2025 GOCSD Innovation Summit

Over the past three years, Republic has piloted the work of Social Skills and Work Habits at the classroom, building, and district level. Come and learn more about the process of how and why this work has been foundational to the success of the classroom. In this session we will explore some key research pieces that support the whole child's need of SEL curriculum in the school and practical strategies we have put into place to support teachers, students, and families.

Are you looking to implement small group instruction? Do you wish your small groups were more effective? Whether you are just beginning to use small groups or you are ready for a refresh, come learn how to get the most of your instructional time. We will explore building accuracy, fluency, and comprehension within guided reading and literature discussion groups. We will also explore how to use leveled math groups to provide all students with success. Leave this session with a deeper understanding of how small group instruction can transform the teaching and learning in your classroom.

Are you ready for students to take ownership of their behavior and their learning? In this session participants will learn how to use goal setting as a manageable tool to transform their classroom. This best practice has been adapted from Bill Zima’s "Mindsets & Skill Sets for Learning: A Framework for Building Student Agency" book. Come ready to hear teacher and student testimonials, and plan to leave with strategies to implement in August that will transform your entire year.

3D printing has many applications for all classrooms including allowing the creation of custom models, and creating replicas of objects that otherwise would be out of reach of most classrooms. This session would focus on implementing the technology of 3D printing to the classroom. Teachers will be instructed on the basics of 3D printing, implementation, where to find models to print, 3D printing’s advantages and disadvantages, and the finances of 3D printing. The session will include a live demonstration of printing and an example lesson. Teachers will be given access to our collection of models for their own use.

This session invites educators to reflect critically on their grading practices. To do this, teachers will be encouraged to reflect on what they are grading and whether those grades accurately represent what students truly know and can do independently. Through guided reflection and group discussion, teachers will explore strategies to ensure that assessments are meaningful and align with standards. The next time teachers hear, “Is this for a grade?” or “Will I ever use this?” they can provide an answer with confidence.

What if there is a way to increase engagement and achievement without a new initiative or costly curriculum? Companies spend millions each year improving employees' workspaces because employee comfort is directly tied to their productivity and the company’s bottom line. Engagement and achievement are our bottom lines, but we rarely examine the impact of students’ working conditions in high schools. This session merges research from psychology and architecture with education and draws on original research with responses from 120 schools. Participants will be able to make tangible, practical changes to high school classrooms that increase student engagement and achievement.