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Elevate 2025 in Salt Lake City Utah on June 23 to 26 - Sessions
Elevate 2025 Sessions
Please check this page often, as we are continually adding additional classes.
Click on a topic to view more session information.
Preconference Sessions
Additional Add-on for Monday, June 23.
Designed for beginning FACTS users unless otherwise specified.
FACTS System Training
Designed for FACTS users with 0-2 years experience.
FACTS in the Real World / Collaboration Corner
Designed for FACTS users with 2+ years experience
Thought Leadership & Professional Development
Perfect for all levels
FACTS System Training
Designed for FACTS users with 0-2 years experience.
Preconference System Training (Monday, June 23)
New to the world of admissions and need some professional development to get you grounded in your position? Learn what is best practice in each area of admissions from an Enrollment Management Pro. Gain an awareness and appreciation for the numerous ways you can customize your FACTS experience to supercharge your admission process.
(For those who have navigated 2+ admissions seasons with FACTS.) Embrace the full capabilities of your A&E system. Comfortable navigating your A&E screens but ready to take it up a notch? We’ll provide a quick check-up and then prescribe the most helpful advanced features in Inquiry, Application and Enrollment. You’ll walk away empowered to utilize your resources to accomplish more in less time.
Ditch the paper forms and join us for an exciting session tailored for administrators, where you'll master the art of creating and managing web forms within the FACTS Family Portal. Discover how to empower parents, students, and staff members to effortlessly submit surveys, registrations, volunteer information, and more—all electronically. Plus, learn how to seamlessly save these submissions directly to the FACTS SIS database. Don't miss out on this opportunity to streamline your processes and enhance communication!
Let's dive into the essentials of FACTS SIS for new administrators! This training will guide you through navigating the home page to locate key resources and configuring your system's basic settings, such as year and term, system defaults, grade levels, and attendance, including identifying school holidays. You'll also learn how to manage Family Portal configuration settings and create announcements and calendar events to effectively communicate with families. This comprehensive training is designed to equip you with the skills needed to efficiently manage and utilize FACTS SIS.
Get ready for an engaging and informative FACTS SIS training session designed for new administrators! In this session, you'll learn how to customize your database with defined lists, portfolio groups, and user-defined fields, as well as manage crucial student information such as behavior records, parent-teacher conference details, and student portfolios. We'll also cover effective communication strategies, including sending emails to families and managing their access in the Family Portal. Additionally, you'll gain essential skills in attendance management and learn how to run various reports using the Report Manager. This comprehensive training is designed to equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to efficiently navigate and utilize FACTS SIS.
Join us for an immersive pre-conference training session tailored to equip teachers and administrators with the foundational skills needed to efficiently manage classroom tasks using the SIS Classroom. This hands-on session will explore key tools and workflows, including attendance, lunch ordering, grading, and communicating with families aensuring you're prepared for a seamless start and smooth management of the school year.
Join us as we cover a range of important topics to help you manage payment plans effectively. We'll start with identifying the servicing location per product and exploring the various servicing options available. You'll learn the difference between transferring credits and transferring funds, as well as how to transfer credits between products and terms. We'll also discuss mass balance adjustments and best practices for terminating a payment plan. Finally, we'll provide you with valuable resources to support your ongoing efforts.
In this session, we will explore various options for adding transactions to pending agreements and learn how to finalize these agreements according to your school's configured boarding method. We'll also discuss the critical role of roster management within FACTS Tuition Management. Key topics include: Family Experience Selecting a Plan, Navigating the Pending Dashboard, Transaction Application Methods, Payment Plan Customization, Finalization Deadlines, Pending Agreement Reports, Efficiencies & Best Practices, and available Resources.
Get ready to unlock the full potential of Premier Billing with this engaging session designed for schools that are, or will be, Premier Integrated! Discover how to efficiently manage incidental charges, including options for Cafeteria, Child Care, General Charges, Course Fees, FACTS Cash Register, and Recurring Charges. Join us to master these features, streamline your billing processes, and make managing school finances a breeze!
Join us for an informative session designed for schools that are, or will be, Premier Integrated! Learn how to effectively use both FACTS SIS and FACTS Financial Management together to keep your roster clean and up-to-date. We'll share tips and tricks to optimize your FACTS system, show you how to enter and update demographic information and discuss best practices for managing split and complex family situations. Join us to master these tools and ensure smooth, efficient operations at your school!
Simplify school scheduling with this engaging seminar on K-8th grade scheduling in FACTS SIS. Learn to confidently navigate the scheduling tools and organize courses and classes with ease. You'll also discover practical techniques for managing group enrollments, helping you streamline your processes and support your school’s unique needs.
Join us for an interactive workshop where you'll get hands-on experience with schedule creation using the Auto Scheduler. We'll kick off with a quick review of the scheduling process, then dive into collaborative working time to help you build your schedule. To get the most out of this session, you'll need to know in advance how to create templates, build schedule patterns, and collect course requests from students. Make sure you come prepared with student course requests for the 2024 - 2025 school year for grades 9 - 12 already collected in the SIS. Let's create an amazing schedule together!
SIS Training for Teachers and Academic Deans
Join us for an engaging and informative training session designed to empower teachers with effective tools and techniques for managing classroom attendance. This session will provide a comprehensive walkthrough of attendance-related tasks, from initial configurations to generating insightful reports, ensuring you have the knowledge and skills to efficiently handle all aspects of classroom attendance management.
Discover how to automate essential FACTS SIS tasks typically handled manually by an Administrator. In this session, you'll learn to automate processes such as sending attendance emails, generating gradebook reports, and providing behavior updates to parents. Join us to streamline these tasks and enhance your administrative efficiency!
Join us for an engaging session designed to elevate your classroom management skills! Dive deep into the Classroom Dashboard as we explore each card and uncover advanced tools and techniques to streamline your classroom management. You'll learn practical applications, understand the benefits of each feature, and access valuable resources to support your journey.
Explore how the Graduation Planner can streamline your planning process and support your students' academic success.The Graduation Planner is a powerful tool that enables you to create and configure various graduation plans, assign them to students, and make courses available in the Scheduling area. If you have specific credit or course requirements for a particular diploma, this feature can help ensure your students stay on track to meet these requirements.
In today's educational landscape, maintaining meaningful and efficient communication with families is paramount for success. This course focuses on leveraging advanced communication tools within FACTS SIS to establish and nurture strong parent-school relationships. Participants will gain practical insights and skills to elevate their parent/family communication strategies, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience. Key features covered include email, Parent Alert, maintenance jobs, and the SIS calendar.
Join us for an interactive workshop where you'll get hands-on experience with schedule creation using the Auto Scheduler. We'll kick off with a quick review of the scheduling process, then dive into collaborative working time to help you build your schedule. To get the most out of this session, you'll need to know in advance how to create templates, build schedule patterns, and collect course requests from students. Make sure you come prepared with student course requests for the 2024 - 2025 school year already collected in the SIS. Let's create an amazing schedule together!
Join us as we delve into the powerful features of Report Manager. You'll learn how to apply report filters to focus on the data that matters most and discover tips and tricks to use Report Manager effectively. We'll also uncover some hidden gems that can provide valuable reporting insights. Additionally, we'll invite you to share your favorite reports and teach us why you find them useful.
