Planning to the margins sounds like a great idea – until you are trying to do it with your own students! As more and more students with exceptional support needs (linguistically, behaviorally, socially, and academically) join general education classes, the need for UDL increases. Yet these varying needs can be taxing and exhausting for any educator, and the idea of executing UDL with a fixed curriculum can be especially daunting. In this session, participants will experience UDL in action while learning easy-to-implement strategies at various grade levels, subjects, and curriculum.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to: · Define Universal Design for Learning and name key components · Identify examples of UDL in action · Set goals for implementing more UDL in their own classes to support a range of learners
Every classroom has diverse learners, each bringing unique strengths and challenges. In this session, participants will explore strategies for making the EL Curriculum more accessible and responsive to all students. Through discussion and practical application, we will examine ways to differentiate instruction, scaffold learning, and foster an inclusive environment where every student can thrive. Walk away with actionable strategies to ensure equitable learning experiences that honor and support all learners.
I have a passion for education and supporting all students within the classroom. You can talk to me about resources to support students, recent books that you’ve read, travel, and dogs! Looking forward to meeting you all!
This interactive 90-minute session is designed to support educators in transitioning from the 2017 EL Education Modules to the new enhanced 2025 Curriculum. Participants will be introduced to key updates and changes within the revised curriculum, ensuring a smooth and informed shift for teachers at all levels. The session will provide a comprehensive overview of the new modules, focusing on what’s different, what’s improved, and how these changes enhance student learning experiences.
Objectives: • Understand Key Changes: Review the major updates and improvements in the 2025 EL Education Modules compared to the 2017 version.. • Accessing EL Support: Learn about the support that EL Education will provide during this transition, including professional development opportunities
In "Do More with Less: 1:1 Coaching Hacks to Maximize Impact," you'll learn practical strategies for scaling coaching with minimal resources—no fancy tech required! This session will feature powerful "hacks," such as how to build a simple, yet effective "coach-match" process that pairs teachers with the right coaches, determine the ideal length of engagement (from short cycles to unlimited coaching), and document all work in 30-minute sessions using tools you already have. You’ll leave with actionable strategies and the confidence to level up your coaching impact and immediately implement what you've learned in your school or district.
Asking the right questions can make a world of difference. Our current questioning strategies may not be working the way we intend. How can we improve our questioning strategies? What is the best question to ask in a given moment? Why can formulating questions seem so difficult? Come and engage in conversation and reflection on one of the most important teacher practices, posing purposeful questions.
Unpack key principles of the Science of Reading and examine how they align with the Bookworms K–5 curriculum. We’ll explore the progression of reading skills, from phonemic awareness and phonics to fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Participants will uncover how Bookworms supports this development through intentional, research-based instructional practices. Together, we’ll connect theory to practice, clarifying what effective reading instruction looks like in a Bookworms classroom.
Literacy Specialist: Academics, Equity & Social Justice, Open Up Resources
Iysha is currently coaching novice and veteran educators implementing OUR ELA curricula. Serving as a Literacy and Professional Learning Specialist at Open Up Resources, Iysha ensures access to high-quality curriculum, materials, and professional learning experiences with a passion... Read More →
In this interactive session, educators will explore how fostering rich student discourse can deepen comprehension and elevate student writing outcomes. Supporting effective communication and collaboration among students during shared reading and interactive read-alouds promotes critical thinking, deepens understanding, and encourages students to think about a text through multiple lenses. This session will highlight evidence-based strategies aligned to the science of reading and writing, designed to encourage meaningful peer discussions, scaffolded feedback, and accountable talk that ultimately has a positive impact on student writing. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with strategies to create an environment where students actively engage with each other’s ideas and opinions, leading to stronger writers and a more dynamic classroom experience.
This interactive session is designed for educators and instructional leaders committed to deepening their implementation of the EL Education Curriculum while ensuring all students thrive. Participants will explore advanced strategies for aligning instructional practices with the curriculum’s core principles, fostering student engagement, and creating learning environments that support learner needs. Through collaborative discussions and hands-on activities, attendees will gain practical tools to enhance lesson delivery, differentiate instruction, integrate meaningful assessments, and provide targeted support for multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and those needing enrichment. Whether you are refining your approach or overcoming implementation challenges, this session will provide actionable insights to elevate student achievement and classroom impact.
We will focus on the critical components of the classroom environment that should take shape during the first few weeks of school. We will share lessons learned from hundreds of classroom observations and how to use the ICUCARE framework to support students on the first day of school and every day of the school year.
