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Monday, July 28
 

8:00am CDT

Registration Open
Monday July 28, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Meeting Planner Office
Registration
Monday July 28, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am CDT
Meeting Planner Office
  General Session

9:30am CDT

General Session #1 School Improvement Resources and Results (Coherence of work)
Monday July 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:15am CDT
Grand Eagle Ballroom
What to expect from the conference.  We will be sharing collaborative structures to build coherence for your school systems. This will include an overview of building coherence in school systems and why that is critical for school improvement.
Speakers
avatar for Pat Bone

Pat Bone

Sr. Administrative Specialist, Conference Coordinator, Kansas State Department of Education
Great Ideas In Education Conference Coordinator for KSDE. I work with the Deputy Commissioner of Learning Services, Dr. Ben Proctor.
BP

Ben Proctor

Deputy Commissioner of Learning Services, Kansas State Department of Education
SC
BF

Beth Fultz

Director, KSDE
BM
AP
JS
Monday July 28, 2025 9:30am - 10:15am CDT
Grand Eagle Ballroom
  General Session

10:00am CDT

Vendor Area Open
Monday July 28, 2025 10:00am - 4:30pm CDT
Expo Hall
Vendors will be open all day beginning at 10:00 AM. Feel free to visit them anytime.
Monday July 28, 2025 10:00am - 4:30pm CDT
Expo Hall
  Vendors

10:30am CDT

Setting the Standard for Your Balanced Assessment System
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Redbud B
What does a balanced assessment system look like in your district? Join the assessment team as we explore, engage, and discuss how to raise the standard of using assessments and data in your district to position students and district for success.
Speakers
avatar for Julie Ewing

Julie Ewing

Assistant Director, Kansas State Department of Education
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Redbud B
  Balanced Assessment System

10:30am CDT

Federal identification of schools for support
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Maple
TBA
Speakers
JJ
TS
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Maple
  Federal School Identifications

10:30am CDT

Implementing Instructional Materials Effectively
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Cypress A
Instructional materials will only have the desired impact on students' experiences and outcomes when paired with ongoing support for thoughtful implementation. In this session, participants will explore KSDE's Instructional Materials Implementation Guidance and reflect on the conditions that enable teachers to implement high-quality materials as intended. Participants will also hear from districts who participated in KSDE's inaugural Materials Implementation Network this spring about their takeaways from the learning experience.
Speakers
CS
avatar for Cory Epler

Cory Epler

Partner, TNTP
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Cypress A
  High Quality Instruction

10:30am CDT

“Boosting Brilliance: How Administrators Can Support Quality Instruction in Early Childhood Classrooms.”
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Oak
Learn how administrators can effectively support quality instruction in early childhood and early elementary classrooms. This session will cover: Quality Observation tools, What play-based learning looks like and why it is important, strategies to ensure play based learning is intentionally aligned to standards, Things to look for and encourage in quality classroom environments, and KSDE resources.
Speakers
NM
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Oak
  High Quality Instruction

10:30am CDT

KESA Supports - Jay and Team
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Osage
TBA
Speakers
JS
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Osage
  KESA Supports

10:30am CDT

Improving School Climate and Mental Health (Mandated Reporting: 2025 Updated DCF Language and impact for schools)
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Walnut
Join us for a session updating schools on a variety of topics.
Mandated Reporting: 2025 Updated DCF Language and impact for schools
Speakers
TB

Trish Backman

School Mental Health Coordinator, KSDE
KR
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Walnut
  School Mental Health

10:30am CDT

Navigating a VUCA World (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity)
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Birch
How do educators perform at high levels while living in a world that is wildly unpredictable? In today’s rapidly changing world, leaders are faced with unprecedented challenges as they strive to prepare students for an uncertain future. The VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) environment has reshaped how educators think about teaching, learning, and leadership in schools. In this interactive session, participants will engage in a practical tool for addressing complex challenges while rethinking traditional approaches to problem-solving.  
Speakers
CB
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Birch
  Staff Supports

10:30am CDT

Leveraging the Math and Science Toolkits: Your GPS to Mastering Standards Alignment
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
RedBud A
Join us in this interactive professional learning session where we’ll dive into the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Math and Science Standards Alignment Toolkits. We will discuss the Standards Alignment process in addition to the toolkit's features, resources, and how it can support your lesson planning and standards alignment. Note: Please bring a device (laptop or tablet) to this session.
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Hamlet

Jennifer Hamlet

Assistant Director, KSDE
With 28 years of experience in education, Mrs. Hamlet holds a BS in 7-12 Math Education, a MS in Building Leadership, and a District Leadership endorsement. She has served as a MS/HS math teacher and a Pre-K–8th building principal. Currently, Mrs. Hamlet is the STEM Math Program... Read More →
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
RedBud A
  Standards Alignment

