WYTeacherCon25: Full Schedule

Join us for Wyoming’s inaugural statewide teacher conference, bringing together educators, administrators, and educational leaders from across the state. As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, TeacherCon25 celebrates our educational heritage while embracing the future of teaching and learning.

8:00am PDT

Morning refreshments

Monday August 4, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am PDT

Gateway Ballroom

Monday August 4, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Gateway Ballroom

8:00am PDT

Registration

Monday August 4, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am PDT

Gateway Center

Monday August 4, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am PDT
Gateway Center

9:00am PDT

Welcome address

Monday August 4, 2025 9:00am - 9:20am PDT

Gateway Ballroom

Monday August 4, 2025 9:00am - 9:20am PDT
Gateway Ballroom

9:20am PDT

Keynote

Monday August 4, 2025 9:20am - 10:15am PDT

Gateway Ballroom

Speakers

Superintendent Megan Degenfelder

State Superintended of Public Instruction, Wyoming Department of Education

Monday August 4, 2025 9:20am - 10:15am PDT
Gateway Ballroom

10:15am PDT

AM SNACK

Monday August 4, 2025 10:15am - 10:45am PDT

Conference Center Lobby

Monday August 4, 2025 10:15am - 10:45am PDT
Conference Center Lobby

10:45am PDT

Solving Problems, Igniting Curiosity: The FIELD Guide Approach to Social Studies

Monday August 4, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT

Salon F

Seeking to increase student engagement without overwhelming yourself? Discover the Social Studies FIELD Guide, a teacher-tested framework that provides leveled instructional "Hikes” for teachers of all experience levels. This session demonstrates strategies of inquiry-based learning as both students and facilitators. Explore research-backed strategies for combining primary sources, inquiry, and different EdTech tools. Learn how the FIELD Guide's unique leveling system supports gradual pedagogical growth, allowing you to select and adapt lessons that align with your experience and classroom context. Gain practical resources and leave inspired to cultivate curious, collaborative learning.

Speakers

Joe Schmidt

Director of Programs, Bill of Rights Institute

Joe Schmidt is the founder of Joe Schmidt Social Studies LLC and the co-author of two books: Civil Discourse: Classroom Conversations for Stronger Communities and The Social Studies FIELD Guide. His experience spans pre-K through college, fostering connection among social studies... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT
Salon F

10:45am PDT

What is Whole Brain Teaching? LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT

Salon D

Whole Brain Teaching: The Engagement Revolution!

🚀 Are you ready to transform your classroom into an energy-filled, student-led learning powerhouse? 🚀

Imagine a classroom where students are so engaged they beg to participate, where disruptions vanish because learning is too exciting to ignore, and where every brain—yes, every brain—is firing on all cylinders.

Welcome to Whole Brain Teaching (WBT)—a high-energy, research-backed approach that turns traditional instruction on its head! In this interactive session, you'll experience WBT in action, learning powerful techniques that engage both teacher and students from bell to bell.

🔹 Discover the four POWER teaching strategies that will instantly boost student engagement.
🔹 See how WBT's brain-based methods increase retention, reduce behavior issues, and make learning FUN!
🔹 Leave with ready-to-use strategies you can implement tomorrow—no prep needed!

Come see, hear, and FEEL how Whole Brain Teaching will revolutionize your classroom!

Speakers

Weston Lamb-Costantino

Weston Lamb-Costantino is a passionate and innovative music educator at Stagecoach Elementary in Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he teaches kindergarten through 3rd grade music. With 13 years of experience, Mr. Lamb brings energy, creativity, and deep expertise to the classroom, blending... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT
Salon D

Classroom Management

10:45am PDT

Number Sense to Fluency LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT

Salon C

Mathematical fluency is attainable when students have a strong foundation in number sense. Participants in this session will build knowledge about the progression of skills within number sense and fluency. This session is appropriate for teachers, interventionists, coaches, and administrators. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in games and activities and explore ways to incorporate the strategies into their classrooms.

Speakers

Michelle Tudor

Math Intervention Teacher, Fayette County Public Schools, Harrison Elementary

Michelle Tudor is a math intervention teacher in Lexington, KY, with a passion for improving lives through education. She is a former Educational Recovery Leader at the Kentucky Department of Education and has worked as an assistant principal, curriculum coach, MTSS coach, and 5th-grade teacher... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT
Salon C

Mathematics

10:45am PDT

Your Journey to Personalized Learning LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT

Salon B

Break Free from One-Size-Fits-All: Unlock the Power of Personalized Learning in Your Classroom!
This session is will give you the tips and tools you need to start implementing a truly personalized classroom where every student can learn. We will discuss, assessments, proficiency scales, classroom management and everything in between. I will share practical strategies and real-world examples of how I have successfully implemented personalized learning in my classroom as well as my colleagues to create a systemic change to personalized learning. Attendees will gain insights into designing flexible curricula that address diverse student needs, using data-driven approaches to inform instruction, and creating an engaging learning environment that empowers students to take ownership of their education.

Speakers

Darian Samuelson

Teacher (Science), Upton High School

Hi there! My name is Darian Samuelson, and I’m the High School Science Teacher at Upton High School. I’ll be starting my eighth year this fall, and I truly love what I do.In addition to teaching, I’m a Student Council Co-Sponsor, Middle School Basketball Coach, and High School... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT
Salon B

Project Based Learning (PBL)

10:45am PDT

Wyo Wonders: Minerals & Energy LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT

Salon E

This session samples three lessons from the Wyo Wonders Minerals & Energy curriculum, designed for grades 2-5. We will engage in and discuss three activities that relate to Wyoming's natural resources, everyday products we all use to make the impact of minerals more relevant, and conservation.

