Buckle up for an exciting journey in professional learning at Summer Inspire: Destination Excellence on May 28-29 from 8:30 to 4:00! This summer, we’re hitting the road toward innovation, impact, and instructional excellence. Please note: Our main location will be Shepton High School, but some sessions may be at the Plano ISD Sockwell Center.
Shepton High School: 5505 W Plano Pkwy, Plano, TX 75093
Here are some helpful tips for navigating Sched:
You can filter for session types by using the menu bar on the right side of the screen (Elementary, GT Credit, Full-day, etc.)
This professional development session is designed to give educators and administrators a thorough understanding of how to leverage artificial intelligence to improve specially designed instruction for students with disabilities at all levels of special education services. Participants will explore a variety of topics, including how AI can aid in differentiated instruction and promote inclusive practices. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to utilize AI in creating environments where students with disabilities can thrive.
Raise your hand if you've ever felt like you're talking to a brick wall! Communication in education goes way beyond just “talking”—it’s about connecting. In this session, we’ll dive into the art (and science) of effective communication so your message doesn’t just land—it sticks. Backed by research in emotional intelligence and communication theory, this interactive session will help you decode student and colleague communication, sharpen your listening skills, and make your voice heard in a way that invites trust and action. It’s not just what you say—it’s how you say it. Can you hear me now? Good. Let’s get started!
Learn how to develop data-driven IEP goals by effectively analyzing Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFPs). This session will guide participants through the process of using student data to identify needs, set measurable goals, and ensure alignment with state and federal requirements. Attendees will explore best practices for writing clear, meaningful goals that drive student progress. By the end of this training, participants will have the tools to make informed, data-based decisions that support individualized student success.
Do your students struggle with taking accountability for their actions? Do they need support reading the "hidden rules" to successfully engage in the learning environment? The Social-Emotional Chain Reaction and Social Situation Mapping may be the key to proactively planning to meet your students' social and behavioral needs across the various social contexts of the school day!
The Teacher's Encyclopedia of Behavior Management will explore research-based strategies for managing student behavior through proactive, positive, and instructional approaches. Participants will gain an overview of how to plan for and implement specific interventions tailored to address an individual student's behavioral needs. The session will also provide an overview of practical tools, including a series of guiding questions to assist educators in selecting and customizing behavioral intervention plans based on the context and/or severity of the behavior. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to plan for effective behavior management and actionable intervention strategies for improving student behavior.
Participants will dive deep into how to interpret and use CogAT data. We will use this information to adjust instruction to meet the needs of all students. Learners will also participate in instructional strategies that can be used in the classroom in all subjects.
Want to keep your students speaking, listening, reading, and writing in the target language—while making learning fun? In this hands-on session, you’ll step into your students’ shoes and experience dynamic strategies and games designed for each mode of communication. Walk away with strategies and games that improve engagement and foster student love for language learning!
(For Secondary) This interactive training walks participants through the lessons and tools from the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum’s Upstander Education Database that can be used in the classroom to build positive communication and mutual respect. Participants will examine two TEKS-aligned lessons that provide students with tips on how to have respectful conversations and practice good listening skills. Learning Goals: Understand the skills and techniques used to build responsible and respectful conversations and provide hands-on resources to immediately implement in your classroom.
Explore low-prep, research-backed strategies that help make learning stick. Experience effective retrieval practice techniques firsthand, and discover how to integrate them into instruction using simple tools. Identify ways to lessen cognitive load through purposeful design, routines, and reflection. Leave with easy-to-implement ideas you can try tomorrow to support lasting learning for all students.
The session will help participants implement SIOP on their campus by deepening understanding of the SIOP components. Strategies for each component will be easy to take back and implement in your classrooms.
This unique training will equip participants with 23 small moves they can make immediately to support students ability to talk more, think more, and achieve more. All the moves are both modeled and practiced throughout the session. Additionally, participants will dive into the role of habits in teaching. We will survey current research about how habits are formed and directly connect that to action steps for the classroom.