10:30am CDT

Navigating the ELA and HGSS Toolkits: This session will neither excite nor bore you.
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Cypress B
Let the Humanities Team be your guide for an engaging journey through the critical components of the ELA and HGSS Toolkits. This dive into the toolkits will also include a valuable discussion covering effective examples of HGSS and ELA integration at the elementary level.
Speakers
NM
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Cypress B
  Standards Alignment

10:30am CDT

Literacy Leadership Unlocked: Terms, Tools and Transformational Shifts
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Redbud C
Calling all school leaders! This session is your key to unlocking stronger instructional leadership in literacy. We’ll dive into a walkthrough tool designed for building alignment and clarity, review Structured Literacy through concrete classroom examples, and establish a shared understanding of essential literacy terms and expectations. Learn how to guide your team through instructional shifts with confidence. Whether you’re new to Structured Literacy or looking to deepen your implementation, this session offers the tools and vision to move forward—strategically and collaboratively.
Speakers
LC
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Redbud C
  Structured Literacy

10:30am CDT

"The Sunflower State Shield: Cybersecurity for Education"
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Cedar
With the increasing prevalence of cyber threats targeting schools, it’s critical to understand the steps needed to safeguard sensitive information and maintain trust within your educational community. While this falls mainly on the shoulders of the technology team or staff, it is important for teachers and administrators to understand what they can do to help and make sure students are utilizing technology properly and protecting their security and privacy.
Speakers
avatar for Ryan Kurtenbach

Ryan Kurtenbach

IT Director
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Cedar
  Technology

10:30am CDT

Protecting your Data Assets – How to Ensure your Data is Secure, Private, Accurate, Available, and Usable
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Grand Eagle Ballroom
In this session we will discuss best practices in data management from data collection through data reporting. KSDE IT staff will cover policies, processes, and strategies to help keep your data safe while also allowing it to be used for the purpose it was collected for…improving student outcomes. Whether a district is large with established procedures or small with limited staff, data governance ensures well-defined roles and responsibilities (such as data owners and stewards), standardized protocols for data collection and management, a commitment to maintaining data quality, and careful attention to student privacy are all in place. This session will include a guided self-evaluation of your district’s data environment (Systems, Knowledge, Practices, and Leadership) that can be used by a DLT to diagnose areas of strength and areas for improvement.
Speakers
KL

Kyle Lord

IT Assistant Director, KSDE IT
KSDE Information Technology Department
Monday July 28, 2025 10:30am - 12:00pm CDT
Grand Eagle Ballroom
  Technology

12:00pm CDT

Lunch and Vendors
Monday July 28, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm CDT
Expo Hall
Lunch
Monday July 28, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm CDT
Expo Hall
  Vendors

1:40pm CDT

IPS Supports
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
Birch
IPS Scope and Sequence combines real-world experiences with online goal setting, blending reflection with practical skills. Students with clear goals have improved graduation rates and postsecondary success, skill development that aligns with Kansas industry and increased employability skill demonstration.
Speakers
NC

Natalie Clark

Director, KSDE
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
Birch
  CTE/IPS Supports

1:40pm CDT

Anchoring in a Vision for Quality Instruction
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
Cypress A
Quality Instruction refers to the implementation of evidence-based lesson design that reflects high expectations, meaningful student engagement, and learning activities aligned to Kansas standards. In this session, participants will explore KSDE's Vision for Quality Instruction and practice using an aligned observation tool to identify instructional strengths and growth areas.
Speakers
avatar for Cory Epler

Cory Epler

Partner, TNTP
CS
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
Cypress A
  High Quality Instruction

1:40pm CDT

Family Partnerships: Supporting Quality Instruction in Early Childhood
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
Oak
Dig in to how districts can use family partnerships to support quality instruction in their early childhood programming.  Participants will explore the following: • Use the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (the ASQ) as an impactful way to support school readiness and build relationships. Learn strategies to improve participation rates with families and meaningfully use this data. Learn strategies to improve participation rates with families and meaningfully use this data. Support families in preparing for the beginning of the school year. Use tools to assess and improve their strategies for partnering with families (for example, the Kansas Family Engagement and Partnership Standards for Early Childhood, the PTA National Standards for Family-School Partnerships, the Family Engagement Survey, and the Family Friendly School Culture Review.
Speakers
SC
NM
AP
TR
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
Oak
  High Quality Instruction

1:40pm CDT

Multiplying Success:  Strategies for Quality Math Instruction 
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
RedBud A
Discover strategies to elevate math instruction and enhance student understanding. This session will focus on best practices for delivering high-quality math lessons that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and conceptual understanding. Walk away with practical tools and insights to make math instruction more engaging, meaningful, and impactful.
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Hamlet

