Pre-Conference Sessions
NCTIES Pre-Conference Sessions offer educators the chance to take a deeper dive into key topics before the main conference begins. Held on Wednesday, March 4th, these immersive half-day and full-day workshops provide hands-on, focused learning experiences led by expert facilitators. Designed as an add-on to the regular NCTIES conference, pre-conference sessions allow participants to explore tools, strategies, and emerging trends in educational technology in a smaller, more interactive setting, perfect for those looking to expand their skills and return to their schools with actionable ideas and resources.
Full Day Sessions
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Saved by the Shift: Totally Science Standards
Day/Time: Wednesday, 9 AM - 4 PM Price: $100 Presenter: Marsha Sirkin, The Science House North Carolina’s new science standards are here, and the shifts are totally aligned with the future of learning. In this full-day workshop, Marsha Sirkin from The Science House at NC State University will guide administrators, teachers, and instructional coaches in exploring how the updated science standards connect seamlessly with the North Carolina Digital Learning Standards to create engaging, student-centered classrooms. Together, we’ll examine the key shifts, model hands-on and tech-integrated strategies, and highlight ways to support inquiry, collaboration, and critical thinking. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of both sets of standards, practical tools for classroom application, and strategies for supporting teachers in building authentic, phenomenon-driven learning experiences that leverage digital tools. Whether you’re leading a school, coaching educators, or teaching students yourself, this session will help you feel prepared and energized for the shift. And because it’s Saved by the Shift, expect throwback fun, collaborative learning, and a totally fresh perspective on science and digital instruction. |
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Step by Step: Designing Totally Rad Learning Experiences
Day/Time: Wednesday, 9 AM - 4 PM Price: $100 Presenter: Randy Seldomridge, Caldwell County Schools Presenter: Michell McNeil, Johnston County Schools Take a totally rad stroll through Raleigh while learning how to design engaging place-based learning experiences with your students! This interactive experience blends landmark exploration with practical strategies for building tours that spark curiosity and deeper learning. As we visit sites like the NC State Capitol, Freedom Park, and the iconic Acorn, you’ll see examples of how to weave history, culture, and storytelling into a tour that goes beyond “just walking.” Participants will leave with ideas, digital tools, and a framework for creating place-based learning experiences that can be adapted for field trips, walking tours, campus explorations, or even virtual adventures. Because sometimes the best classroom has no walls—just steps! Lace up those comfy kicks—step by step, we’ll uncover Raleigh’s history, culture, and icons in true retro style. |
Half Day Sessions
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MTSS: Elevating Tier 1 Instruction
Day/Time: Wednesday, 9 AM - 12 PM Price: $50 Presenter: Dr. Catlin Tucker, catlintucker.com This three-hour, hands-on workshop is designed for school leaders, instructional coaches, and teachers who want to strengthen Tier 1 instruction within a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS). We’ll explore three instructional pathways—video instruction wrapped in engagement strategies, whole group instruction paired with cooperative learning, and small group differentiated instruction. Participants will actively practice and collaborate as they learn how to leverage data to identify student needs and select the pathway that best aligns with their content and context. By the end of the session, participants will leave with practical strategies and greater confidence in their ability to elevate Tier 1 instruction, reducing the need for Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports. |
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Differentiated Small Group Instruction with the Station Rotation Model
Day/Time: Wednesday, 1 PM - 4 PM Price: $50 Presenter: Dr. Catlin Tucker, catlintucker.com This hands-on workshop is designed for instructional coaches and teachers who want to use the station rotation model to elevate Tier 1 instruction while creating space for Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports in general education classrooms. Participants will explore how this model balances online and offline learning, builds student agency, and frees teachers for differentiated small-group work. In this practice-based session, participants will actively design a station rotation lesson aligned with the pillars of high-quality design: data-informed instruction, differentiation, and student agency. |
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Level Up with #EdTech for ELA
Day/Time: Wednesday, 9 AM - 12 PM Price: $50 Presenter: Jen Hall, Tech Tips 411 Ready to level up your ELA instruction? This session is packed with innovative #EdTech tools and resources to strengthen reading and writing skills. You'll learn practical strategies for differentiating your lessons and engaging every learner in a more dynamic way. Add tools andideas to your toolbox to boost communication skills and make ELA more exciting. Get ready to transform your classroom with these game-changing tools! |
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Level Up! Tools & Ideas to Engage Gifted Learners
Day/Time: Wednesday, 1 PM - 4 PM Price: $50 Presenter: Jen Hall, Tech Tips 411 Ready to challenge and inspire your gifted learners? This session is packed with easy-to-use tools and resources designed to boost engagement and foster higher-level thinking. We’ll explore innovative ways to incorporate the 5 C’s—critical thinking, creativity, and more—into your lessons. You’ll leave with a toolbox of ideas that can be seamlessly integrated into any subject or grade level. It's time to provide the differentiated and enriching experiences your gifted students deserve! |
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Building an AI Literacy: Strategies to become an Effective AI Educator and Leader
Day/Time: Wednesday, 9 AM - 12 PM & 1PM - 4 PM Price: $50 Presenter: Ken Shelton, kennethshelton.net Presenter: Dee Lanier, lanierlearning.com Artificial intelligence (AI) is not only shaping education but also transforming many of the things we do. This comprehensive workshop will provide a historical and foundational understanding of artificial intelligence, centering the conversation within the broader context of reimagining learning. We’ll spotlight various facets of AI, including generative AI, large language models, and image generators, and examine the benefits and potential risks associated with them. We will examine what true AI Literacy means and how we can utilize AI as a tool for empowerment rather than simply making things easier. You’ll leave this workshop with all of the following: a working definition of AI Literacy, workflow use cases, practical application and implementation, a detailed AI application evaluation process, strategies on how to address concerns such as academic integrity, and several other contextual applications, such as what platforms to use and for what learning purpose. |