DTAL Conference 2026

In this session, you will learn how to increase scholar agency, decrease your workload as an educator, all while fostering collaboration among your scholars, and providing an opportunity for your scholars to get a hands-on experience of our system of government. This will also create a system in your class that your scholars know how to utilize during class, whether you are there or not! Take this session from a seasoned educator who has learned a lot over their time and finds this--previously underwhelming strategy--truly impactful in class!

Discover how VBCPS educators can leverage Canvas Studio and Google Vids to create engaging, student-centered learning experiences that align with the Future Ready Profile and Strategic Plan goals of innovation, communication, and learner ownership. This session will showcase practical “app smashing” strategies using existing district tools to streamline formative data collection, amplify student voice, and increase engagement in grades K–12 across all content areas. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use ideas for boosting collaboration, creativity, and real-time feedback.

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.

Transform dry definitions into "Wow" moments! No matter what your subject or grade level, discover how students use Adobe Express and Generative AI to engineer vocabulary trading cards. Learn a future-ready workflow that builds deep conceptual understanding through research, iterative prompting, and high-impact visual design.
But we won’t stop at creation—we will also introduce a variety of ready-to-use activities that turn cards into powerful learning tools. From partner challenges and sorting games to review competitions and math congress-style discussions, you’ll leave with practical strategies to increase student engagement, promote meaningful discourse, and reinforce vocabulary in a fun, purposeful way.

This session offers a deep dive into the design and implementation of Behavior Academies as a proactive, tiered intervention to address student behavior. Participants will learn how to create structured, skill-building sessions that align with MTSS frameworks and support positive student outcomes. With a focus on data-driven decision-making, progress monitoring, and practical tools, this session equips elementary educators and leaders with strategies to implement Behavior Academies that are both impactful and sustainable.

This session will cover and explain the use of Microsoft Makecode Arcade to integrate Virginia computer science curriculum alongside social studies curriculum. This 4th grade lesson explicitly teaches variables, video game design concepts, and block code editing to show understanding of hardships within Jamestown. This session will review the VBCPS curriculum 4th grade Microsoft Makecode Arcade Jamestown lesson and how to implement this within the classroom.