2026 Elevated Teaching Summit: Full Schedule

Vision

In Canyons School District, we believe that all stakeholders benefit from purposeful technology integration within the learning process, focusing on student achievement. Educational technology will be used to empower teachers, students, and other stakeholders to gain the knowledge and skills needed to adapt, create, consume, and connect responsibly and ethically with the broader world in preparation for meaningful life opportunities.

9:30am MDT

Helping All students Access Challenging Text

Tuesday June 2, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am MDT

2412

Dr. Throndsen will be sharing scaffolding strategies to support teachers as they help all student access challenging text.

Presenter

Julie Butler

Teacher Specialist, Canyons School District

Bernice Allen

Teacher Specialist, Canyons School District

LaNae Goates

instructional coach, Canyons School District

This is my 23rd year in education. I have taught 2nd-6th grade at the elementary level. I have been an instructional coach for 14 years. I have my Reading, Math, ESL, Coaching, EdTech, and K-12 Literacy Specialist Endorsement. I am also LETRS Certified. I worked for 4 years... Read More →

Dr. Jennifer Throndsen

Educational Consultant, Impactful Learning Designs

With over 20 years of experience in education, Jennifer Throndsen, PhD, has served in various roles across the classroom, school, district, and state levels. Her career includes positions as an elementary and middle school teacher, instructional coach, adjunct faculty, district office... Read More →

Tuesday June 2, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am MDT
2412

Instructional Priorities

Content Area ELA
Audience Elementary Teachers
Instructional Priority Multilingual Supports, Formative Assessments

10:40am MDT

Struggling to have productive struggle? Tips for effective productive struggle in reading and math

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am MDT

2412

We will give tips on how to implement and strengthen productive struggle in your reading and math classes. Then we will engage in meaningful discourse and practice how to do it in your class next year.

Presenter

Stacy Packard

Early Literacy Instructional Coach, Canyons School District/USBE

Linda Leavitt

Instructional Coach, Canyons School District

Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:40am - 11:40am MDT
2412

Instructional Design & Planning

Audience Elementary Teachers, Classroom Teachers

12:40pm MDT

Supporting teachers through the Child Find Process

Tuesday June 2, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm MDT

2412

This presentation shares a system I created to help teachers know what interventions are needed and how to track the data as we refer students for special education. I put all of the information into one place for each teacher and we refer back to it throughout the year.

Presenter

Karlie Aardema

Assistant Principal, Canyons School District

Using technology to support instructional priorities in the classroom

Tuesday June 2, 2026 12:40pm - 1:40pm MDT
2412

Student Supports (MTSS)

Audience Elementary Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers, Admin Staff, Classroom Teachers, Counselors, Admin

1:50pm MDT

Making Advisory more than a study hall

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:50pm - 3:00pm MDT

2412

How to make Advisory time meaningful at the middle school level

Presenter

Karlie Aardema

Assistant Principal, Canyons School District

Using technology to support instructional priorities in the classroom

Tuesday June 2, 2026 1:50pm - 3:00pm MDT
2412

Student Supports (MTSS)

Audience Middle School Teachers, Admin Staff, Classroom Teachers, Counselors, Admin

9:10am MDT

Don't Rain on the Rigor: Ditch the "Just-in Case" Umbrella

Wednesday June 3, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am MDT

2412

Why are we carrying umbrellas when the sun is out? "Just-in-Case" supports often protect students from a "storm" of struggle that never actually arrives. Join us to learn how to check the mathematical "weather" of your classroom. We’ll show you how to keep the supports in your pocket until the first drop of frustration hits, keeping the rigor bright and the breakthroughs splashing in.

Presenter

Cynthia Lloyd

Teacher Specialist, Canyons School District

Cynthia Lloyd is the Elementary Math, Science, and STEM Specialist in Canyons School District who helps teachers unlock the power of math to spark scientific inquiry and real-world problem-solving. She is passionate about designing integrated, hands-on learning experiences that connect... Read More →

Carin Cushing

Special Education Teacher Specialist, Canyons School District

Wednesday June 3, 2026 9:10am - 10:10am MDT
2412

Student Supports (MTSS)

Audience Elementary Teachers
Instructional Priority Scaffolding

10:20am MDT

The Evidence of "Aha!": Capturing Deeper Thinking in Amplify

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MDT

2412

How do we know when students are truly getting it—beyond just producing the correct answer? As we move toward full implementation of Amplify, this session explores how teachers can recognize and capture the evidence of deep thinking that happens during instruction—not just at the end of it. Participants will briefly explore Amplify’s formative assessment tools, then shift into the heart of the work: making student thinking visible through models, discourse, and strategic questioning. Through real classroom examples, we will highlight how teachers use student work and conversation as powerful informal data sources to guide instruction in the moment. Educators will leave with a clear lens for identifying rigorous thinking and practical strategies for elevating and responding to student thinking every day.

Presenter

Cynthia Lloyd

Teacher Specialist, Canyons School District

Hannah Seguin

3rd Grade Teacher, Canyons School District

Wednesday June 3, 2026 10:20am - 11:20am MDT
2412

Data-Based Decision Making

Content Area Math
Audience Elementary Teachers, Admin Staff, Classroom Teachers
Ed Tech Tool Amplify Desmos Math
Instructional Priority Explicit Instruction

12:20pm MDT

Elementary Science - CREATE Session

Wednesday June 3, 2026 12:20pm - 1:35pm MDT

2412

Presenter

Cynthia Lloyd

Teacher Specialist, Canyons School District

Kristen Baird

Instructional coach

Wednesday June 3, 2026 12:20pm - 1:35pm MDT
2412

Create Session

1:45pm MDT

From Struggle to Strength: Helping Students Do the Heavy Lifting with Amplify Desmos Math Tasks

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT

2412

In a weight room, the best spotters know exactly when to step in and when to let the athlete do the work. Teaching with Amplify is no different! As we prepare for full implementation next year, join us to explore the "heavy lifting" students need to do to truly grow. We’ll bridge the gap between the pedagogical research (the "why") and real-world classroom evidence of students building confidence by tackling challenges head-on (the "how"). You’ll leave with a clear map for moving from "helper" to "facilitator" and strategies to help your students take ownership of their own learning journey.

Presenter

Cynthia Lloyd

Teacher Specialist, Canyons School District

Hannah Seguin

3rd Grade Teacher, Canyons School District

Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:45pm - 3:00pm MDT
2412

Instructional Priorities

Audience Elementary Teachers, Admin
Ed Tech Tool Amplify Desmos Math

9:30am MDT

10:40am MDT

12:40pm MDT

1:50pm MDT

9:10am MDT

10:20am MDT

12:20pm MDT

1:45pm MDT

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