SLV Fall Educators Conference 2026

Friday September 11, 2026 8:30am - 8:50am MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Friday September 11, 2026 8:30am - 8:50am MDT
Richardson Hall (Auditorium) Richardson Hall, 208 Edgemont Blvd, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

8:50am MDT

The Life-Changing Power of Inclusion in Education Empowering Educators with Confidence & Optimism (KEYNOTE)

Friday September 11, 2026 8:50am - 10:00am MDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Mickey Rowe, Founding Artistic Director of the National Disability Theatre, helps make Universally Designed Instruction easy and fun.20 – 25% of the population is disabled, according to the CDC. Therefore teachers already interact with students with disabilities, IDEA, and IEPs daily. Mickey empowers educators to make that aspect of every teacher’s day a little easier and less stressful.When...
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Speakers

Mckey Rowe

Mickey Rowe (he/him) is an acclaimed autistic and legally blind author, actor, and speaker whose groundbreaking work has reshaped the landscape of disability representation in the arts. He made history as the first autistic actor to play the lead role of Christopher Boone in the Tony... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 8:50am - 10:00am MDT
Richardson Hall (Auditorium) Richardson Hall, 208 Edgemont Blvd, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

10:20am MDT

Fearlessly Inclusive

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

Limited Capacity full

In this engaging session, Mickey shares his deeply personal story of growing up autistic and pushing beyond the restrictions of a special education classroom to shine on the Broadway stage. As an autistic and legally blind person, it was always made clear to Mickey the many things he was apparently incapable of doing. But Mickey did them all anyway—and he succeeded because of, not in spite of,...
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Speakers

Mckey Rowe

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
Richardson Hall (Auditorium) Richardson Hall, 208 Edgemont Blvd, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

10:20am MDT

AI and The Environment — What Objections Do We Handle, Which Do We Join?

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 301)

Limited Capacity seats available

I guarantee every one of you has heard an AI objection from your staff and students. There is a proven way to address them while steering use.AI Ethics is about much more than water usage, and it is about much more than academic honesty. When it comes to AI, student and teacher objections start with the environmental impact, spiral into privacy concerns, and land on a deeper worry: that relying on...
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Speakers

Cole Emmanuel

360 Global Management, EF Education First

Cole Emmanuel has the most diverse education story you'll ever hear, and he's now leading AI Ethics, Adoption, and Change Management at the world's largest education company. As Cole moved around at a young age, he attended a performing arts school, a large public school, and a... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 301) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

Better Lessons Start with Great Teaching—and a Little AI (for 6th-12th)

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 101)

Limited Capacity seats available

What does a strong lesson actually look like from beginning to end—and how can AI help us plan one more efficiently? In this interactive session, participants will experience a complete lesson as learners while we pause along the way to unpack the instructional decisions behind it. We’ll examine how all the pieces work together to create effective teaching and learning. With secondary learners...
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Speakers

Adrienne Turner

ELA Coordinator, Deer Creek Public Schools

Adrienne Turner is an educator, instructional leader, author, and speaker with nearly two decades of experience supporting teachers and improving student outcomes. She serves as the English Language Arts Coordinator for Deer Creek School District in Oklahoma, and is the coauthor of... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 101) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

Beyond the Report: How Educators Make Magic with MAP Growth Data

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

Richardson Hall (Room 140, Second Floor)

Limited Capacity seats available

Designing Data Experiences That Move Educators from Awareness to Action

Speakers

Susan Schorer

Account Executive, Center for Model Schools, a division of HMH

Susan Schorer is an Account Executive with the Center for Model Schools, a division of HMH. A former special education teacher, Susan partners with school and district leaders across the West to support literacy, leadership development, school improvement, and student success initiatives... Read More →

Kelli Shipp

Senior Account Manager, NWEA, a division of HMH

Kelli Shipp is a Senior Account Manager with NWEA supporting over 90 districts in Colorado in utilizing their MAP data. She brings more than 30 years of experience in education. Her background includes classroom teaching, literacy instruction, professional learning, and supporting... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
Richardson Hall (Room 140, Second Floor) Richardson Hall, 208 Edgemont Blvd, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

Beyond the Threat Assessment: Building Effective Support Plans

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 204)

Limited Capacity seats available

The risk assessment process is designed to identify students who may be experiencing significant distress or posing a potential risk of harm. However, the assessment itself is only the beginning. What happens next is critical. This session focuses on the essential step of translating assessment findings into meaningful, individualized student support plans that address underlying needs while...
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Speakers

Amy Miglinas

Southwest Regional Training Consultant, Office of School Safety- CDPS

Amy Miglinas, a Michigan native, has called southwest Colorado home for nearly 29 years. Amy has dedicated her career to improving the educational landscape for students and school staff alike. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and Career & Technical Education from... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 204) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

Engagement by Design: Get Them Moving, Talking, and Thinking

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

Student Union Building (Room 309)

Limited Capacity seats available

Engagement is more than students being quiet, on task, or having fun. It’s about what they are doing, feeling, and thinking. In this interactive session, participants will experience practical strategies designed to increase behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement across grade levels and content areas.