Speakers

Darci Petersen

Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom

Darci Petersen became an Education Advocate for Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom in 2023. She enjoys educating about the non-profit's programs of Wyo Wonders, Bookmark & Beyond, and Educator of the Year. She is a former high school English teacher and athletics coach who has always... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT
Salon E

Science

10:45am PDT

Be the Teacher AI Can't Replace LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT

Salon A

Specific examples of policies and syllabi, mistakes made from 2 years of using AI in the high school Social Studies & English classrooms, lesson plan examples to teach students how to use AI (including ones that don't require students to access AI tools), what to do about plagiarism and academic honesty in the post-AI world, how to use AI as a co-teacher rather than just a shortcut

Speakers

Aaron Makelky

History Teacher, AI Integration, Aaron Makelky.com,

Passionate about helping professionals learn AI skills. Over 15 years of instructional experience, simplifying complex topics and making learning approachable and enjoyable. Expertise as an AI Integration Consultant guiding individuals, schools, and law, and SMB through the evolving... Read More →

Katie Galloway

High School English Teacher, NCSD #1

As a dedicated educator with 14 years of experience and a single mom, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges families face due to insufficient parental leave policies. My journey has not only shaped my perspective as a teacher but also fueled my passion for advocating for change... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT
Salon A

Technology

11:30am PDT

LUNCH LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 11:30am - 12:45pm PDT

Gateway Ballroom

Monday August 4, 2025 11:30am - 12:45pm PDT
Gateway Ballroom

1:00pm PDT

Founders to Today: The Quest for Civic Virtue in America

Monday August 4, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Salon F

Dive into an engaging exploration of America's past and present as we discuss the virtues and vices of some of our most renowned and notorious figures. In this thought-provoking session, participants will reflect on the founding principles and civic virtues that have shaped our nation, while debating whether these influential Americans should be considered "heroes" or "villains"—a question that may be more complex than it appears! Teachers will leave equipped with ready-made lessons and activities on virtues, vices, and character, ready to inspire rich discussions and critical thinking in their classrooms.

Speakers

Joe Schmidt

Director of Programs, Bill of Rights Institute

Monday August 4, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Salon F

1:00pm PDT

Approach to Tackling Elementary Literacy on a School Wide Level LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Salon E

Learn about one school’s journey of joining forces with the UW Literacy Research Center and Clinic to develop and implement a school wide approach to literacy instruction. This session gives an overview of 3 years worth of collaboration from think tank sessions selecting which strand of literacy has the most immediate need to have researched based practices modeled by LRCC team members in actual classrooms, and then teachers implementing those best practice strategies.

Speakers

Chad Lemley

Monday August 4, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Salon E

English Language Arts (ELA)

1:00pm PDT

Community Walks support relevant and engaging learning for students: A ready made activity for science and engineering instruction LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Salon A

Connecting to students’ lives and lived experiences has been shown to be an effective way to support their deep learning. Finding ways to bring students communities and experiences into the classroom in content-driven and instructionally-supportive ways is valuable for teachers. Attendees of this session will experience and walk away with a ready-made activity to engage students in their communities in ways that will help teachers connect to their lives in ways that support their science and engineering learning objectives. The relevance and local connections that are supported by this lesson should be compelling to attendees. This session will provide both firsthand experience with the activity as well as time to consider the activity in their own context, so they will leave the session prepared to enact the activity in their classroom.

Speakers

Martha Inouye

Teacher, University of Wyoming

Martha Inouye is a Research Scientist in the Science and Mathematics Teaching Center at the University of Wyoming. Her work focuses on the development and facilitation of K-12 science teacher professional development around the state of Wyoming. Specifically, she supports teacher... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Salon A

Pedagogy & Instructional Strategies

1:00pm PDT

Shaping Change Locally: Examples of Place-Based Education in a Rural Wyoming School LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Salon D

Participants will experience the transformative power of place-based education through the lens of rural Wyoming classrooms. Session attendees will discover how local, Wyoming teachers from Rock River School have integrated their unique landscape and community, place-based education, into their curriculum, everyday instruction, and state standards. This session bridges theory and practice, offering ready-to-adapt strategies that can engage students in any setting. Take home practical wisdom from Wyoming educators who have turned their community and place into their teaching assets.

Speakers

Alison Mercier

Leslie Cook

Head of Professional Learning, Teton Science Schools

Monday August 4, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Salon D

Pedagogy & Instructional Strategies

1:00pm PDT

Teaching Narratives through the Story of a Wyoming WWII POW LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Salon B

"Dear Sirs" is a 3-time EMMY winning documentary, which tells the story of a Wyoming solider who became a Prisoner of War in Germany during WWII. The film was written, directed, filmed, and produced by Wyoming natives Mark Pedri and Carrie McCarthy. In this session, the filmmakers and the curriculum developer will present their curriculum to highlight a cross-curricular approach to teaching narratives and WWII. Using a brief excerpt from the film, they will discuss how the narrative methodology in the film is a powerful tool to not only engage students in learning about history, but to exemplify a personal narrative that students will use to create a personal narrative of their own in a final project. This session is directed towards 6-12 ELA and Social Studies educators; however, all are invited to attend to learn about local history and gain new ideas and perspectives on how to teach ELA and Social Studies standards.