Join us for a hands-on training session designed to equip your school with the skills to harness the power of Dashboard Builder for managing and analyzing data. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of key features and practical application for creating and customizing reports to support classroom and school management along with student success.
Let's explore the Lunch Ordering features within FACTS SIS - Cafeteria. We'll review how teachers can manage daily orders directly from the classroom, the various options available for parents to order lunches with or without payment, and how staff can conveniently order their own meals. Additionally, we'll dive into the reporting tools that help track and manage all this information efficiently.
FACTS prides itself on our Best in Class service, providing the answers you need right when you need them! Discover the variety of resources available to you through HubHelp and FACTS^SPACE. We'll share tips and tricks on how to utilize these resources to their full potential, ensuring you have all the support you need at your fingertips.
Are you a school administrator looking to master the configurations essential for effective report card management? Join us as we delve deeper into SIS Report Cards. You'll gain the tools to configure codes, prepare a Report Card Formula for your classroom, add Skill Sets, and learn how to load attendance to your Report Cards. Plus, we'll provide tips and tricks for common troubleshooting to keep in your tool belt. Ready to enhance your report card management skills?
Join us for an informative training session on Report Cards in the Classroom, specifically designed for teachers! Learn how to streamline your grading process while ensuring accuracy and consistency in Report Card management. Discover the connections between administrative settings and classroom tools, and master the skills needed to manage grades effectively.
Elevate your grading game! For teachers, effectively managing the Gradebook is crucial. In this session, we'll work together to configure your gradebook options, set up grading categories, and create and grade assignments. We'll also share tips and tricks to make this process as seamless and efficient as possible. Join us to master your Gradebook and streamline your grading workflow!
No matter the size of your institution, managing data efficiently is crucial. Join us for a session where we'll discuss and demonstrate best practices within FACTS SIS to maximize your time and resources. From tracking t-shirt sizes to managing program requirements, FACTS SIS has a place for all your data. Learn how to streamline your data management and make the most of your system's capabilities!
Understanding the significance of portfolio management is essential for saving time and energy on requests for past documentation from your school. Join this comprehensive course designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively set up and manage information in online portfolios within FACTS SIS. Enhance your efficiency and ensure seamless access to important documents with this essential training!
SIS Training for Database Administrators/Office Staff
Unlock the key to your school's success with effective Attendance management! Join us as we delve into Attendance in the SIS, covering how to identify and modify Attendance Configuration settings, take Attendance in the Classroom, and explore additional methods for recording Attendance. We'll also review supportive Attendance reports and share valuable tips and tricks. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your school's Attendance processes and drive success!
Join FACTS as we discover ways FACTS SIS helps manage school communities including students, family individuals, and staff members. Add individuals into your SIS database and learn how the SIS relieves manual work. Embark on a journey maintaining your school community within your database.
As the school year comes to a close, it's time to prepare for the next steps. Join us as we guide you through the essential processes for wrapping up the academic year. Our session will cover archiving report cards and transcripts, advancing students to the next grade level, and configuring key areas to ensure a smooth start to the upcoming school year. Our expert will assist you in progressing to the next year or help you become familiar with the necessary screens if you're not quite ready yet.
Do you need to track student behavior effectively? If so, you are in the right place. In this session, we will configure behavior events using defined lists, create and track behavior events for individual students, and explore how to utilize reporting for student behavior events. By the end, you will have comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of student behavior management.
In today's educational landscape, maintaining meaningful and efficient communication with families is paramount for success. This course focuses on leveraging advanced communication tools within FACTS SIS to establish and nurture strong parent-school relationships. Participants will gain practical insights and skills to elevate their parent/family communication strategies, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience. Key features covered include email, Parent Alert, maintenance jobs, and the SIS calendar.
Join us as we delve into the powerful features of Report Manager. You'll learn how to apply report filters to focus on the data that matters most and discover tips and tricks to use Report Manager effectively. We'll also uncover some hidden gems that can provide valuable reporting insights. Additionally, we'll invite you to share your favorite reports and teach us why you find them useful.
Join us for a hands-on training session designed to equip your school with the skills to harness the power of Dashboard Builder for managing and analyzing data. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of key features and practical application for creating and customizing reports to support classroom and school management along with student success.
Let's explore the Lunch Ordering features within FACTS SIS - Cafeteria. We'll review how teachers can manage daily orders directly from the classroom, the various options available for parents to order lunches with or without payment, and how staff can conveniently order their own meals. Additionally, we'll dive into the reporting tools that help track and manage all this information efficiently.
Navigating complex family situations, such as divorce or separation, can be challenging. Learn how to manage these scenarios effectively to ensure your Student Information System (SIS) is set up correctly for privacy, security, and accounting purposes. Discover strategies for handling multiple family setups, ensuring that all sensitive information is protected and accurately maintained. This session will provide you with the tools and knowledge to manage these situations with confidence and care.
Are you looking to streamline security group management and update password requirements for your school? This session will teach you how to effectively manage security groups based on staff roles or personas, minimize the number of security groups in your database, and update password character requirements. You'll gain the skills needed to prepare and maintain robust security settings within your school, ensuring a secure and efficient system.
Unlock the power of FACTS SIS Create a Report with this session designed for anyone who needs to pull demographic data from FACTS SIS or gather large amounts of information from your database. We'll dive into the basics, show you how to apply filters and guide you through retrieving data. Plus, you'll learn how to save your reports for future use, making your data management tasks a breeze.
No matter the size of your institution, managing data efficiently is crucial. Join us for a session where we'll discuss and demonstrate best practices within FACTS SIS to maximize your time and resources. From tracking t-shirt sizes to managing program requirements, FACTS SIS has a place for all your data. Learn how to streamline your data management and make the most of your system's capabilities!
Join us for an informative session tailored for professionals involved in before and after care programs. Learn how to effectively use the FACTS SIS Child Care system to track students in real-time clock settings. We'll cover essential configurations, the process for clocking students in and out, editing time entries, and utilizing reporting and Premier billing features. Enhance your skills and streamline your child care program management with this comprehensive training!
Understanding the significance of portfolio management is essential for saving time and energy on requests for past documentation from your school. Join this comprehensive course designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively set up and manage information in online portfolios within FACTS SIS. Enhance your efficiency and ensure seamless access to important documents with this essential training!
SIS Development Track for IT Directors
This session offers an exclusive look at the software development journey at FACTS, exploring the intricacies of our development process. Attendees will learn how we implement effective work intakes, prioritize projects, and manage our development cycles. Key topics will include coding best practices, debugging techniques, and the balance between manual and automated testing. Discover how FACTS cultivates a collaborative environment that drives innovation and ensures high-quality software delivery.
This session will explore how building accessible user experiences benefits all users and strengthens the overall product design. We’ll walk through the principles of accessibility, the key standards (like WCAG), and practical ways to incorporate inclusive design into your UX workflows. Attendees will gain insights into how accessibility isn’t just a legal requirement but a path to innovation—ensuring products serve broader audiences and improve usability for everyone. Join us to learn how designing with empathy leads to better user outcomes and product success.
Like many companies, FACTS has grown as a result of acquisitions and disparate systems coming together over the years. We are proud of the quality and breadth of our products, and know they provide value to our customers every day. We're also aware that there's room for improvement in how our products work together to benefit you. In this session, we will dive into how we plan to enhance the integration of our products across the FACTS platform, and the benefits we believe this will bring to our customers.
