Anna ISD Launch Week: Back to School 2026: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

9:00am CDT

Raising the Ceiling: Critical Thinking for Advanced Learners

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT

How do we create learning experiences that are accessible, engaging, and still challenging enough for advanced learners? In this 45-minute session, participants will explore “low floor, high ceiling” strategies designed to support high-achieving students, GT learners, and enrichment groups. Teachers will learn practical ways to increase critical thinking, add depth and complexity, and design tasks that move students beyond completion and into analysis, creativity, and problem-solving. Participants will leave with ready-to-use ideas for raising the ceiling in any classroom.

Speakers

Leslie Diaz

GT Specialist, Harlow Elementary

This year marks my 16th year in education, and I continue to love the opportunity to help students grow and succeed. Over the course of my career, I have spent 7 years in the classroom, 7 years as an interventionist, and I am beginning my second year as a GT Specialist. My journey... Read More →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am CDT
AHS B109 Anna High School, 1107 West Rosamond Parkway, Anna, TX 75409

Gifted and Talented

10:00am CDT

Ready, Set, Choice: Using Choice Boards for Differentiation

1.00 PD

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT

AHS B108

Discover how choice boards can be used to effectively differentiate instruction, increase student engagement, and provide meaningful learning choices. Leave with classroom-ready choice boards you can use with your students this school year.

Speakers

Jennifer Allison

Rosamond Sherley

Jennifer Allison, a proud wife and mother of five children, ages 7, 11, 13, 17, and 19, understands the balance between nurturing growth at home and in the classroom. Jennifer is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of classroom experience. Throughout her career, she has taught... Read More →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am CDT
AHS B108 Anna High School, 1107 West Rosamond Parkway, Anna, TX 75409

Gifted and Talented

11:00am CDT

Future-Ready Gifted Education Leveraging Project-Based Learning, AI, and Real-World Connections (Secondary GT)

1.00 PD

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am CDT

AHS B109

Participants will identify ways to use Project-Based Learning (PBL), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cross-curricular connections to increase engagement and rigor for gifted learners without creating significantly more work for teachers.

Speakers

Julie Kistler

AHS CTE Department Head, GT Coordinator, Campus Key Communicator, Webmaster, Anna High School

I lead Anna High School’s marketing, communications, and digital engagement strategy while serving as the GT Coordinator, key campus communicator, and Certified Marketing Educator. I manage the school’s brand presence, oversee social media and content strategy, strengthen stakeholder... Read More →

Tuesday July 28, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am CDT
AHS B109 Anna High School, 1107 West Rosamond Parkway, Anna, TX 75409

Gifted and Talented

3:15pm CDT

AP Classroom Teachers: Starting the year off planning for a 5!

0.75 PD

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT

AHS B112

Speakers

Trey Maddux

Secondary Math Instructional Coordinator, Anna ISD

I have over 20 years of experience in education. I have instructed students in every subject in mathematics from Algebra 1 to AP Calculus and AP Statistics.

Wednesday July 29, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm CDT
AHS B112

Gifted and Talented

Anna ISD Launch Week: Back to School 2026

9:00am CDT

Leslie Diaz

10:00am CDT

Jennifer Allison

11:00am CDT

Julie Kistler

3:15pm CDT

Trey Maddux

Get help with the event