Get ready to refresh, refine, and remix your learning at Summer Inspire on May 27-28 from 8:30–4:00! This year, we’re building on what works, exploring new strategies, and amplifying the impact we have on students. Please bring a charged device to all sessions.
Please note: Our main location will be Shepton High School, but some sessions may be at the Plano ISD Sockwell Center.
Shepton High School: 5505 W Plano Pkwy, Plano, TX 75093
Sockwell Center: 6301 Chapel Hill Blvd, Plano, TX 75093
Some tips for navigating Sched:
Filter sessions by type using the menu bar on the right side of Sched (All Levels, Elementary, Secondary, Session Times).
Reserve your spot by clicking the circle icon next to the session name. Be sure to log in with your PISD credentials to secure your spot—sessions fill up fast!
There are 80-minute (earn 1.5 hours of credit), three-hour, and full day (earning 6 hours of credit) session options for each day. Participants are invited to attend as many as they wish each day.
All sessions qualify for 26-27 Trade Hours.
Have additional questions? Contact Kyle Fritsche at [email protected].
Sign up or log in to add sessions to your schedule and sync them to your phone or calendar.
(for Elementary) Discover how your librarian can be a collaborative partner in building curious and confident young learners. This session explores databases, digital tools, eBooks, and multimedia resources that support literacy, inquiry, and content-area learning. Elementary educators will see practical examples of how library resources can enhance read‑alouds, research projects, and classroom lessons while saving planning time. You’ll leave with ready-to-use ideas and a clear picture of how the library can support you and your students.
Join us for a high-level overview of our new elementary math resource. We will walk through the anatomy of a standard lesson, preview the student experience, and explore the library of supplemental resources available to you. This is your dedicated time to navigate the new materials and get a head start on visualizing your math instruction for the fall.
(for Elementary) Looking to refresh and strengthen your classroom management without losing your sanity (or your sense of humor)? Join the Student Management Team for Connection, Correction, and Consistency—a fun, practical session packed with real-life strategies that actually work, plus built-in work time to help you start prepping systems and supports for next year. We’ll share simple ways to build strong relationships with students (yes, even that one), deliver effective corrections without power struggles, and create consistent systems that keep behavior on track. Expect expert tips you can use immediately, a few laughs, and maybe even some “why didn’t I think of that?” moments. Your future self (and classroom) will thank you!
Elementary Science: Turn your word wall into a tool for real scientific thinking. Learn how interactive word walls can strengthen science talk, improve writing, and help grades 3–5 students make sense of complex vocabulary and concepts. Spend three high-energy, engaging hours with Dr. Julie Jackson—you’ll leave with practical strategies you can implement immediately.
(For K-2 Dual Language Teachers and Staff) Welcome to the "Perfectly Paired" approach to 50/50 instruction! This interactive workshop helps teachers explore the PISD Dual Language Allocation Plan, transforming a 50/50 split into a seamless educational experience. We will outline the Language of Instruction (LOI) for core subjects, giving teachers a clear understanding of the "who, what, and when" for their daily schedule. Participants will walk away with a toolkit of engaging strategies for Emergent Bilinguals, with a focus on scaffolds that foster confidence and academic success in both languages. Join us to discover how perfectly pairing your instruction can foster remarkable student growth! [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
Laura Soto is a Language Acquisition Specialist that works for Multilingual Academic Services. She has been in education for 20 years and began her educational journey as a bilingual classroom teacher. Laura is passionate about language acquisition and creating fun learning opportunities... Read More →
Wednesday May 27, 2026 8:30am - 11:20am CDT Sockwell Center6301 Chapel Hill Blvd, Plano, TX 75093
(for Elementary) Discover how your librarian can be a collaborative partner in building curious and confident young learners. This session explores databases, digital tools, eBooks, and multimedia resources that support literacy, inquiry, and content-area learning. Elementary educators will see practical examples of how library resources can enhance read‑alouds, research projects, and classroom lessons while saving planning time. You’ll leave with ready-to-use ideas and a clear picture of how the library can support you and your students.
Join us for a high-level overview of our new elementary math resource. We will walk through the anatomy of a standard lesson, preview the student experience, and explore the library of supplemental resources available to you. This is your dedicated time to navigate the new materials and get a head start on visualizing your math instruction for the fall.
Join us for a high-level overview of our new elementary math resource. We will walk through the anatomy of a standard lesson, preview the student experience, and explore the library of supplemental resources available to you. This is your dedicated time to navigate the new materials and get a head start on visualizing your math instruction for the fall.
