Conference
In-Person
S.A.I.L Into a New School Year Conference - Day 2
Series: S.A.I.L. Into a New School Year 2025 Summer Conference
July 30, 2025, 7:30 am - 3:30 pm EDT
Session List and Overview
Day 2: July 30
| Session 1: 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Session Overview |
|---|---|
| From Farm to Classroom: Growing Knowledge with Agriculture | Agriculture isn’t just for the farm it’s a rich source of real-world learning. Explore how agricultural concepts can enhance every subject, from soil science in chemistry to food systems in social studies, and bring hands-on, place-based learning to your students. |
| Specially Designed Instruction | This session offers resources and information on specially designed instruction (SDI) for students receiving special education services. |
| Managing Challenging Behaviors | Discover how to proactively prevent and effectively respond to challenging behaviors in your classroom using a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) in this strategy-packed session. |
| Let’s Get Moving | Explore the powerful role of physical exercise in boosting academic performance, mental health, social skills, and lifelong wellness — and learn how schools can integrate movement to support whole-child development. |
| Supporting Families with ParentGuidance.org | Discover how ParentGuidance.org, in partnership with West Virginia Department of Education, is providing families across West Virginia with free, 24/7 mental health resources, coaching, and expert-led parenting support to strengthen student well-being. |
| Engaged, Empowered, and Equipped: Bridge Between Home and School | This session will emphasize the crucial role of Parent and Family Engagement in boosting student academic success. We will delve into the ESEA requirements for Parent and Family Engagement. Activities will include distinguishing between involvement and engagement and exploring strategies to elevate current involvement activities into effective engagement. |
| All Kids Are Our Kids: Strengthening West VirginiaTSS | This session will revitalize our state’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (West VirginiaTSS) by exploring innovative strategies and practical tools 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 MTSS implementation in their schools and districts. This session is appropriate for all professional staff. |
| Building Stronger Tourism Programs: Partnering with Government Agencies for Curriculum and Workforce Development | Unlock the power of collaboration by partnering with government agencies to enhance your tourism curriculum and create meaningful industry connections! In this session, we will explore how working with agencies such as state tourism boards, economic development offices, and workforce commissions can provide valuable resources, real-world learning opportunities, and career pathways for students. Participants will discover successful partnership models, learn strategies for integrating industry insights into their curriculum, and gain access to funding and internship opportunities that can elevate their programs. Through real-world case studies and interactive discussions, attendees will leave with actionable steps to forge strong government partnerships that benefit students, schools, and the tourism industry alike. |
| 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. |
| Keynote Extended Session |
| Session 2: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Session Overview |
|---|---|
| Words at Work: Embedding English in Every Career Path | Strong communication skills are essential in every career field. Learn how to seamlessly integrate reading, writing, and technical communication into all subjects, helping students build the literacy skills they need for success in the workforce. From writing lab reports to crafting business proposals, this session will equip you with strategies to make English relevant in any CTE pathway. |
| Navigating Special Education Law | Understanding and navigating special education laws, policies, and procedures is essential for ensuring that students with disabilities receive the support and services they need to succeed. This session provides a comprehensive overview of the legal framework and best practices to help educators and administrators effectively support their students. |
| Managing Challenging Behaviors (Continued) | Discover how to proactively prevent and effectively respond to challenging behaviors in your classroom using a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) in this strategy-packed session. |
| Wonderful West Virginia Phonics | This session will cover foundational reading skills through interactive lessons designed by the June Harless Center at Marshall University. |
| Creating Meaningful Learning Targets | Setting clear learning targets as the destination and success criteria as the map has a powerful impact on student learning. |
| A Formula for Engagement (High School) | 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. |
| Engaged, Empowered, and Equipped: Bridge Between Home and School | This session will emphasize the crucial role of Parent and Family Engagement in boosting student academic success. We will delve into the ESEA requirements for Parent and Family Engagement. Activities will include distinguishing between involvement and engagement and exploring strategies to elevate current involvement activities into effective engagement. |
| Incorporating Test Authoring as Part of a Comprehensive Assessment System: A Panel Discussion | This session is an insightful panel discussion on the implementation of the West Virginia Department of Education’s free assessment resource, Test Authoring, within Marshall County Schools. This session will explore how Test Authoring has been integrated as a key component of a comprehensive assessment system. Middle school principals and the county test coordinator will share the journey of introducing and implementing Test Authoring in their schools, detailing the initial steps, the evolution of its usage, and strategies for creating buy-in among teachers. Teachers will discuss practical applications of Test Authoring in the classroom, highlighting how it supports instruction and aids students in progressing toward mastery. This session is designed for educators and administrators seeking to refine their assessment practices and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement within their schools. |
