Hosted on May 28–29, at Woodland Spring Middle School, this year’s summit featured targeted sessions focused on instructional best practices, technology integration, curriculum alignment, and student-centered strategies—all aligned with Kansas State Standards. The event attracted veteran educators and was especially beneficial for new teachers, offering tools to grow their instructional skills, manage classrooms confidently, and connect with professional learning communities. Attendees had the opportunity to earn two graduate credit hours through Baker University, making this conference both practical and impactful for continued professional growth.
The Summer Summit served as a valuable springboard for early-career educators, offering a range of engaging opportunities designed to support their professional growth. Sessions such as “Brain in Motion: Embracing the ADHD Brain in Education,” “Making Sense of Math Word Problems,” and “Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Training” equipped new teachers with classroom-ready strategies for differentiating instruction, supporting neurodiverse learners, and managing challenging behaviors. Technology integration was also a focus, with workshops like “iPads for K–5 Classrooms” and “Getting Started with Formative” helping teachers confidently implement digital tools to boost student engagement and streamline assessment. Additionally, collaborative learning experiences—including “Teaming Up with AI” and “Innovation Sprint: Real-World Learning Through Design Thinking”—encouraged peer interaction and knowledge-sharing, enabling early-career educators to connect with experienced colleagues and build strong professional networks.
Participants left the Summit with immediate access to high-quality resources from the Kansas Department of Education’s (KSDE) Alignment Toolkits for Math, Science, Social Studies, and ELA, as well as data-driven platforms like Formative to personalize instruction and monitor student progress.
“I also had the opportunity to present on mindful grading practices again. It’s helpful to hear from other colleagues about their practices for grading and what they’ve trained. I appreciate the time to work to improve my teaching, my school, and my district.”
- Renee Stallbaumer, Math Interventionist for Spring Hill Schools
The Summer Summit directly contributes to increased student achievement by equipping educators with research-based strategies and tools. Teachers refine their approach to ensuring high expectations, equitable instruction, and measurable academic growth.
“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to attend this year’s Summer Summit! I gained valuable insights on using data and standards to drive instruction, explored new ways to integrate technology, and collaborated with passionate colleagues—all to support student achievement. I’m excited to implement fresh strategies that promote both academic growth and social-emotional success in my classroom next year!”
- Ashley O'Malley, Third Grade Teacher, Wolf Creek Elementary School
As districts prepare for the upcoming school year, the momentum from Summer Summit 2025 ensures that educators are energized, informed, and ready to inspire student success at every level.
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