(For elementary) This high-energy professional development session equips educators with practical, student-centered strategies that drive active learning and deep engagement. Participants will explore the essential components of an engaged classroom, gaining hands-on experience with techniques that get students actively involved in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The session focuses on increasing critical thinking, fostering student ownership of learning, and integrating higher-order thinking into daily instruction. Educators will leave with ready-to-use tools and strategies to create a language-rich, interactive environment where students thrive. This session provides an engaging and immersive learning experience, ensuring that teachers walk away with actionable strategies to transform instruction and maximize student success. [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
Ready to take student engagement to the next level? In this interactive session, participants will explore Discovery Education’s Spotlight on Strategies—simple, high-impact instructional practices designed to spark curiosity, deepen thinking, and boost participation. Educators will learn how to effectively implement these strategies to enhance questioning, support summarizing, and keep students actively involved in their learning. By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with ready-to-use techniques and a refreshed toolkit of resources to transform your classroom into a hub of discovery and excitement.
(For elementary) This engaging professional development session explores the power of formative assessment as a tool to drive student achievement and instructional decision-making. Educators will examine how assessments shape learning, impact instructional choices, and support students in reaching their full potential. Through hands-on experiences and actionable strategies, participants will learn how to assess for learning rather than just of learning, incorporate student self-assessment as a powerful learning tool, and develop a collaborative classroom culture where assessment fuels growth. This session equips teachers with practical, ready-to-use methods to make assessment a meaningful and integral part of the learning process. [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
(For elementary) Strengthen literacy skills by unlocking the powerful connection between reading and writing! This engaging professional development session provides educators with learner-centered, active strategies to enhance student comprehension, writing fluency, and content mastery. Participants will uncover how reading fuels better writing, and gather practical tools to lessen writing anxiety while building student confidence. Through hands-on experiences, educators will leave with a ready-to-use toolkit of dynamic strategies designed to boost engagement, deepen understanding, and empower students to thrive as both readers and writers. [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
Jumpstart your Seesaw journey by mastering the platform’s essential tools for instruction and engagement. Design purposeful learning tasks, manage student work with ease, and elevate student ownership in the classroom. Participants will also complete the steps to become an official Seesaw Pioneer!
Every student brings unique strengths to the journey toward college readiness. This professional learning session empowers educators with strategies to support all learners—especially those developing academic language, reading comprehension, and written expression—skills essential for success on assessments like the SAT, ACT, and TIA. Educators will explore practical ways to scaffold instruction, build academic vocabulary, and create language-rich, inclusive classrooms that boost student confidence, engagement, and achievement across the board
(For secondary) This interactive professional development session empowers educators with strategic questioning techniques designed to deepen student understanding, foster inquiry, and enhance critical thinking. Participants will explore how to craft purposeful questions, encourage student-generated questions, and shift from content coverage to true comprehension. Through fast-paced, hands-on experiences, educators will analyze question types, refine questioning strategies, and practice techniques that promote higher-order thinking and meaningful student interactions. This session provides practical, immediately applicable methods to create a dynamic, inquiry-driven classroom environment where students take an active role in their learning. [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
(For secondary) A positive classroom culture is the foundation for student success. This engaging professional development session equips educators with practical strategies to build strong relationships, lower student anxiety, and foster an inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued. Participants will explore techniques to create an “I can!” culture, ensuring students have the comfort and confidence to tackle challenging content. Educators will gain actionable ideas to celebrate diversity, honor multiple intelligences, and create a culture of second chances where learning thrives. Through hands-on experiences, this session provides ready-to-use strategies to enhance student engagement and build a connected, supportive classroom community. [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
Raise your hand if you've ever felt like you're talking to a brick wall! Communication in education goes way beyond just “talking”—it’s about connecting. In this session, we’ll dive into the art (and science) of effective communication so your message doesn’t just land—it sticks. Backed by research in emotional intelligence and communication theory, this interactive session will help you decode student and colleague communication, sharpen your listening skills, and make your voice heard in a way that invites trust and action. It’s not just what you say—it’s how you say it. Can you hear me now? Good. Let’s get started!
Learn how to develop data-driven IEP goals by effectively analyzing Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFPs). This session will guide participants through the process of using student data to identify needs, set measurable goals, and ensure alignment with state and federal requirements. Attendees will explore best practices for writing clear, meaningful goals that drive student progress. By the end of this training, participants will have the tools to make informed, data-based decisions that support individualized student success.
