BBK 2025 Planning Com m ittee
Dr. Andrea Foster: Chair
Dr. Christina Gushanas
Dr. Susan Harte
Dr. Tina Hammons
Dr. Bill Calderhead
Dr. Katie Moses
Dr. Tina Valenzuela
Dr. Helen Berg
Dr. Rose Brock
Dr. Kathleen Rice
Dr. Tershundrea Branch
Dr. Clare Resilla
Dr. Kristina Vargo
Dr. Brian Brown
Amy McCormick
Angie Taylor
BBK 2025 Sponsors, Vendors, and Exhibitors
Lakeshore Learning Store
The Bag Ladies
Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG)
Giddy-up Glamor
Massage Envy
Crust Pizza Co. Willis
School of Teaching and Learning Graduate Programs
Counseling
Higher Education & Leadership
Curriculum & Instruction
Library Science
Instructional Systems Design and Technology
Introduction and Welcome Session: Sam Houston Room, TWC 430 8:30 – 8:45am
Dr. Andrea Foster, Chair of the BBK Committee
Dr. Stacey Edmonson , Dean of the College of Education
Dr. Helen Berg, Associate Dean
Dr. Kristina Vargo , Chair of School of Teaching and Learning
Breakout Session #1: 8:5 0 am - 9: 40 am
Location Presentation Details
TWC 240 Research - b ased I nstructional S trategies to P romote L earning E xperiences for S tudents with E xceptionalit ies
Dr. Peg Pinto, Emma Le
This presentation discusses research findings of teachers’ perspectives and practices whether instructional strategies implemented to promote literacy skills for students with exceptionality are described as research-based practices. Targeted audiences include classroom literacy practices, administrators, and teacher education.
TWC 241 Tips on Managing Problem Behavior
Dr. William Calderhead
Behavior management issues often impede a teacher's ability to deliver instruction. In this session participants will learn to positively reinforce appropriate behaviors before focusing attention on problem behaviors. The session will also include a discussion of ways of deescalating extremely disruptive interactions.
TWC 245 Building Effective Practice One Step at a Time: Guiding New Teachers with Self - Reflection and Action Research
Dr. Mary Petron, Dr. Burcu Ates
The goal of this session is to equip novice teachers with strategies for ongoing professional growth. Participants will be introduced to the concept of action research and guided in creating and carrying out an action plan focused on a selfidentified area for improvement.
TWC 246 Evidence - Based School Safety: Current Research and Practical Applications from the Center for Assessment, Research, and Educational Safety (CARES)
Dr. Matthew Fuller
This session is designed to introduce teachers to concepts drawn from research led by CARES. Participants will engage in a dialogue about ways to sustain a safe school culture and support student and staff safety.
TWC 250 Effortless Cycles of Reflection & Goal Setting to Grow Classroom Students by Utilizing Academic Data and Student Perception Data
Dr. Valeece Simmons-Davis, Dr. Jennifer Morrison, Dr. Lautrice Nickson
In this session, participants will leave with practical, research-based data cycles for continuous feedback that fosters classroom community, student-belonging, and high-achievement in individual teachers’ classrooms and within teacher teams. These practices will increase teacher self-efficacy and collective teacher efficacy.
TWC 251 Implementing AI Tools to Enhance Teaching and Learning
Dr. Andrey Koptelov, Abby Guillaume
Teachers will explore innovative AI tools to enhance teaching and learning. Discover how these resources can support diverse learners, increase engagement, and transform teaching practices while also examining the ethical considerations and practical strategies for effective implementation AI in today’s classrooms.
Breakout Session # 2 : 9:45am - 10:35am
Location Presentation Details
TWC 240 Data Doesn’t Bite: Using Assessment to Empower Your Teaching
Megan Bishop
Data can feel intimidating, especially for new educators. When used well, assessment and data are powerful tools that can highlight student needs and guide instruction. Participants will learn about different types of assessments, interpret sample data, develop instructional recommendations, and practice communicating data results to various stakeholders.