Jennifer Hamlet

Assistant Director, KSDE
With 28 years of experience in education, Mrs. Hamlet holds a BS in 7-12 Math Education, a MS in Building Leadership, and a District Leadership endorsement. She has served as a MS/HS math teacher and a Pre-K–8th building principal. Currently, Mrs. Hamlet is the STEM Math Program... Read More →
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
RedBud A
  High Quality Instruction

1:40pm CDT

Science in Focus: Using the KSDE Vision for Quality Instruction in Science to Guide Instructional Leadership
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
Cedar
What does high-quality science instruction look like in Kansas classrooms? This session invites school and district leaders to explore the Kansas State Department of Education’s Vision for Quality Science Instruction and its key components: sensemaking, phenomena-based learning, three-dimensional instruction, discourse and collaboration, and local and cultural relevance. Participants will explore how these elements align with the Kansas Science Standards and gain practical insight to support access for all students to high-quality science instruction.
Speakers
SO

Stephanie Oler

Science Program Manager, KSDE
Stephanie Alderman-Oler is the Science Program Manager at the Kansas Department of Education, supporting science education across the state. With 12 years of experience as a middle and high school science teacher, she brings classroom expertise and a deep commitment to improving science... Read More →
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
Cedar
  High Quality Instruction

1:40pm CDT

Addressing Bullying Prevention
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
Cypress B
Bullying prevention: Evidence Based practices that meet compliance
Speakers
TB

Trish Backman

School Mental Health Coordinator, KSDE
KR
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
Cypress B
  School Mental Health

1:40pm CDT

Social Studies Quality Classroom Instruction
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
Redbud B
What does "Quality Instruction" look like in the Social Studies Classroom? Join the HGSS Teacher Leader team as we explore, engage, and discuss instructional strategies designed to position your students and district for success.
Speakers
NM
RS
AT
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
Redbud B
  Standards Alignment

1:40pm CDT

Strengthen and Support the Four KSDE Fundamentals through Visual Learning
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
Maple
This session will introduce ways for addressing the four KSDE fundamental through a visual lens. Become familiar with the practice of visual learning by engaging in art practices that address the fundamentals of structured literacy, standards alignment, balanced assessment, and high-quality learning. Engage in self-directed inquiry through the generation and evaluation of ideas. Investigate the pedagogical benefits of effective arts inclusion across content areas while addressing deeper learning opportunities, fostering curiosity, and exploring ways for increasing student engagement.
Speakers
JH
Monday July 28, 2025 1:40pm - 2:40pm CDT
Maple
  Standards Alignment

2:45pm CDT

Break/Visit Vendors
Monday July 28, 2025 2:45pm - 3:00pm CDT
Expo Hall
Monday July 28, 2025 2:45pm - 3:00pm CDT
Expo Hall
  Vendors

3:10pm CDT

Setting the Standard for Your Balanced Assessment System (Repeat)
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Redbud B
What does a balanced assessment system look like in your district? Join the assessment team as we explore, engage, and discuss how to raise the standard of using assessments and data in your district to position students and district for success.
Speakers
avatar for Julie Ewing

Julie Ewing

Assistant Director, Kansas State Department of Education
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Redbud B
  Balanced Assessment System

3:10pm CDT

Modernized CTE Framework: Enhancing Student Career Readiness Through Real-World Application of Reading, Math and Science - Natalie Clark and CTE Team
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Birch
Real-world application of reading, math and science strengthens academic skills through practical use. CTE engages students by connecting learning to career interests through project-based learning, technology integration and collaborative problem-solving. Real-world application increases relevance and retention, preparing students for career readiness and postsecondary success
Speakers
NC

Natalie Clark

Director, KSDE
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Birch
  CTE/IPS Supports

3:10pm CDT

Federal identification of schools for support - Twyla and Joe (Repeat)
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Maple
TBA
Speakers
JJ
TS
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Maple
  Federal School Identifications

3:10pm CDT

Implementing Instructional Materials Effectively
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Cypress A
Instructional materials will only have the desired impact on students' experiences and outcomes when paired with ongoing support for thoughtful implementation. In this session, participants will explore KSDE's Instructional Materials Implementation Guidance and reflect on the conditions that enable teachers to implement high-quality materials as intended. Participants will also hear from districts who participated in KSDE's inaugural Materials Implementation Network this spring about their takeaways from the learning experience.
Speakers
CS
avatar for Cory Epler

Cory Epler

Partner, TNTP
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Cypress A
  High Quality Instruction

