Whether your school is just rolling out PBIS or has been at it for years, the gap between a great plan and a great daily practice usually comes down to a handful of habits. We'll have current CPS educators share five things their schools do with LiveSchool to keep adults consistent, students engaged, and the system running without burning teachers out. You'll leave with concrete strategies you can put into practice on day one, no matter what tools your school uses.
I take big problems and break them down into manageable chunks while brainstorming, collaborating, and delivering solutions. My passion is enabling teachers to feel confident and supported so they can stay in the classroom and bring more continuity and dynamic teaching strategies... Read More →
Tuesday August 11, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT Virtual for CPS
Using Typesy's Word Work feature, teachers will learn how they can input their own word list, gather ten usage examples of each word, and then turn those examples back around into a typing assignment. You could use a spelling list, a vocabulary list, or any list for that matter and make the typing assignments your students are doing more relevant than ever.
Typesy is the premium keyboarding program for education. Come hear from me about why as a former district-level tech director and K-8 school principal, my research led me to Typesy as the best solution out their to solve my classroom needs. Six years ago I decided to return to the... Read More →
Tired of chasing compliance? Shift the focus to ownership. Discover how the principles of Teaching Artistic Behaviour (TAB) and Google Classroom can transform passive students into a self-directed learner. This session delivers a structured, scalable framework to explicitly teach executive function skills- like planning, time management, and self- monitoring- through digital portfolios. While rooted in art studio pedagogy, these strategies provide a universal roadmap to scaffold student autonomy without the chaos.
Students with autism and other neurodiverse learning profiles often benefit from predictable, organized learning environments that promote independence and reduce reliance on adult support. In this session, participants will explore practical structured teaching strategies, using Gemini, that can be implemented immediately in the classroom. Drawing from real-world experiences in a middle school low-incidence classroom, this session will demonstrate how classroom zoning, visual schedules, structured work systems, work-break routines, and prompting hierarchies can increase student engagement, independence, and success.
Tuesday August 11, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT Virtual for CPS
See how to streamline your district's daily communications and keep your campuses connected using Rise Vision. This live demo covers how to manage centralized digital signage, broadcast instant emergency alerts, and use AI-powered tools to simplify content creation. You will walk away knowing how to easily turn your existing school displays into effective tools for student engagement and safety.
Ready to revolutionize your school’s digital communication without spending a dime or installing messy plugins? Join us online to discover how Google Workspace can automate your scheduling and completely transform your parent newsletters. You will learn to launch live, real-time booking pages for virtual conferences and design stunning, branded Gmail layouts that command attention in any inbox.
Unlock the full power of the Illinois State Library’s EBSCO databases—right within the tools you already use every day. In this session, students and teachers will learn how to seamlessly integrate trusted, curriculum-aligned research content into a Google workflow, making it easier to find credible sources, collaborate, and create stronger assignments. Discover practical strategies to improve research efficiency, support digital literacy, and elevate classroom outcomes using reliable, easy-to-access academic resources.
Learn how district leaders across CPS are partnering with Everfi to empower teachers, address unmet student needs, and accelerate priority district initiatives — all at no cost. Learn practical ways to expand access, drive engagement, and deliver measurable impact across your schools.
This session uses the DJ as a metaphor to help educators rethink how they select and combine EdTech tools. Attendees will learn strategies to curate and remix digital resources into a personalized, flexible “playlist” that boosts engagement and streamlines workflow & support teachers in optimizing technology use efficiently and effectively.
I am a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) in Vocal Music and an ISTE Certified Educator, currently pursuing my doctorate with a focus on Race-Based Traumatic Stress (RBTS) informed curriculum. I teach at a 9-12 Chicago Public School, where I am developing my own piano curriculum... Read More →
Tuesday August 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT Virtual for CPS
Do you want to learn about scholarship resources, tools, and events available to support CPS 6th-12th grade students? Join this presentation to learn about credible and reliable scholarship opportunities in the CPS SchooLinks platform, the OSCPA Scholarship Data Studio, and SchooLinks experience tracker. No matter what your current role in CPS is, by the end of this session, you will have access to tangible resources to inform your scholarship advising practices for college, military, vocational, and/or trade postsecondary pathways.
There’s a better way to work! Learn 25 tips, tricks, and hacks for Google Workspace tools like Chrome, Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Slides, and more. It's the little things that make your experience more efficient, effective, and exciting!
So, you feel confident after 101, but you're ready to "rev up" your video skills? In this session, we're moving a lot faster! This more advanced session will take you beyond the basics, exploring syncing elements together for cool transitions, layering audio for a polished effect, and even creating templates for others to use! Put the pedal to the metal and become a video pro! 🏁🎬 This session has been updated with the newest 2026 features!
Hi there! I've taught English/ELA in CPS for 10 years! I'm a Google Certified Educator Level 1 & 2, as well as a Google Certified Trainer. I've conducted training for CPS staff, Illinois State University, WITS (Rochelle Lee Teaching Award), and teachers all across the Chicago area... Read More →
Tuesday August 11, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT Virtual for CPS
Welcome your new students back to school with a fresh understanding of the digital world through this session on AI literacy for K-5. Discover how artificial intelligence works and explore age-appropriate ways to introduce these concepts, helping young students move from passive tech users to critical thinkers. You will leave equipped with practical, ready-to-use strategies to foster safe, responsible, and creative AI exploration in your classroom from day one.
