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K-12 Educators & Specialists – You’re Invited!
Join us for this FREE event on August 13, 2026, to learn about ways LBL ESD and partner organizations can support you this upcoming school year through professional learning and coaching.
Time: 8 am – 4 pm (Lunch provided!)
Location: LBL ESD, 905 SE 4th Avenue, Albany
Session Information:
AI for Teachers:
This AI 101, interactive session provides time and space to apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) to teaching. The workshop offers a practical introduction to generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and MagicSchool AI, to reduce workload and improve student learning.
Connection Through Communication:
Students attend class more regularly when they feel seen, valued, and empowered to drive their own learning. We’ll explore how to build strong partnerships with your learners to create regular attendance, better behavior, and more engagement in learning. This workshop offers clear strategies to power the engine for learning.
Integrating STEM and Literacy:
Engage with the 5E Model as a planning tool to integrate STEM activities to help students build background knowledge and increase comprehension when reading informational texts.
Intro to Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics:
Join us for a sneak peek into our K-12 Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics book study and community of practice, including strategies to implement early in the school year. More information about the Mid-Valley STEM-CTE-sponsored opportunity for the 2026-27 school year will also be shared during the session.
Project-Based Learning:
Curious about Project-Based Learning but not sure where to start? This session breaks down the core elements of effective project-based learning and helps you think through how to design meaningful, rigorous projects that are tied to your core instruction and keep students engaged. Whether you’re brand new to project-based learning or just looking to sharpen your approach, you’ll leave with practical tools and a clearer vision for bringing it to life in your classroom.
Science of Writing:
Focus on Writing this year! Get a taste of our LBLESD 4-part Writing Series that begins this fall. Participants will walk away with an understanding of the writing brain and take away some actionable strategies to enhance the writing craft across all content areas.
Setting up Systems for Success: Classroom Organization & Parent Communication
Your classroom environment sends a message to students before you ever say a word! This session walks you through the key decisions new teachers face when setting up their space, organizing their space, from seating arrangements and traffic flow to routines, materials management, and creating a culture of organization from the start! Come ready to think critically about your space and leave with a setup plan that’s both functional and welcoming. In addition, you’ll explore practical strategies for reaching out proactively, navigating difficult conversations, and setting a tone that builds trust with families from day one. Leave with ready-to-use templates and a communication plan that works for you and your community.
Supporting Student Motivation:
Have you ever heard the comment, “Students just aren’t motivated anymore,” or found yourself wondering how to better engage and motivate your students? This session will provide educators with practical tools to better understand student motivation and strengthen student engagement in everyday classroom practice through strategies that address students’ needs for belonging, interest, voice, and connection. Teachers can foster stronger relationships and create classrooms where students feel heard, valued, and supported.
Transforming Classroom Culture Through Trauma-Informed Care:
Childhood trauma can drastically alter a student’s ability to
concentrate, control impulses, and form healthy relationships. Because trauma manifests in complex ways—from outbursts to emotional numbing—traditional disciplinary practices often fall short. This session invites educators to make a perspective shift: moving away from asking “What is wrong with you?” and instead asking, “What happened to you?” To support this shift, the participant will explore practical tools to de-escalate classroom tension, build stronger relationships, and foster a supportive environment where every student can thrive.
Unlocking Independence: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills:
Ever wonder why students struggle to start a simple task, or why homework vanishes into the “black hole” of a backpack? The secret often lies in executive functioning (EF)—the brain’s internal conductor managing focus, working memory, and self-regulation. When this conductor is out of sync, a frustrating gap forms between a student’s true intellectual potential and their daily performance.
In this session, educators will walk away with concrete, classroom-ready strategies to scaffold organization, time management, and emotional regulation, ultimately empowering students to take the lead in their own learning.