In this session, we’ll dive into our technical vision and roadmap for FACTS SIS, outlining the essential components needed to enhance our platform for future growth. We'll discuss the rationale behind our strategic initiatives, emphasizing the importance of building for stability and scalability. Attendees will gain insights into our plans for execution, including key challenges we anticipate and how we aim to overcome them. Join us for a forward-looking discussion on creating a robust technological foundation that supports our evolving needs.
In today's digital landscape, K-12 schools face unique cybersecurity challenges that demand urgent attention. This talk will address the evolving threats, including the impact of generative AI and social engineering, while highlighting the specific vulnerabilities of independent K12 institutions. Attendees will gain insights into the latest cyber risks and explore practical, cost-effective strategies to enhance their cybersecurity posture. By fostering a culture of awareness and employing innovative defense tactics, K-12 schools can safeguard their digital assets and protect sensitive student data.
Connect with fellow IT Directors from across the country in this small group networking session. Questions can be submitted in advance, with a FACTS expert facilitating the discussion. Get ready to make new connections and share tips and tricks of the trade!
In an era where data drives decision-making, the importance of data interoperability in education cannot be overstated. This talk will explore how seamless data integration across various educational platforms enhances collaboration, personalizes learning experiences, and improves outcomes for students and educators alike. By embracing data interoperability, educational institutions can unlock a wealth of insights, ultimately leading to enhanced student engagement, increased accountability, and better overall performance. Join us as we delve into the transformative power of connected data and its potential to reshape the future of education.
Join us as we celebrate the significant milestones and innovations from the past year. This session will highlight key accomplishments across our IT initiatives, showcasing how these successes have laid the groundwork for future advancements. Attendees will gain insights into our strategies, learn about impactful projects, and discover how collaboration and innovation have driven our progress. Let’s reflect on our journey and look ahead to the exciting opportunities that await!
A&E Training for Enrollment Managers
Are you looking to move away from managing your admissions process on paper? Do you need to update your inquiry, admissions, or reenrollment checklist items? Join us for a comprehensive session where we will explore the various checklist options available through FACTS SIS for inquiries, new student admissions, and reenrollment. We will cover how to clean up, maintain, and define new checklist items, as well as set up notifications for selected checklist items.
Curious about what it's like to walk in a parent's shoes during the Admissions process? Wonder no more! Join us for an exciting session where we explore the world of Admissions from a parent's perspective, starting with Inquiry and ending with Enrollment. This session will provide valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your understanding and management of the Admissions process.
Discover how to create a more efficient, user-friendly, and future-ready admissions process with FACTS Admissions! In this engaging session, you'll learn to set up and create online student application packets, customize settings, controls, and email notifications, add files to the resource library, and configure payment options for applications. Perfect for newcomers, this session will streamline your admissions process.
Let's dive into the world of FACTS SIS admissions reports! These powerful tools can transform how your school manages admissions. By mastering filters, you can zero in on specific data, while export options let you share and analyze information effortlessly. Plus, marking and annotating reports ensures your team stays on the same page. Ready to unlock the full potential of your admissions data?
Discover how to create a more efficient, user-friendly, and innovative admissions process with FACTS Admissions! In this session, newcomers will learn to set up and create online student enrollment packets. We'll cover differentiating application and enrollment packet settings, creating new enrollment packets, locating packet settings and controls, configuring online payment options, and we'll discuss best practices. Join us to streamline your admissions process and enhance the experience for everyone involved!
Enhance the parent experience of submitting inquiries by discovering the seamless process of connecting inquiry submissions to applications. Learn how to configure form settings, questions, and conditional questions to tailor the inquiry process to your school's needs. Additionally, make the most out of inquiry auto-response emails to ensure timely and informative communication with parents.
This immersive training not only guides you through the initial steps of launching your Admissions and Enrollment season, but also provides hands-on practice and real-world applications, transforming knowledge into actionable insights. Collect valuable resources to carry with you throughout your admissions adventure. Illuminate your admissions journey with practical skills and a toolkit for success!
FACTS prides itself on our Best in Class service, providing the answers you need right when you need them! Discover the variety of resources available to you through HubHelp and FACTS^SPACE. We'll share tips and tricks on how to utilize these resources to their full potential, ensuring you have all the support you need at your fingertips.
Payment Plans Training for Business Office Staff
FACTS prides itself on our Best in Class service, providing the answers you need right when you need them! Discover the variety of resources available to you through HubHelp and FACTS^SPACE. We'll share tips and tricks on how to utilize these resources to their full potential, ensuring you have all the support you need at your fingertips.
Current users of Advanced Accounting are invited to join us for a Q&A session where you can learn from both an instructor and your peers. Gain a deeper understanding of your general ledger account mapping and FACTS reporting and return to your school with enhanced knowledge and confidence in managing your accounts. Don't miss this opportunity to improve your skills and connect with others!
Join us for an insightful, hands on session where we will review allocation options for collecting balances, describe how the boarding method affects the consumer experience, evaluate custom characteristics, and identify options to assess fees and discounts based on plan selection.
Prepare for the new school year’s billing process, addressing any lingering balances from the previous academic year. We will discuss how to carry over prior-year balances into the upcoming year’s tuition plans or manage their transfer to new incidental bills.
In this session, we will explore effective strategies for managing payments in-house. Learn how FACTS helps you address the challenges of handling delinquent accounts and discover practical approaches to skillfully manage and resolve these accounts for your school. Additionally, we will explore how FACTS Delinquency Management can assist your school in managing delinquent accounts and share best practices for creating a tuition policy. Lastly, we will cover the returned payment process for both scheduled and online payments.
Join us to discover the various ways to bill your families within FACTS Financial Management and discuss the benefits of each option.
Navigate the complexities of split and blended family billing with precision and discover innovative solutions to overcome challenges. Join us to review key terminology and uncover how demographic information flows between FACTS products when using our integrated systems.
Explore the comprehensive functionality of Premier Billing within FACTS SIS, perfect for managing non-tuition billing needs. This session is ideal for schools currently using or planning to use Premier Billing. Learn about different Premier Billing benefits, charge creation options, and best practices.
Delve into the advantages of using Billing Admin for invoicing families for non-tuition fees. Participants will learn efficient invoicing techniques, explore various transaction application methods, and review key considerations for effectively utilizing Billing Admin to streamline billing processes. Please note, this session will not cover Premier Billing.
Note: This session is for schools who currently are, or are going to be, utilizing Premier Billing. Hour 1 of this session will navigate through the different options and challenges of utilizing Premier Billing for Lunches, best practices, tips and tricks. In Hour 2, we will continue to review groundbreaking solutions, with the goal to transform the lunch billing landscape into a well-charted territory. Join us for the grand finale as Premier Billing and Cafeteria redefine the lunchtime experience, one bill at a time.
Join us for an in-depth exploration of the Finalization process for Payment Plans, focusing on understanding the key differences between the two primary types of Boarding Methods, Institution First and Institution Finalized. Participants will learn how to navigate the system to access the Adding Transactions screen and become proficient in managing the process of adding charges and credits to Pending Payment Plan Agreements. Additionally, the course covers the steps in finalizing agreements for both boarding methods, ensuring school contacts are well-equipped to help their families begin to make Tuition Payments.
