Conference
In-Person
S.A.I.L Into a New School Year Conference - Day 1
Series: S.A.I.L. Into a New School Year 2025 Summer Conference
July 29, 2025, 7:30 am - 3:30 pm EDT
Session List and Overview
Day 1: July 29
| Session 1: 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Session Overview |
|---|---|
| Your Role in School Safety | Creating a safe school environment requires everyone's daily attention and effort. Just as each person plays a role in making learning possible, each person plays a role in creating a safe learning environment. This session will highlight each person’s role in safety and provide some best practices for making their school as safe as possible. |
| When the IEP Includes Transportation as a Related Service | As with all individualized education program (IEP) services, all decisions need to be made with the IEP team and with the least restrictive options considered first, but also being mindful that safety comes first. The entire transportation experience must be considered to ensure proper support and needs. Learn what should be considered from the bus stop in the morning and back to the bus stop in the afternoon. |
| Incorporating Test Authoring as Part of a Comprehensive Assessment System: A Panel Discussion | This session features a panel discussing how Marshall County Schools has implemented our free assessment resource, Testing Authority. You will learn how this resource has become central within a comprehensive assessment system. Teachers will discuss practical applications of Test Authoring in the classroom. They will also highlight how it supports instruction and aids students in progressing toward mastery. This session will help educators and administrators refine their assessment practices and create continuous improvement within their schools. |
| Cooking Up Learning: Turning the Kitchen into a Classroom | Discover how hands-on cooking activities can enhance learning across subjects. This session will explore ways to integrate math, science, reading, and cultural studies into delicious, engaging lessons that make concepts stick one recipe at a time. |
| All Aboard: Navigating the Waters of Accessibility with AEM, AT, and ADA Title II | In this session, participants will dive into accessibility. We will discuss Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), Assistive Technology (AT) devices and services, and the new accessibility requirements under ADA Title II. We will also cover real-life scenarios and examples of accessibility. |
| Read-Alouds | This session will focus read-alouds. Learn how to foster oral language development, expand vocabulary, and lay the foundation for early literacy and academic success. |
| Serving Students with Dyslexia | This session provides an overview of dyslexia. This includes its definition, key indicators, and effective accommodations and more. |
| Let’s Go Exploring! | This session will help you assist middle school students with discovering their passions. You will learn how hands-on career exploration can open future possibilities for students. These experiences can build problem-solving, critical thinking and team work skills. |
| Positive Structured Learning Environments | Learn how to create positive, structured learning environments by setting clear expectations and implementing effective classroom management strategies that promote student responsibility and engagement. |
| Powerful Family Partnerships | This session features discussion from Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education) counties. Learn how family nights and engaging activities are creating strong school-family partnerships that support student mental health. |
| Effective Credit Recovery Strategies for Student Success | Hear about the purpose and importance of credit recovery programs and explore different credit recovery models. You will discuss strategies for supporting students that ensure long-term success. |
| Introduction to Instructional Rounds: Building a Network for School Improvement | This session is open to any district interested in learning more about joining a West Virginia network facilitated by our coordinators. Instructional rounds provide a structured framework for educators interested in engaging in a cycle of continuous improvement. When schools engage in instructional rounds, school and county administrators, as well as teachers, work collaboratively to identify patterns of instructional practice, develop theories of action, and monitor improvement. |
| Keynote Extended Session |
| Session 2: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Session Overview |
|---|---|
| Developing Mock Casualty Exercises with Local First Responders | We will dive into best practices, the need for and importance of training, planning, and coordinated efforts to prepare your school district for school bus emergencies while involving all stakeholders. |
| Cracking the Code: Boosting Test Scores for Every Student | Uncover practical strategies and innovative approaches to help all students succeed on assessments. From data-driven techniques to engaging classroom activities, this session will equip you with tools to unlock student potential and improve test performance in meaningful ways. |
| Monitoring 101: An In- and Out-of-State Overview | This session provides an overview of special education monitoring, both within and beyond the state. It covers the key stages of the process such as pre-visit preparation, onsite activities, and post-visit follow-up. It also illustrates how these components work together to ensure statewide compliance, drive improvement, and offer guidance rooted in support. |
