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DTALcon 26 will be held at Green Run High School on Thursday, August 6, 2026.  You can login to SCHED using your work Google Account ([email protected]). Once logged in, you can then select the sessions that you would like to attend. Registering for a session will hold your seat for that session. Waitlists are enabled, and you will be able to register for that session if a spot opens up.

To access the DTALcon 26 Google Site, click here - DTALcon 26.
Audience: Instructional Staff clear filter
Thursday, August 6
 

9:00am EDT

Goal Getters: Creating Future Ready Students Who Own Their Learning
LIMITED
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 9:40am EDT
Room 213
Limited Capacity seats available
This professional development session focuses on the power of student goal setting as a way to build ownership and create future-ready learners. Teachers will explore practical strategies for helping students understand where they are in their learning by using clear learning targets and success criteria. Participants will learn how to guide students in setting specific, achievable goals and tracking their progress over time. By empowering students to reflect on their growth and take an active role in their learning journey, educators can foster motivation, independence, and lasting impact in the classroom and beyond.
Presenters
avatar for Dana Hand

Dana Hand

Instructional Technology Specialist, Malibu Elementary School
This is my 25th year in Virginia Beach City Public Schools.  I am currently an Instructional Technology Specialist at Malibu Elementary School.
BB

Bridget Buchinger

Reading Specialist, Malibu ES
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 9:40am EDT
Room 213
  40 minute Choice session

9:00am EDT

Leveling Up Inquiry with AVID and AI
LIMITED
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 9:40am EDT
Room 219
Limited Capacity seats available
Move beyond surface-level questioning by integrating AVID’s "Marking the Text" with Costa’s Levels of Inquiry and Gemini AI. In this hands-on session, participants will learn to guide students through three stages of inquiry: gathering information, processing data, and applying knowledge "beyond the book." We will demonstrate how students can transform "Inquiry Sparks" into sophisticated prompts for Gemini, using AI to refine their thinking and generate content-specific questions. Attendees will leave with a practical toolkit of opening moves and reflection strategies to elevate critical thinking in any secondary classroom.
Presenters
avatar for Kristin Sanderlin

Kristin Sanderlin

Instructional Tech Specialist, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
MD

Mary Davanzo Tysor

Literacy Coach, Landstown HS
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 9:40am EDT
Room 219
  40 minute Choice session

9:00am EDT

Micro:Bit Makes Learning Interactive
LIMITED
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 9:40am EDT
Room 208
Limited Capacity seats available
Ready to swap passive screens for active play? Join this hands-on workshop for Grades 3-5 educators that is engaging and cross-curricular. We’ll dive into the micro:bit, transforming abstract concepts into tangible tools that demonstrate understanding.
This session directly supports our Strategic Plan to cultivate Future Ready Learners by bridging the gap between theory and practice. By integrating computer science standards into your curriculum you’ll empower students to be creators, not just consumers. (And trust me, you can do it!)
Presenters
avatar for Beth Smith

Beth Smith

Instructional Tech Specialist, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
My passion lies in leveraging AI to streamline teacher tasks, integrating technology to create engaging learning experiences for students, and fostering a love for coding and robotics. My diverse background as a classroom teacher and a Gifted Resource Teacher enriches my current role... Read More →
avatar for Nicole Holdcraft

Nicole Holdcraft

Instructional Tech Specialist, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
With over a decade of experience teaching in both Chicago public and private schools, specializing in elementary education and early childhood development, Nikki brings a wealth of expertise to the education field. Recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2021 and Reading Teacher of the... Read More →
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 9:40am EDT
Room 208
  40 minute Choice session

9:00am EDT

Still Blending In: What the Latest Research Says About Heggerty and Phonemic Awareness
LIMITED
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 9:40am EDT
Room 106
Limited Capacity seats available
This session unpacks what the latest evidence based reading research tells us about phonemic awareness: what it is, what it isn't, who actually needs explicit practice, and when a tool like Heggerty is warranted versus when it isn't. Designed for teachers and specialists across grade levels, participants will leave with a clearer decision-making framework for matching phonemic awareness support to the students who need it most.
Presenters
KN