Speakers

Jennifer Ingram

Math & STEM Curriculum Coordinator, Deer Creek Schools

Jennifer Ingram is a curriculum and instruction leader dedicated to supporting teachers in building clear, standards-based systems that drive student learning. With over 20 years of experience in education, she has helped schools transform learning by aligning curriculum, assessment... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
Student Union Building (Room 309) 1603 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

From Burnout to Balance: Educator Wellness Strategies

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 243)

Limited Capacity full

Educators dedicate themselves each day to supporting the academic, social, and emotional needs of their students, often at the expense of their own well-being. This interactive session focuses on helping educators recognize the importance of caring for themselves so they can continue showing up for others. Participants will explore how their own life experiences can influence their work,...
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Speakers

Haley Gallas

Mental Health Counselor, Alamosa High School

I am Haley Gallas and I currently serve as the mental health counselor at Alamosa High School. I have my Bachelors in Psychology, Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and my licensure in Special Education and School Counseling. I have worked in a variety of settings and... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 243) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

Getting Started with ViewSonic & myViewBoard (Elementary School Teachers)

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

Student Union Building (Banquet Room)

Limited Capacity seats available

Note that this session will be geared towards Elementary School teacher's workflows.Turn your interactive display into an active learning hub. In this hands-on session, you’ll master the essentials of your ViewSonic panel and the myViewBoard ecosystem, without the tech overwhelm. Learn how to navigate panel hardware, access cloud files directly from Google Drive and leverage built-in annotation...
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Speakers

Daniel Sharpe

Sr PD Trainer, ViewSonic

With a career spanning the classroom, instructional coaching, and school administration in Aurora and Denver Public Schools, Daniel Sharpe understands the real-world demands on educators. Holding a Master’s in Instructional Technology, he has trained educators nationwide with Google... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
Student Union Building (Banquet Room) 1603 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

How to handle grief in the classroom.

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

Student Union Building ( Room 302)

Limited Capacity seats available

No one likes to talk about death. We feel it is a taboo issue we don't want to get tainted by. The reality is we are all effected by it. Our peers and students look to us for support when death happens. So lets start by learning how to talk about it.

Speakers

Sarah Hicks

Director and Teacher, Sierra Grande School

I am a preschool teacher and new director. This will be my fifth year in the classroom. I love to read and write in my spare time or do arts and crafts. I take care of my teenage nephew and my small farm.

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
Student Union Building ( Room 302) 1603 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

Kindergarten Emergent Literacy Skills & Routines

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

Business (217)

Limited Capacity seats available

First I presented this class three times in the spring session and had 8 to 10 peers in each session I think and they really seem to enjoy it and had great participation. So this would be a repeat class (if that is allowed) and would need to be stated so people do not sign up who already attended. I am not sure if this is allowed but I feel like there are so many teachers who attend...
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Speakers

Sherri Crowder

middle school & high school ELAR, Moffat CSD

I have lived in the Valley my whole life. I have been the instructional coach at Moffat the past 5 years and am now currently teaching 6th -12th ELAR.

Toni Kayser

Kindergarten Teacher, Moffat CSD

This is my 29th year teaching with a focus on primary grades. This is my 13th year teaching kindergarten. This is my 5th year teaching in the Valley in Moffat, Colorado. I have taught GT, ESL, dual language, and multi level classes.

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
Business (217)

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10:20am MDT

Mapping MTSS Success: A Trail Guide for Pre-K-12 Literacy Teachers and Leaders

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

Carson Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

Helping every student reach their destination begins with a clear map through the lens of an MTSS prevention-based model. Join us as we discover how to move beyond compliance and toward meaningful, student-centered literacy instruction through a data-based problem solving to improved outcomes. Through the lens of a hiking journey, we'll examine the research, unpack assessment best practices, and...
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Speakers

Jessica Rowell

National Academic Advisor, Renaissance Learning

Since 1986, our mission has remained the same: To accelerate learning for all children and adults of all ability levels and ethnic and social backgrounds, worldwide.Today, more than 40 percent of US schools rely on Renaissance solutions for data and insights to equitably move learning... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
Carson Auditorium

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10:20am MDT

Playing with Sound: A New Tool for All Teachers to Help Kids Have Fun with Computational Thinking

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

Adams State University Art Department (Room 227)

Limited Capacity seats available

In this hands-on workshop, teachers will play with Mflow, a free, publicly available tool created at the University of California, San Diego that helps students discover computational thinking through sound. Mflow is easy to learn and fun to use: students can build rhythms, create sound stories, and make ideas come alive through sound. Because it is highly adaptable, teachers can bring Mflow into...
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Speakers

Loraine Loretta B Smith Glidewell

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, Adams State University

Dr. Loraine Glidewell is an Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at Adams State University. Her work focuses on the intersection of rural education, STEM education, and teacher preparation. She is particularly interested in how rural places serve as rich contexts for science teaching... Read More →

Victor Hugo Minces

Research Scientist, University of California San Diego

Dr. Victor Hugo Minces is a research scientist at University of California, San Diego whose work bridges neuroscience, music, and education. Trained in both fine arts and physics at the University of Buenos Aires, he earned his Ph.D. in Computational Neurobiology and has published... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
Adams State University Art Department (Room 227) 401 Richardson Ave, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

Principal Mastermind Problem of Practice - A Working Session on Student Engagement

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 315)

Limited Capacity seats available

This session is for school and district administrators working with student engagement who want a room of colleagues to think alongside them.This session is not a presentation. It is a working group. In teams of three, you will bring a real challenge from your building or district and put it in front of colleagues who understand the work. Using the Mastermind Problem of Practice protocol from the...
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Speakers

Victory Molina

Professional Learning Coach, Colorado Department of Education

Victory Molina joined CDE in August of 2023 and is the Professional Learning Coach for the District Improvement Strategy Office in the Field Services and Supports Unit. Victory has been a Colorado public school educator in the Pikes Peak region since 2000 as a teacher, RtI Coordinator... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 315) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR): Suicide prevention Training

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 302)

Limited Capacity seats available

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is a brief suicide prevention training that teaches participants how to recognize warning signs, ask someone directly about suicide, and connect them with appropriate help. It focuses on giving people the confidence and skills to respond when someone may be at risk.