My session will transform your elementary or middle school classroom into a thriving environment where emotional safety directly drives academic focus. This interactive session will clarify what social-emotional learning (SEL) is, shifting it from an "extra" thing to teach into a seamless, natural part of your existing daily schedule. You will master the core competencies of SEL and walk away with practical, bite-sized routines—from morning check-ins to transition resets—that boost student participation without sacrificing a single minute of instructional time.
Starting the school year is easier than ever with Wayground. This session showcases the newest Wayground features and updates to enhance instruction, engagement, and maximize the efficient use of Wayground in the classroom with AI tools to streamline workflows, accommodations to meet the needs of all learners, and so much more.
What does responsible AI use look like in music, visual art, dance, theatre, and media arts? Participants will explore ways to help students question AI-generated content, protect authentic voice, examine bias and authorship, document their creative process, and use AI as a tool for brainstorming, critique, reflection, and revision rather than as a replacement for creativity.
I am a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) in Vocal Music and an ISTE Certified Educator, currently pursuing my doctorate with a focus on Race-Based Traumatic Stress (RBTS) informed curriculum. I teach at a 9-12 Chicago Public School, where I am developing my own piano curriculum... Read More →
Tuesday August 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT Virtual for CPS
Join a former educator and current central office employee to discover how Data Studio (formerly Looker) can turn overwhelming Google Sheets full of survey results, budgets, or classroom data into clear, visual stories. You will learn how to connect your Google Sheets to dynamic dashboards and reports that automatically track trends and goals in real time. Walk away with the confidence to build "set-it-and-forget-it" reports that save you time and make your data actionable for every stakeholder.
SC Johnson offers 18 different virtual standards-based STEM programs to complement classroom curriculum. These grade-focused programs are offered throughout the school year, each with multiple times to participate. Teacher and student resources are also available at no cost for many of these programs. Come learn how you can get your class involved.
Discover how to bring a comprehensive, prevention-focused approach to student health and wellness without adding to your plate. This session introduces Everfi’s free, standards-aligned resources that address critical topics—from vaping prevention and substance misuse to mental health and digital well-being—through engaging, real-world lessons. Walk away with ready-to-use tools that empower students to make healthy decisions, build resilience, and thrive both in and out of the classroom.
Join us to explore how Google’s suite of accessibility tools—including features in Chromebook, Google Classroom, Gemini, and NotebookLM—can empower diverse learners and streamline instructional management. This session provides a practical overview of how to leverage built-in features to customize learning environments, support students with specific needs, and integrate generative AI to enhance comprehension and productivity. Walk away with actionable strategies to create an inclusive classroom where every student has the support they need to thrive and succeed
(Note: Content updated with new features in 2026!) This introductory session is perfect for you. We'll walk through the basics together, and I'll be showing you how to create high-quality videos quickly for a ton of different uses. From short, engaging lessons, small group instructional videos, fun welcome-back messages and more, for your students, or even colleagues. You'll learn essential tools and techniques to make your videos clear, concise, and visually engaging. No more boring vids, promise! 🔥🎬
Hi there! I've taught English/ELA in CPS for 10 years! I'm a Google Certified Educator Level 1 & 2, as well as a Google Certified Trainer. I've conducted training for CPS staff, Illinois State University, WITS (Rochelle Lee Teaching Award), and teachers all across the Chicago area... Read More →
Tuesday August 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT Virtual for CPS
As education evolves, we can confront our anxieties about AI together by building a supportive network focused on intentional, ethical, and practical partnership. In this hands-on session, teachers, clerks, and support staff will learn how to responsibly use Gemini to conquer paperwork and reclaim their valuable time. By keeping the human heart of CPS at the center and making every prompt count, we will ensure our AI use is as sustainable for the planet as it is life-changing for our daily workloads.
Discover help for students and teachers to move beyond “I don’t know what to read” by discovering books they’ll actually enjoy. In this session, you’ll learn how to use NoveList to find read-alikes, explore genres, and match the right book to the right reader based on interests, reading level, and style. Walk away with practical strategies to spark reading engagement and make book selection faster, easier, and more meaningful.
As an Education Pioneers Fellow in Summer 2026, I had 10 weeks to conduct a literature review, create insights, and make recommendations to improve usability for the CPS websites. My insights take three perspectives: the student, the teacher, and the district. My project also addresses information architecture and and UX consolidation.
Ally is pursuing his Master’s in Business Administration focusing on Behavioral Strategy at the DePaul University and will be working with us as an Information Systems Fellow on the ITS (Information Technology Services) team. He’ll support web development, improve site design... Read More →
Tuesday August 11, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm CDT Virtual for CPS
Get your classroom Back to School ready with visual supports, posters, picture schedules, social stories and more. Learn how to create meaningful visuals that help students learn routines and classroom expectations right from the start!