3:10pm CDT

“Boosting Brilliance: How Administrators Can Support Quality Instruction in Early Childhood Classrooms.”
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Oak
Learn how administrators can effectively support quality instruction in early childhood and early elementary classrooms. This session will cover: Quality Observation tools, What play-based learning looks like and why it is important, strategies to ensure play based learning is intentionally aligned to standards, Things to look for and encourage in quality classroom environments, and KSDE resources.
Speakers
NM
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Oak
  High Quality Instruction

3:10pm CDT

KESA Supports (Repeat)
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Osage
TBA
Speakers
JS
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Osage
  KESA Supports

3:10pm CDT

Improving School Climate and Mental Health Suicide Prevention:
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Walnut
Suicide Prevention: Evidence-Based practices that meet compliance
Speakers
TB

Trish Backman

School Mental Health Coordinator, KSDE
KR
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Walnut
  School Mental Health

3:10pm CDT

Leveraging the Math and Science Toolkits: Your GPS to Mastering Standards Alignment ( REPEAT)
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
RedBud A
Join us in this interactive professional learning session where we’ll dive into the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Math and Science Standards Alignment Toolkits. We will discuss the Standards Alignment process in addition to the toolkit's features, resources, and how it can support your lesson planning and standards alignment. Note: Please bring a device (laptop or tablet) to this session.
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Hamlet

Jennifer Hamlet

Assistant Director, KSDE
With 28 years of experience in education, Mrs. Hamlet holds a BS in 7-12 Math Education, a MS in Building Leadership, and a District Leadership endorsement. She has served as a MS/HS math teacher and a Pre-K–8th building principal. Currently, Mrs. Hamlet is the STEM Math Program... Read More →
SO

Stephanie Oler

Science Program Manager, KSDE
Stephanie Alderman-Oler is the Science Program Manager at the Kansas Department of Education, supporting science education across the state. With 12 years of experience as a middle and high school science teacher, she brings classroom expertise and a deep commitment to improving science... Read More →
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
RedBud A
  Standards Alignment

3:10pm CDT

Navigating the ELA and HGSS Toolkits: This session will neither excite nor bore you.
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Cypress B
Let the Humanities Team be your guide for an engaging journey through the critical components of the ELA and HGSS Toolkits. This dive into the toolkits will also include a valuable discussion covering effective examples of HGSS and ELA integration at the elementary level.
Speakers
NM
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Cypress B
  Standards Alignment

3:10pm CDT

Literacy Leadership Unlocked: Terms, Tools and Transformational Shifts (Repeat)
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Redbud C
Calling all school leaders! This session is your key to unlocking stronger instructional leadership in literacy. We’ll dive into a walkthrough tool designed for building alignment and clarity, review Structured Literacy through concrete classroom examples, and establish a shared understanding of essential literacy terms and expectations. Learn how to guide your team through instructional shifts with confidence. Whether you’re new to Structured Literacy or looking to deepen your implementation, this session offers the tools and vision to move forward—strategically and collaboratively.
Speakers
LC
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Redbud C
  Structured Literacy

3:10pm CDT

"From Tech to Trust: Safeguarding AI in Education"
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Cedar
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming education, offering innovative tools to enhance teaching and learning. However, its adoption comes with challenges, including privacy concerns, ethical considerations, and the need for responsible implementation. This presentation is designed for K-12 teachers and administrators to explore how AI can be securely and effectively integrated into the classroom while establishing policies that support this initiative.
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Cedar
  Technology

3:10pm CDT

Protecting your Data Assets – How to Ensure your Data is Secure, Private, Accurate, Available, and Usable (repeat)
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Grand Eagle Ballroom
In this session we will discuss best practices in data management from data collection through data reporting. KSDE IT staff will cover policies, processes, and strategies to help keep your data safe while also allowing it to be used for the purpose it was collected for…improving student outcomes. Whether a district is large with established procedures or small with limited staff, data governance ensures well-defined roles and responsibilities (such as data owners and stewards), standardized protocols for data collection and management, a commitment to maintaining data quality, and careful attention to student privacy are all in place. This session will include a guided self-evaluation of your district’s data environment (Systems, Knowledge, Practices, and Leadership) that can be used by a DLT to diagnose areas of strength and areas for improvement.
Speakers
KL

Kyle Lord

IT Assistant Director, KSDE IT
KSDE Information Technology Department
Monday July 28, 2025 3:10pm - 4:30pm CDT
Grand Eagle Ballroom
  Technology

4:30pm CDT

Vendor Fair/DLT meetings
Monday July 28, 2025 4:30pm - 6:30pm CDT
Expo Hall
Come visit the vendors and have a bite to eat with your district team
Speakers
V
Monday July 28, 2025 4:30pm - 6:30pm CDT
Expo Hall
  Vendors
 
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  • Balanced Assessment System
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  • Federal School Identifications
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