ELEVATE! Virtual 2023

Who We Are

ELEVATE is the premiere professional development for primary Pre-K - 2nd Grade Educators. Our Selection of highly accomplished national speakers, are either currently teachers, administrators, specialists, coaches or consultants working in schools.

All ELEVATE, conference sessions are based on research and/or evidence-based content and practices and guaranteed to be presented in a way that engages attendees in hands-on activities and models instructional best-practices.

Founded in Research

Next Day Implementation

Every session you attend will provide you with lesson ideas and activity resources that you can take back to your classroom and use immediately!

Vetted Speakers

At ELEVATE, we set the bar high! All presenters are required to support their presentation content with current research, model bestpractice instructional methods, incorporate active-engagement strategies within their sessions, and provide complementary lesson plans/activities for attendees to take back and use immediately in their classrooms.

elevate verb

vāt

The definition says it all….and at ELEVATE, that’s what we are all about: Supporting and uplifting early childhood and elementary educators in their quest to improve instruction for the students they serve.

This conference was designed with the core objective of supporting educators who work selflessly in the classroom each day, giving their all. The ELEVATE team consists of highly experienced and awardwinning educators who are currently teaching in the classroom or actively serving in schools.

We SEE you.

We know your struggles. We APPRECIATE you.

ELEVATE is here to support YOU. Our conferences will provide you with the absolute best professional development sessions offered for Pre-k to 2nd grade educators. Every ELEVATE conference will include multiple sessions on all core academic strands (including reading, writing, math, science, & social studies), as well as administrative, SEL, school culture, classroom management, and culturally responsive teaching workshops.

And what’s more important is that our support doesn’t stop there! ELEVATE is much more than a conference you attend. After joining us for an in-person professional development experience, you are invited into our ELEVATE community. This is a place where educators across the country digitally come together to provide continued support and encouragement for one another. Think of it as a socialmedia-based PLC. Post your questions. Request support. Share your challenges. We’ll be right there to provide long-term support. We’ve got you!

Ready to ELEVATE your classroom?

Science of Reading

Science

School Culture

English

Language Arts

Social Emotional Learning

Cross Curricular

Math

Management

Play Based Learning

The Arts

STEAM

Writing

Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility

Conference Keynote

#ElevateYourClassroom

By Greg Smedley-Warren | Keynote

This keynote is designed to be an inspirational message about the lessons our students teach us each day in the classroom. In this uplifting message Mr. Greg will share stories from his classroom and the lessons he has learned and how they can be implemented in other classrooms. The #happyclassrooms is a way for teachers around the world to share positive experiences from their own classroom. Mr. Greg will describe in detail the mission of this hashtag and how it relates to your teacher’s attitudes toward education and their classroom.

About Greg

Howdy! I am Mr. Greg from The Kindergarten Smorgasboard. I have been teaching for 16 years. I spent a year teaching fifth grade, two years in second grade and am now in my 13th year in Kindergarten. Kindergarten is my passion and my calling. I plan to never leave the classroom as the kids are what drive me to continue my growth as a teacher and person. I received my bachelors degree from Indiana University and received my ELL certification from David Lipscomb University. At the beginning of my career I spent two summers teaching in Ecuador which only helped to fan the flames of my passion for teaching. In 2015 I was selected as Teacher Of The Year by my peers. I have a monthly broadcast on YouTube called Submission for Smorgie LIVE. I enjoy blogging, creating curriculum and resources for my classroom and conducting professional development sessions to help teachers around the world make their classrooms a more fun, effective and interactive place to teach.

When I’m not in the classroom, blogging and doing all things teach, I enjoy spending time with my family. I live in Nashville, Tennessee with my husband (known as The Mister on my blog), our 2 yr old daughter, Adelynn and our goldendoodle, Butters.

Focusing on YOU, helps you focus on others

By Gerry Brooks | Keynote

Gerry will inspire you and make you laugh, as he shares advice and practical ideas that will help you focus on personal and school climate and culture. He will challenge you to be the best you can be in all aspects of your personal and professional life, and how that will allow you to support your students, their parents, and your coworkers in the best way possible.