Learn to identify product-specific service options within FACTS, explore the available service options, and understand the differences between transferring funds and transferring credits. We'll also cover best practices for terminating payment plans, ensuring you can manage these processes smoothly and efficiently. By the end, you'll have the knowledge and tools to optimize payment plans and enhance customer satisfaction
Join us as we guide you in navigating through the steps of creating and accessing a Family Portal account to enhance the familiar connection to education and finance. This session is ideal for schools currently using or planning to use Premier Billing. After attending this session, you will be ready to knowledgeably answer your families' questions!
Explore the benefits of using Advanced Rate Tables as we review the various rate table options available and discuss different application methods to suit your needs. Additionally, we'll cover important considerations to keep in mind when setting up and using rate tables. Finally, we'll provide you with valuable resources to help you make the most of these tools
Ready to unlock the secrets of optimizing your family’s payment plans and boosting customer satisfaction? We'll dive into the service options in the Service Agreement and Service Billing screens within FACTS Financial Management, and discover best practices for using corrections instead of credits. With our expert tips and tricks, you'll streamline your payment processes and elevate your service quality.
Discover the journey for schools using FACTS Payment Plans boarding methods and get an inside look at the parent experience! Join us to gain valuable insights and enhance your understanding of the FACTS Payment Plans process from both the parent's perspectives.
FACTS in the Real World / Collaboration Corner
Designed for FACTS users with 3+ years experience
FACTS A&E
Be encouraged by a panel of FACTS Admission Directors who not only survived their first year using FACTS A & E but thrived! Learn how you can follow in their footsteps by adopting their secrets for prioritizing their time, utilizing their favorite FACTS tools, and leveraging all aspects of FACTS support to get the job done.
Presented by Tracy Smith, FACTS Enrollment Management Specialist
Why are some schools on board with this enrollment model and why do others stick with traditional enrollment? After attending this session, you’ll be aware of all the advantages of Continuous Enrollment as well as the potential pitfalls to avoid. After helping hundreds of schools weigh the merits of this model, I’ll make sure you walk away with key considerations for your school.
One of the main struggles of private schools is finding students. Private education is costly and a lot of times can not compete with state schools in terms of funding.In my class I'd like to share the experience of growing private school from 62 to 140 enrolled students in just two years. We will talk about most urgent problems enrollment coordinators are facing:-How to advertise-Where to find potential students-How to turn inquiry into enrollment-How to stand out among other private schools in the area
FACTS SIS
Explore practical strategies for efficiently scheduling parent-teacher conferences and submitting behavior events FACTS SIS. Learn how to streamline the scheduling process, improve communication with parents, and ensure accurate documentation of student behavior. Key takeaways include: tips for scheduling conferences, how to communicate clearly with parents before, during, and after conferences; best practices for submitting behavior events; using behavior data to support student progress and improve outcomes.
Effective leadership and clear communication are essential for cultivating a strong, supportive school community in today's educational environment. This presentation will showcase how innovative tools can help school leaders enhance their leadership skills and build a more connected and engaged environment.We will explore practical ways to streamline communication across all school levels—from administrators to parents—ensuring everyone stays informed and aligned with the schools vision. By utilizing integrated messaging and real-time updates, leaders can foster transparency, quickly address issues, and strengthen relationships within the school community.Additionally, we'll discuss how leveraging data insights can inform strategic decision-making, allowing leaders to make well-informed choices that drive school improvement and student success. The presentation will also cover strategies for facilitating staff collaboration, optimizing administrative tasks, and creating a positive, productive school culture.Join us to learn how these tools can become invaluable allies in your leadership journey, helping you build a cohesive and thriving school community.
Did you know FACTS can help organize and execute your teacher observations, complete informed evaluations, and provide tailored professional development. This session will showcase how FACTS can be an end-to-end solution to streamline the teacher observation process while ensuring personalized and effective follow-up professional development.
Tired of keeping your teacher records, evaluations, observations, HR information in four different places? Learn how FACTS SIS can be used as your system of record as an instructional leader, improving your teacher efficacy and student performance in the process!
Learn how to use SIS reports as academic leaders, to track student progress, identify trends, and make informed decisions to support school improvement. Key takeaways include: how to navigate and create customized reports in the SIS; using data to monitor student performance and attendance; explore how to dive into the dynamic data analysis of the Dashboard Builder.
Need to collect or provide info outside of the Enrollment/Re-Enrollment window? Webforms are a powerful, but complicated, tool for gathering information from families at any time of year. Webforms save you from spreadsheets and extra data entry. They take a little time to master, and they've got some quirks, but can be used in a multitude of situations, such as: field trip driver MVR verification, requiring parents to acknowledge approved learning accommodations for their students, submit information for new drivers/new vehicles, carpool preferences and approved adults. This session will help you to set up different types of forms; learn to set up notifications so appropriate staff know when forms are submitted; discover how to limit forms only to specific grades or individuals; and manage viewable v. editable fields. We'll also talk about ideas for helpful forms.
Working with parents who are separating and/or getting divorced can be tricky on a variety of levels. In addition, we have so many types of non-traditional families these days it can be tough to keep track. Learn how to correctly split these families in the SIS database without sacrificing any data integrity (or your sanity!)
FACTS Payment Plans
Presented by Megan Fangmeyer, Manager, FACTS Product Team
The school choice movement has been growing and changing rapidly over the past few years. We will discuss ways to use FACTS Grant & Aid and Tuition Management products to help track and manage families receiving assistance from state programs.
Gather and Grow Networking Sessions
Connect with fellow Business Managers from across the country in this small group networking session. Questions can be submitted in advance, with a FACTS expert facilitating the discussion. Get ready to make new connections and share tips and tricks of the trade!
Connect with fellow IT Directors from across the country in this small group networking session. Questions can be submitted in advance, with a FACTS expert facilitating the discussion. Get ready to make new connections and share tips and tricks of the trade!
Fireside Chats
Feeling inspired by Nancy's keynote speech? Keep the conversation going! Join Nancy for this special conversation following her keynote, where attendees will have the chance to ask questions, share their own experiences, and learn more about Nancy's incredible story. Attendance is limited, so make sure to reserve your space!
Thought Leadership & Professional Development
Perfect for all levels
Advancement and Development
Discover how to use data to level up your school’s advancement efforts. Learn what metrics to track, tools to simplify data management, and ways to turn insights into action. From personalized outreach to smarter campaign planning, this session will help you make data work for you and achieve bigger results.
Learn how to create an alumni program that keeps your school connected with graduates for years to come. In this session, we'll cover everything from effective communication strategies to engaging events and giving opportunities. You'll get practical tips on building lasting relationships, increasing alumni participation, and turning alumni into dedicated supporters of your school’s mission.
Join us as we wind down our series of specific strategy sessions on advancement and fundraising. In this wrap-up AMA session, we will have a chance to ask questions to the session leader and each other about taking all the information back to our schools and making it happen.
In this session, we’ll break down the key strategies for running a successful one-day giving campaign. From crafting attention-grabbing messages to making the most of social media and rallying your community, we’ve got you covered. You’ll learn how to build urgency, inspire supporters, and smash your fundraising goals—all in just one day.
This session is all about helping your school level up its fundraising and donor engagement game. We’ll dive into how you can use data, donor insights, and smart planning to take your efforts to the next level. You’ll get practical tips on using data to target the right people, personalize your approach, and build lasting donor relationships.
