iNNovate 2026 NNPS: Full Schedule

9:45am EDT

Plan Smarter, Not Harder: Leading the Way to Productive Team Planning

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

Limited Capacity seats available

Hey, Lead Teachers! Do you walk away from your team’s planning feeling overwhelmed or unproductive? What if there was a universal protocol that could help your team make better use of planning time? In this session, we will explore a process that teams can use to unpack standards and leave planning with a clear understanding of upcoming lessons, available resources, and ideas for scaffolding and differentiation. We will also explore how this process can be rolled out gradually to support teammates with varying years of experience.

This session would benefit educators serving as K-5 lead teachers.

Speakers

Tareva Lister

Coaching and Professional Learning Specialist, Newport News Public Schools

Hi family!! 🤗🤗🤗 What an exciting learning opportunity to get smarter and grow with each other as we kick off iNNovate 2025! I can't wait to present alongside my amazing colleagues, Heather Trueblood and Sara Sterling! 💙💚 Be sure to add our session called "Engagement... Read More →

Sara Sterling

Coaching and Professional Learning Specialist, Newport News Public Schools

Hi 👋 I'm Sara Sterling, a Coaching and Professional Learning Specialist in NNPS. I'm passionate about learning and love exploring innovative teaching strategies to help both educators and students thrive. My role allows me to support teachers through partnership and professional... Read More →

Heather Trueblood

Instructional Coach, Newport News Public Schools

Hi everyone! I am a teacher at heart, a life-long learner, and an avid reader of children's literature! I have been with NNPS for more than 24 years, serving as a classroom teacher in grades 2-4 before becoming a New Teacher Coach. I believe that building strong, honest relationships... Read More →

Wednesday August 12, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT
C147

Elementary Staff, Data Driven Planning

11:00am EDT

Engagement Strategies That Curb Off-Task Behavior

LIMITED

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

C147

Limited Capacity seats available

What if the key to improving most student behavior isn’t discipline, but engagement? In this session, we will explore the powerful connection between intentional student engagement and positive behavior outcomes. Participants will learn to identify where students fall on a continuum of engagement (from disrupting learning to driving learning) and will uncover the hidden barriers that hinder full participation. Participants will leave equipped with practical tools and strategies that remove those barriers and help teachers meet students’ cognitive, emotional, and behavioral needs. This session will help you proactively implement strategies that engage learners and build a positive classroom climate from day one.

This session would benefit educators who teach Grades 3-5. This session would benefit new teachers with less than 3 years of experience.

Speakers

Tareva Lister

Coaching and Professional Learning Specialist, Newport News Public Schools

Sara Sterling

Coaching and Professional Learning Specialist, Newport News Public Schools

Heather Trueblood

Instructional Coach, Newport News Public Schools

Wednesday August 12, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
C147

Elementary Staff, Planning for Student Engagement

1:15pm EDT

8 Seconds to Score

LIMITED

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

C147

Limited Capacity seats available

Digital natives don’t necessarily know how online content is shared. They may not realize that algorithms are tracking and scoring their likes and dislikes. The activities in this session are hands-on and collaborative. The goal is to help students think about their role in the spread of information.

This session would benefit teachers who are interested in digital literacy. The vocabulary in this session supports cross-curricular literacy as well as student engagement and social-emotional learning. This session would benefit new teachers with less than 3 years of experience.

Speakers

Anastasia Samsky

Librarian, Warwick High School

Wednesday August 12, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT
C147

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

2:30pm EDT

Helping Students Become Number Ninjas: Building Automaticity in K-1 Math

LIMITED

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

C147

Limited Capacity seats available

This session helps teachers learn strategies to build automaticity with number combinations in kindergarten and first grade. Participants will explore engaging, hands-on activities that strengthen students’ number sense and fluency with basic facts. Teachers will leave with practical tools they can use right away to help students develop confidence and accuracy in math.

This session is intended for Grades K and 1. This session would benefit new teachers with less than 3 years of experience.

Speakers