About Gerry

Gerry Brooks is a veteran educator in Lexington, Kentucky. His educational experience includes six years in the classroom, two years as an intervention specialist, and 12 years as an administrator.

He is a passionate public speaker whose focus is on encouraging and helping teachers improve their instructional abilities. He also has a desire to help administrators successfully lead their staff.

An encouraging speaker, he has spoken to educational groups all around the nation. His focus is on encouraging teachers to improve their instruction through personal climate and culture strategies. He desires to help administrators focus on how to lead all staff in a positive and constructive manner.

Science of Reading

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Speech to Print

By Holly Ehle | Science

of Reading

Join Holly as she shares what educational neuroscientists now know about how the brain functions when children learn to read and write and why it's essential for primary teachers to provide instruction that has children working from speech to print. You will leave this session with a clear understanding of why, as educators, we need to shift our instructional methods to better align with the science of reading and reconsider some of the activities we've done in the past. This session will also be jampacked with engaging activity ideas to take back to your classroom and use with your students immediately!

About Holly

Holly is a full-time kindergarten teacher and literacy specialist who is passionate about student engagement, differentiated instruction, and early literacy. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in Reading, Language, and Literacy with a specialization in Educational Neuroscience and loves helping teachers better understand exactly how the brain learns when beginning to read and write. In the classroom, her mission is to teach EVERY child to be a proficient reader and writer, including those with dyslexia and/or other learning challenges. Outside of the classroom, her mission is to help teachers bridge the gap between research and practice in fun and engaging ways. Holly is also dedicated to giving back to educators who work so hard in the classroom, and it was this shared passion that forged her connection with the Kindergarten Smorgasboard / ELEVATE team.

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Putting the SOR into Practice

By Holly Ehle | Science

of Reading

Ready to take what you learned in the “Science of Reading: Speech to Print” session and put it into practice? Join Holly as she explains how you can use a Sound Wall in your classroom as a powerful resource to guide instruction and support your beginning readers and writers. Learn more about how to transition your “guided reading” groups into powerful learning circles that provide evidence-based, differentiated support for all students. Gain knowledge about how to plan classroom activities that promote orthographic mapping, including how to teach students irregularly spelled high-frequency words using the “heart word” method. Walk away from this session with a packet full of activities and resources that you can use in your classroom to bring the SOR to life in fun and engaging ways!

About Holly

Holly is a full-time kindergarten teacher and literacy specialist who is passionate about student engagement, differentiated instruction, and early literacy. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in Reading, Language, and Literacy with a specialization in Educational Neuroscience and loves helping teachers better understand exactly how the brain learns when beginning to read and write. In the classroom, her mission is to teach EVERY child to be a proficient reader and writer, including those with dyslexia and/or other learning challenges. Outside of the classroom, her mission is to help teachers bridge the gap between research and practice in fun and engaging ways. Holly is also dedicated to giving back to educators who work so hard in the classroom, and it was this shared passion that forged her connection with the Kindergarten Smorgasboard / ELEVATE team.

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Strategies, Activities and Games that Align with SOR.

By Sharyn Kish | Science of Reading

Keep your students actively engaged in their learning with strategies, activities and games that align with SOR. Sharyn will teach you how to plan, prepare and implement these ideas into your whole group and small group instruction. This session is perfect for PreK-2 educators that want to make an impact on student learning while having fun!

About Sharyn

Sharyn Kish is a full time kindergarten teacher in Ohio. She has over 25 years of teaching experience and was recognized as an Ohio Teacher of the Year in 2020. Sharyn is passionate about literacy, student engagement and active learning in the classroom. Her goal as a content creator on Instagram is to provide teaching tips and share ideas that help and inspire other educators.

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Make the Science of Reading Come Alive!

By Cynthia B. Kaye | Science of Reading

Learn unique strategies to integrate the Science of Reading in everyday lessons using a novel and collaborative technology.