Teachers, Therapists and Parents can create custom learning materials for their classroom and teacing needs. Create cheap picture cards, use our powerful ...
Unlock the world of hands-on technology for your students with the CS4ALL Robotics Lending Library, a free resource designed to foster equitable computer science education for all Chicago Public Schools K-12 educators, no coding background required! Supported by strategic grant funding, this session demonstrates how any teacher, including special education cluster teachers, can remove financial barriers and "test drive" high-cost physical computing devices directly in their classrooms. You will leave inspired and fully equipped with a clear roadmap to access these tools, ready to provide your students with a rigorous, joyful, and inclusive digital education at zero cost to your school budget.
Stop making posters and start designing data! Modernize your classroom projects by teaching students to synthesize complex data into clear, compelling infographics. This session provides a hands-on, step-by-step guide to the design process using free, accessible tools suitable for any subject matter. Attendees will walk away with a practical implementation plan and a suite of digital resources to help students "show what they know" with professional flair.
Join us to explore how to effectively use the connected Windows device with your Promethean ActivPanel to enhance classroom instruction. Participants will learn how to navigate and leverage Promethean ActivSuite software, including tools for creating dynamic lessons. Additionally, participants will discover how to adapt existing classroom resources to make them more interactive and engaging with ActivSuite tools.
What happens when adaptive technology and supported educators work together to meet students exactly where they are? Join literacy leaders from Palmer Elementary and Lexia as they examine Core5 implementation and achievement data, explore how structured literacy thrives within a personalized blended learning model, and share strategies that accelerate literacy growth for all learners. Participants will discover how real-time data, adaptive technology, and actionable instructional insights empower educators to strengthen Tier 1 instruction, expand equitable access to rigorous literacy learning, and drive measurable student outcomes for the 2026–2027 school year.
Dedicated to empowering K-5+ learners. This session will provide a review alongside a sneak peek of new content and features recently released and/or launching soon. PebbleGo gives educators the resources to help elementary students grow internal literacy skills while building essential core knowledge. Valuable information for new and current users.
Capstone Representative serving Chicago schools for over twenty years. I live in Chicago and am available to offer assistance / answer questions on PebbleGo and all things Capstone.
See how other CPS schools are using Minga to streamline daily operations with hallway management, tardy management, and pbis/ behavior management solutions.
Stop fighting with your filing cabinet and start using Google instead! Is your behavior folder too full? Mine was! I could not fit one more piece of paper inside.
Have you ever wanted to teach a concept, but their are no materials that seemed to mirror your thought process of instruction? In this session we will model and create think aloud infographics for effective instruction.
Take control of your Chromebooks! Learn about some tools that make your life as a Technology Coordinator easier. Includes a crash course in Google Admin Console and basics of Gopher for Chrome.
This session is a rapid fire buffet of 30 tips and tricks to save minutes and headaches as you navigate Gmail, Drive, Google Sheets and Google Docs. Freeze headers, unsend emails, manage tabs, crop pictures to fun shapes for presentations, and so much more. Whether a Google novice or a seasoned pro, I hope there will be at least a few "oh man, that will make my life so much easier" moments. (This session would be a slightly updated a session hosted last year. The session was well attended and well received. I'm offering to break it into two sessions this year, a beginner and an intermediate so there is slightly more time, and slightly more depth for those who have attended before)
Shift from punitive approaches to purposeful and restorative interventions by transforming ISS into a time for growth and skill-building. In this session, explore how Everfi’s courses support knowledge gain and behavior change through topics like decision-making, vaping and cannabis use, prescription drug use including the dangers of fentanyl, alcohol education, and navigating peer conflict Learn how to align these resources with intervention goals, track student engagement, and use data to inform more effective, equitable discipline practices. Walk away with a practical model for turning ISS into a meaningful part of your student support system.
Tech Coordinator target audience. Teardown of Lenovo's modular Chromebook family. Repairs are faster and easier by allowing schools to replace individual components instead of entire devices. This reduces repair costs, extends device lifespan, and returns valuable budget savings that schools can reinvest in students, teachers, and classroom technology.
As education evolves, we can confront our anxieties about AI together by building a supportive network focused on intentional, ethical, and practical partnership. In this hands-on session, teachers, clerks, and support staff will learn how to responsibly use Gemini to conquer paperwork and reclaim their valuable time. By keeping the human heart of CPS at the center and making every prompt count, we will ensure our AI use is as sustainable for the planet as it is life-changing for our daily workloads.
In this workshop, you will have an opportunity to explore Bookshare, a FREE accessible ebook library for students with reading barriers such as dyslexia, visual impairments or physical disabilities that interfere with reading traditional print. With over one million titles in the library, these books can be read in a variety of formats such as audio, audio with highlighted text, braille and large print on the devices that students have access to at school and home.
Lara Rondberg is a Program Manager at Benetech, providing a connection between the world's largest accessible ebook library and its educator and student users. For over 10 years, Lara has worked closely both in person and virtually with target districts and educators nationwide to... Read More →
Interested participants will engage in an introductory format of the Computer Science Teachers Association Chicago Chapter. They will learn how CS is applicable in every subject and can be administered, without extra heavy work by all educators.