Effective mathematical discourse is a cornerstone of deep conceptual understanding in mathematics. This session, designed specifically for instructional leaders, will equip you with the tools and strategies to support teachers in fostering rich and productive math discourse within their classrooms, leveraging high quality curriculum. We will explore how to build teacher capacity in creating an Optimal Learning Environment that encourages student voice and mathematical reasoning. Participants will learn how to provide targeted feedback on questioning techniques, facilitate professional learning communities focused on discourse strategies, and leverage data to monitor the impact of discourse-focused instruction. We will delve into strategies for modeling effective discourse practices, observing and analyzing classroom interactions, and providing teachers with actionable steps for improvement. Leave this session with a clear understanding of how to lead and support teachers in cultivating a classroom culture where all students actively engage in meaningful mathematical conversations, leading to improved student outcomes.
This session provides targeted support for educators implementing the EL Education Curriculum. Participants will deepen their understanding of its structure, explore best practices for lesson planning and differentiation, and develop strategies to enhance student engagement and learning. The session will also address challenges, offer solutions tailored to classroom needs, and guide educators in using assessments to inform instruction. Designed for teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders, this interactive session includes model lessons, coaching conversations, and planning time, ensuring participants leave with practical strategies and resources for effective implementation.
Language shapes how we think, teach, and engage with students. In this session, participants will explore the impact of words on learning environments, student identity, and equity. Through reflection and discussion, we will examine how intentional shifts in language can foster more inclusive, asset-based mindsets that empower educators and students. Walk away with practical strategies to reframe communication and create a more positive and supportive learning culture.
Teacher Leader in Residence Lead, Math, Open Up Resources
Cathy is a joyful educator with over 20 years of experience in elementary and middle school classrooms. Now serving as the Teacher Leader in Residence Lead for Math at Open Up Resources, she loves supporting educators and leaders through meaningful professional learning and coaching—always... Read More →
In "Do More with Less: 1:1 Coaching Hacks to Maximize Impact," you'll learn practical strategies for scaling coaching with minimal resources—no fancy tech required! This session will feature powerful "hacks," such as how to build a simple, yet effective "coach-match" process that pairs teachers with the right coaches, determine the ideal length of engagement (from short cycles to unlimited coaching), and document all work in 30-minute sessions using tools you already have. You’ll leave with actionable strategies and the confidence to level up your coaching impact and immediately implement what you've learned in your school or district.
What does it mean to incorporate equity-based practices into teaching mathematics? We will identify and interact with the five Equity Based Mathematics Practices (EBMPs) in this session, highlighting the ways in which these practices strengthen learning and cultivate positive identities. Together, we’ll engage in tasks and connect the EBMPs to a shared mathematics experience.
Tywana Fulford is the PreK - 5 Mathematics Specialist at Open Up Resources. She devotes her career to helping children find their love for math. Tywana has been in education for almost 20 years with a bachelors in Mathematics Education from Florida A&M University and a masters degree... Read More →
Join an international expert on co-teaching and a national expert on literacy as they share concrete, practical, and engaging strategies for helping all learners succeed using the Bookworms curriculum! Using a new curriculum can be difficult enough – adding a partner can make it easier or add to the complexities. By modeling various co-teaching approaches, the presenters will explicitly address roles and responsibilities, co-planning, co-instruction, and co-assessment. Both experts have special education backgrounds and are able to provide techniques to support a range of student needs – to include specific literacy skills as well as behavioral or social needs.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to: • Define co-teaching and pinpoint its critical components • Name and describe the various co-instructional approaches • Identify ways that co-teachers can use regrouping approaches to differentiate for varying literacy needs using the Bookworms curriculum
Join this session to review the process of navigating the successful implementation of High-Quality Instructional Materials. Hear from a District team’s experience with strategic planning, valuable lessons learned, and inspiring highlights.
Literacy Specialist: Academics, Equity & Social Justice, Open Up Resources
Iysha is currently coaching novice and veteran educators implementing OUR ELA curricula. Serving as a Literacy and Professional Learning Specialist at Open Up Resources, Iysha ensures access to high-quality curriculum, materials, and professional learning experiences with a passion... Read More →
This session explores expanding our understanding of student learning, moving beyond the traditional classroom to embrace the rich learning environments within our schools and communities. We begin by recognizing that children thrive when connected to their communities, fostering connectivity, positive development, and essential life skills. Every adult in a school, from nutrition staff to bus drivers, plays a vital role in a student's life, often serving as mentors and coaches. Deep partnerships with students, families, community leaders, and other stakeholders are crucial for achieving our shared educational goals. This requires a broader vision of the school community, one that embraces the various adults within and surrounding our schools.
