iNNovate 2026 NNPS: Full Schedule

9:45am EDT

Unseen Potential: Supporting Special Populations in the Classroom

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

Limited Capacity seats available

This professional development session is designed to deepen educators’ understanding of special populations within the classroom, with a focus on gifted and advanced learners, English Language Learners (ELL) and twice-exceptional (2e) students. Participants will explore the unique cognitive, academic, and social-emotional characteristics that often lead to under identification or misidentification of these learners. Through interactive discussion and case-based scenarios, educators will examine how giftedness can manifest differently in ELL and 2e students, including the impact of language acquisition, cultural differences, and coexisting disabilities. The session will highlight common social-emotional needs such as perfectionism, frustration, masking, and identity development. Educators will leave with practical, research-based strategies to support these learners, including differentiation techniques, culturally responsive practices, strength-based approaches, and targeted supports during instruction.

This session is intended for K-12 Administrators, Teachers, and Counselors.

Speakers

Kimberly Beckerdite

Supervisor of Gifted Services and Advanced Placement, Newport News Public Schools

I am the Supervisor of Gifted Services and Advanced Placement for NNPS. I work with students, teachers, and schools K-12 with advanced academic programs. My goal is to share strategies for differentiation, critical thinking, creative thinking, higher-order thinking and question... Read More →

Stacy Wilson

Gifted Resource Teacher, Gifted Services

I have worked with gifted students for 10 years, the last 2 years as a Gifted Resource teacher. My instructional interests involve STEM and Computer Science, as well as creative problem solving.

Wendy Morgan

Gifted Services Resource Teacher, Newport News Public Schools

I enjoy attending engaging sessions about brain-based learning, brain gym, creativity, inquiry learning, gifted learning, and STEM. I teach and work with K-5 gifted students and elementary and early childhood educators. I love learning through collaboration, visualization, and... Read More →

Wednesday August 12, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
B126

Preschool Staff, Supporting Diverse Learners | Elementary Staff, Supporting Diverse Learners | Middle School Staff, Supporting Diverse Learners | High School Staff, Supporting Diverse Learners

11:00am EDT

Elevating Thinking: Differentiation Through Strategic Questioning

LIMITED

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

B126

Limited Capacity seats available

In this engaging professional learning session, educators will explore how intentional questioning can serve as a powerful tool for differentiating instruction for all learners. Participants will examine the role of higher-order questioning in promoting critical thinking, creativity, and depth of understanding. The session will focus on designing and implementing purposeful questioning strategies during whole-group and, more specifically, small-group instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners. Educators will learn how to scaffold and extend thinking through open-ended, layered, and student-driven questions, while also practicing techniques for facilitating meaningful dialogue in small-group settings.

This session is intended for K-12 Teachers.

Speakers

Kimberly Beckerdite

Supervisor of Gifted Services and Advanced Placement, Newport News Public Schools

Stacy Wilson

Gifted Resource Teacher, Gifted Services

I have worked with gifted students for 10 years, the last 2 years as a Gifted Resource teacher. My instructional interests involve STEM and Computer Science, as well as creative problem solving.

Wednesday August 12, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
B126

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

1:15pm EDT

Lesson Design with a Plan in Mind: Differentiating Instruction to Meet the Needs of Gifted and Advanced Learners

FILLING

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

B126

Limited Capacity filling up

Gifted and advanced learners need more meaningful, intentional differentiation that promotes depth, complexity, and creativity. This engaging workshop equips educators with practical strategies to design lessons that challenge and inspire gifted students while remaining aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs).
Participants will explore how to intentionally plan lessons using a “plan in mind” approach that integrates differentiation from the start rather than as an afterthought. Through hands-on activities, collaborative discussion, and real classroom examples, educators will learn how to design instruction that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and student agency.
Please bring a copy of one of your lesson plans and a laptop.

This session would benefit K-12 teachers who teach gifted and advanced learners. This session would benefit new teachers with less than 3 years of experience.

Speakers