CPS Googlepalooza 2026: Full Schedule

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9:00am CDT

Building the Foundation of Literacy with Apple

Thursday August 13, 2026 9:00am - 9:00am CDT

Learning how to read allows students to learn, enjoy, and understand the world through the words around them. Join us to explore how iPad can foster reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through hands-on learning experiences that empower students to become engaged, independent readers. We’ll also share ways that multimodal approaches paired with international practice can help students make meaning from text and bring the joy of literacy to life.

Speakers

Apple Education

Thursday August 13, 2026 9:00am - 9:00am CDT
Virtual for CPS

9:00am CDT

From Vaping to Mental Health: A Complete Wellness Toolkit for Schools

Thursday August 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

Virtual for CPS

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.

Speakers

Darren Scott

Senior Implementation Specialist, Everfi

Thursday August 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Virtual for CPS

9:00am CDT

Google Suite Tips and Tricks (Beginner & Intermediate)

Thursday August 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

Virtual for CPS

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)

Speakers

Brian Bullington

Network Data Strategist, CPS: N11 & N12

Thursday August 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Virtual for CPS

9:00am CDT

Meeting Every Reader: Driving Growth Through Science-Based, Adaptive Literacy Models

Thursday August 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

Virtual for CPS

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.

Speakers

Renee Robinson

Sandy Qualls

Thursday August 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Virtual for CPS

9:00am CDT

Ready, Set, TEACH! Session 2 Title:Beyond the Curriculum: Using Google Gemini to Adapt Standards-Based Instruction for Neurodiverse Learners

Thursday August 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

Virtual for CPS

Join us for this interactive session to discover how Gemini is now integrated into your Google Classroom workflow. In this session, we'll explore practical strategies to streamline lesson planning, differentiate assignments instantly, and generate creative resources that engage every learner. Leave with ready-to-use techniques to make AI your new favorite teaching assistant.

Speakers

Melanie Malone

Michelle Reed

Thursday August 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Virtual for CPS

9:00am CDT

Smarter Searches, Stronger Work: EBSCO + Google for Student Success

Thursday August 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

Virtual for CPS

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.

Speakers

James Jacobson

Thursday August 13, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Virtual for CPS

10:00am CDT

College, Career, and Life Ready: Delivering Impactful Workforce Skills

Thursday August 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

Virtual for CPS

Students engage more when career prep feels personal and real. In this session, we’ll share how Everfi supports student-led career exploration and future planning through interactive lessons and reflection activities, with CPS-ready options. Ideal for helping students see the “why” behind coursework and start mapping next steps with purpose

Speakers

Darren Scott

Senior Implementation Specialist, Everfi

Thursday August 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
Virtual for CPS

10:00am CDT

How about: AI as a Partner, Not Your Autopilot: Practical GenAI Skills for CPS Educators

Thursday August 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

Virtual for CPS

Generative AI can be a real time-saver for teachers, but only when it's used with intention and a human-in-the-loop mindset. In this session, we'll explore how Brisk Teaching's SOPPA-approved AI tools can help CPS educators differentiate materials, refine and strengthen the feedback you're already giving, and create scaffolds that maintain rigor, all in alignment with CPS's Instructional GenAI Playbook. You'll leave with hands-on strategies for using AI to support the high-quality, culturally responsive instruction your students deserve. Whether you're AI-curious or already experimenting, this session will help you move from just trying a tool to building skills you can actually carry forward.

Speakers

Whitney Noel

Thursday August 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
Virtual for CPS

10:00am CDT

Logitech for Education

Thursday August 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

Virtual for CPS

Logitech for Education: Designing education-first solutions for today’s learning environments.

