DTAL Conference 2026

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.

What if you could hire a special group of personal assistants to handle all of your tedious, repetitive tasks in a fraction of the time?

Make Gemini Gems your A-team of AI assistants -- trained specifically by you . . . for you. In this session, you will learn how to train a lesson builder, quiz companion, feedback coach, and sub lesson planner. These Gems can be used over-and-over without a bathroom break!

Next, you will get hands-on experience building a custom Gem that meets your needs and even learn how to share your Gem with teachers and show students how to recreate tehem (only available for HS students)! Walk away from this session with time-savers and student-engagers galore!

Ready to bring 3D design to your middle/high schoolers but don’t know where to start? Join me for this interactive, hands-on session where we will walk through a model "Day One" Tinkercad lesson. Learn how to navigate the 3D workspace and master basic techniques of building, such as making holes, resizing/aligning/rotating/grouping objects, preparing a design to 3D print, and much more. Your confidence will soar as you learn how to add students to your Tinkercad class and troubleshoot common issues. Walk away with a ready-to-use introductory presentation, student cheat sheets, and even some intermediate techniques to challenge your students to level up their designs.

The purpose of this workshop is to explore the critical relationship between classroom culture and student engagement. It will examine how intentional practices, inclusive environments, and culturally responsive teaching strategies can foster meaningful student participation, improve academic outcomes, and promote a sense of belonging among English language learners. This workshop is designed for K–12 educators, instructional leaders, and school administrators seeking to improve classroom climate and increase student engagement, particularly among marginalized and underrepresented student populations.

This session supports AAF/FAF staff in designing effective classroom environments by creating master schedules, strategically utilizing support staff, and implementing communication-focused activities to reduce behavior and increase engagement. Participants will learn to maximize instructional time and ensure all students access individualized, standards-aligned instruction across content areas.