Participants will explore strategies for expanding the concept of student educators in helping to create optimal learning environments. These strategies are critical for creating strong instructional communities that fully wraparound students and build upon their assets and connections. We will also explore how to provide non-instructional staff with relevant professional development and support. Learning opportunities on topics like student development and strategies for connecting to students can equip these individuals to support students effectively, bridging the gap between classroom learning and the broader school experience. This approach reinforces that everyone contributes to student growth.
Tywana Fulford is the PreK - 5 Mathematics Specialist at Open Up Resources. She devotes her career to helping children find their love for math. Tywana has been in education for almost 20 years with a bachelors in Mathematics Education from Florida A&M University and a masters degree... Read More →
This session, presented virtually, will bring the most experienced Bookworms leadership team in the whole country to you! Bookworms author Sharon Walpole will host the meeting, but the Seaford Leadership Team will take the stage. They will share their strategies for initial teacher training, building principal understanding, and providing ongoing coaching for teachers and leaders. And the proof is in the pudding – they will show their student achievement data over time. After they share their story, they will take your questions.
This session is ideal for classroom teachers, instructional leaders, curriculum designers, and school administrators interested in learning more about EL Education’s innovative products that support a diverse range of learners and enhance the overall teaching experience. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to leverage EL Education’s new products to create more inclusive, effective, and enriching learning experiences for their students, while also benefiting from enhanced teaching tools and support.
Join us for an enlightening session that explores how to leverage students’ culture as a joyful vehicle for learning (Ladson-Billings, 1995) to enhance English Language Arts curricula featuring diverse authors. Pursue joy as we share our experiences designing culturally responsive curriculum content. This session will highlight an exclusive Open Up Resources 3rd Grade Module
We will discuss the important work school and district leaders need to do before, during and just after materials adoption for high school mathematics. We will have district leaders from districts that have recently adopted share insight and provide important counsel from their experience and the lessons they have learned.
This professional learning session is designed for district and school leaders, instructional coaches, and implementation teams seeking to lead the successful adoption of the EL Education Language Arts Curriculum. Participants will analyze key conditions for success and change management strategies essential for high-quality implementation. Through collaborative discussions, leaders will share insights and experiences in supporting student outcomes across the Three Dimensions of Student Achievement: Mastery of Knowledge and Skills, Character, and High-Quality Student Work. The session will also explore aspirations, partnership benefits, challenges, and the evolution of curriculum implementation over time, equipping leaders and coaches with the tools to foster sustainable and impactful change in their schools and districts.
You’ve made it through the first year or two, what next? What does it take to change classroom culture and teacher practice? How do we use the curriculum to ensure equitable outcomes for all students? We will focus on the action steps that school and district leaders can take to support real and meaningful change in high school mathematics.
PK-12 Mathematics Director, Guilford County Schools
Emily Hare is the Director of Mathematics for Guilford County Schools. Previous to reconnecting with K-12 public schools she worked as a full-time Research Assistant at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, teaching pre-service teachers, providing professional learning for... Read More →
Join this session tailored to instructional leaders. We'll explore strategies for creating supportive structures in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and enhancing teacher planning processes. Discover practical ways to nurture teachers, foster collaboration, and provide the essential support they need to thrive in their professional growth journey and positively impact student success.
Data is a powerful tool for informing instruction and meeting the diverse needs of students. In this session, participants will explore strategies for analyzing and leveraging data within the EL Curriculum to drive decision-making and enhance student learning. Through discussion and hands-on practice, educators will learn how to use formative and summative assessments to identify trends, adjust instruction, and provide targeted support. Walk away with actionable insights to create a data-informed classroom that fosters student growth and success.
This engaging professional learning session explores how EL Education designs transformative experiences aimed at building the capacity of educators, instructional leaders, and school communities. By partnering with EL Education, schools experience a shift toward deeper student engagement, stronger instructional practices, and meaningful academic growth. Educators leave our sessions feeling inspired, equipped, and ready to cultivate rigorous and joyful learning environments.
Ready to transform teaching and learning in your school community? Let’s partner for impact!