Speakers

Genesis Escalon

Regional School-Based Mental Health & Prevention professional , Suicide Lead, BOCES

Hi everyone! My name is Genesis Escalon, and I am a regional school-based mental health and prevention professional with BOCES. I grew up in the San Luis Valley and am passionate about helping students, educators, staff, and community members. I have seven years of experience in education... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 302) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

Strength-Based Approaches

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

Student Union Building (Room 318)

Limited Capacity seats available

The goal of this training is to provide insight to how strengths-based approaches with students and families can lead to better outcomes for them. This will provide scientific support to why leading with strengths with families and students are optimal for their successes.

Speakers

Jonatan Moser

Wraparound Facilitator, Center for Restorative Programs

Jonatan Moser began as the Wraparound Facilitator at Center for Restorative Programs in August of 2022. He coordinates with organizations and families to provide community services and resources to families. Before his time at CRP, Jonatan was at the Immigrant Resource Center teaching... Read More →

Teri Sisneros

Family Support Partner, Center for Restorative Programs

Teri has been providing Wraparound support to families since 2014 through our HB 1451 Collaborative. She provides a family perspective in the routine operations and development of the program. In this role, the Family Support Partner uses personal and professional life experience... Read More →

Matthew L. Tulley

Director, San Luis Valley Joint Interagency Oversight Group

I'm Matthew Tulley, a Monte Vista, CO native driven by the mantra 'leave people better than how you found them.' I hold a BA in Clinical Psychology (Adams State University) and an MS in Positive Psychology (Arizona State University). After nearly 5 years in child welfare (Foster Care... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
Student Union Building (Room 318) 1603 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

Stronger Together: It Takes a Village

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 281)

Limited Capacity seats available

This presentation explores the critical role of family and community engagement in supporting children's mental health and success both at home and at school. Examine how strong partnerships between schools, community partners and families can foster emotional well-being, resilience, and positive academic and behavioral outcomes for children.

Speakers

Bonnie Ortega

Director of Children and Family Services, San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group

Director of Children and Family Services at San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group and oversee the in-home visiting and school-based programs focused on infant and early childhood mental health, children, youth and family services. I focus on trauma informed systems, wellness, Acudetox... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 281) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

The Regulated Reader How Emotional Safety Drives Literacy

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

Nielsen Library (Room 316)

Limited Capacity seats available

Before students can take risks as readers, they have to feel safe enough to try. This session explores how emotional regulation impacts attention, engagement, comprehension, and literacy growth. Educators will leave with practical strategies to create safe, connected classrooms where students are ready to read, think, struggle, and grow.

Speakers

Misti Woltz

Consultant, Mountain Valley School District

I’m Misti Woltz, an educational consultant with 21+ years of experience in education, specializing in K–12 literacy, MTSS, data-driven instruction, and school improvement. My background includes Special Education, Administration, and extensive work in Title I schools. I’m passionate... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
Nielsen Library (Room 316)

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10:20am MDT

The Secret Sauce to Success: How Family, School, and Community Partnerships transforms student success

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 206)

Limited Capacity seats available

Family, School, and Community Partnerships (FSCP) are the essential ingredient that transforms good practices into great outcomes. When families and schools collaborate intentionally, students experience a sense of belonging, shared accountability, and consistent support across environments. Research consistently shows that strong FSCP leads to higher attendance, increased engagement, and improved...
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Speakers

Jamie Madigan

Senior Consultant in the Office of Family, School, and Community Partnerships (FSCP) at the Colorado Department of Education, Colorado Department of Education

Jamie Madigan, M.Ed., is a Senior Consultant in the Office of Family, School, and Community Partnerships (FSCP) at the Colorado Department of Education. She is passionate about the positive outcomes that arise from the intentional implementation of Family, School, and Community Partnerships... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 11:10am MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 206) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

By Invitation Only: Examining Early Literacy Data

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 306)

Limited Capacity seats available

This session is designed for Literacy Council members to examine early literacy data, identify strengths and areas of need, and consider how data can inform literacy priorities and instructional support.

Speakers

Sarah White

Regional Literacy Coordinator, San Luis Valley BOCES

Sarah is a literacy professional who brings extensive experience supporting schools, districts, and states in implementing effective literacy practices. Her work focuses on strengthening literacy instruction, building educator capacity, and developing systems that support improved... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 306) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

By Invitation Only: Gaining Traction: The Four Elements of a Literacy System (Part One of a three-part series for Principals)

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT

Student Union Building (Room 301)

Limited Capacity seats available

Strong literacy outcomes rarely come from a single initiative done well. They come from four elements, professional learning, data use, collaborative structures, and high-quality standards-aligned instructional materials, working together on purpose. This series is designed to build principals' understanding of how these elements function individually and how they create traction when they work in...
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Speakers

Cindy Ward

Chief Education Systems Improver, Onward Consulting

Cindy Ward works with rural schools and districts across the state to bring a systems lens to school and district improvement. She holds a doctorate in Education System Improvement Science and is the lead consultant at ONWARD Education Consulting.

Jackie Webb

Educational Consultant, J Webb Educational Consulting

Jackie Webb is a lifelong educator who brings more than 30 years of experience to her work with Colorado schools and districts. Before starting J Webb Educational Consulting in 2018, she served as a district chief academic officer and in executive leadership roles with the Colorado... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT
Student Union Building (Room 301) 1603 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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global Y

10:20am MDT

CALLING ALL NEW TEACHERS!! Thrive, Don’t Just Survive: Creating a Community for New Teachers in the SLV with Those Who Have Taught Five Years or Less

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 208)

Limited Capacity seats available

This session will feature a panel discussion designed as an open, semi‑structured forum where new teachers with one to five years of experience and principals can engage in free‑flowing questions, collaborative brainstorming, and share the darndest things students say.