| Demonstration Schools | This session will showcase continued work on mastery-based learning. Presenters will discuss school visits and tours for other educators that will be hosted during the 2025-2026 school year. |
| 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, designthinking, 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! |
| Designing Afterschool and Summer Programing Using 21st Century Community Learning Center Funds | Join us for an informative workshop designed to introduce the 21st Century Community Learning Center program as a potential funding source to support your students during afterschool and summer. This session will provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to successfully navigate the grant application process and secure funding for your school's initiatives. Hear from educators and administrators who have successfully secured a 21st CCLC funding and implemented impactful afterschool programs. |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Next-Level Project Based Learning | If you're interested in taking your project-based learning units to the next level, this session is for you. Participants will learn about the four building blocks of killer PBL units as well as fresh, creative ideas on critiquing and grading group projects. |
| Special Education Q and A | This session will allow participants to ask questions related to special education. |
| Functional Behavior Assessment in Early Childhood | This session will explore the key components involved in planning Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) for early childhood to effectively identify and address challenging behaviors in early childhood classrooms. |
| Mind Your Business: Early Entrepreneurship | Design thinking is a "...human-centered approach to problem-solving." It is widely used across Silicon Valley to come up with new ideas and innovations. Find out how we're bringing it to West Virginia's students. |
| Taming Tween Turbulence | Explore why strong transition programs are essential for middle school success, helping students build confidence, connections, and a sense of belonging during one of the most critical shifts in their educational journey. |
| Wait, Was That the Bell? | Growing Learner Engagement in Grades 9-12 by establishing and increasing student engagement in the secondary English Language Arts classroom through the implementation of Cooperative Learning Structures and Visible Thinking Routines. |
| Tracking Progress: Best Practices for Title I Schoolwide Monitoring | This session will provide a comprehensive walkthrough of the Title I schoolwide monitoring form, delving deeply into its indicators. Participants will see examples of the necessary documentation for the monitoring process and have the opportunity to ask questions about documentation retention. By the end of this session, participants should feel confident in their understanding of the documentation required for successful Title I schoolwide monitoring. |
| 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. |
| West Virginia Governor’s Schools | The West Virginia Governor’s Schools of West Virginia are free summer programs for 7-11 graders, including arts, humanities, math, science, technology, business, tourism/hospitality management, and more. |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Hands Up for Learning: Integrating ASL in Every Classroom | Looking for a fun, interactive way to boost student engagement? American Sign Language (ASL) is not just for communication. It’s a powerful tool that makes learning more dynamic and memorable! In this hands-on session, you’ll discover easy, practical ways to bring ASL into your classroom, no matter what subject or grade you teach. Get ready to move, sign, and laugh as you learn techniques that will keep your students engaged and excited to participate. No ASL experience? No problem! Just bring your enthusiasm and leave with skills you can use right away! |
| Section 504 | Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law that ensures students with disabilities receive equal access to education and are not discriminated against in programs and activities that receive federal funding. |
| Best Practice for Behavior Intervention Planning in the Early Childhood Classroom | This session will cover essential components of behavior intervention planning for pre-k and kindergarten classrooms, focusing on effective strategies for supporting young learners. |
| The Great Eight | Explore a set of high-impact instructional practices that promote deep understanding, encourage productive struggle, and use student thinking to guide learning — applicable across content areas to support meaningful engagement and growth. |
| All Aboard the SOR! | Explore strategies for applying the Science of Reading at the secondary level with a focus on engaging older students in meaningful, evidence-based literacy instruction across all content areas. |
| Navigating the CRA Pathway | Explore the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) model as a powerful instructional strategy to support deep understanding by moving learners from hands-on experiences to visual representations and abstract thinking. |
| Empowering Diverse Learners: Navigating Title III Support | In this session, we will explore facts and myths about the English learner (EL) population. We will also cover best practices for differentiated learning that benefit all students, not just ELs. Additionally, we will delve into Title III requirements and the responsibilities at both the school and LEA levels. |
| 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. |
| World Languages | World languages are key in education and prepare students for global careers. Learn more about world languages and the Seal of Biliteracy during this session. |
| 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. |
More Events Like This
Conference
West Virginia Secondary Transition Conference - Day 1
Location:
Holiday Inn & Suites: Charleston, WV
Date:
-
Conference
West Virginia Secondary Transition Conference - Day 2
Location:
Holiday Inn & Suites: Charleston, WV
Date:
-
Conference
S.A.I.L Into a New School Year Conference - Day 1
Location:
Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center
Date:
-
Conference
21st CCLC Multistate Conference - Registration
Location:
Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center
Date:
-