Are you an Advancement Office of one, overwhelmed with all the things you could and should be doing for fundraising, marketing, alumni relations and more? Join us to talk and preparing and automating for a successful year – and using the resources you have to make it work!
Educational Technology
"This session highlights Classroom's evolution over ten years, its extensive use globally, and its integration with other Google tools. We will go over details on ways Classroom enhances teaching and learning by empowering educators, enabling students, and supercharging leaders through various features, including AI-powered tools and accessibility options. Furthermore, we address key issues like educator burnout and cybersecurity, positioning Google Workspace as a comprehensive and secure solution.
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Instead of a time-consuming search for the “perfect picture” you can create images to use in a classroom and instructional setting using generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). In this session, participants will explore AI tools that let them create an image to support their instructional goals, communicate with families and colleagues, and help bring course content to life. In this interactive session, discover how to quickly create images using AI tools and ten use cases that might surprise you (and students!).
Enrollment and Marketing
(Exhibitor session presented by Track It Forward). Families, parents, and guardians are vital partners to schools. Family engagement is proven to help improve student outcomes and can be beneficial to the school. However, promoting effective family engagement can be difficult. We’ve combined survey and quantitative data from hundreds of schools across the country to see what family engagement looks like in schools today. This session will discuss parent volunteer program trends and insights while providing a look at tools that can help improve family engagement.
While the tradition of open house events that invite prospective families to campus to highlight school experiences are important, the traditional open house can miss the mark for many prospective families. Families want to feel seen and met at their current stage of parenthood, which means we must be innovative in our open house approach for different audiences. Schools can utilize enrollment trends and data to best determine target audiences for events. D is for Donut is an innovative approach to Open House appropriately geared toward pre-school aged children and their families. Prospective families with PreK3, PreK4 and Kindergarten children are invited to experience the most extraordinary aspect of our school - our teachers! You "donut" want to miss the opportunity to learn how your school can develop innovative admissions events that best meet the needs for your school demographic and community.
(Presented by Scott Barron, Founder, School Growth) Enrollment data is extremely valuable to achieve school growth. You can use it to uncover trends and truths about your target market of families, and to more accurately forecast enrollment and tuition. Learn how to collect and use data to produce more useful reports and brand stories that will advance your leadership capacity. In this session we’ll share strategies to improve data collection and analysis, along with techniques to improve forecasting and reporting.
In this highly interactive and engaging session (unlike any on this schedule), workshop participants will be called upon to actively participate and present their strategies that work in their schools. Instead of Dr. Rick Newberry presenting, he will facilitate this session as the audience becomes the presenters—after all, in every room there are a world of practical ideas and solutions that work in schools. Workshop attendees will be called upon to present enrollment marketing strategies that work in their schools. In addition, interactive online polls and other tools will help to provide feedback in real time. With so many possibilities for this workshop, this rapid-fire session will feature as many ideas as possible in an hour presented from the audience. You will leave encouraged and you will certainly have several new ideas that work in other schools to implement when you get back to the office.
Technology - particularly Artificial Intelligence - can be confusing, intimidating, and even frightening. This presentation will demystify AI and provide recommend tech you can trust. Attendees will be empowered to embrace and leverage technology to save time, enhance creativity, and improve the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.
Are growing applicant pools and outdated processes slowing you down? Learn how a large FACTS school transitioned from manual excel spreadsheets to a comprehensive single-source solution in FACTS. Discover how they manage extensive wait pools while maintaining a personal touch with families. Perfect for schools looking to optimize admissions in high-demand markets.
(Presented by Lori Tays, Vice-President, Mars Hill Bible School) A significant portion of enrollment discussion typically focuses on how to increase enrollment or reverse declining enrollment trends. But what happens when your school experiences a sudden or unexpected period of rapid growth? Mars Hill Bible School experienced a 43% enrollment increase across grades TK-12 in five years. This extraordinary growth period resulted in a cascade of consequences both positive and challenging. From capital projects to shifts in school culture, school leaders navigated the delicate nature of responsible growth. In this session, we will utilize personal experience and current research to address: Why these rapid trends may occur, steps you can take now to prepare your school for unexpected growth, what to do if you are in the middle of a rapid growth cycle, and pitfalls to avoid when your growth is accelerating quickly. By addressing these areas thoughtfully, school leaders can navigate the complexities of rapid enrollment growth while continuing to foster a culture of institutional integrity for students, families, and staff alike.
(Exhibitor Session) Learn how your institution can harness powerful insights from web traffic, form submissions, seasonal campaign analytics, and historical inquiry and application data to drive enrollment success. This session will show you how to use data-driven strategies to inform strategic revenue planning, prioritize high-impact initiatives, and make the most of your budget.
Research and assessments are critical to your school’s growth and momentum. As a foundation to your enrollment marketing and school improvement plan, it is important to understand the practical steps you can take. We will unpack the survey possibilities—from the Net Promoter Score to Satisfaction—as well as the importance of more in depth focus groups. This research, coupled with a comprehensive assessment, will give you the foundation you need to inform your school’s enrollment marketing and school improvement plan.
School tours are the foundation upon which schools build relationships with parents. If a parent walks into your school for a tour, they should be ready to register their student that same day. School tours should reinforce the messages on your website and serve as confirmation that the parent is making the right choice. Kurt Lewis has taught administrators, teachers, and parent volunteers at more than 200 schools how to lead a tour which will lead to an on-the-spot conversion. Join this session to learn about The Diamond, The Greeting, The Serious Moment, The Afterthought, and many other key moments in a parent's first visit to your school, as well as strategies for effective follow-up.
Learn how communicating with our stakeholders during any crisis requires pre-planning, timely and clear responses, an expression of caring and a commitment to a resolution. During this presentation, you will learn how to research the potential scenarios for a crisis, plan for a calculated response, implement data-driven tasks and evaluate how well the information was received by the community. A goal of crisis communications is to have seamless communication during the crisis and to articulately share with the school’s publics what has occurred. Types of crises that will be reviewed include public relations, natural disasters, cyber-attacks, security threats and other dangerous incidents. Examples of school crisis communication procedures and plans will be shared, as well as sample statements from schools and dioceses, plus templates for various scenarios. Learn how to use your FACTS management systemt to support these efforts and assist with seamless communication.
Finance
(Exhibitor session presented by Dewar). How can your school be better prepared to address student withdrawals? In this presentation, John will discuss mental health and its impact on student retention. He will explore subjects such as how to utilize a Tuition Refund Plan to supplement annual obligations, and even assist with student withdrawals.
(Exhibitor Session) This session on Audit Preparation will guide school leaders through the key steps to effectively prepare for and utilize an audit. Topics will include determining the appropriate level of audit service needed, understanding the purpose and scope of an audit, and how to leverage audit findings for school improvement once the process is complete. Attendees will gain clarity on how audits can support their accreditation efforts and enhance operational efficiency.
Are tax documents like the 1040, W-2, or K-1 forms a puzzle you’re struggling to piece together? This session is your key to unlocking the secrets of family financial documentation. Perfect for beginners or those seeking a confidence boost, we’ll break down essential tax forms, transcripts, and business returns to help you identify critical details and address common challenges—especially with families who own businesses or rental properties. With practical tips and foundational knowledge, you’ll be equipped to make fair, informed, and equitable financial aid decisions. Join us to decode the complexities and take the mystery out of tax documents!
