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Thursday, March 23, 2023

The Landing Hotel and Conference Center, Hampton, VA

(700 Settlers Landing Road, Hampton, VA 23669)

See map for parking options.


 

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KEYNOTE | Changing The Game: Discovering Purpose Through Play

From the sour-faced silver medalists atop the Olympic podium to that ubiquitous message daring gamers to press continue because "Our Princess Is In Another Castle," there’s a ton of science behind why we can’t help but find ourselves hooked on things that are perpetually so close and yet always so far. In this lively and eye-opening keynote, we’ll discover the surprising and seriously powerful cornerstones of playful pedagogy -- and learn how to tap into that same addictive energy to design meaningful, memorable classroom experiences that invite autonomy, excitement, and unprecedented levels of creativity from students and teachers alike.

 

Session 1: 10:45-12:00 pm


Academies 101: An Overview of the Transformation

Facilitator: Evan Grummell (Academy Coach, Kecoughtan High School, Hampton, VA)

Monitor: Beth Horne

Location: Ballroom B

This session is for first-time attendees visiting the Academies of Hampton. This session will give participants an overview of our why, how, and with whom.

 

Academies 102: A Deeper Dive into the Transformation

Facilitators:  Dr. Donna Woods (Transformation Coach) & Scott Palmer (Roadmap Coach, Ford Next Generation Learning)

Monitor: Kim Weaver

Location: Ballroom C

This session is for those who have already visited the Academies of Hampton. This session will dive deeper into the Ford Next Generation Learning transformation strands and process.

 

Got Adventure? Virtual Adventures in the Online Classroom

Facilitators: Nicole Gaydos and Michael Lewis (FLEx teachers, Hampton City Schools)

Monitor: Becca LeCompte

Location: Ballroom A

What if your students could have an experience instead of a lecture? Impossible, right? Not anymore! Learn how to fully immerse your students in your content. Your students will be begging for more! Are you brave enough for the adventure? Or will you attend the other session?

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Virtual Learning For Young Learners

Facilitator: Meryl Innerfield (FLEx teachers, Hampton City Schools)

Virtual Learning isn't just for older kids! Learn how to use a Virtual Classroom and other strategies to support young learners in your virtual journey. Focus on virtual learning strategies for K-3 or any elementary classroom.

Monitor: Shannon Pohlman

Virtual Learning is not

Location:  Peninsula Room   

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No More Chocolate Broccoli

Facilitator: John Meehan (Author: EDrenaline Rush and Fully Engaged)

Monitor: Shannon Pohlman

Location:  Dockside Room 1  

Behind the bells and whistles and button mashing, most "gamified" review platforms are no more than low level trivia questions dressed up in 21st Century Scantrons. We can do better! In this session, learn how you can blow way past Jeopardy and leverage the sweet secrets behind creating review games where students fuse content knowledge with creativity to unlock the highest levels of learning. See how John Meehan, teacher, author, and instructional coach, brings these lessons to life in his classroom and beyond it by crafting play-based learning experiences that are precision engineered to help teachers drive student engagement through the roof in classrooms around the world.
 

Session 2: 1:30-2:45pm

 

Academies: Division Perspective: Governance and Structures

Facilitator: Veronica Hurd (Director of Academies of Hampton, Hampton City Schools)

Monitor: Beth Horne

Location: Ballroom B

This session will give participants an overview of the internal and external structures of the transformational model, better known as the Academies Hampton. Participants will reflect on their systems and structures relative to their community and division and begin to map their resources and areas of opportunity.

 

Academies: Building Perspective: Business Model of Education

Facilitators:  Dr. James T. Harris (Executive Principal, Phoebus High School, Hampton City Schools)

Monitor: Kim Weaver

Location: Ballroom C

This session will allow participants to gain insight into school transformation through the role of the executive principal in the academy model. Participants will engage in dialog around three guiding strands as the foundation for this model: a) transforming teaching and learning; b) transforming culture, systems, and structures; and c) transforming partnerships between schools and communities. Participants will be able to reflect on their systems and practices relative to their school context and on opportunities to transform the high school experience.