Korrin Nash

Instructional Specialist, Department of Teaching and Learning

RC

Robyn Cady

Early Literacy Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 9:40am EDT
Room 106
  40 minute Choice session

9:00am EDT

AI and the Environment: What Educators Should Know
LIMITED
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Room 210
Limited Capacity seats available
This session provides middle and high school educators, instructional coaches, and district leaders with a research-based examination of artificial intelligence’s environmental footprint and systemic impacts. Current data from assorted stakeholders will provide attendees with a broader understanding of diverse perspectives. Participants will be empowered to identify strategies for engaging in respectful discourse with students, considering the environmentally conscious, highly creative, morally driven, and/or socially responsible learner. The session also examines the necessity of being prepared with various methods and tools to support student voice and decision-making.
Presenters
avatar for Suzanne Flach

Suzanne Flach

Instructional Technology Specialist, First Colonial High
Suzanne Flach has served as an Instructional Technology Specialist with Virginia Beach City Public Schools since 2012. Before transitioning into instructional technology, she taught Biology in both Virginia Beach City Public Schools and Chesterfield County Public Schools.A self-described... Read More →
avatar for Sheila Teri

Sheila Teri

Instructional Technology Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning
Sheila M. Teri is an Instructional Technology Coordinator at Virginia Beach City Public Schools, with over 27 years of experience as an educator, coach, and district-level administrator. A dedicated servant leader, Sheila supports administrators, coaches, teachers, and staff in integrating... Read More →
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Room 210
  90 minute Choice session

9:00am EDT

ESSENTIAL: Social Studies as a Skill (6th and 7th)
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Library
We are strengthening our curriculum and instructional supports through the use of evidence-based assessment practices, so we can promote student success and develop future-ready students.
Presenters
avatar for Taylor Lovejoy

Taylor Lovejoy

Social Studies Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Library
  Essential session

9:00am EDT

ESSENTIAL: The Curricular Spark - Igniting Thinking Through Strategic Resource Use (HS)
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Room 115
Secondary mathematics is continuing its integration of Mathspace beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Teachers and students will now have access to class sets of physical textbooks along with the existing online resource. This guided session will revisit familiar features within Mathspace and explore new functionalities. Participants will also learn best practices for balancing and integrating the use of both print and digital High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) with our VBCPS curriculum to improve student outcomes across high school mathematics classrooms. NOTE: Please bring your fully charged laptop computer to this session.
Presenters
avatar for Dena McElligott

Dena McElligott

Math Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning
avatar for Shaylee Ryan

Shaylee Ryan

Secondary Mathematics Instructional Specialist, Department of Teaching and Learning
avatar for Tina Mazzacane

Tina Mazzacane

Math Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Room 115
  Essential session

9:00am EDT

ESSENTIAL: The Curricular Spark - Igniting Thinking Through Strategic Resource Use (MS)
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Room 116
Secondary mathematics is continuing its integration of Mathspace beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Teachers and students will now have access to class sets of physical textbooks along with the existing online resource. This guided session will revisit familiar features within Mathspace and explore new functionalities. Participants will also learn best practices for balancing and integrating the use of both print and digital High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) with our VBCPS curriculum to improve student outcomes across middle school mathematics classrooms. NOTE: Please bring your fully charged laptop computer to this session.
Presenters
avatar for Dena McElligott

Dena McElligott

Math Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning
avatar for Shaylee Ryan

Shaylee Ryan

Secondary Mathematics Instructional Specialist, Department of Teaching and Learning
avatar for Tina Mazzacane

Tina Mazzacane

Math Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Room 116
  Essential session

9:00am EDT

ESSENTIAL: The Curricular Spark - Igniting Thinking Through Strategic Resource Use in Probability and Statistics
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Room 117
Prepare for the 2026-2027 rollout of the Probability and Statistics 1.0 credit course with this strategic dive into the updated VBCPS curriculum, specifically designed to provide a deeper understanding of content based on the 2023 Probability and Statistics Standards of Learning. Participants will explore newly developed resources aligned to the Virginia state standards along with recommendations for pacing and sequencing of content. NOTE: Please bring your fully charged laptop computer to this session.
Presenters
avatar for Dena McElligott