Speakers

Acacia Nadeau-Lara

Program Coordinator/Student Advisor, Adams State University's School of Education

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado, and a Master of Arts in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education from Adams State University. I have experience teaching Kindergarten through 5th grade and spent most of my teaching... Read More →

Dr. Justine Schwarz

Assistant Professor of Education, Adams State University

Dr. Justine Schwarz holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Truman State in Kirksville, Missouri, a Masters in Teaching and Leadership from St. Xavier University in Chicago, and a doctorate in Cognition and Instruction from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix. Dr... Read More →

Veronica Starcher

COMTSS Specialist, Colorado Department of Education

Veronica Starcher, M.A. Is a COMTSS Specialist at the Colorado Department of Education, she has 20 years teaching experience in elementary music, math/reading interventions, and online courses, 16 years implementing and supporting Schook Wide and Classroom PBIS, 5 years co-lead COMTSS... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 208) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

Frontline Essentials for NEW Special Education Teachers: Navigating Programs, IEPs, and Student Transfers in the San Luis Valley

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT

Nielsen Library (Room 302)

Limited Capacity seats available

This session provides a practical overview for new to Special Education Teachers, of key Frontline processes, including how to open programs, complete IEPs, and process student transfers. We will also address common questions and walk through step-by-step solutions to ensure accuracy and confidence when using the system.

Speakers

Anthony 'Tone' Silva

Special Education Program Assistant/Student Enrollment Recruiter, San Luis Valley BOCES

Anthony Silva grew up and graduated in the San Luis Valley. he now serves as the SLV BOCES Special Education Program Assistant in charge of data, BOCES Webmaster, and Student Enrollment Recruiter. He is passionate about supporting educators, schools, and students and making a positive... Read More →

Stephanie Brunelli

Regional Special Education Teacher Mentor, San Luis Valley BOCES

Stephanie is a long time SLV educator, teacher, and special education instructor who now serves as Special Education Teacher Coach, focusing support on new and alternative licensure SPED teachers.

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT
Nielsen Library (Room 302) 1701 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

Purposeful Tech for Digital First Learners: Application, Not a Substitution for Thinking

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT

Student Union Building (Room 315)

Limited Capacity seats available

In this session, K–12 teachers will explore purposeful technology for digital-first learners used in middle school math, with transferable ideas for other subject areas. We’ll focus on using tools like TI Rovers, LEGO Robotics, graphing calculators, and simulations to help students apply standards-based skills and deepen reasoning so that technology supports thinking, not replaces it.

Speakers

Chrissy McKinney

Middle School Mathematics Teacher, Sangre de Cristo Schools

Hi everyone! I’m Chrissy, and I’m a middle school mathematics teacher with over 25 years of experience in education. I’m passionate about using innovative approaches to engage students and helping them see the exciting possibilities in life that connect directly to their go... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT
Student Union Building (Room 315) 1603 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

Say What You Mean: Objectives, Standards, and the Difference That Matters

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT

Richardson Hall (Room 109, Second Floor)

Limited Capacity seats available

Every teacher has written "students will understand fractions" and known it doesn't quite hold up — this session closes that gap. Working with real examples, we'll sort standards, objectives, and activities until the difference stops being a vague rule and starts being something you can hear in your own writing. Bring a lesson you're teaching this week, and leave with a clearer, more effective...
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Speakers

Andra Brill

Staff Developer, PEBC

Andra Brill, Ph.D. has spent nearly thirty years in K–12 education — as a teacher, literacy specialist, coach, and consultant — working alongside educators and district leaders to support effective classrooms through coaching, literacy planning, and professional learning that sticks. She consu... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT
Richardson Hall (Room 109, Second Floor) Richardson Hall, 208 Edgemont Blvd, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

The Masterpiece Files: Visual Search, AI Research & Shrinky Dink Art

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 304)

Limited Capacity full

In this session, students will become Art Detectives as they investigate a famous work of art using Google Gemini. Students will begin with an unidentified artwork and use Gemini’s visual search tool to discover the title of the artwork and the artist who created it.Once the artwork has been identified, students will learn how to write effective AI prompts to guide their research. Rather than...
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Speakers

Jimmy Crane

Art / GT programming, ASD

I have been teaching at Alamosa Elementary School for 14 years, where I currently teach Art and support GT Programming for students in grades 3–5. I graduated from Adams State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics, with additional emphasis in drawing and painting... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 304) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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10:20am MDT

The Student Behind the Behavior: Understanding Executive Dysfunction, Regulation, and Access

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 387)

Limited Capacity full

The Student Behind the Behavior: Understanding Executive Dysfunction, Regulation, and AccessKey Takeaway: A student may know what to do and still struggle to access the skills needed to do it in the moment.This interactive session explores executive dysfunction through a student-centered lens, helping educators look beyond challenging behavior to consider the executive-function skills that...
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Speakers

Stella Maez

School Based Mental Health and Prevention Professional, San Luis Valley BOCES

My name is Stella Maez and I am a native to the San Luis Valley. I have taught 4th grade for 3 years, been a School Counselor for 11 years, have worked with after school programming, and now I am with BOCES. I love to cook and enjoy nature. I recently have learned how to ride... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 10:20am - 12:20pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 387) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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11:30am MDT

Engagement by Design: Get Them Moving, Talking, and Thinking

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 11:45am MDT

Student Union Building (Room 309)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Jennifer Ingram

Math & STEM Curriculum Coordinator, Deer Creek Schools

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 11:45am MDT
Student Union Building (Room 309) 1603 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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11:30am MDT

The Regulated Reader How Emotional Safety Drives Literacy

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:10pm MDT

Nielsen Library (Room 316)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Misti Woltz

Consultant, Mountain Valley School District

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:10pm MDT
Nielsen Library (Room 316)

common

11:30am MDT

AI and The Environment — What Objections Do We Handle, Which Do We Join?

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 301)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Cole Emmanuel

360 Global Management, EF Education First

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 301) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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11:30am MDT

Become a Teacher in Colorado

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 119)

Interested in becoming a teacher in the San Luis Valley? Teaching in rural Colorado is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on students, families, and the future of your community. Whether you're a paraprofessional, school staff member, career changer, or simply exploring the profession, this session will help you navigate the path to earning your Colorado teaching license.A representative from...
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Speakers

Travis Garoutte

Educator Recruitment and Retention Specialist, Colorado Department of Education

Travis is an Educator Recruitment and Retention Specialist with the Colorado Department of Education, where he has served since 2022. With more than 28 years of experience in education, he is dedicated to supporting students, educators and school leaders across Colorado. Throughout... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 119) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

11:30am MDT

Better Lessons Start with Great Teaching—and a Little AI (for K-5th)

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 101)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Adrienne Turner

ELA Coordinator, Deer Creek Public Schools

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 101) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

11:30am MDT

Building Norms & Strategies for Meaningful Student Dialogue

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

Nielsen Library (Room 315)

Limited Capacity seats available

Participants will explore how student-created norms can build trust, respect, and accountability before engaging in Socratic Seminar. By giving students ownership of the expectations for discussion, educators can foster meaningful student-led conversations, strengthen communication skills, and help students practice respectful, diplomatic dialogue. Participants will learn practical strategies for...
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Speakers

Gail Martinez

English Teacher, Alamosa High School

Gail is a sixth-generation native of the San Luis Valley. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English/Secondary Education and her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Adams State University. With 24 years of experience as an educator, Gail has spent 19 years serving... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
Nielsen Library (Room 315) 1701 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

11:30am MDT

District 8 FBLA information

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

Student Union Building (Room 318)

Limited Capacity seats available

Help FBLA advisers in District 8 with any questions that they have to prepare for the 2026-2027 year

Speakers

Stephanie McBartlett

Sargent HS Business teacher, FBLA adviser, FBLA State Officer Adviser and FBLA District 8 Board Member, CTE Director at, Sargent High School

Sargent HS Business teacher, FBLA adviser, FBLA State Officer Adviser and FBLA District 8 Board Member, CTE Director at Sargent

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
Student Union Building (Room 318) 1603 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

11:30am MDT

From Reactive to Ready: The Evolution of School Safety

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 204)

Limited Capacity seats available

School safety is no longer just about responding to crises; it is about preventing them through structured, consistent, and collaborative threat assessment. Superintendents and district leaders across the state have identified a critical vulnerability: the lack of a unified protocol. We can mitigate fragmented communication between schools, mental health professionals, and law enforcement that put...
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Speakers

Amy Miglinas

Southwest Regional Training Consultant, Office of School Safety- CDPS

Abigail Rendón

South Central Regional Training Consultant, Office of School Safety- CDPS

Abigail Rendón, M.S.

Abigail Rendón serves as the South Central Regional Training Consultant for the Colorado Office of School Safety. She brings 20 years of experience working in rural Colorado schools, often with limited resources, and is committed to supporting the unique needs of schools and communi... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 204) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

11:30am MDT

Getting Started with ViewSonic & myViewBoard (Secondary Teachers)

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

Student Union Building (Banquet Room)

Limited Capacity seats available

Note that this session will be geared towards Secondary TeachersTurn your interactive display into an active learning hub. In this hands-on session, you’ll master the essentials of your ViewSonic panel and the myViewBoard ecosystem, without the tech overwhelm. Learn how to navigate panel hardware, access cloud files directly from Google Drive and leverage built-in annotation and whiteboarding...
See More →

Speakers

Daniel Sharpe

Sr PD Trainer, ViewSonic

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
Student Union Building (Banquet Room) 1603 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

11:30am MDT

Hidden Cost of Achievement: Anxiety, Burnout & Gifted Learners

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

Business (218)

Limited Capacity seats available

Behind the appearance of effortless achievement, many gifted learners experience significant anxiety, perfectionism, stress, and burnout. The pressure to excel, coupled with heightened sensitivity and asynchronous development, can negatively impact both well-being and performance. Supporting gifted students requires intentional attention to performance-based perfectionism and school-related...
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Speakers

Robin Granville

Gifted and Talented Coordinator, San Luis Valley BOCES

Robin Shirley-Granville is an experienced educator who has served the San Luis Valley BOCES as its GT Coordinator for many years.

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
Business (218)

common

11:30am MDT

Kindergarten Emergent Literacy Skills & Routines

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

Business (217)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Sherri Crowder

middle school & high school ELAR, Moffat CSD

I have lived in the Valley my whole life. I have been the instructional coach at Moffat the past 5 years and am now currently teaching 6th -12th ELAR.

Toni Kayser

Kindergarten Teacher, Moffat CSD

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
Business (217)

common

11:30am MDT

Mapping MTSS Success: A Trail Guide for Pre-K-12 Literacy Teachers and Leaders

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

Carson Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Jessica Rowell

National Academic Advisor, Renaissance Learning

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
Carson Auditorium

common

11:30am MDT

Playing with Sound: A New Tool for All Teachers to Help Kids Have Fun with Computational Thinking

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

Adams State University Art Department (Room 227)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Loraine Loretta B Smith Glidewell

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, Adams State University

Victor Hugo Minces

Research Scientist, University of California San Diego

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
Adams State University Art Department (Room 227) 401 Richardson Ave, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

11:30am MDT

Principal Mastermind Problem of Practice - A Working Session on Student Engagement

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 315)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Victory Molina

Professional Learning Coach, Colorado Department of Education

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 315) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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11:30am MDT

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR): Suicide prevention Training

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 302)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Genesis Escalon

Regional School-Based Mental Health & Prevention professional , Suicide Lead, BOCES

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 302) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

11:30am MDT

Take care of yourself so you can take care of others - Acudetox/Acuwellness

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 281)

Limited Capacity full

Introduces Acudetox as a wellness-based practice and explores how it can be a part of your healthy self-care strategy to support stress management, emotional well-being and overall wellness. Learn practical approaches for sustaining good wellness strategies while considering holistic approaches to support yourself while supporting others. You will be given a 30 minute Acudetox treatment during...
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Speakers

Bonnie Ortega

Director of Children and Family Services, San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 281) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

11:30am MDT

The Golden Thread: Connecting the Pieces of the IEP

FILLING

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

Student Union Building ( Room 302)

Limited Capacity filling up

This session focuses on connecting student needs throughout the IEP. Participants will look at how evaluation data, present levels, skill-based goals, accommodations, services, and progress monitoring should work together to create a meaningful skill-focused IEP.