(Exhibitor Session presented by Parent Pulse) With all the great work your school does to educate children, how do you track and show it? How do you quickly and clearly validate, quantify, and report on the outcomes of your activities? Leading school finance leaders are utilizing outcome metrics to better manage their schools and demonstrate success to stakeholders. In this session, you'll learn what is driving forward-thinking school finance leaders to place a strong emphasis on outcome metrics—and why they are leveraging Sage Intacct and FACTS Connected Suite to drive greater impact.
School Leadership
Join for an enlightening exploration of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the teaching landscape. In this breakout session, we'll dive into the myriad ways AI technology can empower educators and streamline their workflow. We will also focus on policies and procedures at the school level addressing these in a Catholic context to support our students, teachers, and families.
(Presented by Dr. William Mott, Head of School at Saint Thomas' Episcopal School) The independent and faith-based governing board is critical to the effective strategic viability of the school. Their responsibilities for mission, vision, financial sustainability, support for the head of school, and strategic planning make this group essential to the future of the school. Therefore, their recruitment, onboarding, and continuing education result in the committee on trustees being the important committee of the board. This session will provide practical steps to ensure the school does a thorough job to reach out to the best possible board candidates and give attendees specific strategies and best practices to ensure long-term success. Each attendee will receive a free copy of my latest book, Healthy Boards, Successful Schools: The impact of Leadership on Independent and Faith-Based Schools.
This presentation will provide insights on strategies for leaders to overcome challenges, inspire teams, and foster excellence. Recent data shows educators leaving due to burnout, emphasizing the need for support and community.We will explore innovative leadership approaches and effective communication to empower leaders to drive growth and success.
How is it possible that in the midst of the technological boom we are living in, there seem to be so many schools either switching to a classical model or being build based on the classical model? What is classical education? How can "technology light" schools be successful and produce successful graduates? In this talk I will strive to show how an education based on the liberal arts, reading of primary sources, Latin, art, music, and following a traditional Trivium (grammar, logic, rhetoric), can be an answer to current problems with the improper use of technology and elimination of library resources in schools. Graduates of classical schools have historically been great scientists, philosophers, leaders, and all sorts of professions, even though this model has never truly gone away, it is now seeing a resurgence and many charter and private schools are adapting the model.
One of the most critcial responsibilities of school leadership is providing meaningful feedback to teachers that promotes professional growth and improved instructional practices. However, giving feedback that is both constructive and actionable can be a challenge, especially in an environment that seeks to balance accountability with support. This session will explore the art and science of delivering feedback to teachers in ways that foster a culture of trust, encourage self-reflection, and lead to continuous improvement in teaching practices. By drawing on evidence based frameworks, personal experiences, and real world examples, I will share practical strategies for school leaders to offer feedback that is clear, specific, and tied to goals. Additionally, participants will engage in dialogue with another to share ideas and network.
(Exhibitor session presented by PikMyKid). In the modern educational landscape, channeling the power of technology is crucial to creating an environment where safety and efficiency meet to provide an optimal school day for students, teachers, and staff. In this session, Pikmykid will delve into the innovative ways in which technology can be leveraged to expedite daily dismissal routines, avoid problematic hallway behavior, and employ silent communication methods to increase efficiency and safety. You will learn how to create a safer, more organized, and interconnected environment for your school and the community around you.
(Presented by Lori Tays, Vice-President, Mars Hill Bible School) A significant portion of enrollment discussion typically focuses on how to increase enrollment or reverse declining enrollment trends. But what happens when your school experiences a sudden or unexpected period of rapid growth? Mars Hill Bible School experienced a 43% enrollment increase across grades TK-12 in five years. This extraordinary growth period resulted in a cascade of consequences both positive and challenging. From capital projects to shifts in school culture, school leaders navigated the delicate nature of responsible growth. In this session, we will utilize personal experience and current research to address: Why these rapid trends may occur, steps you can take now to prepare your school for unexpected growth, what to do if you are in the middle of a rapid growth cycle, and pitfalls to avoid when your growth is accelerating quickly. By addressing these areas thoughtfully, school leaders can navigate the complexities of rapid enrollment growth while continuing to foster a culture of institutional integrity for students, families, and staff alike.
(Exhibitor Session) If you’ve ever wondered how your school’s engagement and volunteer program stacks up, this session is for you! In this workbook session we will walk you through an evaluation of your school’s family and parent engagement program based on our experience with hundreds of schools in the last 15 years. You’ll find out where your school excels, where you can improve, and see how other schools are managing their programs. You’ll also have the opportunity to share outcomes and receive feedback from peers in group discussions who are experiencing challenges just like yours.
Strategic Planning has everything to do with ensuring that the school has a viable, sustainable future and that its vision is developed in such a way that strategically aligns with all facets of the school. All too often this process includes a lack of clarity of who does what in a realistic time frame. What is the board’s role? What is the school’s leadership role in the process? How does the mission factor into the plan? This session examines the critical steps necessary to create an effective template for planning and a process that guarantees that the plan will be implemented. This session is intended for heads, board members, senior leadership, and anyone who aspires to learn more about the culture of school leadership. The content will come principally from my book, Healthy Boards, Successful Schools: The Impact of Governance and Leadership on Independent and Faith-Based Schools.
(Exhibitor Session presented by Parent Pulse) Most private and independent schools consider parents an important part of their mission. But how often are they viewed as “customers?” Understanding their needs, wants and hopes can lead to better strategic alignment, more effective leadership and higher retention rates. During this session, we’ll help you identify your tendencies when it comes to navigating feedback, provide practical (and unique) ways to capture feedback from your parents, and explore the important dynamics of the "feedback loop."
From a kindergarten field trip to a week in Puerto Rico with the senior class, each trip off your campus requires planning, attention to detial, and execution. This session will cover detials you should be thinking about for different age groups in the K-12 sector as well as different events. We will discuss a timeline for booking larger trips, ways to save money on student funded trips, tips for growing student enjoyment, and so much more. Ideas for field trips, atheltic trips, class trips, and even ice cream trips for a deserving class. You don't need to fear going off your campus and instead you can use trips like this to improve your marketing and parent involvement.
The expression of kindness, patience, and empathy by teachers can profoundly impact student outcomes and overall classroom dynamics, effectively combating the myriad of challenges present in our schools. This session will provide educators with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to harness the transformative power of kindness, patience, and empathy in their teaching practice. The presenters will detail the positive impact these strategies have on student growth. By the end of this session, participants will understand the theoretical framework supporting the positive impact of kindness, patience, and empathy on student engagement, motivation, and academic performance. They will discover effective communication techniques, including active listening, so that they approach disciplinary issues and challenging conversations with students and colleagues in a way that prioritizes empathy, patience, and kindness in school culture
(Presented by Ellen Starkey, School Counselor at St. Luke's Episcopal School). Many counselors' primary use of FACTS is limited to scheduling, report cards, and transcripts. In this digital age, paper records are time consuming, tedious, and voluminous. FACTS provides numerous features that will save time, money, and aggravation for counselors In this seminar we will investigate shortcuts for tracking counseling sessions, various parent/teacher conferences tracking, teacher conferences (with the counselor), accessing prior behavior issues, enrollment history, and of course grades.