Speakers

Caroline Smalstig

Social Studies Teacher

Carrie McCarthy

Producer, Burning Torch Productions

Carrie McCarthy is a scientist-turned-filmmaker whose path into documentary storytelling began as a scientific consultant on films. Since 2018, she has run Burning Torch Productions with Mark Pedri, producing and directing character-driven short and feature documentaries. Her films... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Salon B

Social Studies & Civics

1:00pm PDT

Wyoming Civics and Civic Engagement LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Salon C

How do we foster civics competency in Wyoming's youth? The Wallop Civic Engagement Program offers support to Wyoming's teachers through workshops, multi-media content, and much more - all tailored to Wyoming's Content & Performance Standards.

Speakers

Jason McConnell

Jean Garrison

Professor, University of Wyoming

Dr. Jean Garrison is professor of political science and international studies at the University of Wyoming and co-director of the Wallop Civic Engagement Program. Her areas of teaching and research focus on civic engagement, American foreign policy, energy security, and U.S.-China... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Salon C

Social Studies & Civics

2:00pm PDT

Sources in Early Grades: Historical Literacy for Little Historians LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Salon F

Engage your elementary classroom with innovative primary source integration inspired by the Bill of Rights Institute’s new BRI Jr. curriculum. In this dynamic session, you will explore practical strategies, resources, and hands-on techniques to foster historical inquiry and empower students. Discover how to adapt primary sources to diverse classroom environments, create personalized lesson plans, and participate in an engaging activity from a 5th-grade lesson on the Articles of Confederation. Leave prepared to inspire your students with rich social studies learning experiences and a deeper understanding of history.

Speakers

Joe Schmidt

Director of Programs, Bill of Rights Institute

Monday August 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Salon F

2:00pm PDT

Middle School Research with Trail Cameras: Learning the Art of Research LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Salon D

Teaching research comes with a combination of challenges for middle school students. Most do not have experience in research topics. The trail cameras offer a way for the students to focus on a research topic that is very general or very specific to one animal. In this activity the students worked as a research team. Each class period were a team. They had no choice, this experience helps them understand how to navigate collaborations as a group. This unit was about teaching them how to develop research questions. The second year (Spring 2025) is about teaching them to develop a measurement tool. What is quantitative and qualitative research? Can trail cameras research be a qualitative study? How does the Arapaho and Shoshone lens help you understand western research science methods?
In this session I will share the Wind River Reservation through the lens of the trail cameras and how my students interpret the 100,000+ photos they collected.

Speakers

Iva Moss

STEM Educator, Fort Washakie School/University of Idaho

Iva Moss, Northern Arapaho, is a middle school STEM educator at Fort Washakie School, Wind River Reservation, Wyoming. Indigenous research methods with middle school students is the current focus of teaching for Iva. Utilizing Indigenous storytelling as a path to introduce students... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Salon D

Indigenous Education

2:00pm PDT

Get Out and Embrace the True Spirit of RIDE! LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Salon B

Create a classroom without walls in the wonderful wilds of Wyoming. Collaborate and teach with inspired and passionate colleagues to highly motivated students who look forward to learning. Create the deeper level connections, both curricular and relational, with your students that we all strive for as educators.

Speakers

Dean Olenik

Park County School District 6

Elizabeth Hanson

Monday August 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Salon B

Project Based Learning (PBL)

2:00pm PDT

Process over Product: Creating Purpose in Project-Based Learning LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Salon E

Too often, the focus is placed on the final product rather than the critical learning that happens along the way. In this session, we’ll flip that mindset and explore how emphasizing the process—research, synthesis, argumentation, and reflection—leads to deeper learning, stronger student engagement, and better critical thinking skills.

Speakers

Bryce Mittelstadt

Social Studies Teacher and Wyoming History Day Coordinator, Kelly Walsh High School and American Heritage Center

I'm a social studies teacher with ten years of experience in middle and high classrooms. I believe students learn best when they’re inspired to ask big questions, explore meaningful topics, and bring their ideas to life through creative, student-driven projects.I also coordinate... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Salon E

Project Based Learning (PBL)

2:00pm PDT

We’ve brought the stream inside: Learn along with Nature WY LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Salon A

Nature WY is a winner with a Regional Emmy, and a National award as an “Educational Resource for the Classroom”! Fun, free, educational resource made in Wyoming, with Wyoming’s real kids and real educators. Created for kids ages 6-8, with successful adaptation for kids from pre-K through 6th grade.
Hands-on learning with Nature WY and live creatures from Wyoming’s streams.

Take back to your classroom:

11 Nature WY short-format videos with lesson plans aligned to state and national standards.
11 Nature WY activity guides for parents/guardians.
A publicly-available, free app called SEEK to support your learning and the learning of your students.
Confidence to get outdoors with your students learning in the sciences!
Stickers and more, of course!

Speakers

Julie Rieder

Executive Producer, Science Kids

Julie Rieder’s two passions of science and education intersect in her role as Executive Director of the nonprofit Science Kids, an organization that gets kids outside, where great learning happens. Julie is a broadly trained ecologist, with a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry... Read More →

Jennifer Amend

Monday August 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Salon A

Science

2:00pm PDT

Wyo Wonders: Agriculture LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Salon C

Picture your ideal farm or ranch—what does it look like? Don't just imagine it—come to this session and illustrate this farm or ranch! Dive into the fascinating history and science of Wyoming’s crops and livestock through engaging Wyo Wonders lessons. Once you're equipped with valuable insights about agriculture in our state, you’ll design your dream farm or ranch and calculate its economic impact. And to top it off, we’ll end with an exciting, friendly competition to see who’s vision stands out the most. This is your chance to learn, create, and have fun—don’t miss out!