Speakers

David Atencio

Director of Instructional Leadership, San Luis Valley BOCES

David Atencio is a longtime teacher and special educator who now serves as the SLV BOCES Director of Instructional Leadership, a role that includes special education identification processes, IEP development, and RTI/504 plan support.

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
Student Union Building ( Room 302) 1603 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

11:30am MDT

The Secret Sauce to Success: How Family, School, and Community Partnerships transforms student success

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 206)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Jamie Madigan

Senior Consultant in the Office of Family, School, and Community Partnerships (FSCP) at the Colorado Department of Education, Colorado Department of Education

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 206) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

11:30am MDT

Think Like a Maker: Bringing STEAM and Art Into Any Classroom

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

Richardson Hall (Room 140, Second Floor)

Limited Capacity seats available

This interactive session shares practical, hands-on ways to integrate STEAM and the arts into any subject area. Participants will explore adaptable activities such as Morse code bracelets, 3D pen design challenges, air-dry clay modeling, and LEGO based problem solving that naturally connect to math, science, ELA, social studies, and technology.Designed for educators of all grade levels and content...
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Speakers

Maria Fleming

PreK-12 Art Teacher / Innovation Lab Coordinator, Sierra Grande School

Hi! I’m Maria Fleming, a preK–12 art teacher and Innovation Lab Coordinator in rural Colorado. I’ve spent the last nine years teaching students of all ages and love finding ways to blend traditional art-making with technology, problem solving, and hands on learning. My work... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
Richardson Hall (Room 140, Second Floor) Richardson Hall, 208 Edgemont Blvd, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

11:30am MDT

Trauma-Informed Care: What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do:

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 243)

Limited Capacity seats available

This training provides an overview of trauma and its impact on students in the school setting, including the common warning signs of trauma and suicide that educators may observe in the classroom. Participants will learn the principles of trauma-informed care, practical strategies for responding to student concerns and disclosures, and approaches for building trusting relationships with students....
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Speakers

Haley Gallas

Mental Health Counselor, Alamosa High School

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 243) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

11:30am MDT

Using AI to Increase Classroom Engagement- Targeted for Elementary Teachers

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 117)

Limited Capacity seats available

I want to present on: Using AI -> Elementary Classroom Engagement Somethings I've used AI for to increase student engagement that I want to share with educators in the valley include:Various ABC charts to fit my students interest and increase their engagement: for example a lego themed ABC chart. Coloring sheets that fit the graduate profiles for our school district, a coloring sheet...
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Speakers

Sami Cotten

First Grade Teacher, Alamosa School District, K-2

This is my 8th year in education. This will be my fifth year in first grade, but I have also spent time as an elementary PE teacher and an assistant principal. Through these experiences I've learned just how important student engagement is when it comes to student learning and success... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 117) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

11:30am MDT

Using Google Earth in your Science or Social Studies Classroom

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 308)

Limited Capacity seats available

Geoscience and environmental education help students understand Earth systems, environmental change, and human landscape interactions. This hands-on session introduces Google Earth as a powerful, free classroom tool, no prior experience required, all skill levels welcome.Participants will learn platform basics including navigation, adding layers (topographic maps, cities, rivers), Street...
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Speakers

Chayan Lahiri

Assistant Professor, Adams State University

Chayan Lahiri is originally from India, where he earned his undergraduate degree in geology. He holds master’s and doctoral degrees in hydrogeology and has two years of professional experience with an environmental engineering firm. Since joining the faculty at Adams State University... Read More →

Michele Mann

Associate Professor, Adams State University

Michele Mann received her bachelor’s degree from Furman University in biology with science teacher licensure. She completed a Master of Arts degree in Biology (with an emphasis in education) from the University of South Florida. Michele earned her Ph.D. in STEM Education from... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:20pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 308) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

AI-Powered Pedagogy: Deepening Student Thinking with Gemini Gems & Notebook

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

Student Union Building (Room 309)

Limited Capacity seats available

You’ve tried AI for quick ideas - now discover how to leverage Google’s latest tools to drive research-based instructional strategies! This hands-on session introduces Gemini Gems (customizable, reusable task assistants) and Gemini Notebook (a source-grounded hub that synthesizes your actual curriculum PDFs and state standards). Discover step-by-step how to automate repetitive prep while...
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Speakers

Jennifer Ingram

Math & STEM Curriculum Coordinator, Deer Creek Schools

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
Student Union Building (Room 309) 1603 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

Blueprint for Belonging: Practical Steps to Build Classroom Community

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 243)

Limited Capacity seats available

By transforming the classroom into a micro-society, students co-govern the learning environment through democratic practices. This civic foundation naturally integrates with academics, as students utilize writing, language, math, and public speaking to solve real-world community challenges, bridging essential academic skills with active, participatory citizenship.

