iNNovate 2026 NNPS: Full Schedule

9:45am EDT

Lead the Room: Staying Firm while managing challenging behavior

Wednesday August 12, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

This session equips high school educators with practical strategies to manage challenging student behaviors while maintaining a respectful and productive classroom environment. Participants will learn how to establish clear expectations, respond to disruptions with consistency and confidence, and build positive relationships that reduce behavior issues over time. The session emphasizes being firm without escalating conflict, using proactive techniques, and maintaining instructional momentum.

This session would benefit educators who teach secondary students in any content area. This session would benefit new teachers with less than 3 years of experience.

Speakers

Reshaud Anthony

Spanish Teacher, Denbigh High School

I am a high school Spanish teacher for levels I-IV. I am entering my 8th year as an educator. I have been successful in creating learning environments where students thrive. I have been a mentor for new teachers and I currently serve as the new teacher mentor coordinator for my... Read More →

Wednesday August 12, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
A106

Middle School Staff, Managing Challenging Behaviors | High School Staff, Managing Challenging Behaviors

11:00am EDT

Beyond Compliance: Igniting Engagement for Diverse Learners

FILLING

Wednesday August 12, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

A106

Limited Capacity filling up

This session provides educators with practical strategies to better support diverse learners, including English Language Learners and students with varied academic needs. Participants will learn how to strengthen Tier 1 instruction by increasing engagement, student talk, and access to grade-level content. The focus will be on simple, ready-to-use strategies like scaffolding, differentiation, and culturally responsive practices. No prerequisites are needed, but bringing a current lesson may help you apply the strategies right away as you move into the school year.

This session would benefit educators who teach grades 6–12 across all content areas, including core subjects, ELL/ESL, and special education, as well as instructional leaders supporting diverse learners. This session would benefit new teachers with less than 3 years of experience.

Speakers

Laura Stook

MHS SWD lead teacher, SWD

Diamond Gee

Assistant Principal, Newport News Public Schools

Wednesday August 12, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
A106

Middle School Staff, Planning for Student Engagement | High School Staff, Planning for Student Engagement

1:15pm EDT

Smash it up! Using AI to bridge the gap from curriculum to content creation

LIMITED

Wednesday August 12, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT

A106

Limited Capacity seats available

Unlock the power of "app smashing" by transforming static curriculum documents into dynamic, interactive learning tools in minutes. In this hands-on session, you will learn how to use NotebookLM to synthesize curriculum content and then "smash" those insights into Canva’s AI suite to generate custom apps, games, and whiteboard activities. Participants will walk away with a streamlined workflow for bridging the gap between deep content analysis and high-impact digital learning materials for students.

This session is intended for all teachers and instructional staff.

Speakers

Paul Cosby

Instructional Technology Coach, Newport News Public Schools

I am currently an Instructional Technology Coach serving Ella Fitzgerald Middle School, Point Option, and MEESA. Before joining the NNPS team, I was an ITRT for Williamsburg, James City-County schools, as well as a Language Arts teacher.

Wednesday August 12, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
A106

Elementary Staff, Planning for Student Engagement | Middle School Staff, Planning for Student Engagement | High School Staff, Planning for Student Engagement

2:30pm EDT

Benchmark Embedded ELD Standards and Differentiation

LIMITED

Wednesday August 12, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

A106

Limited Capacity seats available

Our session will discuss the 5 ELD standards and embedded differentiation strategies from Benchmark to help not only ELS, but all students succeed. You will create a toolbox of 3-5 strategies that can be implemented into your classroom to support differentiated learning.

This session will benefit educators who not only teach ELS, students with disabilities, gifted learners, but teachers in need of differentiation and scaffolding strategies.

Speakers