TWC 241 Mystery Envelopes: A Multimodal Strategy for Building Literacy
Dr. Christina Hammons, Dr. Susan Harte
Explore how mystery envelopes using objects from children’s books can build oral language, story mapping, writing, and reading skills. This hands-on session offers a creative, multimodal literacy strategy you can use immediately in K–12 classrooms.
TWC 245 "I Wasn’t Trained for This!” Navigating Language Barriers with AI as a Guide
Dylan Jircik
This interactive presentation incorporates a novice teacher's approach to being placed in a bilingual classroom. The presenter describes and demonstrates the use of AI tools along with SIOP pedagogy to not only support their 2nd graders' success but reduce their own cognitive load in managing the work.
TWC 246 Behavior 101: Strategies for
Amber Naylor
Classroom Teachers
Entry-level behavior management strategies every teacher can use, from general education to special education. It reviews the two main functions of behavior, goes into antecedent interventions, behavioral interventions, and consequences. These are all trauma informed strategies with the heaviest emphasis on antecedent interventions. These can be implemented in every classroom setting.
TWC 250 STEM Sparks: Igniting Innovation in Elementary Science
Dr. Tina Valenzuela
This hands-on workshop is designed for elementary educators eager to bring STEM to life in their classrooms. Grounded in the 5E instructional model and aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), participants will explore how STEM integration deepens scientific understanding and builds essential 21st-century skills.
Breakout Session #3 : 10:4 0 am - 11:3 0 am
Location Presentation Details
TWC 240 Using Literacy to Deepen Content - Knowledge and Community
Dr. Kristen Henry
Participants will learn how the integration of literacy practices can not only deepen content-learning but can also help build classroom community. Participants will leave with concrete ways to use reading, writing, listening, and speaking to increase student engagement and knowledge.
TWC 241 Every Learner Matters: Reimagining Curriculum Through Authentic Differentiation
Dr. Salandra Grice-Johnson
This interactive session explores differentiation as a mindset rooted in equity and culturally responsive teaching. Educators will learn strategies to adapt instruction to students’ diverse needs, engage in collaborative activities, and leave with tools to create inclusive, student-centered classrooms that honor identity, foster engagement, and support academic growth.
TWC 245 T - TESS Ready: Making the Teacher Evaluation Tool Work for You
Dr. Cynthia Martinez-Garcia, Dr. Clare Resilla
In this session, participants will use their student data to improve student learning and their T-TESS Domain 1-Planning or Domain 2 Instruction. Participants will learn more about these two domains and use self-reflection and goal setting to improve student learning and their professional growth goals.
TWC 246 Building Bridges: Strengthening Parent Communication for Early Career Teachers
Dr. Katie Moses, Rachel Warren
New teachers are often given extensive instruction on how to handle students, curriculum, and classrooms, but little instruction on working collaboratively with parents. This session is designed to provide attendees with the confidence they need to work with students' first teacher... their parents!
TWC 250 Asking More, Thinking Deeper: Higher - Order Questions with Global Texts and HQIM
Dr. Tracey S. Hodges
Are you feeling stuck in your questioning routine? Do you crave incorporating high-quality literature into your HQIM lessons? In this interactive session, you will discover how global texts from the Notable Books for a Global Society lists can transform surface-level prompts into powerful, higher-order questions that spark critical thinking and engagement.
Lunch and Kat Chats 11:35 – 1 2 : 25 pm
Location: Sam Houston Room, TWC 430
Faculty facilitators will initiate informal “Kat Chat” discussions during lunch time. Facilitators will share a synthesis of the table discussions prior to the keynote speaker’s address.
Keynote Speaker Huda Fahmy 12:30 – 1:00pm
Location: Sam Houston Room, TWC 430
Introduction by Dr. Rose Brock
About the author: Huda Fahmy was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She is the author and illustrator of the internationally successful webcomic, yes, I’m Hot in This, the graphic memoir That Can Be Arranged, and the widely popular Huda F graphic novel series. Her graphic novel, Huda F Cares? was a 2023 finalist for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. She currently lives in Texas.
