BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//edWeb - ECPv6.17.4//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:edWeb X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://home.edweb.net X-WR-CALDESC:Events for edWeb REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260520T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260520T170000 DTSTAMP:20260520T205908Z CREATED:20260410T145654Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260520T205908Z UID:12012016-1779292800-1779296400@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:College and Career Readiness in a New Era of Work DESCRIPTION:Presented by Karen Hoffman\, Real Life Learning Founder\, Half Moon Bay High School; Anjuli Gupta\, Director of Product Management\, College and Career Readiness\, Savvas Learning Company; and Matt Barber\, National College and Career Readiness Specialist\, Savvas Learning Company \nSponsored by Savvas Learning Company \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nWithin the next year\, 70% of jobs will require education or training beyond high school—and too many students are approaching graduation unprepared for the workforce. We’re entering a new era of education where the lines between high school\, college\, and career are intertwined. \nJoin this edWebinar with Savvas for a discussion on how we can equip students with the career exploration\, college credits\, industry credentials\, and employability skills they need to thrive in the modern workforce. Viewers of this session learn about: \n\nWays to design career pathways to high-demand and emerging careers\nStrategies to expand students’ exposure to in-demand and emerging careers\nPractical tips for teaching the transferable skills required for success in college and the workforce\nOpportunities to provide students with both industry credentials and college credits combined\n\nAll high school educators\, counselors\, and school or district leaders interested in college and career readiness are encouraged to view this edWebinar. Viewers also receive free access to the award-winning College Success course from Savvas to share with their students! \n\n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nKaren Hoffman is the founder of Real Life Learning at Half Moon Bay High School. With more than 30 years of experience in human development and personal growth\, Karen empowers individuals and organizations to cultivate self-awareness\, resilience\, and purposeful action. \n \nAnjuli Gupta is the Director of Product Management for College and Career Readiness at Savvas Learning Company. She has spent the last decade working with academic partners to develop and manage high-quality learning experiences\, including at Savvas Learning Company\, Outlier.org\, and Coursera. Prior to Coursera\, Anjuli consulted for Fortune 500 companies at BCG and Innosight\, and launched three non-profit programs in global health\, environmental health and justice\, and climate justice. Anjuli lives on the Northern California coast with her husband\, two sons\, and dog. \n \nMatt Barber is the National College and Career Readiness Specialist at Savvas Learning Company. He has 15 years of experience in public education\, serving as a high school math teacher\, high school guidance counselor\, and adjunct mathematics professor at the community college level. For the past 10 years\, Matt has worked at Savvas Learning Company in various roles\, focusing on K-12 math programs\, Advanced Placement\, honors and electives\, dual enrollment\, and career and technical education (CTE). \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \n\nJoin the College\, Career\, and Life Readiness community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\nEvery student deserves a clear path to post-grad success. That’s what’s possible with Savvas Pathmaker—the all-in-one solution that equips students with the college credits\, industry certifications\, and transferable skills to thrive in the modern workforce. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/ccss20260520/ CATEGORIES:Career Education,College and Career Readiness,CTE: Career and Tech Ed,Future Ready Learning,STEM/STEAM ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260520-ccss-event.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260521T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260521T150000 DTSTAMP:20260521T185752Z CREATED:20260429T214219Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260521T185752Z UID:12092969-1779372000-1779375600@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Building Understanding\, Not Fear: A New Approach to Drug Education DESCRIPTION:Presented by Anne Truger\, Digital Learning Specialist and Professional Consultant\, Discovery Education \nSponsored by Discovery Education \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nWe all know the stakes of the opioid crisis are incredibly high\, impacting our schools and communities at an alarming rate. However\, in a digital-first world\, the traditional “lecture-and-listen” model just isn’t reaching our students. For educators\, the challenge lies in delivering prevention education that is evidence based yet engaging enough to resonate. It’s time to change the script. \nJoin this edWebinar with Discovery Education for a deep dive into Operation Prevention\, a suite of no-cost digital resources designed to spark life-saving conversations without the heavy lift. We utilize engaging slide decks and videos\, but the core focus remains on hands-on\, inquiry-based learning that actually aligns with the standards. You walk away with a toolkit of practical ways to help students understand the science of drug misuse and the confidence to make healthy choices. \nWhat we cover: \n\nIntegration Without the Headache: How to seamlessly align Operation Prevention modules with your existing health and science standards so you aren’t “adding one more thing” to your already full plate.\nLearning Through Discovery: Classroom-tested strategies like Eye Spy and Six-Word Stories that drive deep reflection through play and active participation.\nThe Digital Deep-Dive: A guided tour of virtual field trips and self-paced lessons designed for student-led discovery (and teacher sanity).\nExtending the Mission: Practical ways to leverage ready-to-use digital educator guides and parent toolkits to bridge the gap between the school day and the living room.\n\nThis recorded edWebinar is of interest to K-12 teachers\, school counselors\, and district leaders looking for actionable\, research-grounded tools that support student wellness without sacrificing precious instructional time. \n \n \nAbout the Presenter \nAnne Truger is a Digital Learning Specialist and professional consultant with over 20 years of experience in special education and 30 years as a professional presenter. A Google for Education Certified Trainer and Innovator\, Anne specializes in the practical application of technology to improve accessibility and classroom productivity. She currently serves as a Digital Learning Specialist at TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 and is an active leader within the Illinois educational technology community. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the School Health & Safety community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\nDiscovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources\, engaging content\, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks\, multimedia resources\, and the largest professional learning network of its kind\, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning and improving academic achievement around the globe. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/schoolsafety20260521/ CATEGORIES:Family and Community Engagement,Health and Wellness,Mental Health and Wellness,School Safety ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260521-schoolsafety-event.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260521T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260521T160000 DTSTAMP:20260921T142451Z CREATED:20260419T034158Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T142451Z UID:12043991-1779375600-1779379200@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Accessibility and UDL as Partners in Inclusion: From Compliance to Belonging DESCRIPTION:Presented by Brian St. Amour\, Director of eLearning/Adjunct Professor\, Business\, Temple College; Skip Stahl\, Co-Founder and Senior Policy Analyst\, Emeritus\, CAST; Lilly Shaw\, George Washington University Student\, Intern\, CAST; and Luis Perez\, Senior Director of Disability and Accessibility\, CAST \nSponsored by ReadSpeaker\, in Partnership with CAST \nWatch the RecordingListen to the PodcastRead the Article \nLearn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording\, and earning your CE certificate. \nAccessibility is not an add-on to the CAST Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework—it is foundational\, its beating heart. In this edLeader Panel\, viewers explore how CAST advances accessibility as a core component of UDL to create learning environments where all learners can thrive. \nViewers gain a clearer understanding of how designing for accessibility enhances flexibility\, engagement\, and learner agency\, moving beyond compliance toward meaningful inclusion. This edLeader Panel provides K-12 educators\, instructional designers\, administrators\, and learning professionals with practical insights into how CAST’s approach helps organizations design learning experiences that are accessible by design and inclusive by default. \nInterested in learning more about UDL? Check out the UDL Guidelines. \nJoin CAST and ReadSpeaker to celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nBrian St. Amour holds an MBA in marketing and brings extensive experience in professional eServices and eLearning technologies\, serving both industry and higher education. He has a proven track record in service strategy\, operations\, software and services product development\, customer satisfaction\, and retention. Brian’s expertise includes distance education technologies\, eServices strategy\, and policy development\, as well as faculty and student training\, consultation\, user experience\, partner programs\, alliance partnerships\, global team leadership\, service operations\, and customer advocacy. \nCurrently\, Brian leads strategic planning and service operations within the eLearning offices at Temple College\, ensuring compliance with institutional\, state\, and regional accrediting policies. He supports a large\, diverse population of online students\, faculty\, and course sections\, chairs eLearning advisory committees\, and collaborates across departments to advance effective\, scalable\, and inclusive eLearning environments. An Adjunct Business Professor\, Brian teaches online and face-to-face courses and actively contributes to regional\, state\, and national distance learning associations. \n \nA nationally recognized expert in accessible educational materials and Universal Design for Learning\, Skip Stahl accrued extensive experience in advising education stakeholders—including states\, district leaders\, publishers\, and policymakers—on how to make learning environments and products more effective and inclusive for all. Skip was formerly Co-director of the federally funded National Center on Accessible Educational Materials (AEM Center)\, where he led a national initiative to assure that educational materials are developed and distributed in ways that are accessible\, appropriate\, and readily available to all students. He was also CAST’s Project Director for the Center on Online Learning and Students with Disabilities\, a partnership with the University of Kansas and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education. Skip’s experience as one of CAST’s five founding staff members provides an active historical perspective to support the organization’s future. \n \nLilly Shaw is an undergraduate student at the George Washington University studying Health Data Science and Music and serving as the 2026 UDL Awards Intern. She is passionate about accessibility in education and values the positive impact UDL can have on the student experience. In 2024\, she contributed a student piece on UDL in the classroom to Multiple Voices: Disability\, Race\, and Language Intersections in Special Education\, In Service of Equity? Exploring Universal Design for Learning’s Transformative Potential\, Do UDL. In 2025\, she served as a panelist at the UDL CON panel Guidelines 3.0: Stories of Impact from Across the UDL Community\, providing the student perspective. When she’s not working\, you can find Lilly singing with her campus choir or listening to music. \n \nAs the Senior Director of Disability & Accessibility for CAST\, Luis Perez promotes the creation\, delivery\, and use of high-quality accessible educational materials and technologies to support learning opportunities for all students. He is embedded with the Postsecondary and Workforce Development group at CAST\, and in this role\, he works to increase access to middle- and high-income careers for everyone. Luis is also a co-host of the CAST podcast\, The Learning Experience\, with new episodes launching monthly. His perspective is informed by his own experiences as a user of assistive technology. \nLearn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording\, and earning your CE certificate. \nJoin the Teaching All Students community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edLeader Panels\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\n\n \n \n ReadSpeaker is proud to partner with CAST to advance the principles of Universal Design for Learning and create more inclusive learning environments. Together\, we are helping educational institutions remove barriers by making content more flexible and accessible for all learners. \nText-to-speech plays an important role in supporting UDL by providing multiple means of representation and engagement. With ReadSpeaker\, students can listen to digital text\, adjust reading speed\, and follow along visually\, empowering them to learn in ways that suit their individual needs and preferences. \nA UDL-certified solution\, ReadSpeaker’s alignment with UDL supports deeper comprehension and learner independence. By combining text-to-speech with a suite of audio-enhanced learning tools\, ReadSpeaker helps reinforce understanding\, improve focus\, and reduce cognitive load. Adding ReadSpeaker to your learning platform allows you to seamlessly deliver voice support to every student\, reducing stigma and improving outcomes for every learner.\n \n\n \n \n A nonprofit\, education research and development organization\, CAST leads\, inspires\, and convenes a global community to design inclusive learning experiences through our Universal Design for Learning framework and UDL Guidelines\, now used all over the world. CAST provides professional learning services to support UDL implementation\, accessibility solutions\, and the UDL Product Certification. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/inclusiveeducation20260521/ CATEGORIES:Accessibility,Classrooms and Learning Spaces,edLeader Panel,Inclusive Education,Special Education,Universal Design for Learning ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260521-inclusiveeducation-event_panel.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260521T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260521T170000 DTSTAMP:20260521T204357Z CREATED:20260322T023955Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260521T204357Z UID:11895388-1779379200-1779382800@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Building Independent Writers: Teaching Moves that Foster Agency\, Problem Solving\, and Engagement DESCRIPTION:Presented by Alicia Luick\, Staff Developer\, The Reading & Writing Project at Mossflower \nSponsored by The Reading & Writing Project at Mossflower \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nAcross elementary classrooms\, teachers are striving to help students become writers who can take initiative\, make decisions\, and sustain their work with increasing independence. In this edWebinar\, educators explore practical teaching moves that support students in becoming thoughtful\, self-directed writers who approach writing with curiosity\, confidence\, and purpose. \nThe goal of this session is to help K–5 teachers and instructional leaders strengthen their ability to nurture independence in young writers. Viewers learn how small shifts in instruction—such as the way teachers confer and lead small groups\, structure mini lessons\, and support students during independent writing time—can help children develop agency\, problem-solving skills\, and greater engagement with their writing. \nPresenters from The Reading & Writing Project share classroom-tested strategies drawn from writing workshop practice. Viewers explore ways to: \n\nTeach students how to generate and sustain their own writing work\nSupport writers in solving problems independently rather than relying on the teacher\nUse conferences\, small groups\, and mid-workshop teaching to strengthen decision making and ownership\nCreate classroom conditions that encourage risk taking\, stamina\, and engagement\n\nEducators who view leave with practical ideas they can apply right away to help students grow as confident\, independent writers. This recorded edWebinar is of interest to K–5 teachers and school leaders. \n \n \nAbout the Presenter \nAlicia Luick is a Staff Developer at The Reading & Writing Project at Mossflower. She began her career in education as a classroom teacher before serving as a districtwide literacy coach. This breadth of experience has made her a valued partner to schools and districts working to develop cohesive\, schoolwide approaches to literacy instruction grounded in best practices. Alicia is deeply committed to supporting coaches\, administrators\, and teachers in strengthening literacy instruction. She is particularly interested in helping students transfer their skills as readers and writers to learning in other disciplines\, including social studies\, science\, and mathematics. She holds dual master’s degrees in curriculum and teaching and in administration. Alicia has led advanced sections at literacy institutes\, presented at national conferences\, and co-authored books in the Units of Study series. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Teaching Reading and Writing community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\n \nThe Reading & Writing Project at Mossflower was created out of the pioneering work that Lucy Calkins began over 40 years ago. Inspired by her research\, she developed innovative curricula and methods that transformed the way children learned to write. For decades since\, she has worked with educators to help students become what she always knew them to be: proficient and enthusiastic writers\, readers\, and thinkers. \nToday\, RWP-M remains deeply rooted in this experience\, while also holding true to this a spirit of innovation and continuous learning. Lucy Calkins and her team author the Units of Study in Reading\, Writing\, and Phonics and several series of engaging decodable texts. More than authors of curricula\, at its core\, RWP-M is a community of practice\, a think tank\, and a professional development organization dedicated to transforming the way students learn to read\, write\, and think. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/teach2read20260521/ CATEGORIES:Early Childhood Learning,English, Language Arts, Writing,Student Engagement and Motivation,Teaching Practice and Pedagogy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260521-teach2read-event.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260526T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260526T150000 DTSTAMP:20260921T142517Z CREATED:20260428T161914Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T142517Z UID:12076679-1779804000-1779807600@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Turning District Priorities Into Daily Practice: What It Takes to Make Initiatives Work DESCRIPTION:Presented by Leandra Cleveland\, District K–4 Math Specialist\, Bentonville Schools (AR); Bonnie Bedford\, District K-4 Literacy Specialist\, Bentonville Schools (AR); and Amanda Oyler\, K–4 Math and Science Instructional Coach\, Bentonville Schools (AR)\nModerated by Connie Warren\, M.Ed.\, Sr. Marketing Manager\, BookNook \nSponsored by BookNook \nWatch the RecordingListen to the PodcastRead the Article \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nDistricts set bold priorities\, but making them work inside a real school day is where the challenge begins. Between strategic plans and daily instruction lies the work that determines whether initiatives gain traction or quietly stall. Success depends on how priorities are translated into time\, staffing\, and structures that hold up in daily practice. \nIn this edLeader Panel\, district and campus leaders examine how initiatives move from state and district priorities into daily practice. Through real-world perspectives\, viewers explore: \n\nHow leaders interpret state initiatives and define clear non-negotiables\nWhat it takes to move from vision to schedule\nHow time is protected for small-group and intervention support\nThe trade-offs required to make space for new priorities\nCommunication and feedback systems that keep teams aligned over time\n\nViewers are introduced to a practical framework for turning priorities into daily practice and reflect on how those ideas apply within their own systems. \nThis recorded edLeader Panel is especially valuable for K-12 district and campus partners. Viewers leave with concrete insights to strengthen alignment and make initiatives work in practice. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nLeandra Cleveland is a District K–4 Math Specialist for Bentonville Schools\, where she has served for 21 years and currently leads the district’s math coaching efforts. A Bentonville graduate\, she began her career as a math teacher before moving into central office roles\, including Instructional Technology Specialist and Director of Assessment and Data Management. In her current role\, Leandra mentors math coaches\, designs professional learning\, and supports the implementation of high-quality instructional materials to strengthen consistency across classrooms. She is passionate about examining student thinking\, analyzing data\, and helping educators deliver strong math instruction that leads to meaningful learning. Outside of work\, Leandra enjoys spending time with her family\, including her five children. \n \nBonnie Bedford is a District K–4 Literacy Specialist for Bentonville Schools with 20 years in education and extensive experience in coaching and instructional support. She began her career in kindergarten and second grade\, where she developed a strong foundation in early literacy instruction. Bonnie has supported districtwide shifts toward evidence-based literacy practices\, partnering with school teams to implement high-quality instructional materials and strengthen instructional strategies. She designs and facilitates professional learning and works closely with educators to use student data and work to guide decisions and improve outcomes. She is deeply committed to helping all students become confident readers and writers. Outside of school\, Bonnie enjoys running\, spending time with her Great Dane\, and cheering on her kids at sporting events. \n \nMandy Oyler is a K–4 Math and Science Instructional Coach for Bentonville Schools\, with 15 years in education. She spent a decade as a primary teacher before transitioning into coaching\, where she now supports teachers in strengthening math and science instruction. Mandy focuses on building clarity around learning standards and helping educators understand how concepts develop across grade levels. She partners with teachers to implement high-quality instructional materials\, facilitates professional learning\, and supports intervention efforts through data-informed practices. She is passionate about helping both students and teachers develop strong analytical thinking skills. In her free time\, Mandy enjoys reading\, spending time outdoors\, and being with her family. \n \nAbout the Moderator \nConnie Warren\, M.Ed.\, is an educator-turned-marketer with nearly 30 years of experience in K–12 education. Before stepping into her role as Sr. Marketing Manager at BookNook\, she served as an instructional coach\, summer school principal\, trainer\, and curriculum coordinator\, with a strong focus on supporting struggling learners. Today\, Connie blends her education leadership experience with a passion for storytelling\, creating research-based content that helps district leaders examine challenges\, reflect on data\, and communicate effective strategies that drive student achievement. She frequently partners with education leaders to highlight real-world practices that support meaningful outcomes for students. Outside of work\, Connie enjoys writing children’s stories\, hiking\, and spending time in her garden. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Leadership Practices for Innovative Leaders community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edLeader Panels\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\n \nBookNook is a leading ESSA Level 1 provider of high-impact virtual tutoring solutions designed to accelerate K-8 student achievement in reading and math. Our synchronous learning model combines engaging evidence-based instruction with consistent learner-leader relationships for exceptional student outcomes. We deliver 1:1 and small-group virtual tutoring that integrates seamlessly with classroom instruction\, ensuring that every session is targeted and effective. Our approach is grounded in decades of research\, focusing on proven strategies that drive measurable improvements in student achievement. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/leadership20260526/ CATEGORIES:21st Century Learning,edLeader Panel,Future Ready Learning,Leadership/Administration,Professional Development,Teaching Practice and Pedagogy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260526-leadership-event_panel.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260527T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260527T150000 DTSTAMP:20260527T190422Z CREATED:20260513T150905Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260527T190422Z UID:12226230-1779890400-1779894000@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Creating a High-Trust PreK-3 Classroom That Works: From Control to Connection DESCRIPTION:Presented by Dr. Deborah Bergeron\, Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Innovation\, National Head Start Association; and Rhonda Conn-Parent\, Art Teacher\, Edison Elementary School (CO)\nModerated by Stephanie Roselli\, Executive Editor\, Gryphon House \nSponsored by Gryphon House \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nThis edWebinar guides educators through a practical\, relationship-centered approach for creating emotionally safe\, responsive classrooms from preschool through third grade. The presenters explore how trust can be intentionally built through everyday interactions\, especially during moments of challenging behavior\, and how these moments can become powerful opportunities for connection\, growth\, and learning. \nViewers leave with practical strategies that can be implemented right away\, including: \n\nA framework for understanding and responding to challenging behaviors\nHow to shift from reactive control to proactive\, trust-based guidance\nLanguage and routines that build emotional safety\, belonging\, and engagement\nApproaches that support student regulation while strengthening relationships\nWays to create a more joyful\, sustainable classroom environment for both students and educators\n\nThis recorded edWebinar is of interest to PreK–3 teachers\, school leaders\, and district leaders. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nDr. Deborah Bergeron (or Dr. B\, as she is known to students and educators) has spent over 30 years working to support the growth and development of children. She worked in public education as a middle and high school classroom teacher and an elementary and high school administrator\, and holds a school superintendent license in Virginia. In 2018\, Dr. B was asked to lead the Office of Head Start and the Office of Early Childhood Development at the Administration for Children and Families in the Department of Health and Human Services. It was here where Dr. B developed her passion for Head Start\, Early Head Start\, and the early learning environment in general. \nIn January 2021\, Dr. B joined the National Head Start Association as the Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Innovation. Dr. B advocates for programming that develops the whole child and embraces the value the family has in that process. “Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher\,” is her favorite mantra\, compliments of Head Start. Dr. B holds a B.S.Ed. from Texas State University\, a master’s degree in education leadership\, and a Ph.D. in education policy and education psychology from George Mason University. She lives in Virginia with her husband and has four awesome children who\, although are all grown up\, will always be her heart! \n \nRhonda Conn-Parent has been teaching for 30+ years in public\, private\, and charter schools using fine arts as a vehicle to discover the joy\, capabilities\, and magic we are capable of creating—inside or outside the classroom. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Disciplined-Based Art Education from the University of North Texas. She has had training and experience with a variety of teaching methods\, from Montessori to Waldorf to the European format of educating young people. \nFor 17 years\, she owned Studio 101\, her private fine arts school for children ages 3-18. From these experiences\, she is inspired by and extracts the good from a variety of strategies to grow children—their soul and brain through joy\, trust\, and the thrill that can accompany the struggle. She has two adult children and lives in Colorado Springs with her awesome husband and random foster dogs. She enjoys surfing\, karaoke\, and the occasional spontaneous dance party with her students at school! \n\n \nAbout the Moderator \nStephanie Roselli is the Executive Editor at Gryphon House\, the leading publisher of educational resources for teachers and parents\, where she acquires and develops the latest books from today’s top early childhood experts. \n\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Early Learning Book Chats community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\nGryphon House is an award-winning publisher of early childhood resources for teachers and parents. \n\n \n  URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/bookchats20260527/ CATEGORIES:Behavior Challenges and Support,Classroom Management and Practices,Culture of Belonging,Early Childhood Learning,PreK-K Programs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260527-bookchats-event.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260527T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260527T170000 DTSTAMP:20260527T210835Z CREATED:20260421T203925Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260527T210835Z UID:12051256-1779897600-1779901200@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Teaching Modern Science: Bringing CRISPR and Real-World Biology Into Your Classroom DESCRIPTION:Presented by Dr. Ken Miller\, Professor Emeritus of Biology\, Brown University \nSponsored by Savvas Learning Company \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nAdvances in genetics like CRISPR\, mRNA vaccines\, and gene editing are transforming modern biology—and showing up in the world your students experience every day! Yet many teachers find that while these topics are engaging\, they can be difficult to translate into clear\, teachable lessons that fit within the time and structure of a real classroom. How can we bring these exciting new technologies into today’s classrooms? \nIn this edWebinar\, Dr. Ken Miller\, co-author of the nation’s most widely used high school biology program\, explains how these powerful technologies work\, how they are already being used to treat diseases once thought untreatable\, and how they connect directly to the core concepts you already teach. \nViewers gain practical strategies for bringing real-world science topics like genetics into everyday instruction\, along with classroom-ready approaches that make complex topics more accessible without adding to teacher workload. View this session to: \n\nBuild a clear\, classroom-ready understanding of CRISPR\, mRNA\, and genetic engineering\nConnect modern genetic technologies to core biology concepts and standards\nWalk away with plug-and-play examples for teaching NGSS-aligned lessons for modern science topics like genetics\n\nAll educators interested in high school science—especially classroom teachers\, curriculum directors\, instructional leaders\, and school and district administrators—are encouraged to view this edWebinar. \n\n \n \nAbout the Presenter \nKen Miller\, Ph.D.\, is Professor Emeritus of Biology at Brown University in Providence\, Rhode Island. A prolific author\, his research work on cellular membranes has been published in journals such as Cell\, Nature\, the Journal of Cell Biology and Scientific American\, while his popular books include Finding Darwin‘s God: A Scientist’s Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution and most recently The Human Instinct: How We Evolved to Have Reason\, Consciousness\, and Free Will. Dr. Miller’s honors include the Public Service Award from the American Society for Cell Biology\, the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Biology Teachers\, the AAAS Award for Public Engagement with Science\, the Stephen Jay Gould Prize from the Society for the Study of Evolution\, and the Laetare Medal from Notre Dame University. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \n\nJoin the Teaching Next Generation Scientists community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n \n\n \n\n \n \n\nAt Savvas\, we believe learning should inspire. By combining new ideas\, new ways of thinking\, and new ways of interacting\, we design engaging\, personalized\, next-generation K-12 learning solutions that give all students the opportunity to succeed. Our award-winning\, high-quality instructional materials span every grade level and discipline\, from evidence-based\, standards-aligned core curricula and supplemental and intervention programs to state-of-the-art assessment tools and the industry’s most innovative portfolio of college- and career-readiness solutions—all designed to meet the needs of every learner. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/science20260527/ CATEGORIES:21st Century Learning,Career Education,Real World Literacy,Science,STEM/STEAM ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260527-science-event.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260601T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260601T130000 DTSTAMP:20260601T194118Z CREATED:20260518T115241Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260601T194118Z UID:12245445-1780315200-1780318800@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Collaborative Strategies for Healthy Tech Use in Schools DESCRIPTION:Presented by Heather Pennica\, CGCIO\, CETL\, Digital Learning Programs Section Chief\, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction; Dr. Ashley McBride\, Digital Learning Initiatives Section Chief\, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction; and Sue Thotz\, Director of Outreach\, Common Sense Media \nSponsored by Common Sense Education \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nIn an era when screens are everywhere\, the classroom should be the safest place for a child to learn how to use them. This edWebinar shifts the conversation from “how much” technology to “how well” we use it. \nJoin the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as they share their Guidance for Purposeful Screen Use in Schools and Sue Thotz\, Director of Education Outreach at Common Sense Media\, as they showcase how educators can think purposefully about tech use in the classroom and communicate that intentionality to families. They also share how to model healthy (digital) habits and maintain a healthy “age and stage” balance that respects child development. \nBy framing technology as an intentional tool for specific learning goals\, rather than as a ubiquitous presence\, we aim to build a bridge between school and home\, ensuring that parents and teachers are on the same team. This edWebinar is of interest to K-12 teachers and librarians. \n\n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nHeather Pennica serves as the Digital Learning Programs Section Chief for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction with the Digital Learning & School Connectivity Division. She joined this team after serving as the Executive Director of Tech & Media for Wilson County Schools\, NC. She has been in education for over 20 years with varied experiences in PreK-12 working as a teacher\, media specialist\, and instructional technology facilitator prior to transitioning to leadership roles at the district level. In addition to Heather’s degrees and certifications in education\, she is also a Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL) and a Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO). Heather is a champion for innovation in the areas of media\, edtech\, and STEM. \n \nDr. Ashley McBride is the Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. A nationally recognized leader in digital learning and instructional innovation\, she leads statewide initiatives focused on educational technology\, coaching\, and professional learning. Dr. McBride is the author of The Edtech Coaching Primer: Supporting Teachers in the Digital Age Classroom and has been recognized with the 2025 ISTE+ASCD Making IT Happen Award and the 2022 ISTE 20 to Watch Award. \n \nSue Thotz (she/her) is the Director of Outreach for Common Sense Education and Co-founder of Equity in Action CA. Based in Los Angeles\, she has spent more than a decade partnering with educators\, administrators\, and district leaders to build cultures where students engage with technology meaningfully\, safely\, and with a strong sense of identity and belonging. Since joining Common Sense in 2011\, Sue has led districtwide implementation of digital citizenship\, digital literacy\, and well-being curricula to create sustained\, systemic change in how schools approach digital life. She holds a master’s degree in public health and undergraduate degrees in zoology and chemistry. She tries to find time to sail with her husband and two adult children. \n\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Digital Learning & Leadership community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\nCommon Sense Education develops high-quality digital citizenship programs and digital teaching resources\, providing educators and students with the digital learning tools they need to harness the power of technology for life. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/commonsense20260601/ CATEGORIES:Digital Citizenship,Digital Learning,Family and Community Engagement,Social Media ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260601-commonsense-event.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260602T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260602T140000 DTSTAMP:20260603T145749Z CREATED:20260504T193028Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260603T145749Z UID:12123024-1780405200-1780408800@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Rebuilding Foundational Math Skills to Confront the Global K–12 Math Crisis DESCRIPTION:Presented by Dr. Joseph Davis\, Former Education Leader\, Current President and Chief of Mathematics\, KAITLab; and Beau Scott\, Experienced Educator\, Executive Director of Customer Success\, KAITLab\nModerated by Kim Bolz-Andolshek\, Chief Executive Officer\, KAITLab \nSponsored by KAITLab \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nAcross the globe—and especially in the United States—mathematics performance in Grades K–12 is facing a historic decline. The most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) confirms that math achievement has not returned to pre-pandemic levels\, despite slight recovery in early grades. \nFourth-grade performance in 2024 improved by just two points from 2022 and remains three points below 2019\, with only 39% of students reaching Proficient. Eighth-grade results show even deeper concerns: average scores are still eight points lower than in 2019\, and nearly 40% of students now perform below the Basic level. Meanwhile\, 12th-grade scores have fallen sharply\, continuing a downward trajectory that mirrors global PISA patterns. These trends reflect a widening gap between higher- and lower-performing learners and signal a systemic crisis that begins early and compounds over time. \nThis edWebinar examines the roots of this crisis through the lens of standards-aligned learning progressions from K–8 mathematics through Algebra 1 and Geometry. Viewers explore how strong early number sense\, fluency with fractions and ratios\, and foundational algebraic reasoning form the bedrock of all higher mathematics. The session also addresses the consistent conceptual throughlines needed to support coherence and readiness across all systems. \nA central thread of the session focuses on math anxiety\, which disproportionately affects elementary teachers and their students. Research shows that student anxiety can begin in the earliest grades and that teachers’ own discomfort with math directly influences student achievement and identity. Viewers examine how anxiety manifests\, how misconceptions solidify without early intervention\, and why productive struggle—supported\, structured\, and visible—is essential for long-term mathematical growth. \nEducators gain practical guidance on: \n\nBuilding deep number-sense foundations in Grades K–5 to support Algebra and Geometry success\nUnderstanding how learning gaps widen across grade levels and how to intervene early\nAnalyzing standards progressions across states to ensure conceptual coherence\nReducing math anxiety through instructional clarity\, reasoning-focused practice\, and supportive learning environments\nIdentifying and addressing misconceptions before they impact secondary readiness\n\nDesigned for K-12 teachers\, interventionists\, coaches\, and school leaders\, this recorded edWebinar offers concrete strategies to strengthen the nation’s mathematics pipeline by addressing the crisis at its source—early learning and foundational mathematical understanding. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nDr. Joseph Davis is a mathematics-focused education leader\, district turnaround strategist\, and curriculum designer with more than 30 years in public education. He has served as a math teacher\, principal\, central-office leader\, and superintendent\, leading large-scale improvement efforts that connect ambitious learning goals to measurable student outcomes. Most recently\, he was Superintendent of the Ferguson-Florissant School District (2015–2025)\, where he advanced a systemwide math strategy centered on instructional clarity\, coherent pathways\, and sustained educator development. His work emphasized strong early foundations\, aligned K–12 progressions\, and expanded access to advanced coursework. Dr. Davis also co-founded two nationally recognized STEAM schools designed to build STEM identity and readiness through rigorous\, performance-driven models. He currently serves as President and Chief of Mathematics at KAITLab. His current focus is math anxiety\, especially among educators\, and strengthening teacher content knowledge and instructional precision to improve student outcomes. \n \nBeau Scott is the Executive Director of Customer Success at KAITLab\, where he drives adoption of AI-enabled math assessment and personalized learning solutions for schools nationwide. An educator and instructional design specialist\, Beau brings deep experience from classroom teaching\, statewide STEM leadership at the Indiana Department of Education\, and curriculum development roles across higher education and industry. He is recognized for advancing effective AI use in K–12 learning environments and for building systems that strengthen educator practice. Beau is pursuing his doctorate at Indiana University\, focusing on AI-enhanced instructional practice. \n \nAbout the Moderator \nWith more than 20 years of experience in the K–12 education space\, Kim Bolz-Andolshek brings a unique blend of governance\, business leadership\, and go-to-market expertise. She has served as an elected school board member in Minnesota for over two decades and has been elected six times\, with three years remaining in her current term. Her long-standing service reflects a deep commitment to student outcomes\, community engagement\, and effective district leadership. In the education technology sector\, she has spent more than a decade as a revenue leader\, overseeing sales\, customer success\, and marketing functions. Her work has helped organizations scale impact and build strong partnerships across the K–12 landscape. She currently serves as CEO of KAITLab\, where she leads growth\, strategy\, and innovation. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Building Understanding in Mathematics community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\nKAITLab: Revolutionizing Math Education\nKAITLab is redefining how math is taught and understood by addressing one of education’s biggest challenges\, the lack of visibility into student thinking. Too often\, educators only see right or wrong answers and miss the steps and reasoning that reveal true understanding. \nKAITLab blends the familiarity of pen and paper with cutting-edge smartpen technology and online training to capture the full problem-solving process in real time. Artificial intelligence then helps analyze student work to uncover misconceptions and detect errors as they happen\, giving teachers clearer insight into how students are thinking. \nTeachers gain visibility into every step students take\, allowing them to better support learning in the moment. \nBy making student thinking visible\, KAITLab helps schools move beyond answers to understanding and close learning gaps while supporting stronger math outcomes for all students. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/math20260602/ CATEGORIES:Computer Science/Coding,Mathematics,STEM/STEAM ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260602-math-event.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T130000 DTSTAMP:20260603T170536Z CREATED:20260505T023042Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260603T170536Z UID:12127656-1780488000-1780491600@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:High-Impact Literacy PD Is Personalized\, Not Packaged DESCRIPTION:Presented by Kendra Totman Padilla\, Former Educator\, Current Structured Literacy Coach\, Stern Center for Language and Learning; and Kimberly Hunt\, Experienced Educator\, Director of Curriculum\, Instruction\, and Assessment\, Lamoille North Supervisory Union (VT)\nModerated by Leigh Buettler\, Former Educator\, Current Director of Professional Learning\, Stern Center for Language and Learning \nSponsored by Stern Center for Language and Learning \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nThis edWebinar interrupts the “sit-and-get” workshop cycles that fail to drive lasting literacy improvement on their own and show how personalized coaching supplies the missing link between Science of Reading knowledge and daily classroom practice. Explore breakthrough solutions with a district leader and coach whose adaptive partnership is unfolding to benefit teachers and students. \nLearning objectives include: \n\nRecognize why the passive learning model of most PD doesn’t stick and actually adds to burnout\nOptimize the essential assets of teacher time\, energy\, and attention with strategic\, selective\, adaptive coaching\nExplore the key components of a model that differentiates learning for teachers and for their students\nAssess whether your school’s current PD plan and practices have what it takes for sustained literacy success\n\nThe presenters discuss: \n\nWhy the most effective coaches are “fad-free” allies with career-long impact\nPowerful examples of supporting literacy teachers with practical implementation that adapts in real time\nProven methods to personalize professional learning at scale\n\nViewers discover a professional learning model that successfully converts knowledge into teacher confidence and student growth. We move together beyond fleeting trends and one-size-fits-all “coaching” that’s tied to curriculum or product sales. Instead\, learn about the key elements of a proven framework that’s actually working for educators and will help your school meet its distinctive goals. \nThis edWebinar is of interest to K-12 teachers\, school leaders\, and district leaders. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nKendra Totman Padilla is a dedicated Structured Literacy Coach at the Stern Center for Language and Learning\, where she partners with teachers and administrators to bridge the gap between literacy theory and classroom practice. With a focus on refining evidence-based instruction\, she empowers educators to implement high-impact strategies that support all learners. Her coaching is informed by years of experience leading reading intervention programs and teaching primary literacy as a classroom educator in Baltimore. A lifelong advocate for educational excellence\, Kendra serves on her local school board and as a youth mentor. She holds an M.Ed. from Lesley University and a postgraduate reading specialist certificate from Goucher College. By combining her deep knowledge with a collaborative coaching approach\, Kendra helps schools build sustainable\, data-driven systems for literacy success. \n \nKimberly Hunt is the Director of Curriculum\, Instruction\, and Assessment for the Lamoille North Supervisory Union in Vermont. Kimberly is a dedicated leader and brings extensive expertise in team building\, leadership\, and instructional quality improvement. Throughout her career\, Kimberly has championed a broad-based equity approach to learner outcomes. Her notable achievements include enhancing Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS)\, expanding access to advanced mathematics for underrepresented students\, and implementing districtwide family-school partnership initiatives. Additionally\, she has served as a Professional Development Coach for leaders at the Harvard Graduate School of Education\, specializing in diversity\, equity\, and inclusion. She has a graduate degree in educational policy and management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education\, and she is deeply committed to fostering faculty growth and student performance through collaborative\, data-driven leadership. \n \nAbout the Moderator \nAs the Director of Professional Learning at the Stern Center for Language and Learning\, Leigh Buettler leads strategic partnerships and literacy initiatives. She collaborates with administrators and educators to implement research-based frameworks that expand learning and drive academic success for all students. Leigh has been dedicated to the field of education since 2004\, beginning her career as an Adjunct Lecturer at SUNY Albany. A former Teach For America Corps Member with an M.S.Ed. from Fordham University\, her background spans roles as a middle and elementary educator and an instructional coach. Dual certified in General and Special Education\, Leigh leverages her deep pedagogical expertise and extensive knowledge of the Science of Reading to bridge research and practice. She is committed to empowering educators with the evidence-based literacy tools necessary to foster inclusive\, high-achieving learning environments where every student can become a proficient reader and writer. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Professional Learning & Practice community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\nThe Stern Center for Language and Learning is an education-focused nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding the power of learning. Located in Williston\, Vermont\, and founded in 1983\, The Stern Center’s professional team provides learning evaluations\, one-on-one customized instruction\, and professional training for educators. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/pd20260603/ CATEGORIES:Coaching and Mentorship,Literacy,Professional Development,Science of Reading,Teaching Practice and Pedagogy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260603-pd-event.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T150000 DTSTAMP:20260921T142535Z CREATED:20260505T193723Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T142535Z UID:12139738-1780495200-1780498800@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Building Confident Bilingual Learners with Purposeful Edtech DESCRIPTION:Presented by Dwight Goodwin\, Executive Director of Technology Services\, Coppell Independent School District (TX); and Madeleine Mortimore\, Global Education Innovation and Research Lead\, Logitech \nSponsored by Logitech \nWatch the RecordingListen to the PodcastRead the Article \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nFor many students\, confidence gaps\, language barriers\, and limited access to the right tools can make it hard to fully participate in today’s digital learning environment. Addressing these challenges requires a thoughtful\, student-centered approach to edtech integration. \nRichard J. Lee Elementary\, an Apple Distinguished School in Coppell ISD\, offers a compelling example of what’s possible when students have access to the right tools. Educators there are using iPad devices alongside headsets\, styluses\, and keyboard cases to remove barriers\, increase focus\, and unlock new possibilities for creativity and project-based learning. \nThe results are striking: over 90% of students surveyed after the edtech pilot felt more confident using common tools and platforms\, with significant gains in participation and academic growth\, especially for emergent bilinguals and newly enrolled students. \nIn this edLeader Panel\, Dwight Goodwin\, Executive Director of Technology for Coppell ISD\, and Madeleine Mortimore\, Global Education Innovation and Research Lead at Logitech\, share what worked for Richard J. Lee Elementary alongside new research from FullScale and THE Journal. Viewers leave with actionable practices to help all students overcome confidence gaps\, engage more deeply with digital tools\, and express themselves fully throughout their learning journey. \nThis edLeader Panel is of interest to K-12 librarians\, school leaders\, district leaders\, and education technology leaders. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nDwight Goodwin is an accomplished educator with over 30 years of experience. He is the Executive Director of Technology for Coppell Independent School District (CISD)\, where he supports teachers and students as they find innovative ways to enhance daily activities and create dynamic learning environments with edtech. Dwight is passionate about using technology to enhance collaboration\, communication\, creativity\, and critical thinking. His focus is on building systems that improve both teaching and school operations. He has also served on the TCEA Board of Directors and was President. \n \nMadeleine Mortimore is the Global Education Innovation and Research Lead for Logitech\, where she leads research on edtech hardware. With years of experience as a classroom teacher\, Madeleine has developed a curriculum for grades 4-12. Her research experience includes positions at the MIT Teaching and Learning Lab. Madeleine has a Master of Education from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Helping ELL\, ESL\, and Bilingual Students Succeed community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\n \n\nLogitech designs software-enabled hardware solutions that help organizations of all types thrive\, bringing people together when working\, creating\, learning\, teaching\, and more. We believe great design belongs in the classroom. That’s why we create tools for students and educators—with students and educators. From early concepts to prototype testing and final feedback\, we collaborate with hundreds of teachers and learners whose insights shape every meaningful design choice. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/ell20260603/ CATEGORIES:Bilingual and Multilingual Language Acquisition,Digital Learning,edLeader Panel,Education Research/Evidence,ELL/ESL Language Acquisition,Technology for Learning ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260603-ell-event_panel.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T150000 DTSTAMP:20260604T185245Z CREATED:20260516T022121Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T185245Z UID:12243266-1780581600-1780585200@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Creating Environments for Wee Ones: A Luminous Design Approach DESCRIPTION:Presented by Dr. Sandra Duncan\, International Specialist on Designing Environments for Young Children\nModerated by Rebecca Berlin\, Ph.D.