Engaging Educators 2025

In the early 20th Century, poetry became something which needed to be explained to readers rather than something to be read and enjoyed, with critics and gatekeepers deciding what poetry mattered. This workshop will demystify teaching poetry by focusing on excitement and energy surrounding poems and finding ways to incorporate poems into class in ways which are not stressful. After taking this workshop, a teacher should feel more confident about handling poetry with their students and be able to pull more energy from the subject.

This session will focus on exploring the three inclusive practices throughout the day, every day, as a regular part of planning and facilitating lessons, meetings, and professional learning. The three inclusive practices include welcoming inclusion, engagement strategies, and optimistic closure. These practices can be part of integrating a systematic approach to SEBL. They help us build and practice social, emotional and behavioral learning skills all while establishing safety, predictability, connection, and supporting the contribution of all voices.

Join your fellow business teacher colleagues to discuss participant-driven topics. Bring your ideas and questions!

In this breakout session, participants will explore the stages of the crisis cycle and the profound impact of trauma on the brain and subsequent behavior. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into the dynamics of crisis situations within educational settings.
Utilizing the "hand model of the brain," participants will visualize the brain's complex structures and how they relate to emotional regulation. By dissecting the brain's response to various stimuli, attendees will uncover the root causes of behavioral manifestations during crises, fostering a deeper comprehension of student reactions.
Furthermore, the session will equip attendees with practical strategies to effectively intervene during crisis moments, aiming to restore students to a state of calm and stability. From de-escalation tactics to trauma-informed practices, attendees will access strategies to address crisis behaviors proactively and constructively. Armed with this knowledge, educators will be empowered to foster safer and more supportive learning environments conducive to student well-being and academic success.

Join Becky Michael for Part B of Literacy Across Content Areas where we will specifically look at the expert content within ELA. We will also visit Nebraska's ACT data and some ways we can improve our students' performances.

In this session, we will explore the importance of disciplinary literacy in social studies education and how it supports students in becoming critical thinkers and engaged citizens. Disciplinary literacy focuses on the unique ways of reading, writing, and thinking that are specific to the social studies disciplines, such as history, geography, and economics. Through discussion and an example activity, we will explore ways to develop students’ ability to read and think like social scientists, helping them build essential skills for both academic success and active, informed citizenship.

Deep Diving into the Employee Assistance Program in which the staff have access, that covers a broad range of topics and resources

Are you looking to leverage AI in ways that move beyond design efficiencies and into a true transformation of the learning experience? Then join us for a session grounded in a practical approach to student-driven learning and UDL principles that provides structure and clarity for how, when, and where AI can be utilized to empower learners and personalize their education.

This session will delve into the power of small group literacy instruction as a strategic approach to address the diverse needs of learners. Participants will explore evidence-based practices to create targeted, differentiated instruction based on data that maximizes student growth. Practical intensification strategies and resources will also be shared.

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 from 12:15 pm)

Data analysis doesn’t have to be hard or intimidating. You just have to be willing to ask the right questions.

Intro to Reports for NSCAS Growth, participants explore their NSCAS Growth data using various reports. Key metrics, including scale score, achievement level categories, and RIT scores, are identified and defined. Participants consider how they might use the data to form equitable instructional groups of students to support student needs.
Participants will leave with the following:
• A greater understanding of NSCAS Growth scores and reports
• Strategies for using assessment data to support equitable instructional practices, including flexible grouping
•Exploration of the Achievement Level Explorer Tool

Participants will explore the NE CCR Math Standards by going beyond the borders of their grade-level standards and analyze the math learning progression with the NE Math Atlas. Participants will select an upcoming unit and plan how instruction will address the standards from the lens of the learning progression.

Building on the foundations established in Part A, this session delves deeper into disciplinary literacy practices within the science classroom. Participants will explore how literacy skills are intrinsically woven into three-dimensional science learning. Through interactive activities and collaborative discussions, educators will discover practical strategies to integrate these literacy practices into their science instruction. This session will highlight how disciplinary literacy not only enhances students' understanding of scientific concepts but also develops their ability to think, communicate, and work like real scientists.

Person-Centered Planning is a strategy used to assist students with disabilities to develop a positive future for themselves and their family. This process is helpful for transition planning and writing measurable post-secondary goals.

Words matter! Want to be understood? Want to understand others better? Leave some conversations confused and frustrated? Learn how skillful pausing, paraphrasing, and posing questions can change how you communicate and what you accomplish.