About Cynthia

Cynthia has over 20 years experience as a thought leader and innovator for early ed engagement. She earned her BS degree in Elementary Education from Florida State University and is a graduate of MIT’s Birthing of Giants program for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Cynthia is a contributing writer and speaker on the subjects of collaborative technology, novel instruction, the science of reading, and student engagement.

math

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

The Math Block

By Greg Smedley-Warren | Math

In this session, you’ll see how we use our hour-long math block to provide whole-group instruction, small groups, and centers to meet the needs of all students. You’ll learn easy ideas for math games, less, and activities to make math fun and easy!

About Greg

Howdy! I am Mr. Greg from The Kindergarten Smorgasboard. I have been teaching for 16 years. I spent a year teaching fifth grade, two years in second grade and am now in my 13th year in Kindergarten. Kindergarten is my passion and my calling. I plan to never leave the classroom as the kids are what drive me to continue my growth as a teacher and person. I received my bachelors degree from Indiana University and received my ELL certification from David Lipscomb University. At the beginning of my career I spent two summers teaching in Ecuador which only helped to fan the flames of my passion for teaching. In 2015 I was selected as Teacher Of The Year by my peers. I have a monthly broadcast on YouTube called Submission for Smorgie LIVE. I enjoy blogging, creating curriculum and resources for my classroom and conducting professional development sessions to help teachers around the world make their classrooms a more fun, effective and interactive place to teach.

When I’m not in the classroom, blogging and doing all things teach, I enjoy spending time with my family. I live in Nashville, Tennessee with my husband (known as The Mister on my blog), our 2 yr old daughter, Adelynn and our goldendoodle, Butters.

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Math Made Fun

By Whitney Ramirez | Math

Do you dread teaching math? Are you looking to spice up your math block? Whether you're a new teacher just starting out or a veteran teacher looking for new ideas, in this session you will learn how to take math off the page and create hands on, engaging, and standards based math lessons and centers. You will also learn tips and strategies to help you plan and organize your math block like a pro!

About Whitney

Whitney Ramirez is a second grade teacher in San Diego, CA. Currently in her tenth year of teaching, Whitney has taught five different grade levels, experienced a variety of school cultures, and worked with many unique teaching personalities. She loves public speaking, and even had a moment where she made it to the third audition round at American Idol (way back in 2010!) She also has two Master’s degrees, and was a D1 collegiate athlete, playing lacrosse at St. Mary’s College of CA. There are things that she learned on the field that have made her a better leader and teacher. When she’s not in my classroom, you’ll most likely find her snuggling with her mini goldendoodle Gus, reading at the beach, or grabbing a beer at a brewery (usually accompanied with a slice of pizza). Whitney loves a good happy hour, playing board games with her husband, and bingeing some Netflix or Bravo.

CLICK HERE to view the citations for this session

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Build Math Thinkers: Hands-on Subtraction Strategies

By Kelly Threadgill | Math

Experience an engaging, fun progression of hands-on strategies that get kids thinking critically about subtraction and connect it to the properties of addition! During this session, we will get down to the nitty gritty about everything subtraction, even building physical part-part-total diagrams, and answering all of your kiddos' questions of "How?" and "Why?" does subtraction work. Not only that, but we will also connect the strategies we explore to real world problem solving! Don't have Math Stackers yet? No problem! You will get free Paper Math Stackers to download and print so that you can utilize every activity in this session, with your kids, right away.

About Kelly

Kelly is currently the CEO and Creator of Math Stackers where she gets to interact with, learn from, and create small group math activities for educators all over the USA. Her main passion is taking concepts in math that have historically confused or frustrated the heck outta folks and creating new ways to see & experience how these concepts operate, leading to a generation of kids that are the BOSS of math (instead of the other way around)! Prior to starting Math Stackers she taught for 10 years, having the awesome opportunity to teach 8th, 4th, and 3rd grades. During this time, she earned her masters in Mathematics with an emphasis on Math Education. She currently lives in Houston with her husband, kids and Waffles the doodle and loves the outdoors, traveling, and finding opportunities to play and laugh!

writing

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Science of Writing

By Holly Ehle | Writing

The Science of Reading and structured literacy approaches have found their time to shine, as brain research and data on best practices have made their way into the forefront of current teacher professional development initiatives. But what about the Science of Writing? Join Holly to hear what current research tells us about how students most effectively learn to write. In this session, we will explore the skills, resources, and best practices that can help pre-k to 2nd grade teachers integrate THE most effective writing instruction into their current schedules in ways that are both simple and effective. Educators will walk away with a new understanding about how to most effectively teach students to understand the writing process as well as the essential composition, handwriting, grammar, and spelling skills students need to become proficient writers.

