20th Annual Teacher Leadership Institute: Inspiring Excellence: Full Schedule

10:40am MST

Breaking Down Barriers with Universal Design for Learning

Monday June 9, 2025 10:40am - 12:10pm MST

Struggling to solve a problem? Wish you had a way to break down the barriers standing in your way? Join us for a dynamic and interactive session where we’ll explore Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in action. Through a hands-on simulation, we’ll uncover hidden barriers, collaborate with peers, and develop practical strategies to create more welcoming and effective solutions. Whether you're new to UDL or looking to deepen your understanding, this session will equip you with the tools to approach challenges with a fresh perspective!

Moderators

Jessica Pio, NBCT, M.Ed.

Arizona TeacherSolutions Team, Mesa Public Schools

Jess Pio has been with Mesa Public Schools for 19 years. She has worked as a teacher, a school improvement coach, and now as an Assistant Principal. She has master’s degrees in early childhood education and educational leadership. She is a National Board Certified Teacher. This... Read More →

Tracey Regan, M.Ed.

Arizona TeacherSolutions Team, Glendale Elementary School District

Tracey Regan has been serving students of all abilities for over 30 years. She has taught in preschool, special education, and as a special education achievement advisor. She holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and is newly certified in educational leadership... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 10:40am - 12:10pm MST
110

Innovation Lab, Innovation Lab

10:40am MST

From Potential to Power: Discovering and Using Your Personal Power for Impact

Monday June 9, 2025 10:40am - 12:10pm MST

107

Ecucators at all levels and in all roles are welcome as we discover how to harness your personal power to influence change in your community and beyond. Through an engaging blend of discussion, self-reflection, and actionable strategies, participants will explore what power means, how to embrace it authentically, and ways to leverage it for impactful advocacy. Whether you're seeking to lead in your classroom, school, or community, this session will leave you energized and ready to make a difference.

Moderators

Connie Doherty, M.Ed.

Arizona TeacherSolutions Team, Phoenix Union High School District

Since the start of her career, Connie’s work in education has centered on passion and purpose. Grounded in her belief that access, opportunity, and asset-based thinking are essential elements to cultivating strong learning environments, she has shaped her path to learn and grow... Read More →

Nia Saffell

Arizona TeacherSolutions Team, Florence Unified School District

Monday June 9, 2025 10:40am - 12:10pm MST
107

Innovation Lab, Innovation Lab

10:40am MST

Learning with Purpose: Enhancing Education through Community Collaboration

Monday June 9, 2025 10:40am - 12:10pm MST

109

In this session, you’ll explore how student interests and local connections can spark meaningful, community-driven learning experiences. Together, we’ll break down the key elements of designing a community-engaged learning unit and consider how it can align with your role, content, and learners. You'll map out how this approach could look in your own context and discover ways to stay connected through a collaborative network. As part of the experience, you’ll have the opportunity to join an in-person or online CEL cohort and/or the CommunityShare network to continue growing your practice.

Speakers

Rebecca Brinkman, NBCT, M.Ed.

Arizona TeacherSolutions Team, Cartwright School District

Rebecca Brinkman is a fourth-grade teacher in Phoenix, Arizona. She has taught at the same school for her entire 18-year career. Her campus is a second home and it has a strong family feel to it. This is what draws her back every year. She has taught 2nd grade for ten years, 3rd grade... Read More →

Rebecca Oravec, NBCT, MaT

Arizona TeacherSolutions Team, Sahuarita School District

Rebecca Oravec is a middle school math teacher in Sahuarita Unified School District, just south of Tucson, AZ. After seven years of teaching art, she transitioned to mathematics in 2024 and is currently pursuing a second Masters in Education alongside a certification in Special Education... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 10:40am - 12:10pm MST
109

Innovation Lab, Innovation Lab

10:40am MST

Nurturing and Cultivating Cultures of Curiosity: Identifying Root Causes & Opportunities as Inquiry Leaders

Monday June 9, 2025 10:40am - 12:10pm MST

Wassaja Ballroom

Inquiry is teaching practice that is used as a framework for learning in our classrooms, but what happens when leaders use this philosophy as a mindset to lead & inspire their teachers? In this session, we’ll explore the seven dispositions of an inquiry leader, identifying how these attributes empower all learners. By identifying the why and how behind these essential dispositions, we’ll interrogate where these are already within our practice and how we can refine those that aren’t quite so visible. At the end of this session, you’ll walk away with a clearer picture of who you are as a leader and a tangible guide for next steps that honor your own professional practice as well as those you serve.