Join us for an engaging professional development session designed to empower educators in effectively collecting data for Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. In this workshop, participants will delve into the intricacies of data collection, learning practical strategies to accurately measure student progress and inform instructional decisions. The session will cover best practices for simplifying and streamlining data collection systems, both technological and non-technological, to facilitate efficient progress monitoring across various educational settings
Do your students struggle with taking accountability for their actions? Do they need support reading the "hidden rules" to successfully engage in the learning environment? The Social-Emotional Chain Reaction and Social Situation Mapping may be the key to proactively planning to meet your students' social and behavioral needs across the various social contexts of the school day!
The Teacher's Encyclopedia of Behavior Management will explore research-based strategies for managing student behavior through proactive, positive, and instructional approaches. Participants will gain an overview of how to plan for and implement specific interventions tailored to address an individual student's behavioral needs. The session will also provide an overview of practical tools, including a series of guiding questions to assist educators in selecting and customizing behavioral intervention plans based on the context and/or severity of the behavior. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to plan for effective behavior management and actionable intervention strategies for improving student behavior.
Participants will dive deep into how to interpret and use CogAT data. We will use this information to adjust instruction to meet the needs of all students. Learners will also participate in instructional strategies that can be used in the classroom in all subjects.
Want to keep your students speaking, listening, reading, and writing in the target language—while making learning fun? In this hands-on session, you’ll step into your students’ shoes and experience dynamic strategies and games designed for each mode of communication. Walk away with strategies and games that improve engagement and foster student love for language learning!
(For Secondary) This interactive training walks participants through the lessons and tools from the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum’s Upstander Education Database that can be used in the classroom to build positive communication and mutual respect. Participants will examine two TEKS-aligned lessons that provide students with tips on how to have respectful conversations and practice good listening skills. Learning Goals: Understand the skills and techniques used to build responsible and respectful conversations and provide hands-on resources to immediately implement in your classroom.
Explore low-prep, research-backed strategies that help make learning stick. Experience effective retrieval practice techniques firsthand, and discover how to integrate them into instruction using simple tools. Identify ways to lessen cognitive load through purposeful design, routines, and reflection. Leave with easy-to-implement ideas you can try tomorrow to support lasting learning for all students.
Learn how to develop data-driven IEP goals by effectively analyzing Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFPs). This session will guide participants through the process of using student data to identify needs, set measurable goals, and ensure alignment with state and federal requirements. Attendees will explore best practices for writing clear, meaningful goals that drive student progress. By the end of this training, participants will have the tools to make informed, data-based decisions that support individualized student success.
This professional development session is designed to equip special education teachers with effective leadership strategies to excel in their roles. Participants will explore methods for fostering a collaborative environment, approaches to resolving conflicts, and techniques for managing the evolving expectations within special education. The training aims to enhance educators' abilities to lead and collaborate effectively, ensuring positive outcomes for students with disabilities.
Do your students struggle with taking accountability for their actions? Do they need support reading the "hidden rules" to successfully engage in the learning environment? The Social-Emotional Chain Reaction and Social Situation Mapping may be the key to proactively planning to meet your students' social and behavioral needs across the various social contexts of the school day!
The Teacher's Encyclopedia of Behavior Management will explore research-based strategies for managing student behavior through proactive, positive, and instructional approaches. Participants will gain an overview of how to plan for and implement specific interventions tailored to address an individual student's behavioral needs. The session will also provide an overview of practical tools, including a series of guiding questions to assist educators in selecting and customizing behavioral intervention plans based on the context and/or severity of the behavior. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to plan for effective behavior management and actionable intervention strategies for improving student behavior.
Participants will dive deep into how to interpret and use CogAT data. We will use this information to adjust instruction to meet the needs of all students. Learners will also participate in instructional strategies that can be used in the classroom in all subjects.
You’ve seen the expression in the PISD Instructional Model and heard it spoken of in PLC meetings. But do you ever wonder what cognitively complex tasks are and whether they’re happening in your classroom? Let’s delve into the work of Marzano to explore what the research says about this instructional element and identify ways we can increase the cognitive complexity our students experience.