About Holly

Holly is a full-time kindergarten teacher and literacy specialist who is passionate about student engagement, differentiated instruction, and early literacy. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in Reading, Language, and Literacy with a specialization in Educational Neuroscience and loves helping teachers better understand exactly how the brain learns when beginning to read and write. In the classroom, her mission is to teach EVERY child to be a proficient reader and writer, including those with dyslexia and/or other learning challenges. Outside of the classroom, her mission is to help teachers bridge the gap between research and practice in fun and engaging ways. Holly is also dedicated to giving back to educators who work so hard in the classroom, and it was this shared passion that forged her connection with the Kindergarten Smorgasboard / ELEVATE team.

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Teaching Handwriting to Little Learners

By Katie Blue-Mense | Writing

Start your little learners off on the “write” foot by giving them explicit and consistent instruction in fine motor and handwriting. Join Katie to learn how to teach your students to form their letters correctly, why it’s important, what research says about the benefits of explicit instruction, and how it eventually evolves into beginning writing!

About Katie

Katie Blue-Mense is a children’s author, a nationally recognized speaker, and an energetic Kindergarten teacher in Southern Illinois with more than 15 years of classroom experience. She has a passion for creating fun, hands-on lessons and activities designed to meet the needs of all students. As a student who struggled through school, she truly understands that every student has different needs and learning styles. Katie is a McKendree University graduate, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and later, a Master of Arts degree in education. Katie is a boy mom and loves to spend time in the great outdoors with her 3 sons, Brody, Grady, and Finn. She loves to share her ideas and teaching experiences online and on social media!

play based learning

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

All Things Playdough! – A MultiSensory Learning Tool

By Jackie Kops | Play Based

Learning

Using playdough in the classroom can be a powerful and FUN learning tool for students! Playdough provides students a multi-sensory approach to learn and practice various learning concepts and skills. This session will highlight practical, easy ways you can incorporate playdough into various learning centers and activities including literacy, math, and STEM. You will also learn quick, easy recipes to make your own playdough as well as cleaning hacks to make using playdough in the classroom less of a mess.

About Jackie

Jackie is an enthusiastic curriculum writer and teacher trainer behind Pocket of Preschool who loves supporting educators of little learners. She is a former preschool teacher with over fourteen years of classroom teaching experience in both full-day and half-day settings. She is from Missouri where she earned a Masters and Bachelors in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Maryville University. Her goal is to help you unleash your teaching superpowers! Jackie's passion is to inspire you with play-based activities, themed centers, and supports that nurture and challenge little learners in a caring classroom community.

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Playing and learning together!

By María Mercedes Champion | Play B.L.

So many standards, so little time! Use play as a learning tool to teach all the guidelines while encouraging your students to be creative and have a growth mindset.

About María

My name is María Mercedes Champion, an early childhood teacher and consultant educated in Colombia, Spain and the USA. With over 17 years in the classroom. I love creating songs, activities, and a playful rich language environment for my students. I am passionate about sharing what I have learned and created with other educators. By sharing my classroom experience through consultations and presentations at the local and national level, I believe I can help kids start out with a strong foundation through play and the love for their first language, so their academic future will flourish.

english language arts

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Prevention vs Intervention - Every Student a Reader

By Deedee Wills | E.L.A.

Is this you? You work hard. You meet with your intervention groups regularly. And yet, as you look at your data, you still see students who are behind in the skills they need to be a successful reader. What if there was a better way? What if you could provide instruction that not only helped your struggling readers, but your entire classroom? Join Deedee as she provides a little research on how the brain learns to decode plus a 5 practical routines you can add to your instruction that gets RESULTS!