\, Senior Vice President of Intellectual Properties\, Kaplan Early Learning Company\, and President\, Gryphon House Publishing \nSponsored by Kaplan Early Learning Company \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nAdult awareness often works like a spotlight: we can zoom in on a task\, ignore distractions\, and move with laser focus toward clear goals. Unlike an adult\, a young child’s awareness is closer to a lantern—broad\, less filtered\, and open to whatever is happening nearby. \nDrawing on developmental psychologist Alison Gopnik’s research\, this edWebinar explores the idea that as we learn more\, our attention and focus narrow. If this is true (i.e.\, knowing more means seeing less)\, we may be designing spaces with an adult spotlight mindset\, unintentionally creating environments that feel too rigid\, overly structured\, or institutional—even for infants and toddlers. \nLuminous Design challenges you to step away from the adult spotlight and gravitate toward the child’s lantern mode. It offers a fresh lens for shaping environments that listen to the child’s awareness and perspectives. Luminous Design calls for a shift in pedagogical practice and traditional environmental design by sharing several essential design strategies and three important lessons from (1) lobsters\, (2) chickens\, and (3) ocean waves. \nThis edWebinar is of interest to infant and toddler teachers. \n \n \nAbout the Presenter \nDr. Sandra Duncan works to assure the miracle and magic of childhood through indoor and outdoor play spaces that are intentionally designed to connect young children to their early learning environments\, communities\, and neighborhoods. Dr. Duncan is an international consultant\, author of seven books focused on the environmental design of early childhood places\, designer of four furniture collections called Sense of Place for infants\, toddlers\, preschool\, and school age\, as well as adjunct faculty at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Duncan has designed and taught university courses on built learning environments (Association for Learning Environments and Walden University) and has collaborated with architects\, interior designers\, landscape architects\, and educators to create extraordinary places and possibilities for children and students of all ages. \n \nAbout the Moderator \nDr. Rebecca Berlin has a B.A. in American government and English from Georgetown University\, an M.A. in infant and toddler special education from George Washington University\, and a Ph.D. in education policy\, leadership\, and foundations from the University of Virginia. She is recognized as an industry expert and leads many transformative early childhood initiatives throughout the United States. Dr. Berlin has previously served as Executive Director of the Parenting Translator Foundation\, Chief Learning Officer at Start Early\, and Chief Strategy Officer of Teachstone. She has been an early childhood special education teacher\, an inclusion teacher\, an autism specialist\, and a school administrator. Dr. Berlin is the Senior Vice President of Intellectual Properties at Kaplan Early Learning Company and President of Gryphon House\, Inc. She lives in Charlottesville\, VA and serves on the school board of Albemarle County Public Schools. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Practical Strategies for Early Learning community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\nFor more than 50 years\, Kaplan Early Learning Company has been a champion for play. From our research-based curricula to enriching classroom environments and innovative technology solutions\, Kaplan’s products and services inspire a lifelong love of learning in children and educators. We are architects of learning good and defenders of the imagination. We live for inseparable bonds and open minds. We encourage the eager and inspire the inspirers. We transform lives through play. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/kaplan20260604/ CATEGORIES:Early Childhood Learning,PreK-K Programs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260604-kaplan-event.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260604T160000 DTSTAMP:20260604T195859Z CREATED:20260506T155923Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T195859Z UID:12150328-1780585200-1780588800@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Science of Reading in Action: The Art of Effective Reading Instruction DESCRIPTION:Presented by Tim Rasinski\, Ph.D.\, Professor Emeritus of Literacy Education at Kent State University\, and Author\nModerated by Nicole Downer\, Academic Officer\, Teacher Created Materials \nSponsored by Teacher Created Materials \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nEducators are increasingly expected to align reading instruction with scientific research—but understanding the science is only the beginning. The real opportunity lies in bringing that knowledge to life through daily instruction that is clear\, engaging\, and effective. \nIn this edWebinar\, Dr. Tim Rasinski shows how powerful reading instruction exists at the intersection of science and art. Viewers learn how to implement science-based reading competencies in intentional\, flexible\, and engaging ways that work in real classrooms\, demonstrating how evidence-based instruction can also be meaningful and motivating. Educators leave with classroom-ready strategies they can use immediately with their students. \nIn this edWebinar\, you: \n\nLearn essential science-based reading competencies that support reading success\nUnderstand why effective reading instruction requires both scientific knowledge and artful teaching\nIdentify key characteristics of artful reading instruction\nGain actionable strategies for teaching science-based reading skills\n\nThis edWebinar is of interest to K–12 educators\, literacy coaches\, school leaders\, and district leaders. \n \n \nAbout the Presenter \nTim Rasinski\, Ph.D.\, is the author of numerous best-selling books\, articles\, and curriculum programs on literacy education. He is Professor Emeritus\, Literacy Education\, at Kent State University where he previously directed the university’s award-winning reading clinic (Camp Read-A-Lot). A former elementary and middle school classroom teacher and reading specialist\, Dr. Rasinski is well known for his work on word study and reading fluency. \n \nAbout the Moderator \nNicole Downer is an Academic Officer at Teacher Created Materials\, where she supports educators through professional learning focused on effective\, student-centered instructional practices. She brings extensive leadership experience as a former school principal\, assistant principal\, literacy intervention specialist/coach\, and elementary classroom teacher. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Build Educator Capacity and Boost Student Achievement community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\nTeacher Created Materials develops innovative and imaginative educational materials and services for students worldwide. Everything we do is created by teachers for teachers and students to make teaching more effective and learning more fun. Join us on our mission to create a world where children truly want to learn. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/building-educator-capacity20260604/ CATEGORIES:Reading Skills,Science of Reading,Teaching Practice and Pedagogy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260604-building-educator-capacity-event.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260609T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260609T160000 DTSTAMP:20260921T142601Z CREATED:20260429T180907Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T142601Z UID:12090752-1781017200-1781020800@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:The Overlooked Pieces of the Science of Reading DESCRIPTION:Presented by Dr. Kate Cain\, Professor of Psychology\, Lancaster University\, and Past President\, Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR); Dr. Kristin Bourdage\, Former Educator\, Current Assistant Director\, Professional Learning and Instructional Design\, Partnerships for Authentic Learning and Leadership; and Beth Lawrence\, M.A.\, CCC-SLP\, Experienced Educator\, Co-Founder\, Infercabulary\nModerated by Dr. Donna Wright\, Retired School Superintendent/Education Consultant \nSponsored by Really Great Reading \nWatch the RecordingListen to the PodcastRead the Article \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nLanguage comprehension is foundational to reading\, yet it can feel difficult to define and even harder to teach at scale. It begins with oral language and develops over time\, with decoding strengthening the pathway to meaning. While frameworks such as Scarborough’s Reading Rope and the Simple View of Reading highlight its importance\, many districts lack a clear\, actionable roadmap for building it across classrooms. \nResearch points to specific skills that distinguish strong comprehenders\, including vocabulary knowledge\, inference making\, syntactic processing\, background knowledge\, self-regulation\, and motivation. This edLeader Panel focuses on how these components come together in instruction\, with a deeper look at vocabulary and inference making as high-impact levers for improving comprehension. \nIn this session\, you learn: \n\nThe types of inferences students need to actively construct meaning from text\nHow vocabulary depth and inference making work together to build understanding across contexts\nWhat it takes to implement language comprehension instruction effectively across classrooms and districts\n\nThis edLeader Panel is of interest to K-12 teachers\, school leaders\, district leaders\, and education technology leaders. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nDr. Kate Cain is Professor of Psychology at Lancaster University and Past President of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading (SSSR). Beginning in the late 1990s\, her research established inference making as a core component of comprehension difficulties and identified “poor comprehenders” (i.e.\, children who decode accurately yet fail to understand text) as a distinct population requiring targeted intervention. Throughout the 2000s\, she built the critical connection between vocabulary knowledge and inference ability\, showing how these skills develop interdependently. Her research on comprehension monitoring consistently demonstrates that early childhood oral language abilities are strong predictors of later reading success. With over 25 years of active research and recognition through the Samuel Torrey Orton Award and AIM Academy Hollis Scarborough Award (2025)\, her work bridges research and practice in reading comprehension development. \n \nKristin Bourdage\, Ph.D.\, is a former elementary and middle school teacher who served as Associate Professor and Department Chair at Otterbein University for 13 years before transitioning to district leadership. From 2020 to 2024\, she led secondary curriculum and instruction for a large Midwest district\, implementing a large-scale vocabulary initiative across middle schools. Her research focuses on classroom dialogue and how the questions teachers ask during reading powerfully shape students’ comprehension and thinking. She co-authored Quality Talk About Text (2021) with Ian Wilkinson and Nell Duke\, and has published in Language and Education on dialogic teaching. She currently bridges research on classroom talk and K-12 implementation through professional development and leadership at Partnerships for Authentic Learning and Leadership. \n \nBeth Lawrence\, M.A.\, CCC-SLP\, is a veteran speech-language pathologist specializing in supporting literacy skills. She co-founded InferCabulary\, now part of Really Great Reading\, which builds depth of vocabulary through semantic reasoning\, replicating with images and captions how avid readers naturally build word knowledge across multiple contexts. She has authored papers on semantic reasoning\, including Abstract Vocabulary Development: Embodied Theory and Practice in Educational Psychology Review (2023) with dual coding theory researcher Mark Sadoski\, demonstrating how semantic reasoning offers one approach to the challenge of teaching nuanced\, abstract vocabulary. She co-authored the norm-referenced Test of Semantic Reasoning and bridges research and practice through professional development and product development. \n \nAbout the Moderator \nDr. Donna Wright has served in many roles in her 40-plus-year career as an educator. She has positively influenced the educational field as a classroom teacher\, assistant principal\, principal\, assistant superintendent\, deputy director\, and school superintendent. Dr. Wright earned her doctorate in leadership studies from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She has been published in numerous educational journals\, invited to present at national and state conferences\, and has served as an adjunct professor at various institutions of higher learning. Although Dr. Wright recently retired from K-12 public education\, she continues to support and consult with colleagues and school districts around the country. Currently\, she serves as the AASA Lead Superintendent\, directing the National Women’s Leadership Consortium\, and collaborates with public school districts around the country. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Structured Literacy Instruction community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\nReally Great Reading has been leading the charge in effective Science of Reading strategies for over 18 years with our proven PK-12 curriculum in foundational literacy and intervention teaching methodologies. We turn reading research into classroom practice\, ensuring teachers have cutting-edge strategies and tools in classrooms across the country. It is our unwavering commitment to students and educators that sets us apart from other Science of Reading curricula\, and this is evident in the student outcomes and results that districts and schools see when using our products. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/structuredliteracy20260609/ CATEGORIES:edLeader Panel,Reading Skills,Science of Reading ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260609-structuredliteracy-event.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260616T140000 DTSTAMP:20260616T175425Z CREATED:20260506T140024Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260616T175425Z UID:12145040-1781614800-1781618400@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Bridging K–5 Math Foundations to Grades 6–8: From Models to Meaning DESCRIPTION:Presented by Kevin Davis\, Former Educator\, Current Success Lead\, Great Minds; and Heidi Strate\, Former Educator\, Current Success Lead\, Great Minds \nSponsored by Great Minds \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nThe transition from elementary to middle school math is a critical turning point. Too often\, it’s where student proficiency begins to decline. Why does this happen\, and what can educators do about it? \nIn this edWebinar\, K–8 educators explore the often-overlooked representational gap that emerges as students move from concrete and visual models to more abstract mathematical thinking. Drawing on classroom practice and research-based approaches\, we examine how this shift can disrupt understanding and how to intentionally bridge it. \nViewers gain insight into how students experience this transition and learn practical strategies to maintain conceptual coherence across grade levels. Grounded in the Concrete–Representational–Abstract (CRA) progression\, this session focuses on preserving the visual and conceptual anchors that help students make sense of mathematics as it becomes more symbolic and complex. This edWebinar addresses: \n\nWhy student proficiency often drops between grades five and six\nWhat changes in mathematical representation as students move into middle school\nHow to use CRA strategies to connect elementary foundations to middle school content\n\nViewers leave with a clear understanding of how gaps in K–5 foundations impact learning\, along with practical strategies and tools to build confidence and strengthen conceptual understanding. This edWebinar is of interest to K–8 teachers\, school leaders\, and district leaders. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nKevin Davis is a Success Lead at Great Minds\, supporting school districts across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic in implementing Eureka Math². Prior to joining Great Minds\, he spent several years as a middle school and high school math teacher. Over the past seven years\, he’s worked with educators and leaders to navigate the challenges of curriculum adoption\, from classroom walkthroughs to systemic change. When he’s not coaching teachers or troubleshooting implementation puzzles\, Kevin loves working with his hands—whether that’s 3D printing\, knitting\, or baking sourdough—and cheering on New England sports teams. He’s originally from Maine and now lives in Syracuse\, NY\, with his wife\, Kristy\, and their sons\, Brady and Logan. \n \nHeidi Strate is a Lead Curriculum Developer on the Math Product team and a National Board Certified Teacher in early adolescent mathematics. Before joining Great Minds\, she served as a middle school math teacher\, new teacher mentor\, math department lead\, and instructional coach in an urban Phoenix school district. Since joining Great Minds in 2018\, Heidi has most notably served as Managing Editor for the Eureka Math² Grade 6 and 7-8 accelerated curricula. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Building Understanding in Mathematics community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\n \nAt Great Minds PBC\, we’re focused on ensuring all students have access to knowledge-rich instruction and all teachers have the resources to deliver it effectively. Built by teachers for teachers\, Eureka Math² gives educators the resources\, structure\, and supports to deliver engaging math lessons that help students excel. The curriculum is available for PK-Algebra I or Mathematics I classrooms nationwide. \nA research-proven program\, Eureka Math² delivers High-Quality Instructional Materials built to drive student outcomes. It helps teachers deliver rigorous\, grade-level instruction with confidence—while supporting all learners through consistent structure\, visual models\, and real-world application. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/math20260616/ CATEGORIES:Mathematics ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260616-math-event.