Speakers

Laura Heguy

3rd Grade Teacher, Alamosa Elementary School 3-5

With 34 years of classroom experience, Laura Heguy is a dedicated educator who currently teaches 3rd grade in the Alamosa School District—a grade level she is especially passionate about. Her career began at Center Public Schools, and she has also taught GED English classes for... Read More →

Elisamaria Heredia

3-5 ML Teacher, Alamosa Elementary School 3-5

Elisamaria Heredia brings 25 years of experience with the Alamosa School District, where she has devoted her career to supporting Multilingual Learners. She is currently in her third year as an adjunct professor at Adams State University, teaching ED-240: Mathematics for Elementary... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 243) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

Building Norms & Strategies for Meaningful Student Dialogue

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

Nielsen Library (Room 315)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Gail Martinez

English Teacher, Alamosa High School

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
Nielsen Library (Room 315) 1701 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

Building Safer Schools Together: Regional Safety PLC

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 204)

Limited Capacity seats available

Creating safe, secure, and supportive school environments requires collaboration that extends beyond district lines. This kickoff session marks the official launch of the San Luis BOCES Safety Director Professional Learning Community (PLC)—a regional network dedicated to empowering school safety personnel, district leaders, and community partners.In this interactive session, participants will...
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Speakers

Amy Miglinas

Southwest Regional Training Consultant, Office of School Safety- CDPS

Abigail Rendón

South Central Regional Training Consultant, Office of School Safety- CDPS

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 204) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

Ensuring Student Work Authenticity in an AI World

FILLING

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 387)

Limited Capacity filling up

This session focuses on how teachers can ensure student work authenticity in the exploding world of AI. The main focus will be on preventing inappropriate AI use by students to complete assignments rather than on after-the-fact detection. The session will begin first with a presentation of valuable techniques and tools teachers can use and then will open up for a round-table discussion...
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Speakers

Dirk Oden

Science Teacher, Monte Vista School District

Dirk Oden is a sem-retired science teacher and administrator with backgrounds in traditional, alternative, and online education.

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 387) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

Frontline Essentials for EXPEREINCED Special Education Teachers: Navigating Programs, IEPs, and Student Transfers in the San Luis Valley

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

Nielsen Library (Room 302)

Limited Capacity seats available

This session provides a practical overview of key Frontline processes, including how to open programs, complete IEPs, and process student transfers. We will also address common questions and walk through step-by-step solutions to ensure accuracy and confidence when using the system.

Speakers

Anthony 'Tone' Silva

Special Education Program Assistant/Student Enrollment Recruiter, San Luis Valley BOCES

Stephanie Brunelli

Regional Special Education Teacher Mentor, San Luis Valley BOCES

Stephanie is a long time SLV educator, teacher, and special education instructor who now serves as Special Education Teacher Coach, focusing support on new and alternative licensure SPED teachers.

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
Nielsen Library (Room 302) 1701 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

Getting Started with ViewSonic & myViewBoard (Secondary Teachers)

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

Student Union Building (Banquet Room)

Limited Capacity seats available

Note that this session is geared towards Secondary TeachersTurn your interactive display into an active learning hub. In this hands-on session, you’ll master the essentials of your ViewSonic panel and the myViewBoard ecosystem, without the tech overwhelm. Learn how to navigate panel hardware, access cloud files directly from Google Drive and leverage built-in annotation and whiteboarding tools...
See More →

Speakers

Daniel Sharpe

Sr PD Trainer, ViewSonic

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
Student Union Building (Banquet Room) 1603 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

Hidden Cost of Achievement: Anxiety, Burnout & Gifted Learners

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

Business (218)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Robin Granville

Gifted and Talented Coordinator, San Luis Valley BOCES

Robin Shirley-Granville is an experienced educator who has served the San Luis Valley BOCES as its GT Coordinator for many years.

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
Business (218)

common

1:40pm MDT

Living with Dyspraxia and Dyscalculia a Personal Account

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 304)

Limited Capacity seats available

Most educators are aware of Dyslexia, ADHD, and Autism. However, there are other disabillities that are not well known and it is vital to know how to identify, test, and accommodate students with disabillities such as dyspraxia and dyscalculia. This session would be most important for PE, Math teachers, and parents who may feel that their child may have these disabillities.

Speakers

Gina Ponce

Alamosa High School Spanish Teacher, Alamosa School District

Gina Ponce is currently a Spanish teacher at Alamosa High School. During her 30 years of education she has taught gifted and talented students for 20 years, Spanish level 1-AP for 20 years, department chair for multilingual students at AHS and Sierra Grande (k-12). She also teaches... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 304) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

Maximize Your Teaching! Classroom Strategies that Encourage Expected Behavior and Discourage Unexpected Behavior.

FILLING

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 208)

Limited Capacity filling up

A Repeat Session from 2025-2026 SV Educators Conference:
This session will give K-12 school staff the opportunity to learn, relearn several strategies to respond to expected and unexpected behavior in the classroom. The focus will be on evidence-based positive, proactive, and trauma infirmed strategies that support ALL learners.

Speakers

Veronica Starcher

Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports Specialist, Colorado Department of Education

Veronica is a COMTSS Specialist for the Office of Learning Supports at CDE and has a passion for classroom management techniques that build positive, predictable, and productive learning environments while helping teachers rediscover joy in their practice. She has been a resident of the San Luis Valley for more than 20 years and taught in the Monte Vista Public School District for 18 of those years. Veroni... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 208) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

One Classroom, Many Brains: Supporting Neurodiversity & Inclusion

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 308)

Limited Capacity full

Come explore neurodiversity and acquire practical strategies for addressing student needs. You will be exposed to all of Colorado's disability categories. The focus will be on inclusive interventions and accommodations for students qualifying for special education services under the categories of Other Health Impairment (specifically ADHD), Serious Emotional Disability, and Autism Spectrum...
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Speakers

Sarah Gears

School Psychologist, SLV BOCES

Sarah is a school psychologist who finds meaning in her work supporting neurodivergent students across educational settings. Her work focuses on understanding student needs through a strengths-based, inclusive lens and helping educators create learning environments where all students... Read More →