About Deedee

Deedee is an experienced teacher, literacy coach, educational consultant, and international presenter with a deep background in early childhood education with over 20 years of classroom experience. Her sessions are a great way to tap into her creative, fresh ideas for creating a classroom where every kindergartener has fun and succeeds.

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Standards-Driven Stories

By Hilary Statum | E.L.A.

Bring back the read-aloud! In this fun session, discover 10 engaging read-alouds for primary students. Each text is paired with the perfect standards-driven activity. Create your own lowprep craft and writing assignment to demonstrate expectations. Return to your classroom with a list of fun books and high interest activities to “check out” for your students.

About Hilary

Hilary Statum is an ESL Teacher in Middle Tennessee with over 15 years of classroom experience. She is the author of 2 published books as well as the face behind "Pencils to Pigtails", a popular blog for parents and teachers. Hilary holds a Master's Degree in Instructional Leadership and coordinates her school district's free parent English class. She enjoys being a Featured Presenter at regional and national educational events around the country as well as working with individual school systems as an educational consultant. She believes that every standard can be taught in an engaging way and that teachers truly have the best job in the world!

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Critical Thinking Across The Genres

By Shannon Cunningham | E.L.A.

Students must become critical thinkers across a variety of genres in literature and life. Shannon shows you how to create opportunities for every student to master and show their critical-thinking abilities. From making inferences to identifying and retelling, these tips will ensure your learners develop strong critical-thinking skills!

About Shannon

Shannon Cunningham Lanning is an early literacy educator in North Texas and loves working in the primary grades. Over her education career, Shannon has spent time in classrooms in Arizona, Nebraska, and the great state of Texas. Shannon has a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Shannon is certified to teach preschool - 6th grade as well as English as a Second Language. With a passion for teaching both students and teachers, Shannon’s goal is for classrooms to be a place where students can grow and thrive academically and emotionally. You will find that Shannon's sessions are packed with research and strategies to help you teach with joy and confidence!

cross curricular

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Brain Building Boosters for Critical Thinking

By Christina DeCarbo | Cross Curricular

If we want our students to become BIG thinkers, we need to make thinking a priority – and make it fun! In this interactive session, Christina shows you how to intentionally foster problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity in your classroom through engaging, hands-on games and centers! Discover how easy it is to differentiate and integrate games that promote 21st-century learning skills into your math and literacy time. Christina gives you the tools you need to get your students excited, challenged, and eager to THINK!

About Christina

Christina (Miss DeCarbo) is a PreK-5 literacy coach and reading teacher for her school district in Northeast, Ohio. She is trained in dyslexia and structured literacy through the Orton Gillingham Academy and LETRS. Her research-based sessions are packed with engaging lessons and creative tools to help students reach their greatest potential as readers, writers, and problem-solvers. Christina is the curriculum author of best-selling literacy intervention materials, and loves collaborating with educators on Instagram @missdecarbo. As a mom to two little ones at home, she enjoys spending time with family and drinking ALL the coffee!

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Kick Your Day off RIGHT with Morning Meeting

By Greg Smedley-Warren | Cross Curricular

If you are looking for a tool to improve your classroom management and community, then look no further than a morning meeting. You will see how 10-20 minutes each morning can change the dynamics of your classroom and make it more like a family. You’ll learn the components of morning meetings as well as ideas for greetings, activities and morning messages to use in your classroom!

About Greg

Howdy! I am Mr. Greg from The Kindergarten Smorgasboard. I have been teaching for 16 years. I spent a year teaching fifth grade, two years in second grade and am now in my 13th year in Kindergarten. Kindergarten is my passion and my calling. I plan to never leave the classroom as the kids are what drive me to continue my growth as a teacher and person. I received my bachelors degree from Indiana University and received my ELL certification from David Lipscomb University. At the beginning of my career I spent two summers teaching in Ecuador which only helped to fan the flames of my passion for teaching. In 2015 I was selected as Teacher Of The Year by my peers. I have a monthly broadcast on YouTube called Submission for Smorgie LIVE. I enjoy blogging, creating curriculum and resources for my classroom and conducting professional development sessions to help teachers around the world make their classrooms a more fun, effective and interactive place to teach.