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260617T140000 DTSTAMP:20260617T180307Z CREATED:20260521T162924Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260617T180307Z UID:12284695-1781701200-1781704800@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Building Father-Friendly Early Childhood Programs: From Barriers to Bridges DESCRIPTION:Presented by Dr. Jawan Burwell\, Program Director\, Child Development Laboratory\, North Carolina A&T State University\, and Lead Educational Consultant\, JMB Learning Solutions\, LLC\nModerated by Stephanie Roselli\, Executive Editor\, Gryphon House \nSponsored by Gryphon House \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin Dr. Jawan Burwell for an engaging edWebinar focused on strengthening father engagement and building inclusive partnerships in early childhood education. Based on insights from his upcoming book\, Engaging Fathers: Strategies for Inclusive Family Partnerships in Early Childhood\, this session explores the critical role fathers play in children’s learning and development while addressing barriers that often prevent fathers—particularly Black fathers and other fathers of color—from feeling welcomed and valued in early childhood settings. \nViewers gain practical strategies for creating father-friendly environments\, fostering authentic family partnerships\, and challenging assumptions that may unintentionally limit engagement opportunities. The presentation also highlights ways educators and administrators can examine policies\, communication practices\, and classroom culture to ensure all caregivers feel represented and included. \nViewers leave with actionable tools that can immediately be implemented within programs and classrooms. Learning objectives include identifying barriers to father engagement\, understanding the impact of inclusive family partnerships on child outcomes\, and developing strategies that promote equitable and meaningful father involvement. \nThis edWebinar is ideal for educators\, administrators\, family engagement professionals\, and higher education students seeking to build more inclusive early learning communities. \n \n \nAbout the Presenter \nDr. Jawan Burwell is the Program Director of the North Carolina A&T State University Child Development Laboratory and the Lead Educational Consultant for JMB Learning Solutions. With more than 15 years of experience in early childhood education\, Dr. Burwell is recognized for his work in leadership\, family engagement\, and advancing inclusive practices within early learning environments. He is also an adjunct instructor\, speaker\, advocate\, and author of Daddy’s Classroom: A Journey of Learning Together and Engaging Fathers: Strategies for Inclusive Family Partnerships in Early Childhood. His work focuses on strengthening partnerships with families\, increasing father and male representation in early childhood education\, and supporting meaningful learning experiences for children\, educators\, and communities. Dr. Burwell frequently presents at conferences and events on topics related to father engagement\, leadership\, equity\, and the importance of inclusive family partnerships in early childhood settings. \n\n \nAbout the Moderator \nStephanie Roselli is the Executive Editor at Gryphon House\, the leading publisher of educational resources for teachers and parents\, where she acquires and develops the latest books from today’s top early childhood experts. \n\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Early Learning Book Chats community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\nGryphon House is an award-winning publisher of early childhood resources for teachers and parents. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/bookchats20260617/ CATEGORIES:Early Childhood Learning,Family and Community Engagement,PreK-K Programs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260617-bookchats-event.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260618T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260618T140000 DTSTAMP:20260618T174702Z CREATED:20260601T143443Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260618T174702Z UID:12353126-1781787600-1781791200@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Closing the Attendance Impact Gap Part 4: Completing the Missing Pieces of Your Attendance System DESCRIPTION:Presented by Kate Pechacek\, Former Teacher\, Current K12 Strategic Consultant\, No Isolation\nModerated by Roland Jones\, Former Teacher\, Current K12 Partnerships\, No Isolation \nSponsored by No Isolation \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nIn the first three edWebinars of the Closing the Attendance Impact Gap series\, we explored the attendance paradox\, the true cost of chronic absence\, and the critical role belonging plays in helping students return and stay connected to school. In this final session\, we bring those ideas together into a practical framework districts can use to strengthen and complete their attendance systems. \nMany districts have built strong attendance structures\, yet gaps remain\, particularly in prevention\, connection during absence\, and return-to-stay planning. This edWebinar introduces a modern attendance systems framework designed to help schools move beyond reactive interventions toward sustainable\, belonging-centered systems of support. \nViewers examine five essential components of a comprehensive attendance system\, including prevention\, early intervention\, intensive support\, continuity during absence\, and intentional return-to-stay planning. The session also introduces a district attendance systems self-assessment tool that leadership teams can use to identify strengths\, uncover gaps\, and prioritize next steps. \nViewers: \n\nUnderstand the core components of a modern attendance system\nIdentify common gaps that limit attendance impact\nExplore practical strategies to strengthen belonging\, connection\, and continuity\n\nViewers leave with actionable ideas and tools to help build stronger attendance systems that improve outcomes for students\, schools\, and communities. This edWebinar is of interest to teachers\, school leaders\, and district leaders of all grade levels. \nView part one: 5 Gap-Filling Strategies for Solving the Attendance Paradox\nView part two: 3 Steps to Maximize Return on Attendance\, and What Absence Really Costs\nView part three: 3 Strategies to Build Belonging – the Key to Attendance Today and Every Day After \n \n \nAbout the Presenter \nKate Pechacek serves as a K–12 Strategic Advisor to systems-improving education technology organizations and school districts\, including No Isolation\, and is the founder and CEO of OpendoorsEd. She began her 30-year career in education as a secondary mathematics teacher\, serving for 15 years before holding multiple site- and district-level leadership roles in curriculum\, instruction\, assessment\, and MTSS across districts nationwide. She then spent nearly a decade in education technology before founding OpendoorsEd. Kate is an internationally recognized speaker\, including at the 2025 World Inclusion Congress in Almaty\, Kazakhstan\, and is passionate about systemic school improvement. \n \nAbout the Moderator \nRoland Jones brings a unique perspective to educational innovation\, blending formal teaching credentials with deep expertise in technology adoption and digital transformation. A licensed educator with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Missouri\, Roland also studied at the University of Sydney Conservatorium of Music. With over 20 years of experience leading technology-driven change initiatives\, he specializes in helping institutions maximize the impact of innovative solutions. In his current role\, Roland leads new K–12 partnerships for No Isolation and is passionate about removing barriers to learning and strengthening student engagement and attendance. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Creating a Positive School Climate community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\n \nNo Isolation is a mission-driven technology company dedicated to combating loneliness and social exclusion through human-centered innovation. Founded in Norway\, the company designs communication tools that bridge gaps for individuals facing barriers to connection—especially young people unable to attend school due to illness\, mental health challenges\, or other circumstances. \nTheir flagship product\, the AV1 telepresence robot\, serves as a student’s eyes\, ears\, and voice in the classroom. Controlled remotely via a secure app\, AV1 enables students to participate in lessons and maintain vital social ties with classmates\, even from a hospital bed or home. \nUsed in over 2\,500 schools across 18 countries\, AV1 has supported more than 10\,000 students\, helping districts promote equity\, belonging\, and academic continuity. No Isolation also meets the highest standards of data security and privacy for students\, staff\, and families—making AV1 a trusted solution for inclusive education. Learn more at www.noisolation.com. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/positive20260618/ CATEGORIES:Absenteeism and Attendance,Counseling,Culture of Belonging,Leadership/Administration ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260618-positive-event.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260623T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260623T170000 DTSTAMP:20260623T205947Z CREATED:20260608T184615Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260623T205947Z UID:12421693-1782230400-1782234000@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Teaching Reggae and the African Diaspora DESCRIPTION:Presented by Imani Wilson\, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer\, Experienced Music Educator\, TeachRock; and Triza Cox\, Program Manager\, Experienced Arts Educator\, TeachRock\nModerated by Gina Machado\, Director of Programs and Partnerships\, Former New York City Public School Teacher\, TeachRock \nSponsored by TeachRock \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nIn this edWebinar\, viewers explore TeachRock’s free resources and discover how to use music as a primary source pedagogy to trace Reggae’s roots in the African diaspora across U.S. and global history. This session provides teachers with lesson plans\, materials\, and strategies to bring the transformative legacy of Reggae music and the communities that shaped it into their classrooms. \nThis recorded edWebinar is of interest to high school teachers\, school leaders\, and district leaders. \nView all of the recent TeachRock edWebinars. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nImani Wilson is Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at TeachRock. Prior to joining the foundation\, Imani taught music in the public schools of New York and New Orleans\, was a museum educator in London\, and led music departments in community art school and conservatory. Imani’s writing is anthologized in collections published in the UK and the United States. Her work at TeachRock lives at the intersection of her passion for teaching music with her love of research and writing\, as seen in her favorite resources\, the Lost Friends and Afrofuturism and Flying Africans Student Editions. A lifelong church musician\, she is a member of the Greater Allen Cathedral Mass Choir. \n \nTriza Cox is the Program Manager for TeachRock’s Harmony Student Wellness Program. In this capacity\, she uses her passion for democratizing arts access as well as her commitment to wellness through the use of art to engage students in social and emotional learning. Triza holds a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance from the University of Louisville and has worked for over a decade as an arts educator as well as a playwright\, director\, producer\, and actor. Additionally\, Triza has been a Certified Prevention Specialist and worked in drug and alcohol prevention. She is currently a National Leaders of Color Fellow in Arts Administration. In 2021\, Triza was awarded a fellowship in screenwriting from the South Carolina Arts Commission. She is also currently the Artistic Director of The Drama Lady Theatre Group. \n \nAbout the Moderator \nGina Machado is the Director of Programs and Partnerships at TeachRock\, where she leads the development of an arts-integrated social and emotional learning program and designs and facilitates professional development initiatives nationwide. Drawing from her experience as a classroom educator in The Bronx\, New York\, and her master’s degrees in special education and educational leadership\, Gina supports educators across the United States in implementing TeachRock’s curriculum and pedagogical approaches. An educator at heart with extensive experience working with students of various levels and abilities\, Gina’s passion lies in developing creative ways to engage all learners while strengthening meaningful student-teacher relationships. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Music in Education community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\nLaunched by Stevie Van Zandt and the Founders Board of Bono\, Jackson Browne\, Martin Scorsese\, and Bruce Springsteen\, TeachRock.org provides free\, standards-aligned resources that use music to help K-12 students succeed in science\, math\, social studies\, language arts\, and more. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/musiced20260623/ CATEGORIES:Arts in Education,Multicultural Learning,Music,Social Studies and Civics,Teaching Practice and Pedagogy,TeachRock ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260623-musiced-event.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260624T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260624T150000 DTSTAMP:20260624T185918Z CREATED:20260601T015629Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260624T185918Z UID:12347765-1782309600-1782313200@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Play Is the Work in Kindergarten: Why Rigor and Joy Aren’t a Trade-Off DESCRIPTION:Presented by ​​Laura Bornfreund\, MPA\, EdL\, Author\, Educator\, and Policy Researcher\, New America\nModerated by Kim Thore\, Director of Marketing\, Gryphon House \nSponsored by Gryphon House \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nToo many kindergartners spend their days sitting still\, filling out worksheets\, and preparing for assessments\, while the research shows that play is how young children learn best. School and district leaders are uniquely positioned to change that. \nIn this edWebinar\, author and early elementary education expert Laura Bornfreund draws on decades of research and classroom observations across the country to argue that play-based learning and academic rigor are not opposing forces. They’re essential partners. \nViewers: \n\nUnderstand what the research says about play and academic outcomes in kindergarten\nIdentify what high-quality\, intentional play looks like in practice\nRecognize the conditions (policy\, culture\, and instructional support) that allow teachers to teach and meet young students’ needs\nLearn how to communicate the value of play-based learning to leadership\, families\, and communities\n\nWhether you’re a principal supporting a single classroom or a district leader shaping K–3 policy\, this edWebinar gives you the language\, evidence\, and practical strategies to champion kindergartens where children thrive academically and joyfully. \nBased on Laura Bornfreund’s new book\, Rediscovering Kindergarten (Gryphon House\, 2026). \n \n \nAbout the Presenter \nLaura Bornfreund\, MPA\, EdL\, is a Senior Fellow in Education Policy and the former Director of Early and Elementary Education Policy at New America\, where she focuses on transforming kindergarten and promoting policy and practice that will strengthen the transition from PreK to kindergarten and early elementary school. She has written extensively for Slate\, The Hechinger Report\, The Atlantic\, Education Week\, CNN\, and Phi Delta Kappan on issues related to early childhood education. Rediscovering Kindergarten is Laura’s first book with Gryphon House. \n \nAbout the Moderator \nKim Thore is the Director of Marketing at Gryphon House\, a leading publisher of professional resources for early childhood educators\, administrators\, and families. In her role\, she leads strategic marketing\, author engagement\, digital communications\, and thought leadership initiatives that connect research-based practices with the professionals who support young children. Kim collaborates closely with nationally recognized authors\, researchers\, and education leaders to promote innovative ideas and evidence-based approaches that advance the field of early childhood education. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Early Learning Book Chats community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\nGryphon House is an award-winning publisher of early childhood resources for teachers and parents. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/bookchats20260624/ CATEGORIES:Early Childhood Learning,Play-Based Learning,PreK-K Programs ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260624-bookchats-event.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260624T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260624T160000 DTSTAMP:20260921T142623Z CREATED:20260527T183509Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T142623Z UID:12301722-1782313200-1782316800@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Building Inclusive Assessments With the Wheel of Inclusion: UDL\, Accessibility\, and AI DESCRIPTION:Presented by Peter Jacobson\, Experienced Educator\, Product Leader\, Khan Academy; and Michelle Soriano\, Former Educator\, Current Professional Learning and Implementation Specialist\, CAST \nSponsored by CAST \nWatch the RecordingListen to the PodcastRead the Article \nLearn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording\, and earning your CE certificate. \nIn today’s educational landscape\, meeting the baseline for accessibility is no longer enough—it’s about creating inclusive\, high-quality learning experiences that support every student. As districts evaluate a growing number of AI-enabled instructional and assessment tools\, leaders are asking important questions: How can we identify solutions that are equitable\, accessible\, and designed with learner variability in mind from the start? \nJoin this edLeader Panel for a behind-the-scenes look at the “Wheel of Inclusion\,” a major collaboration involving CAST\, the Gates Foundation\, and organizations developing the next generation of digital assessment tools. Panelists share why leading organizations are investing significant time\, expertise\, and resources into Universal Design for Learning (UDL)\, accessibility\, and inclusive AI design—and how these efforts aim to improve experiences and outcomes for both students and educators. \nViewers explore: \n\nHow accessibility and UDL considerations are shaping the development of AI-enabled assessment tools\nWhat district leaders should look for when evaluating digital products for procurement and implementation\nHow organizations are working to reduce bias and create more flexible\, learner-centered assessment experiences\nWhat goes into achieving third-party UDL Product Certification and why it matters for schools and districts\nWhy sustainable\, cross-functional approaches to inclusive design are becoming essential in today’s educational technology landscape\n\nWhether you lead curricula\, assessment\, technology\, innovation\, or student support initiatives\, you leave with practical insights and key questions to help guide conversations about equitable AI adoption and future-ready assessment design. This edLeader Panel is of interest to elementary through high school district leaders\, school leaders\, and education technology leaders. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nPeter Jacobson is a product leader passionate about building research-backed tools that improve learning outcomes for all students. With over a decade of experience in education technology\, he specializes in identifying opportunities to leverage emerging technologies to measure student growth and achievement with greater accuracy and efficiency. As a Product Manager at Khan Academy\, Peter partners closely with researchers\, educators\, and engineers to ensure that new innovations are not only forward thinking but also scientifically sound\, valid\, reliable\, and equitable for diverse learners. His background as a trained educator shapes his product philosophy: pairing bold innovation with practical classroom impact and an unwavering commitment to measurement integrity. Peter holds a master’s in teaching from the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education\, as well as a master’s in business administration from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business. \n \nAs a Professional Learning and Implementation Specialist at CAST and technical assistance support for the Center on Inclusive Technology & Education Systems (CITES)\, Michelle Soriano promotes inclusive\, equitable\, and accessible instructional opportunities for all learners. In her role\, she partners not only with educators and organizations but also with edtech developers—supporting teams in embedding Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and accessibility into product design workflows\, development cycles\, and system-level decision making to ensure tools are usable and inclusive from the start. \nPrior to joining CAST\, Michelle served as a regional education specialist in the area of inclusive practices for two different Education Service Centers in Texas. During this time\, she provided technical assistance and support through professional development\, instructional coaching\, professional learning communities\, and partnerships in creating state and regional documents and training. She has also worked as a behavior specialist administrator\, PK–12 instructional coach\, general education teacher\, and special education teacher. Michelle’s passion in education resides in supporting both educators and product developers in embracing learner variability through Universal Design for Learning. She is committed to empowering systems to design with intention so that all learners have meaningful options to engage\, participate\, and guide their own learning journey according to their personal preferences and needs. \nLearn more about viewing the live presentation and the recording\, and earning your CE certificate. \nJoin the Assessment for Learning community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edLeader Panels\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\n\n \n \n A nonprofit\, education research and development organization\, CAST leads\, inspires\, and convenes a global community to design inclusive learning experiences through our Universal Design for Learning framework and UDL Guidelines\, now used all over the world. CAST provides professional learning services to support UDL implementation\, accessibility solutions\, and the UDL Product Certification. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/assessment20260624/ CATEGORIES:Accessibility,Artificial Intelligence,Assessment,edLeader Panel,Inclusive Education,Universal Design for Learning ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260624-assessment-event_panel.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260708T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260708T150000 DTSTAMP:20260708T185254Z CREATED:20260601T015730Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T185254Z UID:12347872-1783519200-1783522800@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Science of Reading Coaching Strategies: Bridging the Gap DESCRIPTION:Presented by Austen Hecker\, Ed.D.\, Coordinator\, America Reads Tutoring Program\, and Outreach Specialist\, Virginia Literacy Partnerships\, University of Virginia; and Christa Haring\, Ph.D.\, CCC-SLP\, Research Scientist\, Virginia Literacy Partnerships\, University of Virginia\nModerated by Stephanie Roselli\, Executive Editor\, Gryphon House \nSponsored by Gryphon House \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nIn Virginia Literacy Partnerships’ work of supporting the implementation of state-level legislation related to literacy instruction\, the goal is to align research\, policy\, and practice so that all students have access to the skills they need to read and comprehend text. Coaching requires intentionality throughout the process of preparing for\, implementing\, and sustaining change within complex systems. \nIn this edWebinar\, experts from Virginia Literacy Partnerships discuss several of the coaching strategies that they have learned through their experience supporting schools and divisions across the state\, including: \n\nSuccessful implementation requires intentional planning at the system level\nReading support is a shared job\, and success is possible even in complex/imperfect systems\nEvidence-based literacy practices should be implemented across settings\, but how that looks varies by context\nOur collective lens should be on the experience of students throughout their school day\nStart small: Target a few\, high-leverage practices (small shifts\, big impact)\n\nThis edWebinar is of interest to K-8 teachers\, school leaders\, district leaders\, and any educator involved in reading instruction and evidence-based literacy instruction. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nAusten Hecker\, Ed.D.\, is the Coordinator for the America Reads tutoring program and serves as an Outreach Specialist for Virginia Literacy Partnerships (VLP). She earned her Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Virginia in 2024. Prior to working at the University of Virginia\, Dr. Hecker taught English for speakers of other languages in K-8\, fifth grade\, and a secondary reading intervention program. Her research interests include literacy instructional practice\, data-based decision making\, equitable literacy practices for culturally and linguistically diverse students\, and qualitative methodologies. \n \nChrista Haring\, Ph.D.\, CCC-SLP\, has served in the field of education for more than 25 years and has worked with students at every age\, from those in early intervention to those completing doctoral programs. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders and post-baccalaureate degrees in special education from Brigham Young University\, her master’s degree in speech-language pathology from Florida State University\, and her doctoral degree in learning disabilities and behavior disorders from the University of Texas at Austin. Her doctoral research examined the impact of coaching support on intervention fidelity across teacher and student outcomes\, and her post-doctoral program research focused on early language and literacy experiences of children in under-resourced environments. \nPrior to coming to work at Virginia Literacy Partnerships\, Dr. Haring served as an assistant professor in a pre-service education program and as the national director of research and evaluation for a home visiting program serving families in 96 programs in 25 states across the country. Through decades of work both in the classroom and serving educators as a coach\, she has found motivation in the unconquerable spirit and hearts of educators. Their relentless compassion\, resilience\, innumerable efforts\, and persistent dedication in the face of ever-growing challenges and barriers provide inspiration to continue searching for ways to magnify their efforts to increase student understanding. \n\n \nAbout the Moderator \nStephanie Roselli is the Executive Editor at Gryphon House\, the leading publisher of educational resources for teachers and parents\, where she acquires and develops the latest books from today’s top early childhood experts. \n\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Early Learning Book Chats community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\nGryphon House is an award-winning publisher of early childhood resources for teachers and parents. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/bookchats20260708/ CATEGORIES:Coaching and Mentorship,Early Literacy,Science of Reading ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260708-bookchats-event.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260709T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260709T150000 DTSTAMP:20260710T023816Z CREATED:20260608T151121Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260710T023816Z UID:12413733-1783605600-1783609200@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:How Rural Districts Are Using AI to Meet Real Needs: Lessons from the Rural AI Strategy Lab DESCRIPTION:Presented by David Huggins\, K-8 Innovation Lab Coordinator\, Mohave Valley Elementary School District (AZ); Jessica Gillespie\, Director\, Instructional Improvement–Innovation\, Griswold Public Schools (CT); and Ted W. Paton\, Associate Superintendent\, Ionia County Intermediate School District (ICISD)\, and Principal\, Ionia County Career Center (MI)\nModerated by Dr. Megan Benay\, Partner\, Implementation and Practice\, FullScale; and Dr. Adam A. Phyall\, III\, Director\, Professional Learning and Leadership\, All4Ed \nSponsored by FullScale \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nWhat does it actually look like when rural school districts design AI solutions for their own communities? In this edWebinar\, moderators Dr. Megan Benay (FullScale) and Dr. Adam A. Phyall\, III (All4Ed) are joined by three team leads from the Rural AI Strategy Lab\, a cohort-based initiative where 13 rural school district teams are working through a human-centered design process to identify real problems and build AI-enabled solutions that fit their contexts. \nViewers hear directly from David Huggins (Mohave Valley Elementary School District)\, Jessica Gillespie (Griswold Public Schools)\, and Ted W. Paton (Ionia County Career Center) as they walk through their experience from the inside. They share the user-centered problems they identified\, the AI tools they selected and why\, what they learned when they started prototyping\, and how they’re planning their pilots for fall 2026. Viewers hear about what surprised them\, what they’d do differently\, and what they think other rural districts should know about this work. \nThis recorded edWebinar is of interest to K-12 teachers\, school leaders\, and district leaders. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nDavid Huggins is an educator and United States Army veteran with more than a decade of experience in education. He began his teaching career in 2012 at Dell H. Robison Middle School in Las Vegas after earning both his Bachelor of Arts in History (2010) and Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (2012) from UNLV. In 2021\, he joined the Mohave Valley Elementary School District as a sixth-grade social studies teacher at Mohave Valley Junior High. Currently\, he serves as the Innovation Lab teacher and the district’s K–8 Innovation Coordinator\, helping students and staff integrate creativity\, technology\, and problem-solving into learning. In 2025\, he was recognized as the Arizona Rural Schools Teacher of Distinction for his leadership\, innovation\, and commitment to student success. \n \nJessica Gillespie is the Director of Instructional Improvement–Innovation at Griswold Public Schools. As an ISTE-certified Edtech Leader\, she collaborates with teachers across disciplines in grades K-12 to integrate technology and artificial intelligence in ways that center student learning and engagement. Currently\, Jessica’s professional responsibilities include leading curriculum development; new teacher support and mentor training; supporting instruction\, assessment\, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports; and providing professional learning. In addition to being a former Griswold Public Schools Teacher of the Year\, Jessica is also a Modern Classrooms Project Distinguished Educator and Expert Mentor\, a Google and SchoolAI certified educator\, and CT Impact Educator for her work on blended learning. Jessica is passionate about making teaching more sustainable and about empowering learners through inclusive and authentic experiences. \n \nTed W. Paton is a forward-thinking educator and innovator dedicated to bridging the digital divide for the next generation of rural leaders. As a collaborator with the Rural AI Lab\, Ted focuses on the vital intersection of advanced technology and community-driven workforce development in Ionia. At the Ionia County Career Center\, Ted plays a pivotal role as Principal in equipping students with the practical\, hands-on skills needed to thrive in an increasingly automated world. Ted’s other roles include being the Associate Superintendent of Ionia County ISD and Director for CEPD 53. As a former science and computer teacher\, the merging of AI and education has been a natural step to take. Helping staff and students consider how tech/AI can be a force multiplier for work\, careers and education makes sense. He looks forward to collaborating with other forward-thinking educators in AI work this summer and next fall. \n \nAbout the Moderators \nDr. Megan Benay is a Partner on the Practice and Implementation team at FullScale and a strategic\, innovative educational leader with deep experience advancing student-centered\, evidence-based improvement in K–12 education. Throughout her career\, she has focused on using research\, collaboration\, data\, and emerging technologies to strengthen teaching and learning and create more inclusive\, equitable learning environments. \nPrior to joining FullScale\, Dr. Benay worked as an education consultant supporting organizations including the New York State Education Department and educator preparation leaders to strengthen evidence-based literacy instruction. Previously\, she served as Senior National Director of Data & Research and Director of Inclusive Education at Great Oaks Foundation\, where she led continuous improvement\, research\, and systems-building efforts to improve academic\, social\, and emotional outcomes for diverse learners. Dr. Benay holds degrees from Johns Hopkins University\, Columbia University’s Teachers College\, Hunter College\, and the University of Vermont Honors College. \n \nDr. Adam A. Phyall\, III\, is a former high school science teacher whose love of educational technology began the day he got his first laptop in college. Early in his teaching career\, he had students create videos and podcasts to explain advanced science concepts\, and once he saw the impact on learning\, he began sharing those strategies with peers. That path led him from Building Instructional Technology Leader to Technology Facilitator to Director of Technology & Media Services for Newton County School System. Today\, Dr. Phyall serves as Director of Professional Learning and Leadership at All4Ed\, supporting Future Ready Schools\, and co-hosts the UnDisrupted podcast with Carl Hooker\, unpacking the everyday challenges of district-level leadership. His guiding philosophy: “If you’re having fun teaching it\, then your students will have fun learning it.” \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Artificial Intelligence in Education community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\n \nFullScale is a national nonprofit formed through the 2025 merger of The Learning Accelerator and the Aurora Institute. FullScale’s mission is to unite education leaders and organizations together to drive collective learning\, action\, and systems transformation. We break silos\, bridge divides\, lift up new evidence and unseen innovations\, and accelerate change for lasting impact for every learner. \n  URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/ai20260709/ CATEGORIES:Artificial Intelligence,Digital Learning,Leadership/Administration,Technology for Learning ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260709-ai-event.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260713T150000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260713T160000 DTSTAMP:20260805T171953Z CREATED:20260613T203721Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T171953Z UID:12500664-1783954800-1783958400@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Say YES! The Mindset That Unlocks Innovation in Education DESCRIPTION:An Interview with Julie Young\, Innovator\, Edupreneur\, and the Founding CEO of Florida Virtual School\, with Lisa Schmucki\, Founder and CEO of edWeb.net \nWatch the RecordingListen to the Podcast \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin us for an edWebinar with Julie Young on her new book\, Say YES! How Virtual Became Reality. Julie was the founding CEO of Florida Virtual School and grew a small\, grant-funded pilot into a national model serving millions of students. She went on to be the founding CEO of ASU Prep Digital at Arizona State University. Michael Crow\, the President of ASU\, says of her book\, “The inside story of how a bold experiment grew… by reimagining learning.” \nJulie continues to be an innovator and edupreneur who understands from personal experience how your mindset is the key to unlocking innovation in education. What happens when we allow ourselves to dream about new learning environments minus the roadblocks? Julie shares stories of experimentation\, partnership\, and courage\, and how a simple shift in thinking can transform what’s possible for students. \nAs the founder and CEO of edWeb.net\, Lisa Schmucki is delighted for the opportunity to interview Julie on a subject close to Lisa’s heart\, too. This interview is of interest to anyone who wants to understand how we can make meaningful\, positive change in education\, a topic that is especially relevant at the dawn of the AI age. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nJulie Young is an edupreneur\, educator\, innovator\, and author whose work has helped transform modern education. As the founding President and CEO of Florida Virtual School\, she played a pioneering role in creating the virtual education industry. Over 17 years\, she grew FLVS from a startup serving 77 students into the largest state virtual school in the USA\, ultimately reaching more than two million learners worldwide and establishing Florida as a global leader in online learning. \nJulie later joined Arizona State University\, where she was the founding CEO of ASU Prep Digital and ASU Prep Global and served as CEO and Senior Advisor to ASU Prep Academy. Throughout her career\, her focus has remained constant: designing student-centered learning models that expand access and opportunity. A sought-after speaker\, advisor\, author of Say Yes! How Virtual Became Reality\, and co-author of Virtual Schools\, Actual Learning\, Julie now works with organizations and leaders committed to reimagining the future of work. \n \nLisa Schmucki is the founder and CEO of edWeb.net\, an award-winning professional learning network that provides peer-to-peer learning for a global community of 1 million educators. Prior to founding edWeb\, Lisa held senior positions in educational publishing and media. She serves on the Board of NCTET (National Coalition for Technology in Education & Training)\, the Expert Network for ERDI (Education Research and Development Institute)\, the Project Tomorrow SpeakUp Council\, the EdSAFE Industry Council\, the SIIA AI Transparency Working Group\, and is a Trustee for the Charles Blaschke EdTech Fund. She is a graduate of Princeton University and has a master’s degree from the Stern School of Business at NYU. Lisa is featured in InnovateHERs: Why Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurial Women Rise to the Top by Barbara Kurshan and Kathy Hurley. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Leadership Practices for Innovative Leaders community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\n  URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/leadership20260713/ CATEGORIES:Book Talk,Business Ed and Entrepreneurship,Digital Learning,Growth Mindset and Culture,Leadership/Administration ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260713-leadership-event.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260716T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260716T130000 DTSTAMP:20260805T172016Z CREATED:20260702T145029Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T172016Z UID:12623142-1784203200-1784206800@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Learn How to Trust Yourself on the Path to Leadership DESCRIPTION:Presented by Lori Kirksted\, Author of The Imposter’s Guide to Authentic Leadership\, Founder and Managing Director of Content Uncomplicated \nWatch the RecordingListen to the Podcast \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nImposter syndrome hits hardest in the people who least deserve it. Every educator who has stepped into a leadership role has felt some version of the question: Who am I to be the one in charge here? The doubt gets louder\, not smaller\, the more responsibility someone takes on\, even when every promotion was earned on results that should have settled the question entirely. \nThere is a specific reason for that. The instinct to read what students and colleagues need\, to keep the room steady\, to put relationships at the center of how you teach and lead\, is what makes someone good at this work\, and it is also the instinct that\, taken into a leadership moment\, can shift into needing everyone’s approval to feel like you’re doing it right. Leadership asks you to make decisions people will not always like\, to hold positions that disappoint someone in the room\, and to trust your own judgment when no one is going to confirm you’ve got it right\, and for people whose whole craft is built on attunement to others\, that is the harder part of the job\, and almost nobody names it out loud. \nThis edWebinar is built around Dr. Bill George’s Five Dimensions of Authentic Leadership\, interpreted through the lens of educators and people-pleasers who got here by being excellent at a completely different job\, exploring what it actually looks like to lead from trust in yourself instead of approval from everyone else\, whether the room you’re leading has 30 kids in it or 30 adults. \nThis edWebinar is for you if… \n\nYou got promoted because you were excellent at the work\, and now you sometimes wonder if you tricked everyone into thinking you could do this job\nYou came up through the classroom and leadership is asking for something completely different from what made you great at teaching\nYou are the person your team comes to with everything\, and you are starting to feel the weight of that\nYou have been told to just be yourself as a leader and found that advice spectacularly unhelpful\nYou care so much about getting it right that the caring itself has started to feel like the problem\n\nYou leave with… \n\nA clear understanding of why imposter syndrome is a predictable feature of the practitioner-to-leader path\, not something wrong with you\nLanguage for what is actually happening when leadership feels harder than it should\, so you can stop treating it like a personal flaw\nThe ability to spot where your people-pleasing instincts are serving your team and where they are running the show in ways that cost everyone\nA real distinction between being liked and being trusted\, and why that gap matters more in education than almost anywhere else\nAt least one concrete reframe for a leadership challenge you are facing right now\, drawn from Dr. Bill George’s Five Dimensions interpreted through the lens of people who got here by caring deeply about everyone else\n\nBuy The Imposter’s Guide to Authentic Leadership by Lori Kirksted here. \n \n \nAbout the Presenter \nLori Kirksted is the author of The Imposter’s Guide to Authentic Leadership and the Founder and Managing Director of Content Uncomplicated\, a boutique marketing consultancy. She spent close to two decades inside the education sector\, building the content marketing function at Lexia Learning from the ground up and later serving as Director of Marketing at CORE Learning. That work put her in close orbit with the educators\, instructional coaches\, and school leaders who became the inspiration for this book\, not as its intended audience\, but as proof that the practitioner-to-leader transition is one of the most disorienting and least-discussed experiences in professional life. Lori writes and speaks for anyone who got promoted on the strength of their work and then discovered that leading required something fundamentally different from what made them excellent in the first place. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Leadership and Innovation community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\n  URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/leadersplc20260716/ CATEGORIES:Book Talk,Business Ed and Entrepreneurship,Leadership/Administration,Women and Girls' Leadership ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260716-leadersplc-event.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260720T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260720T120000 DTSTAMP:20260803T030801Z CREATED:20260610T202007Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260803T030801Z UID:12446785-1784545200-1784548800@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:How to Host a Dynamic Family Engagement Event on Digital Literacy and Well-Being DESCRIPTION:Presented by Megan Smith\, Instructional Technology Integrator\, Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 (IU13); and Cristi Means\, Library Media Specialist\, Bucher and Brecht Elementary Schools (PA)\nModerated by Jennifer Ehehalt\, Senior Regional Manager\, Common Sense Education \nSponsored by Common Sense Education \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nLooking for a blueprint for creating interactive learning stations designed to spark meaningful conversations and help families build digital skills together? \nJoin Megan Smith\, instructional technology coach\, and Cristi Means\, librarian\, for an inspiring edWebinar where they take you behind the scenes of a highly successful community Family Engagement Night. They walk you through eight interactive stations and hands-on activities to get families excited about digital literacy\, healthy habits\, and digital well-being. \nThey share a complete\, step-by-step Family Engagement Playbook that you can immediately use\, adapt\, and scale to launch a successful event in your own community. This edWebinar is of interest to K-8 teachers\, librarians\, school leaders\, and district leaders. \n\n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nMegan Smith is an Instructional Technology Integrator with the Educational Technology team at Lancaster-Lebanon IU13\, joining in 2023. With over 18 years of experience in education\, she has previously served as a classroom teacher\, instructional coach\, and technology integration coach before joining the team at IU13. Megan specializes in designing and facilitating dynamic professional learning opportunities that focus on supporting best practices in instruction. Passionate about community connection and modern learning\, she is excited to share her experience and strategies for designing impactful digital literacy family engagement events. \n \nWith 13 years of teaching experience in kindergarten\, second\, and third grade\, Cristi Means has spent the past four years sharing her love of learning and literacy as an elementary school librarian. A proud graduate of the University of South Carolina\, Cristi is passionate about helping students become curious\, confident\, and responsible digital citizens. She loves connecting books to curiosity\, teaching students to find trustworthy information\, and celebrating the joy of getting lost in a great story. Blending her classroom experience with a strong commitment to media literacy\, Cristi guides students in navigating both books and the digital world with confidence and care. Whether she’s sharing a lively read-aloud\, leading a research project\, or helping students explore technology safely\, Cristi strives to empower lifelong learners who are ready to explore\, question\, and connect with the world around them. \n \nAbout the Moderator \nAs Senior Regional Manager\, Jennifer Ehehalt designs and delivers high-quality professional development opportunities for educators across the country. She spotlights thought leaders by creating and moderating conversations on timely topics relevant to digital teaching and learning. When attending Jennifer’s edWeb sessions\, participants know they will leave with concrete strategies from the field\, including how to build a positive school culture\, use straightforward templates to guide challenging conversations\, and implement family engagement ideas. \n\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Digital Learning & Leadership community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\nCommon Sense Education develops high-quality digital citizenship programs and digital teaching resources\, providing educators and students with the digital learning tools they need to harness the power of technology for life. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/commonsense20260720/ CATEGORIES:Digital Citizenship,Digital Literacy,Family and Community Engagement,Library/Media ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260720-commonsense-event.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260720T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260720T150000 DTSTAMP:20260921T142648Z CREATED:20260622T023210Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T142648Z UID:12530497-1784556000-1784559600@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:7 Reasons Why New ELA Curriculum Adoptions Stall and What Makes Them Stick DESCRIPTION:Presented by Katie Gribben\, District Instructional Lead for ELA/Literacy\, Upper Schools\, Cambridge Public Schools (MA); Brigitte Seyferth\, Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning\, LEARN Charter Schools (IL); and Emily Wojtusik\, Experienced Educator\, Senior Director of Implementation\, Fishtank Learning\nModerated by Jim McVety\, Managing Partner\, First Step Advisors \nSponsored by Fishtank Learning \nWatch the RecordingListen to the PodcastRead the Article \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nBuilding on the April edLeader Panel\, Using Whole Texts to Foster Student Agency and Critical Thinking\, this follow-up session turns from the what and the why to the how. \nKatie Gribben\, District Instructional Lead for ELA/Literacy\, Upper Schools at Cambridge Public Schools\, and Brigitte Seyferth\, Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning at LEARN Charter Schools\, joins Emily Wojtusik\, Senior Director of Implementation at Fishtank Learning\, to explore why new ELA curriculum adoptions stall in schools and districts and the seven shifts that make them stick. The panelists reframe adoption not as a purchase but as a multi-year change process: one that is a science\, involves investment and training\, and that can’t be done alone. \nView this session to discover: \n\nWhy Good Curricula Stall: The seven most common traps\, from handing teachers new materials with no time to train to not having a school or district leader to champion the implementation to expecting results before year three.\nWhat Makes Adoption Stick: How to build the systems\, investment\, change management\, and shared ownership that carry a curriculum past the learning in the first year\, including phasing in one adoption at a time to prevent teacher overwhelm.\nImplementation as a Science: Why lasting change means giving a new curriculum three-plus years\, creating space for teacher reflection and voice\, and adjusting schedules\, structures\, and routines so the materials can succeed.\nThe Cost of Stalling—and the Power of a Pilot: What districts lose when adoptions fizzle—student learning stalls\, teacher trust erodes\, and there’s no sustainable expertise—and how a well-run pilot works out the logistics and builds buy-in before full rollout.\n\nThis edLeader Panel is of interest to K-12 district leaders\, school administrators\, curriculum directors\, instructional coaches\, and teacher leaders. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nKatie Gribben (she/her) is the District Instructional Lead for ELA/Literacy\, Upper Schools for Cambridge Public Schools in Massachusetts. Katie’s role is to lead\, support\, and empower excellent ELA and literacy instruction in grades six and up. Prior to taking on this role\, Katie was a building-based Literacy Coach and a seventh- and eighth-grade ELA teacher for Cambridge Public Schools. Katie has also taught ELA and history in NYC and Phoenix\, AZ. \n\n \nBrigitte Seyferth is the Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning at LEARN Charter Schools with more than 18 years of experience in educational leadership\, curriculum design\, and systems development. Throughout her career\, she has led transformative literacy initiatives across charter school networks\, driving measurable gains in student achievement and teacher effectiveness. At LEARN Charter Schools\, Brigitte partners with school leaders to strengthen instructional systems\, develop data-driven coaching strategies\, and implement high-impact professional learning experiences. She has successfully led network-wide curriculum adoptions\, designed scalable literacy systems\, and supported schools in achieving significant increases in reading proficiency. Prior to her current role\, Brigitte served in a variety of leadership positions\, including director of humanities\, assistant principal\, dean of instruction\, and senior content manager. She holds a master’s degree in education leadership and policy from DePaul University. Brigitte is passionate about building educator capacity and creating systems that accelerate student success. \n \nEmily Wojtusik is a Senior Director of Implementation at Fishtank Learning with over a decade of experience driving instructional excellence across K–12 schools. A former principal and humanities leader\, she specializes in supporting schools and systems to implement high-quality curricula with integrity while centering equity and rigor. She has led professional development\, coached leaders and teachers\, and built systems that improve outcomes for all students. Her work bridges strategy and practice—translating ambitious academic vision into strong classroom instruction. Emily has taught and led schools in Arkansas\, Tennessee\, and Connecticut. She is passionate about literacy\, critical thinking\, and ensuring all students have access to meaningful texts and learning experiences. Outside of work\, Emily is a girl mom and a Connecticut native. She can be found at the softball field or cheering on her daughter at a field hockey game on the weekends. \n \nAbout the Moderator \nJim McVety is the Managing Partner of First Step Advisors. Jim and his team advise global brands\, early/mid-stage innovators\, and leading investors who share a commitment to improving educational outcomes. He is also the Executive Producer of Navigate EdTech\, which provides guidance\, insight\, and perspective for professionals working in EdTech. Jim holds degrees in secondary education and English from Boston College\, has served on numerous advisory boards\, and works with a range of strategic partners around the globe. \n\nJoin the Teaching Reading and Writing community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \n\nFishtank Learning creates High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) for ELA and Math\, grounded in best practices and built around rigorous objectives. Both their Math and ELA curricula are highly rated by EdReports for standards alignment\, with their ELA materials further recognized by The Reading League. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/teach2read20260720/ CATEGORIES:Curriculum Development,edLeader Panel,English, Language Arts, Writing,Reading Skills,Science of Reading,Teaching Practice and Pedagogy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260720-teach2read-event_panel.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260721T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260721T140000 DTSTAMP:20260723T155708Z CREATED:20260508T194730Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T155708Z UID:12202669-1784635200-1784642400@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Teaching the Constitution? Explore Podcasting to Connect Past and Present! DESCRIPTION:Presented by Erica Shaw\, High School History Teacher at the College Now Program\, Mt. Diablo Unified School (CA); Elizabeth Colen Mooney\, 8th Grade Humanities Teacher\, Gateway Middle School (CA); Jessica Fagen\, Former Educator\, Youth Media and Curriculum Specialist\, KQED; and Rachel Roberson\, Former Educator\, Senior Program Manager\, Education Content\, KQED \nSponsored by KQED Education \nWatch the Introduction and Audio Demo\nWatch the Middle and High School Breakouts\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nWelcome to this hands-on workshop\, where we unpack the just-released curriculum from KQED Education\, Podcasting Democracy: Understanding the Constitution to Inspire Civic Change. You have the opportunity to start creating your own civic audio commentary content to serve as a model for your students. The workshop explores fresh approaches to teaching democracy fundamentals\, connecting the founding documents to real life while building students’ civic voice. The edWebinar features two of the social studies educators who co-created the unit\, along with KQED’s Jessica Fagen and Rachel Roberson. They share the pilot program’s impact on student learning\, motivation\, and civic engagement. This free curriculum includes standards-aligned content modules for middle school U.S. history and high school government/civics and history classes. \nAfter a brief introduction\, attendees broke into two workshops—one for high school and one for middle school. Viewers: \n\nDiscover how helping students connect their voice to the long tradition of American civic advocacy reinforces historical thinking\, content knowledge\, and media literacy\nLearn audio production basics and start creating your model podcast\nLeave with loads of free curriculum resources\, including daily lesson slides\, formative checkpoints\, rubrics\, and graphic organizers\n\nPlease note: If you don’t already have a preferred audio recording tool\, please create an account on Soundtrap for Education and sign up for a 30-day free classroom trial. If you choose to extend your 30-day trial for the 2026-27 school year\, we tell you a no-cost way to do this during the workshop. If you choose not to continue with Soundtrap\, your trial expires with no action needed on your part. \nThis two-hour podcasting workshop is of interest to grades 6-12 teachers\, librarians\, school leaders\, district leaders\, and educator technology leaders. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nErica Shaw is a high school history teacher at the College Now Program\, a partnership dual-enrollment program with Mt. Diablo Unified School District and Diablo Valley College. She has been in the classroom for 18 years and loves to teach about the expansion of civil rights through projects and engaging students in civic action. Erica is the 2022 James Madison Fellow for the state of California and recently earned her master’s degree in American history with an emphasis in constitutional studies. When she’s not teaching\, she can be found discussing all things history related with her spouse\, who is also a history teacher\, or shuttling her kids around to their various activities. \n \nElizabeth Colen Mooney is an eighth-grade humanities teacher at Gateway Middle School in San Francisco. With a passion for education and a commitment to fostering critical thinking\, Elizabeth is a founding member of Gateway Middle School. She holds a B.A. in social studies and an M.A. in education\, both from Whittier College\, and achieved National Board Certification in Secondary Social Science. Beyond the classroom\, Elizabeth served as an independent contractor and consultant with Facing History and Ourselves\, contributing to curricula\, facilitating workshops\, and leading the Middle School Consortium. When she’s not teaching\, Elizabeth enjoys exploring San Francisco with her two daughters and finding time for her hobbies of reading and running. \n \nJessica Fagen is KQED’s Youth Media and Curriculum Specialist. Before coming to KQED\, Jessica taught English and Ethnic Studies in the Oakland Unified School District\, where she brought her passion for media literacy to her classroom. She currently writes curricula\, supports educators\, and works directly with students on projects that elevate youth voice. Jessica holds an M.A. in education from UC Berkeley. \n \nRachel Roberson is an experienced teacher leader and curriculum content developer who has served as a classroom teacher and administrator at public\, charter\, and international schools. Rachel specializes in professional learning facilitation and curriculum development\, strategy\, and implementation. At KQED\, she works to connect educators and students to KQED online education sites\, KQED Teach and the Youth Media Challenge\, by creating humanities curricula and professional learning content\, supporting product development\, championing youth-created media in and out of the classroom\, and leading projects and partnerships focused on teachers and classrooms. Rachel is a graduate of Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism\, received her California teaching credential in secondary English and social studies from Mills College\, and has a Master of Arts in Teaching Leadership from St. Mary’s College of California. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the K-12 Social Studies and Civics community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\nKQED is a nonprofit\, public media station and NPR and PBS member station based in San Francisco. As a leader in media innovation\, KQED provides free\, standards-aligned classroom content and professional development that educators can trust. Our workshops and courses help educators in all roles\, subjects\, and grades strengthen their media literacy skills\, empower youth voices\, and encourage civil discourse. \n  URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/socialstudies20260721/ CATEGORIES:Digital Learning,Media Literacy,Multimedia in Education,Social Studies and Civics,Student Agency and Voice ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260721-socialstudies-event.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260721T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260721T150000 DTSTAMP:20260921T142725Z CREATED:20260616T202621Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T142725Z UID:12508671-1784642400-1784646000@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:What High-Performing Districts Do Differently: How to Turn Strategy Into Results DESCRIPTION:Presented by Christian Lehr\, Managing Director\, Tyton Partners\, and Former Educator; Dr. Mary Catherine Reljac\, Superintendent\, Fox Chapel Area School District (PA); and Dr. Gene Kerns\, Chief Academic Officer\, Renaissance\, and Former Educator \nSponsored by Renaissance \nWatch the RecordingListen to the PodcastRead the Article \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nMost K–12 districts have the vision. More than half have a Portrait of a Graduate framework in place. Nearly 60% report alignment between curricula and assessment. And AI adoption is accelerating\, helping teachers to streamline workflows. \nBut new research from Tyton Partners reveals a persistent execution gap\, with instructional teams struggling to make data actionable and leverage AI tools to truly improve learning outcomes. \nJoin this edLeader Panel to examine where the gaps are largest\, what distinguishes districts that turn strategy into results\, and what it takes to move from ambition to impact this school year. You explore: \n\nWhy Portrait of a Graduate frameworks can stall between adoption and use—and what successful school systems do differently\nWhere data-driven instruction most often breaks down\, and how to address this\nWhy data access alone fails to produce better instructional practice\nWhat districts should prioritize to deliver measurable outcomes aligned to their visions of student success\n\nThis edLeader Panel is of interest to K-12 superintendents\, assistant superintendents\, and curriculum directors. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nChristian Lehr is Managing Director at Tyton Partners\, where he focuses on K–12 education. As a former high school teacher\, advisor\, and coach\, he has a deep understanding of the education landscape. He focuses on helping organizations translate classroom challenges into actionable\, scalable strategies to drive impact. \n \nMary Catherine Reljac\, Ed.D.\, is Superintendent of Fox Chapel Area School District in Pennsylvania. She has more than 25 years of educational leadership experience\, having served as a teacher\, principal\, and assistant superintendent. She is a facilitator for the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership Program\, serves on multiple advisory boards\, and is a member of AASA\, PASA\, and ASCD. \n \nGene Kerns\, Ed.D.\, is Chief Academic Officer at Renaissance and a nationally acclaimed speaker on assessment\, learning progressions\, and educational standards. He is a third-generation educator and a former director of curriculum and instruction. He is also co-author of three books: inFormative Assessment\, Unlocking Student Talent\, and Literacy Reframed. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Leadership Practices for Innovative Leaders community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\n \nAs a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries\, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/leadership20260721/ CATEGORIES:21st Century Learning,Data and Analytics,edLeader Panel,Education Research/Evidence,Future Ready Learning,Leadership/Administration ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260721-leadership-event_panel.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260721T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260721T170000 DTSTAMP:20260803T031047Z CREATED:20260624T172056Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260803T031047Z UID:12557323-1784649600-1784653200@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Why Motivation Matters: Unlocking Early Reading Success DESCRIPTION:Presented by Dr. Molly Ness\, Experienced Educator\, Author\, and Teacher Educator\, Dirigo Literacy; and Dana Jaffee\, Director\, Professional Learning Services\, Zaner-Bloser \nSponsored by Zaner-Bloser \nWatch the Recording\nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nOnly a small percentage of children today report enjoying reading for pleasure\, and motivation to read begins to decline as early as first grade. For educators\, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. \nIn this engaging\, research-based edWebinar\, Dr. Molly Ness explores how reading motivation fuels academic achievement and the development of foundational reading skills\, such as word recognition\, fluency\, vocabulary\, and comprehension. She unpacks why intrinsic motivation is linked to deeper comprehension\, higher achievement\, and greater persistence with challenging texts\, and reveal the critical role of self-efficacy: when young learners believe they can succeed as readers\, they’re more willing to take risks\, stay engaged\, and read more. \nViewers of this session: \n\nExplore what truly motivates young readers and why intrinsic motivation matters more than rewards and incentives\nDiscover how self-efficacy shapes a child’s identity as a reader and how instruction can strengthen it\nLearn ways to support early reading development through meaningful\, engaging literacy experiences\nWalk away with practical strategies to build students’ confidence and motivation to read\n\nWhether you’re working to build a strong early literacy foundation\, boost engagement\, or cultivate a culture of joyful reading\, this session equips you with practical tools and research-based insights to better support every student’s journey toward becoming a confident\, capable reader. This edWebinar is of interest to K–3 teachers and school and district leaders. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nDr. Molly Ness is a former classroom teacher\, a reading researcher\, and a teacher educator. She earned a doctorate in reading education at the University of Virginia and spent 16 years as an Associate Professor at Fordham University in New York City. The author of six books\, Dr. Ness serves on the board for the World Literacy Foundation. She has extensive experience directing reading clinics\, consulting with school districts\, leading professional development\, and advising school systems on research-based reading instruction. In 2024\, she founded Dirigo Literacy\, a literacy consulting firm helping schools\, districts\, and states align with and implement the Science of Reading. \n \nDana Jaffee has more than 18 years of experience in elementary teaching and instructional coaching. She has spent the past nine years at Zaner-Bloser\, where she currently serves as Director of Professional Learning Services. She is passionate about helping all students access high-quality core reading instruction grounded in scientifically based reading research. She loves partnering with educators to deliver relevant and impactful professional development that empowers them to create meaningful learning experiences for their students. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Be a Literacy Hero community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\n \nZaner-Bloser develops curriculum resources to teach foundational literacy and math skills to students in prekindergarten through sixth grade. Our resources help teachers engage and empower students and inspire more “aha” moments to harness the creative power of learning. As a member of the Highlights Family of Companies\, we believe children are the most important people\, so we strive to always do what’s right for children and to make a significant contribution to their education. URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/literacyhero20260721/ CATEGORIES:Early Childhood Learning,Early Literacy,Reading Skills,Science of Reading ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260721-literacyhero-event.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260722T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260722T170000 DTSTAMP:20261019T231014Z CREATED:20260709T031733Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T231014Z UID:12658277-1784736000-1784739600@home.edweb.net SUMMARY:Grow Teacher Leaders From the Start: How Teacher Candidates Engage and Explore with an edWeb Professional Learning Community DESCRIPTION:Presented by Becky McCraw\, Ph.D.\, Experienced Educator\, Assistant Professor of Education\, Converse University; Sarah Mitchell\, Teacher Candidate\, Converse University; Sophia Pollard\, Teacher Candidate\, Converse University; and Sandry Perez\, Converse Graduate and First Year Teacher\, Cleveland Academy of Leadership (SC) \nWatch the RecordingListen to the Podcast \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nState-level policy overhauls can leave even the most seasoned educators experiencing a rollercoaster of professional “fight\, flight\, fawn\, flop\, or friend” responses. When South Carolina’s 2024 Read to Succeed Teacher Competencies revisions triggered a major program shift within the Converse University Teacher Preparation Program\, it demanded more than just revised syllabi—it required space to navigate deep cognitive dissonance and evolve core belief systems. \nJoin us for an insightful edWebinar exploring how members of the Converse University Teacher Preparation Program turned systemic disruption into an opportunity for building community for the next generation of teacher leaders. Discover how the strategic integration of a private edWeb professional learning community (PLC) allowed teacher candidates to find their voices\, engage with just-in-time professional development\, and grow into deeply reflective practitioners. \nViewers learn: \n\nThe impact of state-level policy changes (like the 2024 Read to Succeed updates) on educator belief systems and programmatic design\nHow K-12 district models of edWeb PLCs can be successfully adapted into higher education teacher preparation programs\nThe structure of a private PLC that balances student autonomy\, choice\, and shared\, collaborative cohort experiences\nHow to actively leverage a private digital learning community\n\nThis edWebinar is of interest to K-12 educators and leaders. \n \n \nAbout the Presenters \nDr. Becky McCraw received her Ph.D. in language and literacy from the University of South Carolina and is currently an Assistant Professor at Converse University in Spartanburg\, SC\, where she teaches preservice teachers. She retired from Cherokee County Schools after serving for 33 years as a classroom teacher and literacy coach. During her career\, she taught both third and fifth grade before becoming a literacy coach. She is an active member of NCTE and ILA and has presented at numerous national and state conventions. She has served as a reviewer for the NCTE Books Program and the NCTE journal\, Language Arts. She has also served on numerous advisory boards and committees for NCTE\, ILA\, and ReadWriteThink\, and currently serves as the chair of the Literacy Leaders in Higher Education Committee for the Palmetto State Literacy Association\, the SC affiliate of ILA. Her research interests include early childhood literacy development and professional learning communities. When not teaching\, Dr. McCraw enjoys spending time with her family\, reading\, singing in her church choir\, and playing bells in the bell choir. \n \nSarah Mitchell is beginning her senior year at Converse University\, where she is pursuing a degree in early childhood education. As a wife\, mother of two\, and nontraditional college student\, she is grateful for the opportunity to follow her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. Sarah hopes to create a classroom where every child feels valued\, supported\, and excited to learn. She believes meaningful relationships\, curiosity\, and encouragement help children build confidence both in and beyond the classroom. Through her own journey\, she hopes to inspire others to believe it’s never too late to pursue their dreams. Outside of school\, Sarah enjoys gardening\, cooking\, exploring new places\, and spending time with her family. \n \nSophia Pollard is a proud New England native and an early childhood education major at Converse University\, with a passion for education\, leadership\, and community engagement. Throughout her time at Converse\, she has served as a Student Orientation Coordinator\, Communications Intern\, and Campus Leader. Sophia is passionate about creating welcoming environments and inspiring others through service and collaboration. She plans to begin her career as an elementary educator before pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership at Southern New Hampshire University. Outside of the classroom\, Sophia enjoys attending concerts\, discovering new coffee shops\, and shopping with friends and family. She believes meaningful relationships\, lifelong learning\, and strong leadership are the foundation for making a positive impact. Whether she’s welcoming new students\, creating engaging content\, or working with children\, Sophia is dedicated to helping others grow\, connect\, and succeed. \n \nSandry Perez is a Spartanburg native and recent graduate of Converse University\, where she earned her Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and education from Wofford College. Sandry is passionate about creating inclusive\, engaging classrooms where every student feels seen\, supported\, and encouraged to succeed. She enjoys building meaningful relationships with students and finding ways to connect learning to their interests. This fall\, she is excited to begin her teaching career as a fifth-grade teacher at Cleveland Academy of Leadership in Spartanburg School District 7. \nLearn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features. \nJoin the Professional Learning & Practice community to network with educators\, participate in online discussions\, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars\, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates. \n\n  URL:https://home.edweb.net/webinar/pd20260722/ CATEGORIES:Coaching and Mentorship,New Teacher and Staff Support,PLC Interview,Professional Development,Teacher Development and Retention,Teaching Practice and Pedagogy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://home.edweb.net/wp-content/uploads/20260722-converse-event.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR