2025 GOCSD Innovation Summit: Full Schedule

Access the pages below to learn more about our conference, registration, speakers and sponsors. Visit our Innovation Summit site for details about the venue, food, lodging, purchasing a t-shirt, and more.

10:30am CDT

From Dreams to Action: Empowering Students with "I Can" Goal-Setting

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:30am - 11:15am CDT

Roark Creek

Discover how to empower students through goal setting with "I Can" statements! This session will explore strategies for helping students take ownership of their learning by setting meaningful goals and tracking their progress. Learn how to guide students in using "I Can" statements to define clear objectives, self-evaluate, and reflect on their growth. Gain insight into how our department successfully implemented these strategies and the impact it had on student learning. At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to implement “I Can” statement routines in their own classrooms to foster student reflection and ownership. Walk away with practical tools to help students turn their aspirations into action!

Speakers

Heather Argaez

Teacher, Republic School District

Cheri Downs

Teacher, Republic School District

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:30am - 11:15am CDT
Roark Creek

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School
LEVEL Beginners

10:30am CDT

Who Knew Creating CFAs Could Be So Easy?

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:30am - 11:15am CDT

Cooper Creek 1

This session will provide attendees the ability to work smarter, not harder, when designing common formative assessments. AI can be an excellent addition to any professional's toolbox. Presenters will show attendees how to use AI effectively and carefully to increase the rigor and quality of assessments, while maintaining coherence with district curriculum, standard expectations, and even standardized testing format. At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to create their own common formative assessments quickly and easily using AI as a thinking partner.

Speakers

Mary Miller

Data Driven Instructional Specialist, Springfield Public Schools

Cary Sikes

Data Driven Instructional Specialist, Springfield Public Schools

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:30am - 11:15am CDT
Cooper Creek 1

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School, Professional Developers, Instructional or District Specialists
LEVEL Beginners

10:30am CDT

From Struggle to Success: Response to Intervention as a Tool in Special Education

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:30am - 11:15am CDT

Hensley Ferry

“Struggle to Success” is often used as a metaphor in special education to describe the journey students with disabilities or learning challenges take, from facing difficulties to achieving personal growth and academic success. This concept emphasizes the importance of resilience, support and individualized strategies to overcome barriers and help these students realize their full potential. Ultimately, RTI as a tool in special education is about fostering an inclusive environment where students are given the resources, strategies, and encouragement they need to succeed. Participants will walk away with valuable tools to provide interventions to special education students in both their special education and regular education classrooms.

Speakers

Amy Wood-Van Horn

Special Education Process Coordinator, Republic School District

My name is Amy Wood-Van Horn. I am blessed to have served as a Special Educator in various roles during my career. With over 12 years of experience in the Special Education field, I have developed a love for building successful students through positive interventions. Throughout... Read More →

Wendy Walker

Special Education Teacher, Republic School District

Thursday July 31, 2025 10:30am - 11:15am CDT
Hensley Ferry

Roundtable Session

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School
LEVEL Beginners

1:00pm CDT

Power in Partnership: Enhancing Tier 1 Instruction Through Co-Teaching

Thursday July 31, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT

Fall Creek

This presentation will explore the power of collaboration in the classroom through co-teaching, focusing on how effective partnerships between educators can enhance Tier 1 instruction. Attendees will learn practical strategies for integrating co-teaching models that promote inclusive, differentiated instruction, ensuring all students thrive. We will discuss the benefits of shared responsibility, continuous assessment, and fostering a positive classroom environment where every student’s needs are met. This session offers actionable insights to strengthen teaching practices and improve student engagement and achievement in diverse classroom settings.

Speakers

Amy McElroy

Special Education Teacher, Jackson R2

Hello, everyone! I am a 17th year teacher who spent 15 years in general education and now work in special education. I am so excited to discuss co-teaching, and what a phenomenal method of teaching it really is for all of our learners.

Taylor Brady

Special Education Teacher, Jackson R2

Thursday July 31, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
Fall Creek

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School, Administrators
LEVEL Beginners

1:00pm CDT

Signing for Connection: Enhancing Relationships and Social-Emotional Learning in the Classroom

Thursday July 31, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT

Short Creek 1

Join us to explore how incorporating sign language in the classroom can enhance relationships and boost social-emotional learning. Participants will learn basic signs and discover how using them can strengthen connections between students and staff. By fostering inclusive communication, sign language empowers students, either deaf or hearing, to express themselves with confidence, leading to improved interactions and emotional well-being. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to create a more connected and supportive classroom environment.

Speakers

Erin Geeding

Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Joplin R-VIII School District

Thursday July 31, 2025 1:00pm - 1:45pm CDT
Short Creek 1

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6)
LEVEL Beginners

2:00pm CDT

I can't...YET!!

Thursday July 31, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT

Room Location TBA

Using student success criteria to engage students is a powerful approach to create clear expectations and motivate learners to take ownership of their learning. Using formative assessments to check success on student success criteria is a powerful way to continuously monitor progress, adjust instruction, and ensure that students are on track to meet their goals. Formative assessments give you and your students real-time feedback, allowing you to identify strengths, challenges, and areas for improvement as you move through the lesson or unit.

Speakers

Amy Shields

Elementary 3rd Grade Teacher, Clever School District

Kayla Verfurth

Elementary 3rd Grade Teacher, Clever School District

Thursday July 31, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
Room Location TBA

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Elementary
LEVEL Beginners

2:00pm CDT

Mastering the Art of Standards-Based IEPs: Crafting Personalized Pathways to Success

Thursday July 31, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT

Short Creek 3

This session will focus on utilizing the Missouri Learning Standards to assist in writing a standards-based IEP utilizing multiple resources. While there are standards for secondary teachers, this session will focus on K-5 resource teachers writing IEPs aligned with curriculum.

Speakers

Stacie Frieze

Elementary Special Education Teacher, Joplin Public Schools

Thursday July 31, 2025 2:00pm - 2:45pm CDT
Short Creek 3

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Elementary
LEVEL Beginners

3:00pm CDT

Empowering Future-Ready Learners: Lesson Sequencing for Teaching Digital Literacy & 21st Century Skills

Thursday July 31, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm CDT

Fall Creek

In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, students need more than just academic knowledge; they must be equipped with the skills to navigate and succeed in a digital society. This session will focus on strategies and lesson sequencing to teach students the core principles of digital literacy and 21st-century skills in a meaningful, engaging way. Attendees will leave with practical tools, real-world examples, and ready-to-use lesson plans that can be integrated into various grade levels, from middle school to high school. Educators will have a clear plan for scaffolding these skills in the classroom while supporting a variety of learning standards.

Speakers

Morgan Lockmiller

Library Media Specialist, Republic Middle School

Thursday July 31, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm CDT
Fall Creek

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School
LEVEL Beginners

3:00pm CDT

How to Build a Thinking Classroom

Thursday July 31, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm CDT

Compton Ferry

"A thinking student is an engaged student." - Peter Liljedahl. When students are highly engaged and thinking critically, their learning is deeper and lasts longer. Students standing instead of sitting, working at vertical surfaces, and working collaboratively are all practices that keep students engaged and thinking critically. In this session, you will learn how two teachers implemented the ideas from Peter Liljedahl's groundbreaking book Building Thinking Classrooms in their classrooms. Participants do not need to have read the book in order to participate in this introductory session.

Speakers

Tracie Gones

6th Grade Teacher, Branson Public Schools

Tori Poor

1st Grade Teacher, Branson Public Schools

I am normal teacher, trying my best to meet the needs of my students. I'm a life-long learner dedicated to improving my teaching craft. I currently am excited to be incorporating mindfulness, movement, and nature into the rigor of everyday learning.

Thursday July 31, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm CDT
Compton Ferry

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School, Administrators, Professional Developers, Instructional or District Specialists
LEVEL Beginners

3:00pm CDT

Support, Share & Succeed---A Collaborative Connect Time for Early Career (Years 1-3) Teachers

Thursday July 31, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm CDT

Roark Creek

Calling all Year 1-3 teachers—let’s kick off the school year together! Join fellow educators from across the region for an energizing and informal meet-up designed just for you. 🌟 What to Expect: ✅ A supportive space to share ideas, ask questions, and swap resources ✅ The chance to connect with other new teachers—because you’re not in this alone! ✅ A free resource table to stock up on helpful materials ✅ Grab N’ Go snacks to keep you fueled No need to be a GOCSD BTC/BTAP member—everyone is welcome! Bring a friend and get ready to start your year feeling supported, inspired, and ready to thrive.

Speakers

KyAnne Weaver

Instructional Coach/BTAP, Marshfield R-1 School District

Debbie Yonke

Director of Professional Learning, Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts

Thursday July 31, 2025 3:00pm - 3:45pm CDT
Roark Creek

Roundtable Session

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School
LEVEL Beginners

8:30am CDT

Dollars & Sense: A Practical Guide to Missouri School Funding

Friday August 1, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am CDT

Cooper Creek 1

Ever feel like school finance is a secret code? This presentation breaks down Missouri's complex funding formulas and fund structures into plain English. Perfect for principals, new administrators, and aspiring leaders, we'll cover the essentials your master's program didn't teach you, exploring different funding types and how they impact your school. Get ready to level up your budget game!

Speakers

Jordan Dickey

Assistant Superintendent of Finance, Joplin Schools

Friday August 1, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am CDT
Cooper Creek 1

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Administrators
LEVEL Beginners

8:30am CDT

Middle School Counselor Playbook: When to Call, Collaborate, and Maximize Their Impact

Friday August 1, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am CDT

Compton Ferry

School counselors play a vital role in student success, yet their responsibilities are often misunderstood. This session will clarify the differences between counselors and other faculty while showcasing how they support SEL education and student well-being. Participants will explore practical strategies for collaboration and uncover the hidden strengths of school counselors—like maintaining a poker face in outlandish situations and mastering the art of open-ended questions. By understanding these skills, educators can work more effectively with counselors to create a supportive learning environment where students thrive.

Speakers

Morgan Hoey

School Counselor, Republic Intermediate School

Friday August 1, 2025 8:30am - 9:15am CDT
Compton Ferry

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, Administrators
LEVEL Beginners

9:30am CDT

To Infinity and Beyond: How to utilize AI in the classroom.

Friday August 1, 2025 9:30am - 10:15am CDT

Room Location TBA

One of the most common concerns among teachers is feeling overwhelmed by the countless tasks they are expected to complete. With growing class sizes and the diverse needs of each student, keeping up can be challenging. Many of the most meaningful aspects of teaching are limited by time and energy constraints. My goal is to change that by helping teachers use AI to eliminate tedious tasks from their schedules, allowing them to focus on the most important part of teaching—building relationships with students. I will be giving a presentation over some of the most powerful AI tools available today, and explain how they can save you energy and time. We will get hands on with these tools; please bring a charged laptop.

Speakers

Josh Welborn

El Specialist, Branson Public Schools

Friday August 1, 2025 9:30am - 10:15am CDT
Room Location TBA

Breakout Session Offered 1x

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School, Professional Developers, Instructional or District Specialists
LEVEL Beginners

9:30am CDT

Taking Care of Priority One - Our Students!

Friday August 1, 2025 9:30am - 10:15am CDT

Cooper Creek 1

Learn how school districts can build a culture that empowers teachers and school staff to meet their students' health, hunger, and hygiene needs so they can succeed in school. This session explores how Care to Learn helped Republic School District build connections and community by meeting students' basic needs.

Speakers

Krystal Simon

Chief Executive Officer, Care to Learn

Matt Pearce

Superintendent, Republic School District

Friday August 1, 2025 9:30am - 10:15am CDT
Cooper Creek 1

Breakout Session-Tier 1 Sponsor Showcase: Partnering with Member District

AUDIENCE Pre-K - 2, Elementary, Intermediate (4-6), Middle/Junior High, High School, Administrators
LEVEL Beginners