DTAL Conference 2026

In this session the presenter will share how specialists and classroom teachers support grade 5 science through hands-on, standards-aligned, and efficient learning experiences in our STEM lab. We will showcase 15+ tried and true labs that are designed around each unit's SOLs and curriculum pacing, with bonus topics covering our 4th grade review and science tutoring.

Participants will leave with a Google Drive folder organized by science unit and containing student response sheets and other resources for each lab. If you are interested in bringing more creative, hands-on investigative experiences to a grade 5 science classroom, this session is a great place to start.

In this small-group roundtable discussion for teachers of grades 11–12 in essay‑heavy subjects (such as AP or IB history and English), participants will share their AI workflows: what has worked, what hasn’t, and ideas they are currently testing. The conversation will include, but not be limited to, uses of AI for rubrics, feedback, lesson planning, and parent communication. This semi‑structured “wins and messes” discussion is designed to promote transparency and digital fluency among colleagues, while supporting Compass 2030’s goals of developing responsible leaders and collaborative communicators.

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.

This session will support the goal of challenging and supporting each student to excel and be future-ready. This session aims to empower K-8 educators to focus on activities that promote metacognition and creative problem-solving. Drawing on David Dubczak’s Activate Your Genius Mode, we will explore high-leverage, critical thinking practices designed to challenge and foster students' cognitive endurance.
Participants will engage with innovative materials to develop future-ready learners. These materials can be immediately scaled for Elementary and Middle School classrooms across all subject areas. Shift your pedagogy from instruction-led to inquiry-driven to ignite student passion, engagement, and innovation.

Designed for middle and high school science educators, this interactive session immerses participants in Wassermann’s Play–Debrief–Replay model through hands-on investigations that mirror authentic scientific inquiry. Teachers will engage in structured “play,” reflect through targeted debriefing, and refine understanding through replay to deepen conceptual learning.

Ready to ignite your science instruction? Join us to transform your lessons using universal concepts to make meaningful connections. By moving away from isolated facts and toward conceptual learning, students are able to build a mental framework where deeper connections occur naturally. This approach shifts the focus from students recalling isolated scientific facts to understanding complex scientific concepts, boosting long-term retention. Discover how gifted pedagogy naturally aligns with science instruction to engage high-ability learners and elevate rigor for all. You will walk away with practical, ready-to-use tools to ignite curiosity, spark critical thinking, and cultivate a classroom of young scientists!

This session explores teacher clarity's core components: crafting clear learning intentions and measurable success criteria. Participants will learn to organize intentional instruction, align assessments, and use student-friendly language to reduce confusion. Discover how this powerful mindset deepens student learning and maximizes instructional impact.