perkins's commitment in education includes culturally proficient leadership with research and writing focusing on gender, race/ethnicity/culture with emphasis on courage... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
TJ 228

Session 2

12:15pm CST

Essential Reports for Teachers – MAP Growth

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

CATS 015

• Access, interpret, and apply key MAP Growth reports—including the Class and Student Profile—that teachers and instructional coaches use for planning
• Meet individual student needs by identifying targeted instructional groups based on MAP Growth goal-area performance data
• Boost differentiation efforts by connecting groups of students to skills in the Learning Continuum

Speakers

Aly Martinez Wilkinson

NWEA

Cassie Seiboldt

Assistant Director of Statewide Assessment, NDE

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
CATS 015

Session 2

12:15pm CST

Helping Every Educator Support Students with Significant Disabilities: Aligning Instruction with State Standards

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

TJ 301

Providing meaningful and high-quality instruction for students with significant disabilities in a general education classroom can be challenging. This session offers a practical introduction for educators and teams unfamiliar with the NSCAS Alternative Assessment and extended indicators. Participants will learn:
* Who qualifies for the NSCAS Alternative Assessment and the process for determining eligibility.
* What extended indicators are and how they align with grade-level standards to create accessible learning targets for students.
* How to use instructional support documents to design activities and lessons that align with extended indicators and support student progress.

(session repeated at 1:15 pm)

Speakers

Jen Quaranta

Regional Coordinator, ESU 6

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
TJ 301

Session 2

12:15pm CST

Literacy across content areas

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

TJ 326

Discipline-specific literacy ensures opportunities for students to engage in learning that uses reading and writing skills specific to each field’s content knowledge whereby students demonstrate and publish their learnings. This session will support educators across ELA, science, and social studies ground their students in complex, grade-level texts. Join us to explore high-quality instruction that will place productive struggle squarely on the students’ shoulders.
Becky Michael, Sarah Shaffer, and Bre Wilton are the Nebraska Department of Education’s Education Specialists in the areas of ELA, science, and social studies, respectively. Please join us for Part A and Part B sessions as we’re excited to visit with you about disciplinary literacy!

Speakers

Sarah Shaffer

Bre Wilton

NDE

Becky Michael

ELA Specialist, Nebraska Department of Education

Becky Michael is the K-12 ELA Education Specialist for the Nebraska Department of Education. Her focus is to support educators and administrators with the four instructional shifts in ELA: Foundational Literacy, Text Complexity and Expectations of Grade-Level Exposure, A Balanced... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
TJ 326

Session 2

12:15pm CST

Mapping Success: Enhancing Collective Efficacy and Student Achievement through Curriculum and Unit Planning

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

TJ 104

Over the past three years, our district has transformed its approach to curriculum and unit planning, focusing on creating a sustainable system that enhances collective teacher efficacy and elevates student achievement. In this session, participants will explore the steps our district took to develop and implement a district-wide curriculum mapping and unit planning process. Attendees will gain insights into the tools and strategies used to empower teachers to collaborate, support one another, and align their instructional practices for greater impact. This session will include practical examples, lessons learned, and actionable steps for districts at any stage of their curriculum journey. Join us to see how providing teachers with the right tools and fostering a culture of collective effort can lead to significant student success.

Speakers

Kate Sherwin

Coordinator of Engagement, Curriculum & Instruction, HAL, Nebraska City Public Schools

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
TJ 104

Session 2

12:15pm CST

Putting the 'you' in UDL

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

TJ 325

NeMTSS Region 1 team will review the three Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines and discuss how you can take steps forward to creating a universally designed learning environment. Come ready to gain new knowledge and resources!

Speakers

Mackenzie Riedel

SEBL Specialist, NeMTSS Region 1 Team

Social Emotional Behavioral Learning Specialist with NeMTSS. I serve schools in ESU 4, 5, 6 & 18. I'm a School Psychologist by trade!

Heidi Farmer

Regional Support Lead, NeMTSS

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
TJ 325

Session 2

12:15pm CST

Starting Your Own Level III Program (This is how Nebraska City did it)

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

TJ 304

How do you start a Level III program in your district? In this session I will discuss the steps that Nebraska City took to start our Level III program and share what we are currently doing to support our students.

Speakers

Jason Hippen

Nebraska City Public Schools

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
TJ 304

Session 2

12:15pm CST

Stop Cussing and Start Discussing

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

TJ 203

This session will equip K-12 educators with practical strategies to cultivate civil discourse in their classrooms, regardless of subject area. Participants will explore the importance of respectful communication, active listening, and critical thinking in creating inclusive and engaging learning environments.

Speakers

Lori Broady

Civic Education Consultant, Nebraska State Bar Foundation

After teaching Social Studies at Johnson-Brock for 23 years, Lori worked at ESU4 as a teaching and learning specialist. Upon retirement, she now works part-time for the NSBF supporting civic education across the state of Nebraska.

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
TJ 203

Session 2

12:15pm CST

Strengthening the Arts in Schools and Communities: Vision and Action

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

AV 114

Dig and begin crafting your vision and action plan for your arts education program. In the workshop Strengthening the Arts: Vision and Action, we'll drive into how arts educators can promote their programs in schools and communities. Arts educators will walk through steps to clearly define their vision and goals while also considering practical, actionable steps to achieving those goals and gaining assets. We'll focus on recognizing the strengths you already have as assets, and using these assets to promote your vision to school and community stakeholders in order to procure support, funding, and/or recognition. This special workshop format will allow participants to talk with colleagues and other participants as they craft their mission, vision, goals, and action plan to elevate your program in your school and beyond! This workshop has been created by the Arts Education Committee of Nebraskans for the Arts.

Speakers

Cody Talarico

Arts Education Specialist, NDE

Cody Talarico, is a musician and supporter of arts education. Cody taught music in the Bellevue (NE) Public Schools and is currently serving Nebraska as the Arts Education Specialist at the Nebraska Department of Education where he leads and supports visual arts, media arts, dance... Read More →

Danielle Laurion

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
AV 114

Session 2

12:15pm CST

Teachers as Facilitators

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

TJ 114 N

Leading your peers can be challenging. Become aware of Five Mindsets that, when embraced, change how you lead and facilitate. Increase your impact for the good of students and colleagues.

Speakers

Bess Scott

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
TJ 114 N

Session 2

12:15pm CST

Teaching Writing With AI: Painting the Gray

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

TJ 114 S

This session moves beyond the binary debate of "to ban or not to ban" AI in writing instruction, delving into the nuanced interplay between human and artificial intelligence in the writing process. Participants will receive a comprehensive multi-modal resource that includes videos and practical strategies designed to help educators thoughtfully integrate AI into their teaching. Together, we will engage with innovative tools, philosophies, and approaches that promote inquiry and critical thinking about the role of AI in the classroom.

(Session repeated from 10:30 session)

Speakers

Andrew Easton

Digital Learning Coordinator, ESU Coordinating Council

Evi Wusk

Assistant Professor of Educational Technology, Peru State College

Dr. Evi Wusk, Assistant Professor of Educational Technology at Peru State College, draws from over 17 years of classroom experience. Her roles include High Ability Learning Coordinator, 7-12 Language Arts and Journalism Teacher, fifth-grade classroom teacher, and certified PK-12 Librarian... Read More →

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST
TJ 114 S

Session 2

12:15pm CST

Understanding Your Retirement Plan + Q&A

Friday February 7, 2025 12:15pm - 1:00pm CST

CATS 201

A brief overview of your amazing defined benefit retirement plan and an opportunity to ask your NPERS experts those burning questions you want to know!

This content is repeated from the 10:30 session.

Speakers

Session 2