When I’m not in the classroom, blogging and doing all things teach, I enjoy spending time with my family. I live in Nashville, Tennessee with my husband (known as The Mister on my blog), our 2 yr old daughter, Adelynn and our goldendoodle, Butters.

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Intentional Anchor Charts: Creating Interactive Anchor Charts for the Kinder Classroom

By Abigail Peterson | Cross Curricular

Prepare to understand the purpose and intention of anchor charts in the primary/kindergarten classroom. Abigail will explain what they are, why you should create and use them in YOUR classroom and how to turn them into a powerful tool to teach little learners.

About Abigail

Abigail Peterson is a Nevada licensed teacher, curriculum creator, national speaker and author of the website, Kindergarten Chaos, LLC. She spent 14 years teaching Kindergarten in the public school system and recently transitioned to supervising student teachers for a university. In addition, she fills her teacher cup by working with little learners in her home classroom/studio on a weekly basis.

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Connecting the Brain and Body, Ways to Help Students Retain Information

By Amanda Tessier | Cross Curricular

When you create a movement, rhythm, or rhyme, it puts your brain into a state to better retain and retrieve information. I will help you understand a few more fun facts about the brain and share with you some great tips and tricks that help my students remember their information for the long haul.

About Amanda

My name is Amanda Tessier. I have been teaching Kindergarten for 12 years and I taught Preschool for 4 years before that. I love to be creative and help students find ways to make learning memorable and meaningful. I love developing relationships with students and families. When I'm not in the classroom, I spend time with my beautiful children

Blaine and Gianna. I love to craft and create in any way, take pictures and videos, hunt and fish, be at the lake and spend time with my wonderful friends and family.

classroom management

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Secrets Revealed for a Positive Classroom

By Katie Knight | Classroom Management

Little kids can really test your patience and resolve to stay positive. They can't help it. They are 72 months old! But I have some easy to implement secrets that lead to positive classrooms and stronger teacher-student relationships. Plus, teaching time is maximized because classroom disturbances diminish right away! Come to session and get excited about how easy it can be! Leave the session ready to go on Monday morning!

About Katie

Katie Knight is a 1st grade classroom teacher with a plan! Katie loves to share her plans and ideas that help teachers become consistently happy and organized while helping their young students grow in maturity and as readers and writers! Katie speaks nationally at conferences, and you can find her on social media, Teachers Pay Teachers and her blog, under Teacher To The Core! Katie welcomes you in, and has you laughing, feeling energized, and leaves you equipped to take action that makes your teaching life easier!

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Positive Behavior Magagement

By Beth Pittman | Classroom Management

Classroom management isn’t always a specific system. Relationships are key to having a positive classroom culture! Come and learn how Beth creates a smooth running classroom environment through relationships, routines, and fun with her students.

About Beth

Beth has been teaching in the classroom for 18 years! She has taught K2 and is currently a 1st Grade teacher in California. Beth is passionate about giving her students choice in the classroom, positive classroom management and building relationships with students and families.

science

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Integrating Science

By Mary Amoson | Science

If you struggle with fitting it all in, this is the session for you. Mary will share ideas for seamlessly integrating science into other subject areas. This means you will cover more content in less time. See how to integrate multiple content areas into science while making learning fun for your class.

About Mary

Mary has enjoyed 18 years in the Kindergarten classroom, where she enthusiastically uses technology and hands-on activities to engage her little learners. She loves sharing the ideas, activities, and tools that have worked with her own kindergartners to help teachers like YOU. She is committed to instilling passion in teachers because she believes that passion is truly the secret to increasing learning and achievement. You can connect with Mary at SharingKindergarten.com or on social media @Sharing Kindergarten.

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Engaging Primary Science

By Stephanie Stewart | Science

Get ready to bring science to life in your primary classroom! With hands-on experiments and investigations that engage students and make them an active participant in their learning. Struggling to fit it all in? Learn how to integrate ELA standards into your Science Units to create meaningful cross curricular connections and develop lessons that will hook your students!

