Empower EDU

There is so much excitement about AI in education. But what is "AI"? What is "generative AI"? What if the discourse isn't answering those fundamental questions?What if the researchers and academics studying linguistics and Large Language Models aren't listened to?In this session, we will complete the generative AI picture by injecting balance and critical thinking. Learn what the experts are telling us about harms, limits, and what any pedagogue needs to know.

In this session, participants will explore how self-directed learning and student agency can be leveraged to support Tier 2 and Tier 3 students with behavioral needs. Grounded in practical strategies and real-world application, this workshop will highlight ways to shift students from compliance-based models to ownership-driven growth, increasing engagement, accountability, and long-term behavioral success.Participants will also examine how to embed self-directed learning practices into instructional coaching cycles. Emphasis will be placed on aligning these practices with professional development plans, school improvement goals, and MTSS frameworks to ensure consistency and sustainability across classrooms and teams.Attendees will leave with actionable tools, reflection protocols, and implementation strategies that can be immediately applied to support both student behavior outcomes and teacher growth.

Discover the power of Self-Directed Learning (SDL) to boost student engagement! Based on units developed in the Innovation Cohort, this interactive session walks you through a model SDL lesson. You’ll step into your students' shoes to experience a guided self-assessment and an abbreviated choice board, learning firsthand how these tools empower students to take ownership of their learning paths. Along the way, we’ll break down our pedagogical design choices and share real classroom observations demonstrating the significant spike in engagement we’ve seen since bringing SDL into our own rooms.

Learn what a Micro-credential is and how it will benefit your teaching. I want to share my experience as a physical education teacher. As a non-core teacher, finding meaningful professional development can be difficult. Learn how micro-credentials give you agency in your learning, allowing you to focus on your areas of need. Micro-credentials move us from a one-size-fits-all approach to discovering where we can grow as teachers. I want to share what micro-credentials are not, for example, they're not a quick fix to fill your CEU needs. They require buy-in from teachers and, in turn, create lasting impact. Discover how micro-credentials have benefited me as a physical education teacher. Strategies that helped me discover which micro-credentials to complete, along with tips and tricks to be successful. If time allows, we will explore Digital Promise and how to successfully navigate the website. My goal is for teachers and stakeholders to understand the impact Micro-credentials have had on my teaching and the long-term benefits that other types of traditional professional development could not easily fulfill.

In many math classrooms, students are doing the work but not truly owning their learning. In this session, I will share how I intentionally shift my 8th grade Math and Math 1 classroom from a teacher-led environment to one where students take an active role in problem solving, discussion, and decision making.Participants will experience and explore practical strategies that build learner agency in math, including structured collaboration, meaningful problem-based tasks, and opportunities for student choice. I will share real classroom routines, examples, and scaffolds that support students in becoming more confident, independent thinkers while still maintaining rigor and alignment to standards.This will not be a sit-and-get session. Attendees will engage in a model activity, reflect on their own practice, and leave with concrete strategies they can implement immediately to increase engagement and shift ownership of learning to their students.

This session will be of interest for anyone that is just beginning their institutional implementation and development of STEM microcredentials. In this session, you will be introduced to the CREDO Process which was created to support early-stage institutional readiness for STEM microcredential development. The session will walk you through the process and attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on how this process could be implemented in their local contexts.