Speakers

Mike Bentle

Logitech

Thursday August 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
Virtual for CPS

10:00am CDT

Remixing EdTech: Redefining Hybrid Learning With Paperless and Trauma-Informed Music Classrooms

Thursday August 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

Virtual for CPS

Discover innovative ways to transform your music teaching by creating vibrant, flexible, and trauma-sensitive hybrid learning environments using accessible tools. This session offers practical strategies to go paperless, foster student agency, and incorporate trauma-informed approaches— empowering educators to build inclusive music classrooms meeting the needs of all learners

Speakers

Carmella Berthia

Curie High School

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 →

Thursday August 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
Virtual for CPS

10:00am CDT

Science in 3D: Embodied STEM Learning on Everyday Devices

Thursday August 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

Virtual for CPS

Discover how the new Merge 3D platform brings science and STEM concepts to life through interactive 3D objects, simulations, and embodied learning experiences — all right in your web browser. In this 45-minute hands-on professional development session, Chicago Public Schools educators will explore how to use Merge on everyday student devices with no app downloads required. Participants will learn practical ways to engage students through 3D Mode, Hand Tracking, Head Tracking, and Cube Mode while making complex science concepts more visual, interactive, and memorable.

Speakers

Sheri Omernik

Educational Consultant, Mackin Educational Resources

Mackin has been a preferred vendor for Chicago Public Schools for many years. Sheri has been leading CPS sessions at Tech Talk and Googlepalooza since 2019.

Sheri can support classroom libraries, school libraries, makerspace products, augmented reality in science, digital products, summer reading, and more. Mackin is linked with CPS Marketplace and Sheri can assist with ordering... Read More →

Isabella Gipson

Thursday August 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
Virtual for CPS

10:00am CDT

Transforming Lessons with Nearpod for Students with Disabilities

Thursday August 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

Virtual for CPS

Discover how to harness the power of Nearpod to transform your classroom into an engaging, inclusive learning space! This session will explore creative strategies to support differentiated instruction, with a special focus on meeting the diverse needs of students with disabilities. Learn how to use Nearpod’s interactive features to personalize lessons, increase participation, and promote independence. Get ready to level up your instruction and empower every learner!

Speakers

Kristen Dimas

LaToya Harris

Thursday August 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
Virtual for CPS

10:00am CDT

Using AI to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms

Thursday August 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

Virtual for CPS

In today's mixed-ability classrooms, one-size-fits-all instruction too often leaves students either behind or unchallenged. This hands-on session explores how AI-driven tools and platforms can make differentiation more manageable and impactful by helping teachers assess individual needs, track progress, and adapt instruction at scale. Grounded in Universal Design for Learning and current edtech research, you'll leave with practical, classroom-ready strategies to ensure every student is supported, challenged, and empowered to succeed.

Speakers

LeeAnn Grant

Professional Development Specialist, CodeHS

LeeAnn is a Professional Development Specialist at CodeHS, where she designs and delivers professional learning that helps educators confidently bring computer science into their classrooms. She presents at conferences and leads workshops across a range of CS topics, specializing... Read More →

Thursday August 13, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
Virtual for CPS

1:00pm CDT

Gem! Truly Outrageous: A Beginner’s Guide to Building Your First Custom AI Assistant

Thursday August 13, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Virtual for CPS

Ready to clone yourself? Learn how to build custom "Gems" within Google Gemini to automate your most tedious teaching tasks, from drafting parent emails to generating differentiated reading materials.

Speakers

Joy Blake

Middle School Math Teacher, Poe Classical

Hi, my name is Joy Blake, an educator with technology at the forefront. I am a 6-8th grade Math Teacher at Poe Classical.the Prior to this position, I worked as the Manager of STEM Implementation and Supports for the STEM Department. a Skyline Math Curriculum Designer, an Instructional... Read More →

Michael Levy

Sr

Thursday August 13, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Virtual for CPS

1:00pm CDT

Leading i-Ready Inform: From Launch to Impact

Thursday August 13, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Virtual for CPS

A successful assessment window depends on seamless planning. This 60-minute session equips administrators and test leads to manage a smooth i-Ready Inform BOY window. Participants will preview platform features, school-wide proctoring expectations, and engage in a hands-on experience to monitor and troubleshoot within the dashboard.

Speakers

Talibah Floyd

Assessment Specialist, Teaching & Learning (T&L): Student Assessment and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

Greetings! I am an Assessment Specialist with the Department of Student Assessment & MTSS. I support the CPS i-Ready K-2 Assessment.

Thursday August 13, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Virtual for CPS

1:00pm CDT

What's New With Google Classroom

Thursday August 13, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT

Virtual for CPS

The Google Classroom team will you through some of our newest features, such as incorporating learning standards, tracking student progress, creating teacher-led AI activities to support students, and more. We'll also give you a tour of some new surfaces in Classroom, too!

