NCMLE 2025 Middle School Matters Conference

NCMLE 2025 Middle School Matters Conference

2:00pm EDT

NCMLE Board Meeting Executive Boardroom

5:00pm EDT

Registration Desk Open Registration DeskNCMLE Board of Directors

7:00pm EDT

Featured Speaker Roundtable Presentation Carolina ADr. Darrin Peppard • P. Sloan Joseph • Shavonta Arline • Andrea Bitner • Ross Braun • Dr. Frederick Buskey • Dr. Christopher Culver • Erik Francis • Sean Gaillard • Mark Gibson Jr. • Dr. Julie Hasson • Daniel Maxwell • Freebird McKinney • Dr. Marie Moreno • Dr. Don Parker • Charle Peck • Katie Powell • Dr. Frank Rudensky • Heather Smith • Josh Tovar • Dr. ET Trevino • Charles Williams • Scholastic Education Solutions

8:00pm EDT

Trivia Event LoungeParticipate Learning

7:30am EDT

Breakfast in Vendor Hall Vendor Hall Registration Desk Open Registration DeskNCMLE Board of Directors Vendor Hall Open Outside Symphony Ballroom

8:00am EDT

Conference Presenter Technology Room Carolina D

8:30am EDT

NCMLE Middle School Matters Conference Opening Session Keynote Address Featuring Dr. Darrin Peppard Symphony BallroomDr. Darrin Peppard

9:30am EDT

AMLE Bookstore Open Vendor HallAMLE

10:00am EDT

Anxiety + Avoidance: Signs + Solutions Symphony IICharle Peck Blend Your Secondary Students' learning with Small Group Instruction Mecklenburg 2Kristine Barberio • Iris Ellington How to Impact Lives and Still Have a Life Symphony IDr. Julie Hasson Local History, Universal Truths Governor's 1Liz Davis Put Some Pep Back Into Your PLC! Governor's 3Rachel Tallent • Hannah Tibbs Sparking Wonder & Joy: Igniting AI Literacy for Students Carolina CBrian Whitson • Lauren Boucher Structure, Systems, Self-Directed: Supporting Executive Function Skills in the Middle Grades Classroom Carolina AKate Gilbert • Amanda Pembroke Transforming Struggling Students Into Strong Learners Governor's 5Sherri Nelson Unlocking Student Success: Engaging Students Through Explicit Direct Instruction Mecklenburg 3Matthew Lamb Welcoming Newcomer Students: Essential Strategies for Middle School Success" Symphony IIIDr. ET Trevino America's Most Wanted: Administrators Who Show Up & Show Out Symphony VP. Sloan Joseph Become the Golden Arches of Education Mecklenburg 1Josh Tovar Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast! Symphony VIDr. Frank Rudnesky Equitable Leadership: Moving Beyond the Hashtags Symphony VIICharles Williams Baruti Kafele Book Signing Vendor HallBaruti Kafele Dr. Darrin Peppard Book Signing Vendor HallDr. Darrin Peppard Dr. Don Parker Book Signing Vendor HallDr. Don Parker

11:00am EDT

10 Questions To Ask When An English Learner Joins Your Class: Solutions for ALL K-12 Content Area Educators and Leaders Symphony IAndrea Bitner Be the Voice Not the Echo Governor's 3Beth Mooney Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy in the ELA Classroom Carolina AErica Neal • Karen Kopitsky Let’s Inspire Our Students at Inspiration Cafe! Governor's 5Joseph Pizzo • Dr. Kenneth Piascik New Standards, No Sweat: How to roll out the new North Carolina Science Standards like a Pro! Carolina EMatt Hanlon Reading & ELA Strategies within a Non-ELA Classroom Mecklenburg 2Stacie Warner • Charlotte Quick Swindell • Terrence Covington • Diondris Edwards Submitting Your Article to the NCMLE Journal: A Practical Guide for Practitioners Governor's 1Dr. Joey Lord • Daniel Maxwell Teachers...The Ultimate Influencers Mecklenburg 1Heather Smith Unlocking Equity and Access in Science with Foldscopes: A Hands-On Approach Symphony IHolly Stuart Unlocking Middle School Success: A Journey Through Regional PLCs and This We Believe Carolina CLauren Boucher • Courtney Moates • Iris Ellington • Michelle Hamm What Do Middle School Teachers Think About Micro-Credentials? Mecklenburg 3Rachel Nelson • Rachel Shepherd • Erin West Be The Driving Force: Building Trust to Improve School Culture Symphony VDr. Don Parker Equitable Leadership: Moving Beyond the Hashtags Symphony VIICharles Williams Professional Learning that Works: Overcoming Barriers and Driving Change Symphony IIICathy Lacey The Language of Behavior Symphony IICharle Peck The Middle School Leadership Toolbox: 7 Strategies to Move from Chaos to Clarity Symphony VIDr. Frederick Buskey & Dr. Darrin Peppard Dr. Frank Rudnesky Book Signing Vendor HallDr. Frank Rudnesky Dr. Julie Hasson Book Signing Vendor HallDr. Julie Hasson Sherri Nelson Book Signing Vendor HallSherri Nelson

