Every Teacher A Leader Summit 2026: Full Schedule

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9:00am EDT

Encouraging Creative Risk Taking in Student Writers

Friday July 31, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT

How can teachers jumpstart a writing community? By establishing the connection between identifying audience and purpose with selecting an accessible and compelling format. This workshop will introduce interactive, whole class activities and individual conferencing strategies for providing limited, targeted feedback to guide students toward seeing themselves as writers with agency over their work.

Speakers

Hilary Martin

Literacy Specialist, Mt. Ararat High School

Hilary Martin is a former theater teacher and current literacy specialist at Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham, Maine. In addition to her work in teaching reading and writing, she has developed curriculum centered around using theater and drama techniques across content areas.

Friday July 31, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
Alfond 229

Instruction, 6-12

9:00am EDT

Moving Away from Traditional Grading: A Process-based System

Friday July 31, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT

Alfond 228

Do you want to empower students to drive their own engagement and take ownership of their own learning? Join us as we explore resources, samples, and ideas for how you might implement a similar approach in your classroom to build a community where growth matters most. Inspired by Sarah Zerwin’s “Pointless” approach.

Speakers

Bridget Wright

English Teacher, Lincoln Academy

Bridget Wright teaches English at Lincoln Academy, where she also runs her schools Writing Center. She is the 2025 Lincoln County Teacher of the Year and has been teaching for 14 years.

Jack DeAngelis

Jack DeAngelis teaches English at Lincoln Academy where he is also the advisor for the school newspaper. Jack has been teaching for 6 years.

Friday July 31, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
Alfond 228

Instruction, 6-12

9:00am EDT

Yes, Really! Small Tweaks that Boost Engagement for All Learners

Friday July 31, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT

Alfond 227

Everyone engages more when they are interested and excited, and as a result, learning increases! The concept is easy, but designing instruction to optimize student engagement can sometimes feel overwhelming or inauthentic. This session will introduce you to opportunities to respond and why they are important for engagement, and help you realize that specific praise also increases student engagement. Participants will learn two types of responding, with specific examples, synthesize their learning through peer discussions, and observe classroom teachers implementing these techniques.

Speakers

Anne Marie Jordan

Literacy Specialist/ESEA Federal Grant Coordinator, Ridge View Community School, RSU 46

Anne Marie C. Jordan, Ph.D., is an experienced educator supporting teachers and students across Maine for 35 years. In MSAD #46, she is a Literacy Specialist and Federal Grant Coordinator, as well as a former classroom teacher, principal, and interventionist. She leads district initiatives... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am EDT
Alfond 227

Instruction, General

10:30am EDT

Empower Math Learners: Differentiation and Intervention Tools & Resources

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Alfond 227

This interactive workshop will equip math educators with resources and strategies to provide differentiated support in the classroom and through more intensive interventions. Learn to empower all students to engage with and learn mathematics. Walk away with strategies to make math visual, differentiate activities, and incorporate math games to reach all learners. New activities and routines will be shared!

Speakers

Cheryl Tobey

STEM Education Specialist, Maine Math and Science Alliance

Cheryl is a STEM Education Specialist at Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, where she supports mathematics educators through project work, consulting and curriculum development. Cheryl has 20 years of experience providing professional development to mathematics educators and... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT
Alfond 227

Instruction, PK-5

10:30am EDT

Everyone is Welcome to Play: Using the power of play to build student relationships to content and each other through games in the classroom

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Learning happens deeper and faster through play. Teachers in this session will experience some of the ways students in our classrooms work at a variety of levels, and learn through play together.

Speakers

Tara Frazier

Special Education Teacher, Veazie Community School

Tara Frazier is a Special Education Teacher at the Veazie Community School, where she has taught for the last 24 years. She wears many hats, including Resource Room teacher, IEP Case Manager, MathCounts Team Coach, and member of the Courageous Steps Project's Board of Directors... Read More →

Sierra Blake

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Instruction, K-8

10:30am EDT

Inquiry in Action: Socratic Seminars for Student-Led Thinking

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT

Alfond 228

Participants will engage in the preparation and implementation of a Socratic Seminar, an inquiry-based discussion method that encourages student agency, leadership, and critical thinking. Through this session, educators will leave with a practical strategy to take back to their classroom that will elevate student voice and transform classroom dialogues into purposeful, student-led learning.

Speakers

Heather Anderson

Grade 8 Social Studies Teacher, Caribou High School

Heather Anderson teaches 8th-grade ELA and Social Studies at Caribou High School. She is the 2022 Aroostook County Teacher of the Year and 2023 Maine Teacher of the Year finalist. She also currently serves as a member of the Teach Maine advisory board and is a Guide for the Rural... Read More →

Friday July 31, 2026 10:30am - 11:45am EDT
Alfond 228

Instruction, 3-12