| Effective Educator ECCAT Partnerships | This early childhood classroom assistant teacher (ECCAT) support session will provide strategies and resources to enhance classroom assistance for students in Grades K-3, focusing on effective support techniques and developmental learning needs. |
| West Virginia PEC Speakers Bureau | The K-12 Speakers Bureau is a free platform connecting West Virginia teachers with professionals from various fields to inspire students through engaging presentations. |
| Sketchnoting | Discover how sketchnoting (a creative blend of visuals, keywords, and structure) can transform the way you capture and retain information no artistic skills required. |
| Promoting Positive Behaviors for Engaged Learners | Learn evidence-based strategies for behavior management, emotional regulation, and de-escalation as participants are guided through practical, ready-to-use techniques they can apply right away. |
| All Kids Are Our Kids: Strengthening WVTSS | This session will revitalize our state’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (WVTSS) by exploring innovative strategies and practical tools. These tools are designed to enhance interventions and support the success of all learners across the domains of academics, behavior, and attendance. Participants will leave equipped with actionable strategies to strengthen WVTSS implementation in their schools and districts. This session is appropriate for all professional staff. |
| Adult Education: More Than High School Equivalency | This session is designed to provide educators with valuable insights into the transformative impact of adult education. We will examine how adult education empowers learners by equipping them with essential skills necessary for post-secondary enrollment, vocational training, digital literacy, customer service, employability, and certifications in key software applications. Furthermore, we will explore effective strategies to support students in achieving their high school equivalency diploma. |
| Sail into Success: Steering Your Virtual Classroom to New Heights | In this engaging session, two seasoned virtual school teachers will help you navigate the online education. No matter your experience level with online teaching, this session is perfect for K-12 virtual school teachers, those new to digital classrooms, or anyone looking for creative, actionable strategies to enhance their online teaching practice. |
| Setting the Stage for Instructional Rounds in Your School (Invitation Only) | This session will provide a more in-depth look at the instructional rounds process and prepare school-based instructional rounds teams to engage in all aspects of the instructional rounds framework. |
| Session 3: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Session Overview |
|---|---|
| Field Trip to Capitol and West Virginia Culture Center | Participants will explore the West Virginia Capitol and the West Virginia Culture Center’s State Museum. |
| Math Everywhere: Sneaking Numbers into Every Lesson | Who says math only belongs in math class? Learn creative ways to seamlessly weave mathematical thinking into literature, science, social studies, and art. Help students see numbers in the world around them and make math more meaningful than ever. |
| Unlocking Student Success: A Function Based Approach to Student Behavior | In this session, we delve into function-based thinking when confronted with difficult behaviors. We explore how to identify behavior functions and effectively recognize patterns to understand the underlying reasons behind student behavior. By doing so, we equip ourselves with powerful strategies to enhance student success. |
| Fostering Number Sense | Number sense development in pre-k focuses on helping children understand basic numerical concepts like counting, recognizing numbers, and comparing quantities. Through hands-on activities and play, participants will develop foundational skills in estimating, subitizing, and understanding simple relationships between numbers. |
| All Hands on Arts! | Discover how integrating the arts into elementary instruction can boost student engagement, deepen understanding, and foster creativity across all content areas through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. |
| Road to Publishing | Join bestselling author Matt Eicheldinger as he shares his journey through both self-publishing and traditional publishing, offering practical tips, insights, and inspiration for aspiring authors exploring their own path to publication. |
| Building Thinking Classrooms | Explore how to transform your classroom into a dynamic learning environment by implementing the research-based practices of the Building Thinking Classrooms framework, designed to promote deep student engagement and critical thinking across all subjects. |
| Train Your Brain to Thrive | Gain practical tools and strategies to support students with executive functioning. Challenges including time management, emotional regulation, trauma, autism, and ADHD are designed for use by teachers and school counselors. |
| Leading During State Intervention | School-based, central office and state level leaders discuss navigating state intervention. The panel will examine challenges and highlight solution development processes. Among other topics, leaders will report on establishing academic success as a priority, setting high expectations, shifting culture and utilizing data to drive decisions. |