12:15pm EDT

NCMLE Awards Luncheon Symphony IV BallroomNCMLE Board of Directors

2:00pm EDT

"The Search for the Common Thread of Humanity- The Path of a Global Village Teacher Symphony IIIFreebird McKinney 3 High Impact Moves for Beginning Teachers Symphony IIDr. Julie Hasson A Helping Hand for Hands-on Learners Carolina AJason Lineberger Building Bridges: Touch the Heart Before Touching the Brain Symphony IDr. Don Parker From Fear to the future: Embracing AI to move education forward. Mecklenburg 1Chad Ostrowski Game-Based Learning for the Science Classroom Governor's 1Jenny Savage • Kim Apelgren Ignite Student Voices: Empowering and Engaging Leadership for Middle School Students” Mecklenburg 2Rikki Baldwin Motivation, Opportunities, & Habits: Pathways to Success Governor's 5Dr. Kenneth Piascik • Joseph Pizzo NCPOMLE Best Practices in Higher Education Carolina EDr. Holly Pinter • Dr. Hilary Dack • Beth Poteat • Dr. Laurie Ramirez Read-n-Roll: Building Fluency and Community Connections Mecklenburg 3Shelly Cahoon Surviving Stranger Things: Navigating the Upside Down of Classroom Behavior Carolina CKeith Young The Rewired Teen Brain Governor's 3David Vawter • Gail Vawter A.C.E.S to Kings and Queens Symphony VMark Gibson Jr. & Shavonta Arline ACE Gen Z: Unleashing Mastery in Engagement, Connection, and Emotional Intelligence Symphony VIDr. Christopher Culver The Depth Is in the Discussion Symphony VIIErik Francis Andrea Bitner Book Signing Vendor HallAndrea Bitner Charle Peck Book Signing Vendor HallCharle Peck Charles Williams Book Signing Vendor HallCharles Williams Dr. Frederick Buskey Book SIgning Vendor HallDr. Frederick Buskey Sean Gaillard Book Signing Vendor HallSean Gaillard

3:00pm EDT

"Next Day” Number Sense Strategies for Math & Science Symphony IP. Sloan Joseph A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That, If You Need A strategy, This Is Where It's At - YEAH! Mecklenburg 2Shanetta Pittman Be the Light: The Heliotropic Effect in Middle Level Education Mecklenburg 3Laurie Ramirez Effective Leadership, Management, and Development of Current and Emerging School Leaders Governor's 1Wayne Muhammad Fired Up Student Leadership Symphony IIDr. Frank Rudnesky Help! I've Lost my JOY! Symphony IIIRoss Braun Lets Play with AI! Carolina ADr. Joey Lord • Daniel Maxwell Rethinking Student Motivation Through Needs Supportive Practices Carolina CCatherine Schwoebel The Culture of Education: Then, Now, and Beyond Governor's 5Dr. Kennth Piascik • Joseph Pizzo The Power of Motivation Carolina EDavid Vawter Transforming a school: Using your head and your heart. Governor's 3Regina Blanding Transforming Middle School Learning with IXL: Real Strategies from Educators Mecklenburg 1Casey Ball The G.A.I.N. Effect: Embracing Disruption in the AI Era Symphony VSean Gaillard What Is My Value INSTRUCTIONALLY to the Teachers I Supervise? Symphony VIIBaruti Kafele What's My Story: A Successful Pathway to Support Multilingual Learners Symphony VIDr. Marie Moreno Dr. Holly Pinter Book Signing Vendor HallDr. Holly Pinter Erik Francis Book Signing Vendor HallErik Francis Katie Powell Book Signing Vendor HallKatie Powell Schools to Watch Networking Event Event LoungeAll Schools to Watch Conference Participants • MindLeap Solutions

4:00pm EDT

Building High Performance Teams using a model of Know, Serve, Trust Carolina EEddie Payne Building Leaders from Within: Developing Emerging Teacher Leaders for District Success Carolina AAshley Richardson • Colina Bartlett • Eboni Stallings From Burnout to Balance: Unlocking SEL for Principal Wellness Symphony IIILana Penley Helping Students Navigate Group Chat Drama — from FOMO to gossip and beyond Governor's 1Katie Kearney Multidisciplinary Lessons for a Sustainable World Symphony VITammi Remsburg Reading Aloud in the Middle Carolina CJoseph Pizzo Retrieval Practice: The Most Powerful Learning Strategy You're Not Using Yet Symphony VIIDr. Hilary Dack Sparking Wonder & Joy: Igniting AI Literacy for Students Mecklenburg 2Brian Whitson • Lauren Boucher The Middle Works TBAFernanda Tate-Owens These Kids Don't Listen Mecklenburg 1Jasmine Wilson Transforming Math Mindsets: Building Positive Math Identities in Middle School Students Symphony IEmily Myers Unraveling Student Apathy Symphony VDesiree Sieri Using Organizational Structures that Foster School Success Mecklenburg 3Dr. Chris Cook Using the Playful Classroom to Build Community Governor's 5David Vawter What We Say Matters-Using Language to Boost Student Motivation, Engagement, and Success Symphony IIShauna King Featured Speakers & School Leader's Institute Networking Event (Reserved for School Leader's Institute Participants Only) Event Lounge