About Stephanie

Stephanie is currently an educational consultant with 11 years of K-2 classroom experience. She loves creating high interest learning experiences for students and is always looking for new ways to put a creative twist on the standards. Stephanie is passionate about helping primary teachers do the same in their classroom! At home she's a wife and toddler mama, exploring life with her family in Northern Colorado. Stephanie is the author and creator of the blog, Falling Into First, where she loves connecting with teachers and sharing her favorite classroom ideas and activities.

s.t.e.a.m.

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Planning + Tech= Gold

By Keri Brown | S.T.E.A.M.

Tired of glancing at your teacher’s edition or running out of time for activities you have already planned. Let me teach you how to integrate tech plus your planning and turn it into GOLD! My planning method uses all of your need to do components and makes them work in a flawless way. From start to finish on your day, you won’t miss any of your planned activities.

About Keri

Keri has 15 years in education in Alabama and is currently an educational consultant. She has taught in kindergarten and first grade, but her heart is in K. She loves helping teachers navigate implementing tech and using classroom hacks to make their teaching easier.

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

If You Code It, They Will Come

By Kelli Coons | S.T.E.A.M.

Early childhood is the prime time to introduce coding to your students. Focusing on patterns and multi-step directions, coding can begin in the most basic of ways. In this session, several hands-on activities as well as technology enhanced tools/apps will be featured to discover the most engaging ways to get your students coding and beginning their careers in computer science.

About Kelli

Kelli Coons is currently a Digital Innovation Coach for Spartanburg District Five in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Prior to her time as a Digital Innovation Coach, she has served as a literacy coach, instructional curriculum coach in both K-8th, and as a classroom teacher. Her participation in the technology coaching fellowship through the Dynamic Learning Project, allowed her to work with Google for Education, Digital Promise, and Edtech Team. This fellowship focused on providing personalized professional development to all teachers in order to ensure effective technology integration. As one of the organizers of Edcamp Greenville since the origination in 2016, she is passionate about providing engaging professional development opportunities for educators. She has had the opportunity to present on effective technology integration and the Edcamp model at conferences in the Carolinas, FETC, as well as several ISTE conferences.

THE ARTS

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

If You Can't Sing Good, Sing LOUD

By Debbie Clement | The Arts

Get UP! Get Active!! Get Moving!!! Come learn the simplest of simple songs and dances that are based on active movement. Learn the choreography that brings the dances to life. Experience patterns and sequences that scaffold upon each other. Cross the midline with your feet! Build group cohesion through shared dancing experience. Take an ACTIVE Brain Break: Let’s MOVE! Add in puppets, props, costumes, and all of the 'extras' that create the most student engagement. (Especially appropriate for younger students and those with special needs.)

About Debbie

Debbie Clement has over 25 years of experience as a ‘music-lady’ having written and recorded over 100 original songs for children and has turned 5 of her songs into four traditional picture books as an author/illustrator. She has provided staff development on literacy through the Arts from coast to coast at conferences large and small. Her humorous and invigorating presentations have garnered three national Keynote stages, including Vegas and the Jumbotron screen for a gathering of Kindergarten teachers from across the country. In addition, she has toured internationally to our military bases across Europe.

school culture

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Parent Involvement vs. Parent Engagement

By Jackie Powell | School Culture

In our current state of public education, it’s more important than ever to get parents involved in our schools. Due to many different factors, this has become a challenge for both parents and educators. We already know that students with involved families have a higher percentage of academic and social success. How do we get more families into our buildings? In this session, we will talk about the differences between parent involvement and parent engagement. We will look at why it’s important and some of the barriers our families my have that keeps them from being involved or engaged. Finally, I will provide some easy to implement ideas to help get your students’ families into your building.

About Jackie

Jackie Powell is a K-5 Reading Interventionist in Middle Tennessee. She has over 20 years experience in grades K-3. She has a passion for working with students and helping them become their best. She is passionate about creating positive classroom and school culture. You can reach her at mspowellsowls44@gmail.com or on Twitter and Instagram @MsPowellsOwls.