Speakers

Michelle McCormack

Education Advocate, Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom

Michelle McCormack joined Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom as an Education Advocate in 2021. Michelle enjoys collaborating with teachers around the state to support them in sharing the message about the Wyo Wonders curriculum. She loves that Wyo Wonders teaches elementary students... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Salon C

Science

2:45pm PDT

PM SNACK LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 2:45pm - 3:15pm PDT

Salon A

Monday August 4, 2025 2:45pm - 3:15pm PDT
Salon A

3:15pm PDT

Founders to Today: The Quest for Civic Virtue in America

Monday August 4, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT

Conference Center Lobby

Speakers

Joe Schmidt

Director of Programs, Bill of Rights Institute

Monday August 4, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
Conference Center Lobby

3:15pm PDT

ElevatED Educator: Pathways to Purposeful Classroom Learning Experiences LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT

Salon E

This session stands out because it goes beyond theory and delivers immediately actionable strategies that educators can implement the very next day. Attendees won’t just sit and listen—they’ll engage, reflect, and leave equipped with tools and ideas that transform everyday lessons into purposeful, high-impact learning experiences.

What makes this session unique? We focus on learning pathways, a proven approach to naturally differentiate instruction, increase engagement, and deepen student understanding. Educators will gain insights into how purposeful content instruction can be woven into dynamic classroom experiences that capture students’ curiosity and sustain engagement.

Unlike other sessions that might focus solely on engagement or instructional strategies, this session bridges the two, showing educators how to design experiences that are not only engaging but deeply rooted in content mastery. If you want to leave with practical, field-tested strategies that elevate your teaching and student outcomes, this session is a must-attend!

Speakers

Kara Rigsby

Co-Founder, IntegratED LLC

Kara Rigsby is a professional development expert, instructional strategies specialist, forward-thinking educational leader, and current educator who strives to improve instruction while increasing student growth and teacher effectiveness. Kara works with educators at all levels... Read More →

Megan Diede

Co-Founder, IntegratED

Megan Diede is an educational leader, instructional strategies expert, and current educator who has a passion for improving student growth and teacher efficiency by changing the way instruction is being delivered in the traditional classroom. Megan collaborates with educators across... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
Salon E

Pedagogy & Instructional Strategies

3:15pm PDT

Messy Data in the Classroom LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT

Salon F

Perfect dataset verses professional work (i.e., messy) dataset. My session is about my experience of bringing realistic data sets, that are uncertain and messy, into my classroom to have my students work with, connect to, draw conclusions from, and apply to a bigger context. Attendees will be able to see the data that I worked with, experience interactions with the data, graphs, and prompts, then review a student answers. I will also share my implementation process and my reflection on bringing in messy data. Attendees can then collaborate with others to visualize how they can implement messy data in their own classrooms.

Speakers

Chelsea Lund

I have been part of a Teacher Researcher Knowledge Exchange cohort the last two years and this year, I decided to bring messy data into my classroom. The data can be very overwhelming, especially to some of the lower level students, and I wanted my students to interact with something... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
Salon F

Science

3:15pm PDT

Wyo Wonders: Exploring Wyoming’s Public Lands LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT

Salon C

Come join us as we explore Wyoming’s public lands and the unique terrain that provides recreational opportunities in Wyoming. We will also identify the many agencies that manage and protect Wyoming lands. All activities come from Wyo Wonders, a free 2nd-5th grade curriculum available to all educators!

Speakers

Carolyn Jacobs

Wyo Wonders

Carolyn Jacobs joined Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom as an Education Advocate in 2020, and she feels it is a privilege to introduce teachers to the place-based curriculum, Wyo Wonders. She started her career as a middle school science teacher in Casper. After 20 years in the... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
Salon C

Social Studies & Civics

3:15pm PDT

Engaging Every Student: Strategies to Boost Motivation and Drive Learning LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT

Salon D

While many sessions discuss student motivation and engagement in theory, we focus on actionable, research-backed strategies that teachers can implement immediately in their classrooms. This session equips educators with specific tools, lesson ideas, and classroom management tips that they can use on Monday morning.

Speakers

Ashley Archambault

Monday August 4, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
Salon D

Student Engagement Strategies

3:15pm PDT

AI Literacy - how can you implement AI literacy in your school and classroom LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT

Salon B

Tools and a framework you can use in your classroom to teach AI literacy

Speakers

Steven Priest

Educational Consultant, Wyoming Department of Education

Steven Priest is an Educational Program Consultant with the Wyoming Department of Education with the Innovation Team. Steven works with digital learning, serving our statewide Learning Management System (Canvas), micro-credentials, the Innovations in Learning Conference and the Digital... Read More →

Monday August 4, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
Salon B

Technology

4:00pm PDT

VIP Networking Event LIMITED

Monday August 4, 2025 4:00pm - 5:30pm PDT

Gateway Center, 2nd Floor

Monday August 4, 2025 4:00pm - 5:30pm PDT
Gateway Center, 2nd Floor

6:00pm PDT

Gala/Awards Dinner

Monday August 4, 2025 6:00pm - 7:30pm PDT

Gateway Ballroom

Monday August 4, 2025 6:00pm - 7:30pm PDT
Gateway Ballroom

8:30am PDT

Morning refreshments

Tuesday August 5, 2025 8:30am - 8:45am PDT

Gateway Ballroom

Tuesday August 5, 2025 8:30am - 8:45am PDT
Gateway Ballroom

9:00am PDT

Welcome

Tuesday August 5, 2025 9:00am - 9:20am PDT

Gateway Ballroom

Tuesday August 5, 2025 9:00am - 9:20am PDT
Gateway Ballroom

9:20am PDT

Keynote: A Republic if We Can Keep It: Civil Discourse to Support Our Democracy

Tuesday August 5, 2025 9:20am - 10:15am PDT

Gateway Ballroom

In today's complex and interconnected world, the practice of civil discourse is more crucial than ever. As it becomes easier to focus on what we disagree about, can we use America’s 250th birthday to find a path back to celebrating what we have in common?