In this session, Title I Coaches will have the opportunity to preview, analyze, and reflect on our new competency sets for the 25/26 school year including our Teacher Best Practices and new Plano ISD Coach competencies. This is specific for Title I Instructional Coaches, however others are welcome to join if they want to learn more! Target Audience: Title I Instructional Coaches, Elementary Bilingual Coaches
(For Elementary) This interactive training walks participants through the lessons and tools from the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum’s Upstander Education Database that can be used in the classroom to build positive communication and mutual respect. Participants will examine two TEKS-aligned lessons that provide students with tips on how to have respectful conversations and practice good listening skills. Learning Goals: Understand the skills and techniques used to build responsible and respectful conversations and provide hands-on resources to immediately implement in your classroom.
Discover ways to use Google Slides as an interactive learning space—not just a presentation tool. Explore strategies for using Slides to gather thinking, facilitate collaboration, and engage learners in meaningful tasks. Experience templates for graphic organizers, gallery walks, and more, then brainstorm how to design your favorite learning activities using Slides as a flexible and powerful platform.
The session will help participants implement SIOP on their campus by deepening understanding of the SIOP components. Strategies for each component will be easy to take back and implement in your classrooms.
Ready to ignite your passion for mentoring? Join us for an energizing experience where you’ll dive into the essential tools and strategies that make mentoring meaningful. Through hands-on activities, real-world scenarios, and collaborative discussions, you’ll explore what it truly means to support and mentor other educators. Whether you're a new teacher mentor through the PISD mentoring program or a teacher leader, if you’ve got a heart for inspiring new educators, you’ll leave this session equipped—and excited—to mentor with confidence and impact your school.
This engaging professional learning session explores effective strategies for supporting emergent bilingual students in Science and Social Studies classrooms, based on the work of educator and author Tina Beene. Participants will examine the unique language demands of content instruction and learn practical scaffolds that promote both language development and academic achievement. Through interactive activities and real-world examples, educators will leave equipped with tools to enhance comprehension, encourage student discourse, and make rigorous content accessible for all learners.
This unique training will equip participants with 23 small moves they can make immediately to support students ability to talk more, think more, and achieve more. All the moves are both modeled and practiced throughout the session. Additionally, participants will dive into the role of habits in teaching. We will survey current research about how habits are formed and directly connect that to action steps for the classroom.
(For elementary) This interactive professional development session empowers educators with strategic questioning techniques designed to deepen student understanding, foster inquiry, and enhance critical thinking. Participants will explore how to craft purposeful questions, encourage student-generated questions, and shift from content coverage to true comprehension. Through fast-paced, hands-on experiences, educators will analyze question types, refine questioning strategies, and practice techniques that promote higher-order thinking and meaningful student interactions. This session provides practical, immediately applicable methods to create a dynamic, inquiry-driven classroom environment where students take an active role in their learning. [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
Jumpstart your Seesaw journey by mastering the platform’s essential tools for instruction and engagement. Design purposeful learning tasks, manage student work with ease, and elevate student ownership in the classroom. Participants will also complete the steps to become an official Seesaw Pioneer!
(For elementary) A positive classroom culture is the foundation for student success. This engaging professional development session equips educators with practical strategies to build strong relationships, lower student anxiety, and foster an inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued. Participants will explore techniques to create an “I can!” culture, ensuring students have the comfort and confidence to tackle challenging content. Educators will gain actionable ideas to celebrate diversity, honor multiple intelligences, and create a culture of second chances where learning thrives. Through hands-on experiences, this session provides ready-to-use strategies to enhance student engagement and build a connected, supportive classroom community. [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
New to Discovery Education or just looking for a refresher? This fast-paced, informative session will walk you through the Top 5 must-know features of Discovery Education Experience that can transform your classroom. From finding high-quality digital content to integrating interactive tools that support instruction, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of how to navigate the platform and apply it to your daily teaching. Whether you're planning a lesson, differentiating for students, or looking to boost engagement, this session will equip you with practical tips to make the most of Discovery Education.