 

Authentic Engagement in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Facilitators: John Meehan (Author: EDrenaline Rush and Fully Engaged)

Monitor: Becca LeCompte

Location: Ballroom A

As classroom teachers and school administrators, we all know the importance of meaningful student engagement. However, with the rapid advancement of AI, what does this mean for our teaching practices and our students' learning experiences? This session will be a guided conversation where we explore the challenges and opportunities for authentic engagement in a technology-driven world. Learn how you can develop "an eye for A.I." in your school or classroom. And get ready to reflect, share, and connect with your peers as we navigate this important topic together. (PS: Surprise! This session description was generated using artificial intelligence).

 

Learner-Led Coding Education: Curriculum with students, not for them

Facilitator: Jon Stapleton (CodeVA)

Monitor: Doris Orgain

Location: Peninsula Room

Coding and computer science education experiences often fail to offer learners a way to connect the content to their personal goals, interests, needs, and desires. Many students have trouble seeing themselves in CS and STEM, leading to wide disparities in participation for marginalized individuals. Learner-led education offers strategies for transforming CS and STEM learning through a radical commitment to students' individual goals & identities, organizing learning experiences around students as curricular and instructional leaders. In this session, you'll explore strategies for facilitating learner-led education, and collaborate with participants to apply these strategies to your unique educational context.

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Session 3: 3:00-4:15pm

Academies: Powerful Partnerships

Facilitator: Sharnya Smith (Extended Learning Coordinator, Kecoughtan High Schools, Hampton City Schools)

Monitor: Beth Horne

Location: Ballroom B

This session will explore the benefits and challenges of establishing and maintaining partnerships between schools, businesses, and community organizations. The discussion will be facilitated in a business roundtable format where participants will hear real-world examples to learn how powerful partnerships can help enrich the curriculum, enhance community engagement, and prepare students for success in the workforce.

 

Academies: Leading a Small Learning Community

Facilitators:  Christina Kerby (Academy Coach, Hampton High School, Hampton City Schools) and Haneef Majied (International Baccalaureate Academy Principal, Hampton High School, Hampton City Schools)

Monitor: Kim Weaver

Location: Ballroom C

 

During this session you will take a deeper dive into the focus of student learning, teacher collaboration, and also shared values through the lens of the small learning community. Participants will leave the session with a better understanding of teaching through the lens and the development of the small learning community.  

 

Being The Force For Sustainable Change in Our Schools

Facilitators: John Meehan (Author: EDrenaline Rush and Fully Engaged)

Monitor: Becca LeCompte

Location: Ballroom A

"A Long Time Ago, In a Galaxy Far, Far Away..." legend tells of schools that were once powered by endless wisdom from master teachers, and classrooms full of wonder and curiosity. But the nascent Rise of Artificial Thought and the lingering effects of a devastating pandemic have left many of these once hallowed halls in disarray. This 75-minute session is designed for classroom teachers and school administrators who are committed to being a Force for Sustainable Change in their schools -- no matter what their roles may be. Come with questions, ideas, and an adventurous spirit as we unlock powerful ways to help support both students and teachers alike. You are our only hope!

 

Virtual Escape Rooms, Interactives, and More

Facilitator: Suzanne Sprague (Coordinator, Virtual Science Teachers)

Monitor: Doris Orgain

Location: Peninsula Room

Discover and explore the use of free online resources that use scaffolding, challenges, virtual labs, simulations, escape rooms, games, and bell ringers to captivate students, deepen understanding, and reinforce science concepts. 

 

Hollywood to Hampton: Merging Entertainment and Education for Maximum Engagement

Facilitator: Jacob Young & Trent Garrett (Working with Working Actors), Jennifer Oliver (Business Partner Integration Administrator, Hampton City Schools), Kate Maxlow (Director of Innovation & Professional Learning, Hampton City Schools)

Monitor: Melanie Parker

Location: Dockside Room 1

Come learn how partnering with working actors in the entertainment industry benefits students’ writing, fluency, and social-emotional skills. We’ll describe our journey to provide more acting experiences for young students and create a film festival for high schoolers, in which they work with professional actors, special effects coordinators, cinematographers, and more!

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It's Not Sit and Get.
It's Share and Reflect.

Rather than sitting and having a presenter talk at you, each session will feature approximately 15 minutes of facilitators sharing their own successes, and then the rest of the time will be spent guiding participants through conversations about how you can implement similar innovations in your own class, school, or district.

Students in Cafeteria
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