DTAL Conference 2025

Tired of watching perfectly good apple slices hit the trash? Ready to turn “Ew, compost!” into “Ooh, compost!”? Join us for an engaging, joy-filled journey into the world of food waste reduction in schools. We’ll dig into the messy magic of composting, explore real-world problem-solving projects that empower students to academically and socially excel, and show you how this work aligns beautifully with a smorgasbord of curricular standards—from science and math to ELA and social studies. This session is focused on elementary but can easily be adapted to all grade levels.

Unlock the power of integration in this dynamic, hands-on session designed to inspire educators to blend Art, Music, Physical Education, and Computer Science into core academic instruction. Participants will explore practical, classroom-ready strategies that promote collaboration across disciplines, deepen student engagement, and elevate learning outcomes. Through interactive activities and real-world examples, you'll discover how cross-curricular learning can build future-ready skills such as creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. Leave with fresh ideas, digital tools, and integrated lesson frameworks that harmonize your curriculum and empower students to thrive in an interconnected world.

Discover the magic behind meaningful, manageable, and magnetizing Pre-K stations! In this fast-paced, idea-packed session, you'll learn how to design choice time experiences that keep little learners engaged, independent, and thriving. From must-have materials to smooth transitions and intentional planning, we’ll share practical tips and creative strategies to turn your centers into shining stars of the classroom. Get ready to walk away with fresh ideas and a spark of inspiration to make your choice time truly count!

This professional development presentation explores effective PLC organizational structures to enhance teacher collaboration and curriculum alignment to ultimately support student achievement. It emphasizes consistent use of schoolwide meeting templates, data-driven decision-making to refine instruction, the integration of AVID strategies to boost engagement, as well as cohesive collaboration throughout the PLC. Participants will learn how to use student data to revise lessons, to improve communication among teams, and implement student-centered collaborative practices that foster accountability and instructional coherence across grade levels and departments while aligning with school and district wide visions and goals.

This session explores how Khanmigo, Khan Academy’s AI-powered assistant, enhances instruction in Personal Finance and Economics while supporting W!SE exam readiness. Presenters will walk participants through the teacher dashboard, content alignment, and classroom implementation strategies. Learn how to set up student accounts, assign targeted activities, and monitor progress using built-in analytics and grade tracking tools. Aligned with our Strategic Plan and designed for high school educators, this session focuses on student-centered learning, technology integration, and practical tools that help build financial literacy and support resilient learners through personalized, real-time feedback.

This session is for HS instructional staff who have completed the “Essential AI for HS Educators” course. New to AI and not sure where to begin? Learn how AI can enhance—not replace—good teaching. With a focus on Google Gemini and VBCPS AI guidelines, participants will learn how to use AI as a professional tool for lesson planning, assessment, communication, and differentiation. Aligned with Compass to 2030, this session introduces practical, low-barrier strategies for integrating AI in ways that empower teachers and support student success.