Join us for an exploration of how to empower students to become informed, engaged citizens, ready to navigate the challenges and opportunities of our time. Examine practical approaches to integrate civil discourse into the curriculum, providing students with the skills and confidence to participate meaningfully in our democracy. Together let’s celebrate the importance of discourse to equip students to analyze complex issues, evaluate diverse perspectives, and engage in constructive dialogue, laying the foundation for a stronger society.

Speakers

Joe Schmidt

Director of Programs, Bill of Rights Institute

Tuesday August 5, 2025 9:20am - 10:15am PDT
Gateway Ballroom

10:15am PDT

AM SNACK

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:15am - 10:45am PDT

Conference Center Lobby

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:15am - 10:45am PDT
Conference Center Lobby

10:45am PDT

A Republic if We Can Keep It: Civil Discourse to Support Our Democracy 2.0

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT

Gateway Ballroom

In today's polarized climate, fostering civil discourse in the classroom is crucial for developing engaged and responsible citizens. This workshop goes deeper on the CUBED (Courage, Understanding, Belonging, Empathy, Discourse) approach featured in the Tuesday keynote address. Participants will explore best practices for navigating contentious topics, learn strategies to create safe and inclusive discussion environments, and address potential barriers from administration to community. Through practical application, attendees will begin developing a framework for facilitating civil discourse on a topic relevant to their curriculum, leaving with concrete tools and increased confidence to address challenging issues effectively.

Speakers

Joe Schmidt

Director of Programs, Bill of Rights Institute

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT
Gateway Ballroom

10:45am PDT

"My Way" Intervention Case Study LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT

Salon D

This session will outline a new intervention that has been trialed within a district in various classrooms that has helped reduced behaviors 80% on average within a short time period.

Speakers

Caitlin Pischer

BCBA, LCSD1

Sarah Bahige

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT
Salon D

Classroom Management

10:45am PDT

Get Students Outdoors with Game and Fish LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT

Salon C

Wyoming Game and Fish Department offers a variety of conservation education programs for schools. Our programs meet science, social studies, math and PE standards, are low-cost or free, and emphasize hands-on learning and getting students outdoors.

Speakers

Ashley Leonard

Education Supervisor, Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Nish Goicolea

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT
Salon C

Science

10:45am PDT

Power Up with Wyoming PBS LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT

Salon B

PBS Learning Media site is a powerful FREE tool for teachers who are interested in using video, online games, primary sources and self-paced digital lessons with their students. If you are a teacher in a K-12 classroom, a librarian, a technology specialist or an administrator there is something for you on PBS Learning Media. Teachers can learn how to harness the power of PBS media to create engaging and fun activities for students of all ages and abilities. Bring your favorite device and headphones or ear buds and come ready to launch the power of PBS in your classroom!
The WYOMING PBS EDUCATION COLLECTION on PBS Learning Media provides educators with unique lesson plans and resources based on Wyoming history and events to engage and enrich student learning. The collection includes resources on Wyoming State History and Government, STEM Wyoming, Farm to Fork Wyoming, Native American Studies, Wyoming Art and Culture, Nature WY, and A State of Mind. All resources are aligned to state, national, and common core standards and are written by Wyoming Educators.

Speakers

Carol Garber

WPBS LearningMedia Coordinator, Wyoming PBS

Carol Garber is the LearningMedia Coordinator for Wyoming PBS. Mrs. Garber has a Masters Degree in Counseling Education from the University of Wyoming, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education from the University of Wyoming. Mrs. Garber has 22 years of experience in... Read More →

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT
Salon B

Social Studies & Civics

10:45am PDT

Jumpstart Science Thinking: Using Morning Meeting Prompts for Engaging Young Learners LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT

Salon E

This collaborative idea-building session focuses on a perennial problem: the lack of time to teach science in elementary classrooms. There are so many demands on teachers to support their young learners including character development, and engagement of all learners. This session will provide participants with new ideas for using age-appropriate science crosscutting concepts (CCCs) to pose morning meeting and bell ringer prompts that will engage students while building their science understanding.

Speakers

Ana K. Houseal

Jessica Marcolini

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT
Salon E

Student Engagement Strategies

10:45am PDT

Using AI to Support Curriculum Modification for Inclusive Education: A Case study of AI-Powered Personalization LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT

Salon A

Imagine a 5th grade classroom where language arts lessons can be designed quickly and efficiently to a student’s unique interests, making learning more engaging while staying true to extended content standards. With AI-generated materials, we can adapt and modify instruction to ensure a student with a significant cognitive or multiple disability is meaningfully included with their peers, fostering both accessibility and connection. By leveraging AI responsibly—aligned with WDE and district policies—we can create personalized, high-interest learning experiences that empower our Wyoming students to succeed.