(For 3-5 Dual Language Teachers and Staff) Welcome to the "Perfectly Paired" approach to 50/50 instruction! This interactive workshop helps teachers explore the PISD Dual Language Allocation Plan, transforming a 50/50 split into a seamless educational experience. We will outline the Language of Instruction (LOI) for core subjects, giving teachers a clear understanding of the "who, what, and when" for their daily schedule. Participants will walk away with a toolkit of engaging strategies for Emergent Bilinguals, with a focus on scaffolds that foster confidence and academic success in both languages. Join us to discover how perfectly pairing your instruction can foster remarkable student growth! [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
Laura Soto is a Language Acquisition Specialist that works for Multilingual Academic Services. She has been in education for 20 years and began her educational journey as a bilingual classroom teacher. Laura is passionate about language acquisition and creating fun learning opportunities... Read More →
Wednesday May 27, 2026 1:00pm - 3:50pm CDT Sockwell Center6301 Chapel Hill Blvd, Plano, TX 75093
Elementary Science: IWW Level 2 - Take your interactive word walls to the next level. This session is designed for grades 3–5 science teachers who are ready to move beyond setup and into impact. Learn how to use word walls to drive deeper thinking, support complex science writing, and assess student understanding in real time. Explore strategies for increasing student ownership, connecting vocabulary to TEKS-based concepts, and embedding word walls into daily instruction—not just display. Spend three engaging, high-energy hours with Dr. Julie Jackson as you refine your practice, analyze student work, and leave with advanced, ready-to-implement strategies.
Join us for a high-level overview of our new elementary math resource. We will walk through the anatomy of a standard lesson, preview the student experience, and explore the library of supplemental resources available to you. This is your dedicated time to navigate the new materials and get a head start on visualizing your math instruction for the fall.
(For elementary) This high-energy professional development session equips educators with practical, student-centered strategies that drive active learning and deep engagement. Participants will explore the essential components of an engaged classroom, gaining hands-on experience with techniques that get students actively involved in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The session focuses on increasing critical thinking, fostering student ownership of learning, and integrating higher-order thinking into daily instruction. Educators will leave with ready-to-use tools and strategies to create a language-rich, interactive environment where students thrive. This session provides an engaging and immersive learning experience, ensuring that teachers walk away with actionable strategies to transform instruction and maximize student success. [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
(For elementary) Strengthen literacy skills by unlocking the powerful connection between reading and writing! This engaging professional development session provides educators with learner-centered, active strategies to enhance student comprehension, writing fluency, and content mastery. Participants will uncover how reading fuels better writing, and gather practical tools to lessen writing anxiety while building student confidence. Through hands-on experiences, educators will leave with a ready-to-use toolkit of dynamic strategies designed to boost engagement, deepen understanding, and empower students to thrive as both readers and writers. [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
This foundational session is for educators joining the elementary Math Rocks team. Explore the unique philosophy of the program as well as routines, procedures, and expectations of a Math Rocks classroom. Engage in enrichment lessons like cryptarithmetic and lessons for teaching multi-grade level TEKS. Leave with an understanding of the Math Rocks operational framework and equipped to launch the program from the beginning of the school year. This session qualifies for GT credit.
Join us for a high-level overview of our new elementary math resource. We will walk through the anatomy of a standard lesson, preview the student experience, and explore the library of supplemental resources available to you. This is your dedicated time to navigate the new materials and get a head start on visualizing your math instruction for the fall.
Join us for a high-level overview of our new elementary math resource. We will walk through the anatomy of a standard lesson, preview the student experience, and explore the library of supplemental resources available to you. This is your dedicated time to navigate the new materials and get a head start on visualizing your math instruction for the fall.
Limited Capacityfull Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.
(For elementary) This interactive professional development session empowers educators with strategic questioning techniques designed to deepen student understanding, foster inquiry, and enhance critical thinking. Participants will explore how to craft purposeful questions, encourage student-generated questions, and shift from content coverage to true comprehension. Through fast-paced, hands-on experiences, educators will analyze question types, refine questioning strategies, and practice techniques that promote higher-order thinking and meaningful student interactions. This session provides practical, immediately applicable methods to create a dynamic, inquiry-driven classroom environment where students take an active role in their learning. [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
(For elementary) Maximize every minute of instruction while creating classrooms where students are actively engaged, thinking deeply, and collaborating across content areas. Through hands-on experiences, participants will engage in high-impact, student-centered strategies that promote active learning, strengthen academic discourse, and foster meaningful collaboration. Educators will explore the components of gradual release and learn how to effectively structure the lesson cycle to support student success from beginning to end. Participants will walk away with practical, ready-to-implement tools to ensure bell-to-bell instruction, increase student ownership, and elevate learning opportunities for all students. [Please note: This session is at the Sockwell Center.]