(For secondary) This high-energy professional development session equips educators with practical, student-centered strategies that drive active learning and deep engagement. Participants will explore the essential components of an engaged classroom, gaining hands-on experience with techniques that get students actively involved in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The session focuses on increasing critical thinking, fostering student ownership of learning, and integrating higher-order thinking into daily instruction. Educators will leave with ready-to-use tools and strategies to create a language-rich, interactive environment where students thrive. This session provides an engaging and immersive learning experience, ensuring that teachers walk away with actionable strategies to transform instruction and maximize student success. [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
(For secondary) This engaging professional development session explores the power of formative assessment as a tool to drive student achievement and instructional decision-making. Educators will examine how assessments shape learning, impact instructional choices, and support students in reaching their full potential. Through hands-on experiences and actionable strategies, participants will learn how to assess for learning rather than just of learning, incorporate student self-assessment as a powerful learning tool, and develop a collaborative classroom culture where assessment fuels growth. This session equips teachers with practical, ready-to-use methods to make assessment a meaningful and integral part of the learning process. [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
(For Secondary) Strengthen literacy skills by unlocking the powerful connection between reading and writing! This engaging professional development session provides educators with learner-centered, active strategies to enhance student comprehension, writing fluency, and content mastery. Participants will uncover how reading fuels better writing, and gather practical tools to lessen writing anxiety while building student confidence. Through hands-on experiences, educators will leave with a ready-to-use toolkit of dynamic strategies designed to boost engagement, deepen understanding, and empower students to thrive as both readers and writers. [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
Learn how to develop data-driven IEP goals by effectively analyzing Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFPs). This session will guide participants through the process of using student data to identify needs, set measurable goals, and ensure alignment with state and federal requirements. Attendees will explore best practices for writing clear, meaningful goals that drive student progress. By the end of this training, participants will have the tools to make informed, data-based decisions that support individualized student success.
Do your students struggle with taking accountability for their actions? Do they need support reading the "hidden rules" to successfully engage in the learning environment? The Social-Emotional Chain Reaction and Social Situation Mapping may be the key to proactively planning to meet your students' social and behavioral needs across the various social contexts of the school day!
The Teacher's Encyclopedia of Behavior Management will explore research-based strategies for managing student behavior through proactive, positive, and instructional approaches. Participants will gain an overview of how to plan for and implement specific interventions tailored to address an individual student's behavioral needs. The session will also provide an overview of practical tools, including a series of guiding questions to assist educators in selecting and customizing behavioral intervention plans based on the context and/or severity of the behavior. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to plan for effective behavior management and actionable intervention strategies for improving student behavior.
Participants will dive deep into how to interpret and use CogAT data. We will use this information to adjust instruction to meet the needs of all students. Learners will also participate in instructional strategies that can be used in the classroom in all subjects.
You’ve seen the expression in the PISD Instructional Model and heard it spoken of in PLC meetings. But do you ever wonder what cognitively complex tasks are and whether they’re happening in your classroom? Let’s delve into the work of Marzano to explore what the research says about this instructional element and identify ways we can increase the cognitive complexity our students experience.
In this session, Title I Coaches will have the opportunity to preview, analyze, and reflect on our new competency sets for the 25/26 school year including our Teacher Best Practices and new Plano ISD Coach competencies. This is specific for Title I Instructional Coaches, however others are welcome to join if they want to learn more! Target Audience: Title I Instructional Coaches, Elementary Bilingual Coaches
(For Elementary) This interactive training walks participants through the lessons and tools from the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum’s Upstander Education Database that can be used in the classroom to build positive communication and mutual respect. Participants will examine two TEKS-aligned lessons that provide students with tips on how to have respectful conversations and practice good listening skills. Learning Goals: Understand the skills and techniques used to build responsible and respectful conversations and provide hands-on resources to immediately implement in your classroom.
Discover ways to use Google Slides as an interactive learning space—not just a presentation tool. Explore strategies for using Slides to gather thinking, facilitate collaboration, and engage learners in meaningful tasks. Experience templates for graphic organizers, gallery walks, and more, then brainstorm how to design your favorite learning activities using Slides as a flexible and powerful platform.