Speakers

Sofie Cornelis

Kristi Krulcik

Thursday August 13, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm CDT
Virtual for CPS

2:00pm CDT

AI as a Partner, Not Your Autopilot: Practical GenAI Skills for CPS Educators

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Virtual for CPS

Speakers

Whitney Noel

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Virtual for CPS

2:00pm CDT

Best Practices in Universal Design for Learning in the Mathematics Classroom

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Virtual for CPS

Today’s math classrooms include students with a wide range of backgrounds, skill levels, learning needs, and ways of engaging with content. In this session, participants will explore practical Universal Design for Learning strategies that make mathematics instruction more accessible, flexible, and effective for all learners. Attendees will leave with specific approaches for using flexible materials, clear instructional routines, and engaging activities that support students at the margins while strengthening learning for the entire classroom.

Speakers

Kayleigh Gray

Kelly Longmire-Crawford

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Virtual for CPS

2:00pm CDT

Beyond the Hype: Research on AI Scoring for Science Classrooms

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Virtual for CPS

Tired of spending hours scoring formative assessments? Learn what happens when you let AI handle the heavy lifting and where it falls short. This session presents the results of research comparing the PASTA AI-automated scoring system with traditional teacher scoring in middle school science, revealing insights about time savings, accuracy, and what teachers shouldn't automate. Walk away with a clear-eyed view of when AI helps and when your human judgment still matters most.

Speakers

Steven McGee

President, The Learning Partnership

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Virtual for CPS

2:00pm CDT

CS4ALL Robotics Lending Library

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Virtual for CPS

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.

Speakers

Rebecca Bailey

Technical Support Coordinator, Chicago Public Schools

Katrina Miller

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Virtual for CPS

2:00pm CDT

Engaging Early Learners

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Virtual for CPS

What do you expect learning to look like for your youngest students? And how can technology play a role? Join us for a discussion around how the use of technology should be intentional and natural, as well as age appropriate to meet the abilities of each learner. We’ll also explore how iPad can help your youngest students communicate, create, and learn at their own pace.

Speakers

Apple Education

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Virtual for CPS

2:00pm CDT

Let Google Do Your Busywork (Updated 2026)

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Virtual for CPS

Our CPS Google Workspace accounts have never been more interconnected and time-saving! Between easily keeping track of tasks, automatically sending emails, re-using templates, identifying learning standards...etc there are dozens of ways to save time using tools already freely available to you. These are tips I use every year in my actual day-to-day teaching and managing records. Note: this is an AI-free session! None of the tips or tricks discussed in this session involve AI/Gemini.

Speakers

Sean Eichenser

6th-12th English Teacher, Chicago Public Schools

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 →

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Virtual for CPS

2:00pm CDT

Modern Classroom enhanced with AI tools - personalized high school learning

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Virtual for CPS

Roosevelt High School has partnered with LEAP Innovations as a member of their AI Pilot Network, and Modern Classroom to develop demonstration classrooms utilizing the Modern Classroom personalized learning framework for learning. We are utilizing AI tools to support teachers in creating individualized lesson content using multimedia, differentiated for multiple skill levels and in multiple languages, as is the need for highly diverse neighborhood high school.

Speakers

Daniel Kramer

Principal, Roosevelt High School, Chicago Public Schools

Nicole Sharp

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Virtual for CPS

2:00pm CDT

Power Up Reading: Launching Sora for a Strong School Year

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

Virtual for CPS

Power up digital reading at the start of the new school year with this energizing virtual session focused on launching and implementing Sora schoolwide. Educators will explore practical strategies for promoting Sora and embedding digital reading into instruction from day one. The session also shares ideas for building a strong school community of readers, helping students and staff connect around reading and sustain engagement throughout the year.

Speakers

Kristen Hein

Customer Success Account Manager, Sora by Overdrive

Kristen Hein is an Account Manager who helps schools maximize the impact of Sora to increase student reading and engagement. A former history teacher, mom, and avid reader, she is passionate about connecting students with books and supporting educators in building thriving reading... Read More →

Thursday August 13, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
Virtual for CPS

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