Dena McElligott

Math Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning
avatar for Shaylee Ryan

Shaylee Ryan

Secondary Mathematics Instructional Specialist, Department of Teaching and Learning
avatar for Tina Mazzacane

Tina Mazzacane

Math Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning
Thursday August 6, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Room 117
  Essential session

10:45am EDT

Differentiating through Kaplan's Depth and Complexity Model
LIMITED
Thursday August 6, 2026 10:45am - 11:25am EDT
Room 114
Limited Capacity seats available
Differentiation is a buzz word that gets thrown around in education all the time, but what is it truly? This session will provide strategies and proactive methods centered on using Kaplan’s Depth & Complexity Model. Instead of a one-sized fits all approach, Kaplan provides multiple pathways for students to learn the content. This session will provide participants with strategies that they can take and implement immediately in their classrooms.
Presenters
avatar for Angela Boubouheropoulos

Angela Boubouheropoulos

Gifted Programs Coordinator


avatar for Meghann Scott

Meghann Scott

Coordinator, K-12 Programs
avatar for Jessica Bradford
Thursday August 6, 2026 10:45am - 11:25am EDT
Room 114
  40 minute Choice session

12:45pm EDT

Adobe Express and Literacy
LIMITED
Thursday August 6, 2026 12:45pm - 1:25pm EDT
Room 202
Limited Capacity seats available
Do you want to spark creativity in your language arts instruction? Do your students love the idea of creating generative AI pictures? Do they want to express themselves, what makes them special? Do you want tasks tied directly to curriculum that allows for student creativity? Adobe Express guided tasks are the answer. In this session, we will look at real Adobe Express activities used in 3rd grade classrooms to extend and remediate students, understand specific content focused vocabulary, and take your language arts instruction to the next level.
Presenters
avatar for Ashlynn Hadley
KD
avatar for Tim Trask

Tim Trask

Instructional Technology Specialist, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Thursday August 6, 2026 12:45pm - 1:25pm EDT
Room 202
  40 minute Choice session

12:45pm EDT

ESSENTIAL: AI Instructional Foundations Part 1
LIMITED
Thursday August 6, 2026 12:45pm - 2:15pm EDT
Schola
Limited Capacity seats available
This session provides middle school educators with actionable strategies for the next phase of AI implementation, ensuring continued alignment with the VBCPS AI Guiding Principles.
Presenters
avatar for Kelly Miller

Kelly Miller

Library Services Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning
avatar for Charlie Hinsch

Charlie Hinsch

Coordinator Instructional Technology, Department of Teaching and Learning
Instructional Technology Coordinator
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
avatar for Jennifer Clements

Jennifer Clements

Instructional Technology Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning

avatar for Sheila Teri

Sheila Teri

Instructional Technology Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning
Sheila M. Teri is an Instructional Technology Coordinator at Virginia Beach City Public Schools, with over 27 years of experience as an educator, coach, and district-level administrator. A dedicated servant leader, Sheila supports administrators, coaches, teachers, and staff in integrating... Read More →
avatar for Matthew Colohan

Matthew Colohan

Instructional Technology Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning
Thursday August 6, 2026 12:45pm - 2:15pm EDT
Schola
  Essential session

1:35pm EDT

AI In the Language Classroom
LIMITED
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:35pm - 2:15pm EDT
Room 212
Limited Capacity seats available
We will explore AI tools that help support world language instruction and literacy.
Presenters
avatar for Leah Donohue

Leah Donohue

Instructional Specialist, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
PH

Paula Hernandez

Instructional Specialist, Department of Teaching and Learning
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:35pm - 2:15pm EDT
Room 212
  40 minute Choice session