Breakout Session # 4 : 1:0 5 pm - 1:5 5 p m
Location Presentation Details
TWC 240 Unlocking the Secret Sauce of Classroom Management and Engagement
Dr. Sarah Mitchell
Gain ready-to-use strategies that strengthen classroom management and enhance student engagement. This interactive session combines proven routines, relationshipbuilding techniques, and attention-grabbing tools to prevent disruptions and boost participation-helping you create a positive, focused learning environment where both students and teachers thrive.
TWC 241 From Standard to Success: Using Assessments & Data to Build Your Lesson Blueprint
Cicely Ward
Transform your lesson planning! This hands-on session provides a 3-step blueprint for teachers to align TEKS standards, formative assessments, and instruction. Leave with a practical process to make your planning more efficient and your teaching more impactful.
TWC 245 The Power of Teacher Candidate Data, Feedback, and Co - Teach Models: Fostering a Pipeline of Effective Mentor/Cooperating Teachers
Dr. Valeece Simmons-Davis, Angie Taylor
Analysis of teacher candidate feedback is critical to supporting candidates strategically. This session will empower aspiring teacher leaders and current mentor/cooperating teachers to confidently and effectively offer feedback and implement co-teach models. These strategies will develop teacher candidates who are ready on day 1 of their first year of teaching.
TWC 246 Book Battle 101: How to Engage in a Bookish Competition with Friends
Dr. Kimberly Kinnaird
Are you trying to increase student engagement and strengthen reading skills? Learn how to start a book battle at your school. This session presents step-by-step instructions and helpful tips for collaborating with other campus educators to create a sustainable book battle program for any grade level.
TWC 250 "Who C an T ell M e..." and No One Raises Their Hand!
Dr. Clayton Dodson
Scenario: You are in the middle of a super engaging lecture. You pause for a second and pose a question to the class. What happens? No one raises their hand? The SAME student raises their hand every time? Come learn some strategies to engage your students and get all of them involved in academic conversations.
TWC 251 Empowering Educators to Connect Disciplines via Multisensory Approaches
Dr. Patricia Durham
This interactive workshop equips novice teachers with practical strategies to introduce content-rich vocabulary, build reading fluency, and foster student engagement through visual and collaborative learning. Participants will experience the lesson as learners while reflecting on instructional purposes, scaffolds, and adaptations for diverse classrooms, emphasizing presenting content in multiple ways and connecting content to other disciplines such as literacy, science, and social studies.
Breakout
Location Presentation Details
Session #5: 2:00pm - 2:50pm
TWC 240 3 E's to Elevating Your Impact
Steven Craig Toney
This is a dynamic professional development session designed to Equip, Empower, and Energize teachers. Through practical strategies, powerful motivation, and collaborative learning, educators will strengthen their instructional skills, boost their confidenc e, and reignite their passion for teaching all with the goal of maximizing their impact in the classroom and on their campus.
TWC 241 Teaching in the Age of AI: Ethics, Impact, and Innovation for New Educators
Dr. Jessica McQueston
This interactive session introduces educators to the promises and challenges of using AI in the classroom. Participants will explore practical tools for supporting students with disabilities while considering ethics, equity, and the environmental impact of AI. Participants will leave with strategies for innovative and responsible teaching.
TWC 245 Empowering Early Career Teachers T hrough Inquiry and Hands - On Learning
Dr. Hatice Inan, Dr. Dawn Gatlin, Dr. Aysenur Gungor
This interactive session equips novice teachers with strategies for launching inquirybased projects that build engagement, collaboration, and higher-order thinking. Through a hands-on example of the Quilt-Making project, participants will see how integrated teaching and learning bring culture, math, science, literacy, and art together, transforming authentic student questions into meaningful, standards-aligned experiences that foster critical thinking, student voice, and classroom community.
TWC 246 The I nterpretations of F ractions
Dr. Ke “George” Wang
In this session, the presenter will explain the interpretations of fractions: parts-whole, measurement, operator, division and ratio through interaction with the participants. This session focuses on math for 4 – 8th graders.
Closing Remarks / Door Prizes/ Exit Ticket 3:00 – 3:30pm
Location: Sam Houston Room, TWC 430