5:30pm EDT

Free Dinner Shuttles to Optimist Hall sponsored by Burke Christian Tours - Reserve Your Seat (5:30pm Departure) Sheraton LobbyBurke Educational Travel

6:30pm EDT

Free Dinner Shuttles to Optimist Hall sponsored by Burke Christian Tours - Reserve Your Seat (6:30pm Departure) Sheraton LobbyBurke Educational Travel

7:30pm EDT

Monday Mixer with DJ Mike & Tarheel Media Event LoungeEdmentum

7:30am EDT

Registration Desk Open Registration Desk Vendor Hall Open Outside Symphony Ballroom

8:00am EDT

Breakfast in the Vendor Hall Outside Symphony Ballroom Conference Presenter Technology Room Carolina D

8:30am EDT

Adventures in the Cloud: Free Standards-Aligned, Digital Resources for the Middle School Classroom Mecklenburg 1Lauren Boucher Boosting Student Success: Effective Scaffolding Strategies Across Disciplines Symphony ICathy Lacey Boredom Busters: Transform Worksheets, Lectures, & Grading into Engaging Activities Symphony IIIKatie Powell Cracking the Code: Boosting Middle with Global Education Governor's 3Jamie Fernandez-Schendt Dyslexia Unlocked: A Transformative Journey to Effective Support Carolina ADr. Laurie Dymes Empowering Learners In Literacy With Design Thinking & Empathy Maps Carolina CBrian Whitson • Lauren Boucher Inquiring Minds Want to Learn Symphony IIErik Francis Microaggressions at the Middle - What are they and what do we do about them? Mecklenburg 2Laurie Ramirez Scaffolding Success: Teaching Expository Writing in Middle School Mecklenburg 3Tess McGill The Keys to Effective Learning Governor's 1Joseph Pizzo • Dr. Kenneth Piascik Dealing with Difficult (Adult) Behaviors Symphony VIRoss Braun Leadership on the Road to Awesome Symphony VDr. Darrin Peppard Stressed to Strategic - How To Ensure Your PD hits The Mark Symphony VIIChad Ostrowski

9:30am EDT

AI Tutors + Small Groups = Success Carolina AAaron Powlen BuildingTeachers' Capacity for Teaching for Student Flourishing in Mathematics Mecklenburg 3Katie Mawhinney • Amy Preston Creating Engaged Readers: A Collaborative Approach to Literacy in Middle Schools Mecklenburg 1Brittney Fike • Kaye Menjivar • Larkeysha Sheppard • Angela Barbour From Bean to Bar: Teaching Global Citizenship Through Chocolate Governor's 1Tim Gallagher New to the Pride: Nurturing Success for New Teachers Symphony IIITorben Ross • Dr. Tashna Morris Understanding the Adolescent Brain Mecklenburg 2Adam Myers WHY did THAT student NOT qualify for EC services? Symphony IICatherine Gann • John Gann Reclaiming Your Purpose Symphony VIIDr. Frederick Buskey School Transformation Symphony VTerrence Covington • Erin Lewis • Dr. Edye Morris-Bryant • Joseph Biggs Jr. The People Make The Place: How To Cultivate A Culture Of Care In Middle School Carolina CMatthew Ebert What Can the Association for Middle Level Education Do for You? Symphony VIKatie Powell

10:30am EDT

"These Kids are Different"- 5 Mindset Shifts to Upgrade School Culture Symphony VIShauna King Charting the Course: AI Tools and This We Believe for Middle School Success Symphony ILauren Boucher Coding Mars with Minecraft MakeCode and Scratch Carolina AWesley Fryer Girls Empowerment in STEM Carolina CBeth Mooney HQEMI in Action: Cultivating Empathy to Transform Mathematics Instruction Mecklenburg 2Premkumar Pugalenthi • Katy Gash • Shelby Morge Math Town: The Ultimate Integration of Mathematics and STEAM Symphony IIIEmily Wilson • Jason Lineberger Navigating Uncharted Waters: Using GenAI to Differentiate and Individualize Instruction in Middle School Symphony IIHilary Dack • Daniel Maxwell • Paige Lane Power Skills for Life! Mecklenburg 3Dr. Kenneth Piascik • Joseph Pizzo Supporting Students to Flourish Mathematically Symphony VKaty Gash Teacher Essentials for Classroom and Career Success Symphony VIIGretchen Bridgers Teaching about Disaster Response and Recovery ... Like a PIRATE Mecklenburg 1David Virtue • D'Lajuan Bellamy • Cheyanne Bryson • Isaac Cartee

11:45am EDT

Passing of the Gavel Ceremony Symphony IV Ballroom