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Making a S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Impression

By Adam Dovico | School Culture

In this session, participants will be shown the process of teaching what are commonly called "soft skills" or making a positive first impression. Using the system Adam developed called S.P.E.C.I.A.L., participants will learn ways to help teach their students ways to develop these real-world skills and how to bring these skills into their classroom.

About Adam

Adam Dovico is an accomplished teacher, curriculum facilitator, principal, professor, speaker, and author. For the past two decades, he has taught students of all ages through his engaging and rigorous teaching style. He has also provided professional development for educators from around the world through his keynotes, workshops, and books. You can often find Adam standing on a table or chair dressed in one of his signature outrageous and amusing suits. He has been recognized by organizations such as the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund, Learning for Justice, and the Atlanta Falcons for his leadership and teaching, and he continues to work for greater equity in schools through his antiracist and culturally responsive pedagogy. You can learn more about Adam's teaching and leadership online at adamdovico.com, on social media @adamdovico, or in his books: Inside the Trenches, The Limitless School, and When Kids Lead.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity, and Accessibility

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Elementary Classrooms

By Jake Daggett | D.E.I.A.

Explore ways to incorporate inclusive language and practices in your daily instruction! With Jake, you will dive deeper into common microaggressions and how to make inclusion a lifestyle in your classroom.

About Jake

Jake is an Ohio native who began his teaching career in Milwaukee, WI in 2015. Having specialized in literacy and phonics instruction, Jake built a following on social media for his engaging and rhythmic phonics lessons. He is extremely passionate about structured literacy and inclusive classrooms. Jake is on his seventh year of teaching and currently teaches First Grade. On the side, Jake mentors college students at Marquette University as they work through their senior year courses in elementary literacy. He is thrilled to be back for a second year at ELEVATE!

CLICK HERE to view the citations for this session

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

Creating Cohesive Classroom Culture

By Derrick Carlson | D.E.I.A.

Learn how to create a classroom culture that honors identities organically and leverages knowledge from all the learners to build up student confidence in the classroom.

About Derrick

Derrick Carlson (he/him) is currently a second grade monolingual teacher in the suburbs of Chicago. He is in his ninth year of teaching. Derrick's a successful culturally responsive educator who has developed his skillset through Zaretta Hammond’s year long professional learning community. He has undergraduate degrees in English Literary and Cultural Studies, and French from the University of Oklahoma. Derrick earned a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from DePaul University. He is currently in a graduate literacy education program.

social emotional learning

Conference Sessions

The following sessions are available On-Demand for 90 days after June 1st, 2023

The Core 5 of S.E.L.

By Crystal Oswald | S.E.L.

Have you ever wondered how you can teach the CASEL Core 5 Competencies of SEL in a fun and engaging way? No matter the age of the child (or adult!) It's important for students to know what these competencies are and how they impact their social emotional growth. Join Crystal as she walks you through these and how to use them in your classroom.

About Crystal

Crystal Oswald is a district service coach that specializes is Social Emotional Learning. Prior to this position, she was an SEL Curriculum and Instruction specialist and a classroom teacher for 14 years. Her MA is in Literacy and loves to incorporate SEL and Literacy in the classroom. She lives outsides of Chicago, but was born and raised in Naples, Florida. Her family and friends are very important to her and in her spare time you may find her golfing or reading.

Research Citations

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All ELEVATE conference sessions are based on research. It is one of our requirements to be a speaker for ELEVATE.

Research Citations

All ELEVATE conference sessions are based on research. It is one of our requirements to be a speaker for ELEVATE.

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All ELEVATE conference sessions are based on research. It is one of our requirements to be a speaker for ELEVATE.

Research Citations

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All ELEVATE conference sessions are based on research. It is one of our requirements to be a speaker for ELEVATE.

Research Citations

All ELEVATE conference sessions are based on research. It is one of our requirements to be a speaker for ELEVATE.

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All ELEVATE conference sessions are based on research. It is one of our requirements to be a speaker for ELEVATE.

Strategies,Activities&GamesThatAlignWithSORbySharynKish

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