1:35pm EDT

ESSENTIAL: The Curricular Spark - Igniting Thinking Through Strategic Resource Use (HS)
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:35pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 115
Secondary mathematics is continuing its integration of Mathspace beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Teachers and students will now have access to class sets of physical textbooks along with the existing online resource. This guided session will revisit familiar features within Mathspace and explore new functionalities. Participants will also learn best practices for balancing and integrating the use of both print and digital High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) with our VBCPS curriculum to improve student outcomes across high school mathematics classrooms. NOTE: Please bring your fully charged laptop computer to this session.
Presenters
avatar for Dena McElligott

Dena McElligott

Math Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning
avatar for Shaylee Ryan

Shaylee Ryan

Secondary Mathematics Instructional Specialist, Department of Teaching and Learning
avatar for Tina Mazzacane

Tina Mazzacane

Math Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:35pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 115
  Essential session

1:35pm EDT

ESSENTIAL: The Curricular Spark - Igniting Thinking Through Strategic Resource Use (MS)
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:35pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 116
Secondary mathematics is continuing its integration of Mathspace beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. Teachers and students will now have access to class sets of physical textbooks along with the existing online resource. This guided session will revisit familiar features within Mathspace and explore new functionalities. Participants will also learn best practices for balancing and integrating the use of both print and digital High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) with our VBCPS curriculum to improve student outcomes across middle school mathematics classrooms. NOTE: Please bring your fully charged laptop computer to this session.
Presenters
avatar for Dena McElligott

Dena McElligott

Math Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning
avatar for Shaylee Ryan

Shaylee Ryan

Secondary Mathematics Instructional Specialist, Department of Teaching and Learning
avatar for Tina Mazzacane

Tina Mazzacane

Math Coordinator, Department of Teaching and Learning
Thursday August 6, 2026 1:35pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 116
  Essential session

2:30pm EDT

Crack the Code: Unlocking Student Data
LIMITED
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Room 216
Limited Capacity seats available
This isn’t your average “sit-and-get” PD! Using a Breakout EDU-style format, you’ll work in teams to explore district, school, classroom, and student data. As you solve puzzles and “unlock” each step, you’ll organize and analyze data, identify trends, and determine meaningful next steps. Our goal is that you leave with a mindset that data analysis isn't a stressful, isolated chore, but something that can be done efficiently, and doesn't take a lot of time to do.
Presenters
AD

Ashley Dajero

Instructional Technology Specialists, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
avatar for Melissa Minter

Melissa Minter

Library Media Specialist, Indian Lakes ES
Thursday August 6, 2026 2:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Room 216
  90 minute Choice session

3:20pm EDT

AI as a Thought Partner: Practical Strategies for Teachers
LIMITED
Thursday August 6, 2026 3:20pm - 4:00pm EDT
Room 209
Limited Capacity seats available
In this engaging, practitioner-focused session, Virginia Beach educators will explore how artificial intelligence can be used as a thought-partner that supports educator thinking and planning to deepen learning and amplify student engagement in middle school classrooms. Designed for instructional coaches, teachers, and school leaders, the session will model practical, responsible uses of AI to support lesson design, differentiation, formative assessment, and reflective practice. Along with specific prompt examples, participants will use the RADAR strategy to create their own prompts. They will leave with concrete strategies they can apply immediately to increase rigor, relevance, and student voice—all while using professional judgment and discernment.
Presenters
avatar for Ellen Nesbit

Ellen Nesbit

Instructional Tech Specialist, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Instructional Technology Specialist in Virginia Beach, Virginia; 
Certifications: Google Certified Educator Level II, Microsoft Office Specialist;
Masters in Instructional Technology from Old Dominion University (and oddly, a bachelor's in Spanish Literature from Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC, established in 1772 and the oldest institution for educating women in the United States... Read More →
avatar for Barbara Butler

Barbara Butler

Instructional Technology Specialist, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Virginia Beach City Public Schools Instructional Technology Specialist
Thursday August 6, 2026 3:20pm - 4:00pm EDT
Room 209
  40 minute Choice session
 

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