Moderators

Jessica Vance

Author and Inquiry Educator

Jessica’s journey and experience as an inquiry educator fuel her passion and global work in coaching both teachers and leaders in their roles across a variety of rich contexts. She understands the power of curiosity and how we can leverage it to guide next steps, creating the space... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 10:40am - 12:10pm MST
Wassaja Ballroom

Innovation Lab, Innovation Lab

1:50pm MST

Learning Walls: Documenting of Authentic and More Meaningful Learning

Monday June 9, 2025 1:50pm - 3:20pm MST

Wassaja Ballroom

How do we curate spaces to cultivate curiosity yet showcase the “messiness of learning? During this session participants learn about harnessing the power of place and our natural spaces to provoke the thinking of our learners. From outdoor learning to the walls that line our hallways and classrooms, we’ll investigate their purpose as the “third teacher”. Additionally, this session lays the groundwork for making and keeping the thinking visible , determining what’s “worthy” of showcasing during our units of inquiry. Far from Pinterest worthy walls and displays, both inquiry leaders and classroom teachers will compare and contrast inquiry schools around the globe, reflecting on the ways Constructivist and our own values are reflected in our spaces.

Moderators

Jessica Vance

Author and Inquiry Educator

Monday June 9, 2025 1:50pm - 3:20pm MST
Wassaja Ballroom

Innovation Lab, Innovation Lab

1:50pm MST

Unlocking Mathematical Thinking in Upper Elementary and Middle School

Monday June 9, 2025 1:50pm - 3:20pm MST

110

Get ready to dig into the "why" behind student thinking in math! In this interactive session, you'll explore powerful thinking routines that help students make sense of math concepts—not just memorize them. Try out hands-on strategies, including manipulatives, to uncover common misconceptions and encourage deeper understanding. You'll leave with a small, ready-to-use math task and fresh ideas for building confident, flexible thinkers in your 4th-8th grade classroom.

Moderators

Kathleen Malkhassian, M.S.

Arizona TeacherSolutions Team, Flagstaff Unified School District

With 13 years dedicated to elementary education, Kathleen Malkhassian is an enthusiastic advocate for learning, currently working as an Instructional Coach at Thomas Elementary in Flagstaff, Arizona. Holding a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction from WGU, Kathleen's dedication... Read More →

Angel Mayo, NBCT, M.S.

Arizona TeacherSolutions Team, Fort Huachuca Accommodation Schools

Angel Mayo is a National Board Certified Teacher in Middle Childhood Generalist with a master's in Curriculum and Instruction from WGU. She has taught in Arizona for 10 years and currently teaches 6th grade math at Colonel Smith Middle School on Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Known for her... Read More →

Monday June 9, 2025 1:50pm - 3:20pm MST
110

Innovation Lab, Innovation Lab

1:50pm MST

Validate > Affirm > Build > Bridge: Creating Classrooms that Reflect and Respect Every Learner

Monday June 9, 2025 1:50pm - 3:20pm MST

109

In this interactive session, K-12 educators and administrators will explore practices that honor the backgrounds, experiences, and strengths of all students. You’ll engage with strategies that promote thinking, fairness, connection, and reflection to build stronger classroom communities. You’ll leave with actionable strategies and a personalized plan to create a learning environment where every student feels seen, supported, and valued. No matter your role, you’ll gain insight on how to influence school-wide change with purpose and impact.

Moderators

Jaime Camero, NBCT, M.Ed.

Arizona TeacherSolutions Team, Flowing Wells Unified School District

Jaime Camero is a K-6 STEAM teacher and mentor teacher in the Flowing Wells Unified School District in Tucson. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and has been teaching for 21 years. Jaime received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from University of the Southwest... Read More →

Megan Milmine, M.Ed

Angel Mayo, NBCT, M.S.

Arizona TeacherSolutions Team, Fort Huachuca Accommodation Schools

Tuesday June 10, 2025 10:50am - 12:25pm MST
110

Innovation Lab, Innovation Lab