| Option Pathway: Mission Possible | The Option Pathway program is an alternative graduation pathway for high school students who are at-risk of not being able to graduate through traditional means. Since the program was first piloted in 2010, hundreds of high school students, who were struggling to meet graduation requirements, have earned their high school diploma through this alternative pathway. In this presentation, you will learn more about this awesome program as well as hear some of the success stories of students who would not have been able to graduate without this opportunity. |
| Exploring Advanced Placement® | Advanced Placement® (AP®) courses offer opportunities for students to earn college credit while still in high school. This session will provide an overview of AP® courses and how students benefit from taking these courses. |
| Bridging Connections: West Virginia Family Engagement in Action | Join the West Virginia Family Engagement Center for an interactive fireside chat featuring experienced family engagement leaders from across our state. Come prepared with questions and join the conversation as we explore successful strategies that strengthen family-school-community partnerships across our region. |
| Setting the Stage for Instructional Rounds in Your School (Invitation Only) | This session will provide a more in-depth look at the instructional rounds process and prepare school-based instructional rounds teams to engage in all aspects of the instructional rounds framework. |
| Session 4: 2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. | Session Overview |
|---|---|
| Field Trip to Capitol and West Virginia Culture Center | Participants will explore the West Virginia Capitol and the West Virginia Culture Center’s State Museum. |
| Up, Up and Away! Exploring Science with Weather Balloons | This hands-on session will show you how to use weather balloons to teach key science concepts like atmospheric pressure, data collection, and climate patterns, making STEM exciting and tangible for students. |
| Medicaid 101: Understanding Random Moment Time Study and Why Your Role and Participation Are Important to West Virginia Schools | This session provides an overview of the Random Moment Time Study (RMTS) and its significance in the Medicaid School-Based Health Services (SHBS) program. Participants will learn how RMTS works, its importance in documenting Medicaid-reimbursable activities, and the impact of their participation on funding and services for West Virginia schools. |
| Family Engagement | This session will explore the importance of family engagement in pre-k, highlighting how strong partnerships between families and educators support children's early learning, development, and school readiness. |
| Sparking Early Literacy | Discover how Sparking Early Literacy Growth projects are empowering young learners in West Virginia’s most rural areas with foundational reading and writing skills to close early learning gaps by third grade. |
| A Formula for Engagement | Learn how to transform your lesson planning and boost student engagement using the five-step ATLAS model—a storytelling-inspired framework that helps make learning more meaningful and memorable. |
| Creating Meaningful Learning Targets | Learn how to craft clear, student-friendly learning targets that drive instruction, guide assessment, and help students take ownership of their learning. |
| Introducing the My Climb Guides | My Climb Guides provide West Virginia students and families with step-by-step support for planning, preparing, and paying for college which empowers them to take charge of their educational journey. |
| A Process for Examining Discipline Data | Discipline data can be a cumbersome set of figures to examine. This session provides a simple process for reviewing year end school discipline data and targets the most frequent and most severe infractions. The analysis challenges school administrators to examine their consistency, the impact of their responses on repeat offenders and make necessary adjustments to their practices to minimize behaviors that negatively impact their school’s learning environment. |
| Set Sail for Student Programs | The Office of Student Enrichment supports multiple student programs throughout the year. Come and learn more about the Academic Showdown, West Virginia Virtual School, Arts Alive, and how you can get your students involved. |
| Innovate, Create, Educate: Hands-On Making for the Modern Classroom | Step into the ultimate hands-on experience at our Maker Space, where creativity meets education! This interactive session is designed for teachers eager to explore the power of maker-centered learning and its impact on student engagement, problem-solving, and innovation. Participants will dive into a variety of hands-on activities, from 3D printing and coding to robotics, circuitry, and upcycled design challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned maker or brand new to the movement, you’ll discover accessible, budget-friendly ways to bring STEM, design thinking, and project-based learning into your classroom. Leave with ready-to-use lesson ideas, inspiration for cross-curricular connections, and the confidence to foster a culture of making in your school. Get ready to tinker, create, and spark a love for hands-on learning. |
| Igniting Our Future: Exploring How Educators Can Fuel Students’ Curiosity for Entrepreneurship in West Virginia | Discover strategies for implementing and expanding classroom initiatives that foster synergistic relationships between academia and the community. |
| Setting the Stage for Instructional Rounds in Your School (Invitation Only) | This session will provide a more in-depth look at the instructional rounds process and prepare school-based instructional rounds teams to engage in all aspects of the instructional rounds framework. |
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