We are in the child development business. We are more than just academics. We cannot ignore well being. Thirty four percent of 9-12th graders say they are satisfied. This is alarming. How do we prepare them for life? Twenty-eight percent are at a concerning level of very dissatisfied. How can we improve life satisfaction? It is with connectedness, joy, and mastery. Connectedness means being socially attached to the community. School connectedness predicts future emotional health. Schools need to create an environment where connectedness thrives thru relationships. Schools can do this by creating bonding activities, teaching social skills, hiring teachers for their ability to connect, peer group advisories, etc.. Schools must also give faculty permission to spend time being relational. The school community must commit to being a place where joy, fun, and happiness are infused into the daily experience of school. Assessing the faculty is important. They need to treat kids as humans and not just receivers of curriculum. Teachers who are toxic do not have a place in a community of well being. Schools need "rally points." These are touch points for the students, time with friends, breaks, pep rallys or assemblies, etc. Negative affect plus school stress will affect mastery, test scores, and well being. Success following perseverance breeds confidence. Students must have trials to learn. They have to believe they can do it, even if they fail first.
"Trust is the single most significant indicator of successful leadership. When the components of trust are in place, the results include: Increased levels of student achievement, Higher faculty and staff retention rates, Reduction in student behavioral referrals, Reduction in operational costs
Improved levels of parent and community satisfaction, Increased levels of volunteerism by employees and parents. Participants have the opportunity to create an Action Plan in which they can adjust their current personal and organizational practices related to one or two of the “trust factors.”"
This practical professional development session is tailored for educators--whether in the classroom or front office--and focuses on the transformative power of self-leadership. This session will provide practical strategies to enhance physical well-being and energy levels through balanced diets, movement, and rest all while demonstrating effective teaching practices. Participants will learn to cultivate a positive inner dialogue, practice mindfulness to reduce stress, and adopt effective time management strategies in order to cultivate emotional well-being.
(Presented by Scott Barron, Founder, School Growth) Teaching and leading others requires being present to build credibility and sustain trust. Presence involves staying mentally in the room, in the moment, and in the mind, avoiding the temptation to wander elsewhere in reaction to the siren call of another distracting device, dysfunctional disruption, or duty demanding our attention. Educators who have mastered the discipline of presence are able to adapt their energy level and cadence, have a high degree of situational awareness, and are able sustain attention with wisdom to determine the right approach and response. In this workshop we will explore how to invest our attention and talents as administrators, teachers, and staff to deliver the most productive results.
Learn how communicating with our stakeholders during any crisis requires pre-planning, timely and clear responses, an expression of caring and a commitment to a resolution. During this presentation, you will learn how to research the potential scenarios for a crisis, plan for a calculated response, implement data-driven tasks and evaluate how well the information was received by the community. A goal of crisis communications is to have seamless communication during the crisis and to articulately share with the school’s publics what has occurred. Types of crises that will be reviewed include public relations, natural disasters, cyber-attacks, security threats and other dangerous incidents. Examples of school crisis communication procedures and plans will be shared, as well as sample statements from schools and dioceses, plus templates for various scenarios. Learn how to use your FACTS management systemt to support these efforts and assist with seamless communication.
Leaders who communicate values and vision through story and metaphor are much more successful in communicating their school’s Mission and inspiring stakeholders. This session will make use of metaphors inspired by leaders in the field to inform and inspire how we view our role as a leader. This session will help you as leaders discover your ‘WHY’ by inviting you to reflect on metaphors that represent your values, your vision, and your leadership style. Telling our story in a captivating manner enables us to be inspirational leaders motivating our stakeholders around a common Mission.
Looking to take that next step into a school leadership role but don’t know where to begin? In this relatable session, you will hear the account of one school administrator’s triumphs and failures and the wisdom he has gained along the way. Come take away valuable lessons and practical advice that will help you on your way to the top!
Teaching and Learning
Ever wondered what a typical day looks like for a registrar? Find out in this engaging session with three FACTS registrars, who will share an in-depth look into their role as a FACTS Registrar. Learn insights, tips, and best practices they've learned along the way. This session is perfect for attendees just beginning registrar roles with their schools, experienced registrars looking for new ways to approach their day-to-day tasks, or anyone interested in learning more about this role.
This presentation will explore practical strategies for incorporating standards-based principles into traditional grading, offering methods to adjust the way grades are reported based on the standards to help teachers accurately report student learning, prioritize mastery of concepts, and provide more meaningful feedback on student progress. The purpose of grading should be to accurately report student learning based on clearly defined course standards. However, traditional methods of grading are typically influenced by non-cognitive factors like behavior and effort. While understanding these work-related behaviors is important, they often skew the perceptions of student success and are not good indicators of actual subject knowledge. To better align grading practices with student learning, much discussion and research in the last few decades have centered on standards-based grading (SBG). However, implementing SBG has presented numerous challenges for both educators and families due to the drastic changes in the way grades, under the standards-based framework, are collected and reported. Furthermore, implementing SBG with fidelity requires multiple years of refinement and professional development, making it a daunting initiative for any school. Yet, school leaders and teachers can still place an emphasis on standards and create grading practices that reflect student mastery by thoughtfully adjusting traditional grading methods and the grade book.
In today's rapidly changing world, our education system can no longer afford to rely on one-size-fits-all approaches, especially when it comes to neurodivergent learners. Every child possesses a unique blend of talents, and it's time we go beyond labels to unlock their true potential. "Beyond Labels: Nurturing Potential Through Individualized Education Plans" is a call to action for educators, administrators, and policymakers to rethink how we support neurodivergent students, ensuring every child's strengths are recognized and celebrated.Drawing from over a decade of hands-on experience in establishing inclusive learning environments, Pam will share how crafting effective IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) can transform the educational experience for neurodivergent learners. By integrating evidence-based practices such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Direct Instruction, and mindfulness, we can create an empowering pathway that goes beyond mere accommodation to genuine empowerment.This session will offer actionable strategies, real-world success stories, and a fresh perspective on how educators can collaborate with families to champion a child's journey. Together, we can build an education system that celebrates every learner's infinite possibilities, transforming the way we view neurodiversity. Let's break free from labels to redefine the future of inclusive education.
This session will explore what conditions help the brain learn the best, and articulate the 'why' behind those conditions. Participants will be able to describe specific strategies during each component of a learning cycle that will increase opportunities for learning and regulation.
How is it possible that in the midst of the technological boom we are living in, there seem to be so many schools either switching to a classical model or being build based on the classical model? What is classical education? How can "technology light" schools be successful and produce successful graduates? In this talk I will strive to show how an education based on the liberal arts, reading of primary sources, Latin, art, music, and following a traditional Trivium (grammar, logic, rhetoric), can be an answer to current problems with the improper use of technology and elimination of library resources in schools. Graduates of classical schools have historically been great scientists, philosophers, leaders, and all sorts of professions, even though this model has never truly gone away, it is now seeing a resurgence and many charter and private schools are adapting the model.
Research shows that teacher clarity yields a .84 effect size, but what IS teacher clarity and how can you achieve this in your building? Join Melissa as she explains what it is and demonstrates how to achieve it in three steps. You'll leave understanding that teacher clarity is critical for Tier One excellence, and how effective use can save time spend reteaching, increase mastery, and support student self-regulation. You’ll leave with an easy-to-use template to help you work smarter, not harder and help your students achieve success.