Speakers

Michele Thompson

Michele Thompson is a dedicated special education teacher and occupational therapist with over 30 years of experience serving students with significant cognitive disabilities. She currently teaches in the Elementary Life Skills program at Fort Washakie Elementary in Fremont County... Read More →

Tuesday August 5, 2025 10:45am - 11:30am PDT
Salon A

Technology

11:30am PDT

LUNCH LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 11:30am - 12:45pm PDT

Gateway Ballroom

Tuesday August 5, 2025 11:30am - 12:45pm PDT
Gateway Ballroom

1:00pm PDT

Authentic Assessment for Documenting Learning and Development

Tuesday August 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Salon C

Have you ever wondered how to collect meaningful information about student learning and development? What role do routines play in documenting growth? This presentation will share a rationale and process for gathering data that uses an authentic assessment approach. Implications for family-centered professional practices will be shared in this session about authentic assessment.

Speakers

Marisa Macy

Professor, University of Wyoming

Marisa Macy is full professor and holds the John P. Ellbogen Foundation Professorship of Early Childhood Education at the University of Wyoming. Macy has more than 25 years of experience as an educator. Macy, a Seattle native, earned a bachelor’s degree in English at the University... Read More →

Tuesday August 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Salon C

Assessment & Data Analysis

1:00pm PDT

Unlocking Career Pathways: Exploring WyApprenticeships & Pre-Apprenticeship Programs for Students LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Salon A

Wyoming students now have a unique opportunity to explore career pathways while gaining valuable skills and education. Through our partnership with the University of Wyoming and The Innovation Wyrkshop, we’ve created free, online Pre-Apprenticeship programs in Healthcare, Construction, and Manufacturing. These self-paced programs help students build key industry skills as they work towards their future goals. These Pre-Apprenticeship courses serve as a great stepping stone to one day joining a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Our team has created a resource for all things Apprenticeship in the state of Wyoming, WyApprenticeships.com. This resource brings together all of Wyoming’s Registered Apprenticeship Programs in one place, making it easier to find and contact these career-building opportunities. Many Registered Apprenticeship Programs partner with colleges to offer the Related Technical Instruction and participants can receive a college degree while participating in their Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Speakers

Naomi Childers

Pre-Apprenticeship Grant Specialist, Department of Workforce Services

Naomi Childers joined the Department of Workforce Services in April 2024, where her main focus is on` Pre-Apprenticeships. These programs are designed to equip individuals to enter and succeed in Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs). Each Pre-Apprenticeship is uniquely tailored... Read More →

Tuesday August 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Salon A

Career & Technical Education (CTE)

1:00pm PDT

Educating Indigenous Students LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Salon B

The session will provide information about values, beliefs, and practices of indigenous communities and indigenous student learning but will also offer pragmatic strategies to implement while educating Indigenous students. Session attendees will not only learn the why, they will also learn the how.

Speakers

Roy Brown

Native American Education Director, Fremont County School District #25

Tuesday August 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Salon B

Indigenous Education

1:00pm PDT

Wellness, Wit and Wild Ideas: Inspiration to create or recharge educators wellness. LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Salon F

As educators, we pour our energy into others—but it's time to pour some back into ourselves. In this session, we'll explore how to create or revamp a wellness committee that fosters fun, connection, and innovation. Discover fresh, easy strategies to support your colleagues' well-being and build a vibrant, sustainable wellness culture in your school. Let's get inspired, together!

Speakers

Revea Smith

5th Grade Teacher, Campbell County School District

Lead Learner | 5th Grade Teacher | Passionate Advocate for Empowered Education Inspired by Wellness, Wit and WisdomRevea Smith is a 5th grade teacher at Wagonwheel Elementary in Gillette, Wyoming, where her infectious spirit and boundless energy fuel a classroom environment that sparks... Read More →

Tuesday August 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Salon F

Mental Health

1:00pm PDT

Science and Math Strategic Keys of Focus for Intermediate Elementary LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Salon D

Hitting Upper Elementary Next Generation Science Standards with use of phenomena and solving real world problems. And, helping 3rd-5th grade students reach proficiency and beyond in mathematics with a couple of supplemental staple tactics. This session essentially consists of two mini-sessions rolled into one. The first part of the session will highlight one 5th grade teacher’s learning and growth from participating with a four university consortium (including UWYO) called STEM STRONG for the last two years. The second part of the session is geared toward sharing some powerful strategies picked up from 25 years in the classroom to help students become better accomplished mathematicians.

Speakers

Chad Lemley

Tuesday August 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Salon D

STEM/STEAM

1:00pm PDT

Increase Attention to Increase Learning: 4 Simple Routines LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT

Salon E

Children learn what they attend to--but how do we ensure they are attending to what we want them to learn? In this session, participants will engage in cognitive-science-informed classroom routines that will maximize student engagement and learning. Applicable to K-12 and for all content areas, these simple routines have a huge impact by checking students are listening, allowing for 100% participation, and maximizing student attention and retention of the lesson. Participants will have the opportunity to rehearse and engage with the routines and easily adopt them into their teaching practice.

Speakers

Laura Stam

Elementary Educator, Ralph Witters Elementary

Laura Stam is an elementary educator at Hot Springs County School District #1. She is a 2024-2025 Goyen Fellow and a founding board member of The Reading League Wyoming. She is passionate about the sciences of learning, reading, and math and applying this body of research into practice... Read More →

Tuesday August 5, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm PDT
Salon E

Student Engagement Strategies

2:00pm PDT

OPEN Crash Course! LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Salon F

This FREE PK-12 physical education curriculum was created based on equity of access so it is provided to any teacher at no charge. There are over 10,000 documents available in Word or PDF for teachers to utilize to enhance student learning including academic language, Depth of Knowledge questioning and Universal Design suggestions. The curriculum is all standards-based and used by over 180,000 teachers worldwide. It is dynamic with more content for teachers being uploaded all the time from award winning educators.