Karla Pabinquit-Stockley

School Psychologist, SLV BOCES

Karla is a dedicated educator and school psychologist with over 30 years of experience supporting students, families, and school communities. She has served in diverse settings across the San Luis Valley and Colorado. Blending her teaching experience, deep insight into mental... Read More →

Camille Villa

School Psychologist Intern, SLV BOCES

Camille is a School Psychologist Intern with a strong foundation as a former special education teacher, dedicated to advocating for students with diverse needs. Drawing from her experience as an after-school youth mentor and a Soldier in the Colorado Army National Guard, she brings... Read More →

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 308) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

Our Blind Spot — What the AI Working World Actually Needs from Your Graduates

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 301)

Limited Capacity seats available

Right now is the easiest it will ever be to get a seat at the tables where the big decisions about AI are being made. The ethical frameworks, the policies, the rules about what AI should and shouldn't do are being written right now, and educators and students NEED to be part of that conversation. But first, they need to get to the level of literacy and proven impact to influence those rooms. Most...
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Speakers

Cole Emmanuel

360 Global Management, EF Education First

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 301) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

global Y

1:40pm MDT

Playing with Sound: A New Tool for All Teachers to Help Kids Have Fun with Computational Thinking

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

Adams State University Art Department (Room 227)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Loraine Loretta B Smith Glidewell

Assistant Professor of Teacher Education, Adams State University

Victor Hugo Minces

Research Scientist, University of California San Diego

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
Adams State University Art Department (Room 227) 401 Richardson Ave, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

Project-Based Learning: Engaging Students for the Future

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

Richardson Hall (Room 109, Second Floor)

Limited Capacity seats available

PBL offers ready-to-use, standards-aligned PBL project units with built-in support—helping teachers save time, grow in confidence, and ignite student engagement, while leaders see consistent, successful implementation across classrooms and schools.

Speakers

Michelle 'Shelley' David

Tier 1 Instruction Teacher/Administrator Mentor/Coach, SLV BOCES

Former K-12 Principal/K-12 Educator with over 30 years of experience in education teaching elementary, middle, and high school along with experience in instructional coaching and curriculum.

Ms. Andrea 'Ande' Davis

Superintendent, Moffat School District

Superintendent from Moffat School District

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
Richardson Hall (Room 109, Second Floor) Richardson Hall, 208 Edgemont Blvd, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

Strategies for Deeper Thinking: With a Little Help from AI

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 101)

Limited Capacity seats available

Getting students to think deeply requires more than asking the right question. It requires giving them strategies for making their thinking visible. In this interactive K–12 session, we’ll explore two high-impact instructional strategies: generating and defending claims and examining errors in reasoning. Participants will experience both strategies as learners and explore practical ways to...
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Speakers

Adrienne Turner

ELA Coordinator, Deer Creek Public Schools

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 101) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

Strengthening Support

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

Business (217)

Limited Capacity seats available

A session about how the Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley can support and bridge the gap for the student's needs past the school day that is modeled after a typical club program.

Speakers

Tamra Jaquez

Unit Director of Alamosa Boys and Girls Club, Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley

Director of the Alamosa Boys and Girls Club dedicated to supporting the valley's youth

Shaymus McNerney

Assistant Director of Trauma Informed Services, Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley

A member of the BGCSLV Prevention Team with a passion for helping young people.

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
Business (217)

common

1:40pm MDT

The Golden Thread: Connecting the Pieces of the IEP

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

Student Union Building ( Room 302)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

David Atencio

Director of Instructional Leadership, San Luis Valley BOCES

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
Student Union Building ( Room 302) 1603 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

Think Like a Maker: Bringing STEAM and Art Into Any Classroom

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

Richardson Hall (Room 140, Second Floor)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Maria Fleming

PreK-12 Art Teacher / Innovation Lab Coordinator, Sierra Grande School

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
Richardson Hall (Room 140, Second Floor) Richardson Hall, 208 Edgemont Blvd, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

common

1:40pm MDT

Trauma Informed Work

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 281)

Limited Capacity seats available

Explore trauma-informed practices that help create safe, supportive, and predictable classroom environments for children when impacted by trauma. Learn practical strategies for recognizing trauma responses, building trust, supporting emotional regulation and promoting a positive learning environment.

Speakers

Bonnie Ortega

Director of Children and Family Services, San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 281) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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1:40pm MDT

Understanding Colorado Teacher Licensure: Pathways and Next Steps

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 306)

Limited Capacity seats available

Gain a clear understanding of Colorado’s educator licensure system and what it means for your career. This session highlights key pathways—including alternative, initial, and professional licenses—as well as options for adding endorsements and meeting renewal requirements. Learn how teachers can expand their credentials through endorsement pathways such as adding elementary education,...
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Speakers

Travis Garoutte

Educator Recruitment and Retention Specialist, Colorado Department of Education

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 306) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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1:40pm MDT

Using AI to Increase Classroom Engagement- Targeted for Elementary Teachers

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

McDaniel Hall (Room 117)

Limited Capacity seats available

Speakers

Sami Cotten

First Grade Teacher, Alamosa School District, K-2

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
McDaniel Hall (Room 117) 1500 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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1:40pm MDT

What I have learned about Implementing the Collaborative Classroom Series

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT

Student Union Building (Room 301)

Limited Capacity seats available

Using the resources of the Collaborative Classroom series to support the implementation and daily lesson instruction without stress and anxiety.

Speakers

Heidi Stevenson

First grade teacher, Monte Vista Schools

I am a first grade teacher in Monte Vista at Marsh Elementary school. I have taught first grade for the last 20 years. I have taught in Center, and also in Del Norte.

Friday September 11, 2026 1:40pm - 2:30pm MDT
Student Union Building (Room 301) 1603 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, USA

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2:50pm MDT

Get On The Bull: Navigating The Line Between Grit & Burnout

Friday September 11, 2026 2:50pm - 4:00pm MDT