Students often ask: Why are we reading this literature? How does this book (story, poem, etc.) relate to me? When teachers design inquiry units through guiding questions and multicultural text sets, we motivate students to make text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to world connections. By reading texts that offer diverse perspectives on the guiding questions, students gain insights into their own lives as well as other people’s lives, places, and times. In this workshop, Dr. Beverly Chin shows examples of inquiry units with though-provoking guiding questions and multicultural, multi-genre text sets. She also shares reading strategies and writing invitations that engage students as critical readers, creative writers, and empathetic learners. This workshop emphasizes the value of teaching interdisciplinary units in English Language Arts and Social Studies/History.
(Exhibitor Session) Discover how to revolutionize your classroom and unlock the full potential of every student in our session, "Elevate Education: Transforming Classrooms with Innovation and Inclusivity." Join Tracey Duharte and Pamela Furr as they unveil proven strategies for managing diverse classrooms, enhancing student engagement, and driving academic success. Packed with real-world success stories and data-backed insights, this session offers practical tools to create inclusive, high-performing learning environments. Whether you're an educator, administrator, or advocate for neurodiverse learners, this talk will leave you inspired and equipped to make transformative changes in education. Don’t miss the chance to elevate your teaching and create lasting impact!
This session is designed to bridge that gap, empowering teachers with the knowledge, tools, and strategies they need to create inclusive and supportive learning environments for students with ADHD. It will also highlight the importance of distinguishing ADHD from other conditions with overlapping symptoms, such as trauma or learning disabilities, to ensure appropriate interventions.
Join Dr. Monica Burns, author of EdTech Essentials, as we explore the ways in which ChatGPT can revolutionize the way you work. When used strategically, this tool can accelerate your workflow, not substitute your role as an educator, as it helps to streamline your daily tasks and save time in the process. In this session, you will learn how to use ChatGPT, and what prompts and questions to try out, as you explore the power, potential, and possibilities of artificial intelligence for educator productivity.
This session will cover strategies for collecting and analyzing data so educators can take action through instructional pivots and interventions. We will focus on formative assessment and how to check for understanding before, during, and aer instruction. Participants will explore how digital tools provide a special benefit for students as they increase student opportunities (frequency) and options (choice) to share their learning.
"This session highlights Classroom's evolution over ten years, its extensive use globally, and its integration with other Google tools. We will go over details on ways Classroom enhances teaching and learning by empowering educators, enabling students, and supercharging leaders through various features, including AI-powered tools and accessibility options. Furthermore, we address key issues like educator burnout and cybersecurity, positioning Google Workspace as a comprehensive and secure solution.
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This session will provide background, research, and a deep understanding of what Orton Gillingham reading intervention is and how it supports students with dyslexia. This session constitutes the introduction to Orton Gillinham training. Participants in this training will sharpen their understanding of reading intervention and will have the foundation to proceed through the levels of Orton Gillingham training.
The expression of kindness, patience, and empathy by teachers can profoundly impact student outcomes and overall classroom dynamics, effectively combating the myriad of challenges present in our schools. This session will provide educators with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to harness the transformative power of kindness, patience, and empathy in their teaching practice. The presenters will detail the positive impact these strategies have on student growth. By the end of this session, participants will understand the theoretical framework supporting the positive impact of kindness, patience, and empathy on student engagement, motivation, and academic performance. They will discover effective communication techniques, including active listening, so that they approach disciplinary issues and challenging conversations with students and colleagues in a way that prioritizes empathy, patience, and kindness in school culture
This practical professional development session is tailored for educators--whether in the classroom or front office--and focuses on the transformative power of self-leadership. This session will provide practical strategies to enhance physical well-being and energy levels through balanced diets, movement, and rest all while demonstrating effective teaching practices. Participants will learn to cultivate a positive inner dialogue, practice mindfulness to reduce stress, and adopt effective time management strategies in order to cultivate emotional well-being.
Do some of your students write short, choppy sentences? Are you looking for an effective way to help students write more interesting sentences and think more carefully about their writing purpose and audience? Dr. Beverly Ann Chin demonstrates how the strategy of sentence expansion supports students as they revise their writing and deepen their thinking. She also shows how this strategy smoothly integrates writing instruction with grammar/punctuation instruction. A research-based strategy, sentence expansion can be used with writers at all grade levels and in different content areas. It is especially valuable for differentiated literacy instruction and English Language Learners. Throughout this interactive workshop, Dr. Chin engages teachers and enables them to create their own sentence expansion activities.
Are you looking for effective ways to create a classroom environment that fosters both positivity and productivity? Join us for this breakout-session designed to equip educators with practical classroom management strategies that can transform their teaching experience and boost student engagement. During this session, we will explore: 1) Proven techniques to establish clear expectations and routines that reduce disruptions. 2) Ways to build positive relationships with students to enhance mutual respect and collaboration. 3) Practical tools to address challenging behaviors while maintaining a supportive atmosphere. 4) Tips for creating an inclusive classroom that meets diverse student needs. Whether you’re a new teacher seeking foundational strategies or an experienced educator looking to refine your approach, this webinar offers actionable insights you can implement immediately.
Explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on teachers' weekly tasks. Learn to leverage new generative AI tools like Chat GPT and others to create personalized lesson plans, rubrics, and more, and foster interactive and effective learning experiences for students. We’ll also explore ways to make your class assignments more robust against student misuse of AI.
Collaboration between special education and general education teachers is essential for meeting the diverse needs of students with disabilities in inclusive classroom settings. In this session, we will explore proven strategies for fostering effective collaboration that empowers educators to co-plan, co-teach, and implement individualized support for students with special needs. Participants will gain insights into how special education teachers can work alongside general education teachers to create a more inclusive, supportive, and engaging learning environment for all students, ensuring that students with disabilities are not only included but actively supported in their academic growth. The session will cover practical tools for communication, co-teaching models, and differentiated instruction techniques that enhance classroom dynamics and maximize student success.
Are you a district leader, principal, or instructional coach struggling to find time in the school day to support students who aren’t succeeding with grade-level instruction? If you answered yes, then this is the session for you. Participants will learn how think outside of the box to use both human, time, and material resources to ensure appropriate time and resources are provided to those students who need added supports in addition to core instruction time.
Social studies teachers are passionate about bringing history to life for their students, yet even experts sometimes find it challenging to delve into the intricate details of certain historical documents. How do we decide what’s most relevant, memorable, and impactful? To inspire learning, we need more than a “one page ahead” approach—we need the ability to truly unpack and convey complex content. This session introduces an exciting use of ChatGPT and MagicSchoolAI, offering teachers innovative tools to deepen their own understanding of dense historical documents and transform them into high-quality, student-ready materials. This isn’t about student-use of AI; it’s a hands-on exploration of how educators can harness these emerging technologies to design dynamic, accessible lessons that captivate students and boost literacy and comprehension.
Managing diverse student behaviors is one of the most significant challenges teachers face in today’s classrooms. This session offers educators evidence-based strategies to address common behavioral issues, promote positive student engagement, and build supportive classroom environments. Understanding the root causes of behavior—whether stemming from trauma, neurodiversity, or social-emotional needs—is crucial to fostering an inclusive learning space where all students can thrive.