Speakers

Brian Devore

Tuesday August 5, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Salon F

Health & Physical Education

2:00pm PDT

Native Americans Past & Present: Challenging Misconceptions LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Salon A

Wy PBS Native American Learning modules contain Videos with Specific lesson plans K-12, written by Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Educators. All lesson plans are correlated to Wyoming State Social Studies Standards. Teachers will walk away from these sessions with specific resources they can use immediately in their classroom.

Speakers

Michelle Hoffman

Native American Educational Coordinator, Wyoming PBS

Michelle Hoffman is a retired school Superintendent and former educator in Fremont County School District #14, Wyoming Indian Schools. Michelle is currently working with Wyoming Public Broadcasting System as the Native American Educational Coordinator collaborating with Reservation... Read More →

D.Lynette St.Clair

Veronica Miller

Fremont County School District #38

Tuesday August 5, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Salon A

Indigenous Education

2:00pm PDT

Standards to Success: Using the NSQ Standards to Achieve Online Teaching Excellence LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Salon C

This presentation will offer a preview of the K-12 NSQ-Aligned Teaching Online Certificate Series, developed by Quality Matters. The series is available to Wyoming educators for free through an agreement between WDE and QM. This series of five workshops transforms the NSQ Standards into practical classroom strategies. The workshops include evidence-based approaches that elevate student engagement and achievement in online environments while providing resources that help educators apply these standards in their daily teaching practice.

Speakers

Elisa White

Instructional Design Specialist, Quality Matters

Tuesday August 5, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Salon C

Pedagogy & Instructional Strategies

2:00pm PDT

Yours, Mine and Ours: Strategies for Coteaching LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Salon B

This session is run by current educators with 10 years experience in co-teaching assignments. I want to focus on strategies for small group intervention within the learning environment. While the focus of the content is about co-teaching, even those who do not co-teach but would like a way of looking at the classroom structure differently. Teachers will obtain realistic and usable strategies for differentiation in the classroom today.

Speakers

Ali Roberson

Chemistry Teacher, NCSD#1

My name is Alicyn Roberson, but I strongly prefer Ali. A Colorado transplant but I have been teaching science at Kelly Walsh High School since 2013. I have two dogs that I adore, Millie and Graham (pause for the scientists to get it, mg). When I’m not working, I’m hanging out... Read More →

Tuesday August 5, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Salon B

Pedagogy & Instructional Strategies

2:00pm PDT

3D Science Assessments and Rubrics LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Salon D

The three dimensions (3Ds) of science teaching and learning (practices, big ideas, and content) clearly engage our students in relevant and transferable learning, but assessing 3D learning is complex and challenging. In this session, you will explore two science assessment examples to consider a research-based and 3D approach to assessment rubric development. You will have time to consider and discuss how these rubrics could be used and adapted to your needs and your district assessment expectations while fully assessing the 3Ds of the Wyoming Science Content & Performance Standards. You will walk away with two examples of high-quality assessment and rubric examples for science, as well as ideas for how to bring similar work into your setting.

Speakers

Clare Gunshenan

Professional Learning Facilitator, University of Wyoming

Clare Gunshenan is an Outreach Science Educator for the Science and Mathematics Teaching Center at the University of Wyoming. She brings a background in non-formal science education instruction, coordination, and research, including how non-formal science learning can support the... Read More →

Tuesday August 5, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Salon D

Science

2:00pm PDT

Wyoming Youth Resilience Project - Malcolm Wallop Civic Engagement Program LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Salon E

The purpose of the Wyoming Resilience Youth Project is to create a community of practice for Wyoming educators to empower youth voices through curriculum and applied practice. As a response to Governor Gordon’s Reimagining and Innovating the Delivery of Education (RIDE) Initiative focused on youth life skills and community involvement, the project proposes to work with teachers to help their students to be engaged citizens. The goal is to partner with 25 teachers to collect youth perspectives about barriers and opportunities in educational attainment, employment, and community resilience that will be showcased locally and on a public interactive map. The project employs PhotoVoice – a research methodology designed to capture people’s perspectives of their lives through photography and narrative. By capturing Wyomingites’ experiences, in their voices, the project adds a rich context and texture to economic and behavioral data, which can be used in Wyoming college & K-12 classrooms, to inform community and state economic development priorities, and to develop a deeper understanding of what resilience means in different Wyoming communities. This session will provide information about the overall project, provide participants with an understanding of the PhotoVoice method, share curricular resources to support teacher participation, and discuss specifics about how teachers can partner with the UW Wallop Civic Engagement Program across 2025-26 in this project.

Speakers

Jason McConnell

Jean Garrison

Professor, University of Wyoming

Tuesday August 5, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT
Salon E

Social Studies & Civics

2:45pm PDT

PM SNACK LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 2:45pm - 3:15pm PDT

Conference Center Lobby

Tuesday August 5, 2025 2:45pm - 3:15pm PDT
Conference Center Lobby

3:15pm PDT

Word Power: Explicit Vocabulary Strategies for Enhanced Literacy

Tuesday August 5, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT

Salon A

This session will allow educators to make a measurable and direct impact on students’ literacy development- especially multilingual students and readers currently not on grade level. By using this explicit vocabulary instruction students will be more confident, engaged and motivated socially and academically.
Evidence-Based Practices: Learn a proven, structured model for teaching vocabulary that accelerates acquisition for all students, especially those who may struggle with language or reading.
Targeted for Multilingual & Low Readers: Discover strategies designed specifically for diverse classrooms, where multilingual students and low readers often face additional barriers in literacy development.
Boost Self-Esteem & Engagement: Students build participation confidence, increasing their motivate to be engaged in classroom discussions and activities while mastering vocabulary.
Improved Reading Comprehension: Daily, focused vocabulary practice leads to long-term benefits, including noticeable gains in reading comprehension, allowing students to become well-rounded, literate individuals who can tackle complex texts with ease.
Practical Takeaways: Walk away with ready-to-implement strategies that provide ongoing practice for your students and can be seamlessly integrated into your current curriculum. Join us to learn how small, daily steps can lead to massive literacy growth!

Speakers

Nohemi Perea

Middle School Assistant Principal, Carbon County School District 1

For the past 18 years, I’ve lived in Rawlins, Wyoming.Throughout that time, I’ve dedicated myself to education, growth, and building strong relationships with students and families. My journey began as a one-on-one SPED paraprofessional while earning my teaching degree—an experience... Read More →

Tuesday August 5, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
Salon A

English Language Arts (ELA)

3:15pm PDT

Meeting Mental Health and Wellness Needs LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT

Salon C

Mental health and wellness is an important part of all educators lives, whether the educator is a teacher, paraprofessional, administrator, related service provided and student. Self-care builds resilience for all. We all have needs that impact our daily lives and practicing mental health and wellness through Maslow's hierarchy of needs is an essential starting point for building not only the foundation of basic needs to fulfilling needs at the highest level of connecting to something greater than oneself. This session takes a look at each of the six needs and provides research-based and easy to implement strategies for living a need filled life at each level of the hierarchy to stabilize our lives to be our ultimate best self.

Speakers

Tyler Ruby

Special Education Teacher, Uinta County School District

Wyoming Education Association Southwest Region PresidentWyoming Education Association Southwest Region Mental Health & Wellness ChampionWyoming's First Fully Certified Marzano High Reliability TeacherQPR GatekeeperTrue Colors TrainerSchool Safety ChairHigh Reliability School Leader... Read More →

Tuesday August 5, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
Salon C

Mental Health

3:15pm PDT

How to make learning experiences in science more meaningful, rigorous, and equitable for students LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT

Salon F

Students often see science as terms to remember or procedures to follow. The workshop will introduce an instructional model called Argument-Driven Inquiry that can be used to create learning experiences that are meaningful, rigorous, and equitable from the perspective of students by giving them opportunities to use science to figure out how and why phenomenon happen in the world around them.

Speakers

Victor Sampson

Associate Professor of STEM Education, The University of Texas at Austin

Dr. Sampson's research examines how culturally and linguistically diverse groups of students participate in the practices of science, engineering, and mathematics and how to organize the interactions that take place between students, materials, and ideas in ways that promote and support... Read More →

Tuesday August 5, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
Salon F

Science

3:15pm PDT

Packing the West: A Classroom History Series LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT

Salon D

Packing the West is designed to inspire in students a curiosity about the history of the American West, an appreciation of its literature, and the desire to explore these areas further. They will learn about historical topics by watching students like themselves meet historical characters in a series of short videos. They have an opportunity to learn more through a series of classroom activities, and independent reading as teachers can utilize packets of supplemental curricula materials for each topic.

This session will be presented by one of the creators of the programs. If scheduling allows one of the student actors who brings the stories to life also will be involved.

Speakers

Candy Moulton

Writer/Film Producer

I am a writer and film producer. I was the project lead for development of Packing the West - a series of classroom videos that deal with the Western American Experience on such topics and Overland Trails, Western Women, Frontier Characters, and Native Americans. The films and supplemental... Read More →

Tuesday August 5, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
Salon D

Social Studies & Civics

3:15pm PDT

Ready For Take Off! Launching into Life After High School LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT

Salon E

This session will engage educators by demonstrating effective student strategies that create relevance and boost engagement in high school. Participants will learn how to connect today's curriculum with students' future goals and dreams, fostering a smoother transition to adulthood.

Speakers

Jennifer Wilson

Lesley DeBono

Tuesday August 5, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
Salon E

Special Education (SPED)

3:15pm PDT

Canvas and Chords: Unlocking Creative Potential in the Classroom LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT

Salon B

Ready to bring your classroom to life? Imagine blending the rhythm of music with the vibrancy of art through fun, hands-on, and movement activities that spark creativity and engage students in exciting new ways. Join us for a dynamic workshop where you'll discover how to integrate art and music to boost imagination, enhance learning, and bring new life to your classroom.

Speakers

Shelby Clason

Art Teacher, Campbell County School District

Hello! I’m Shelby Clason—a proud mom of two amazing kids and the art teacher at Wagonwheel Elementary in Gillette, Wyoming. I’m passionate about fostering a creative mindset in both my students and fellow educators. With a Master’s Degree in Integrating Art in the Classroom... Read More →

Sonja Brue

Tuesday August 5, 2025 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
Salon B

Student Engagement Strategies

4:15pm PDT

Conference Wrap Up and Prizes LIMITED

Tuesday August 5, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm PDT

Gateway Ballroom

Tuesday August 5, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm PDT
Gateway Ballroom