NCTIES2025

This session draws parallels between the diverse ingredients in jambalaya, a classic New Orleans dish, and the varied skills and experiences that alternatively licensed teachers bring to the profession. Participants will consider the unique needs of alternatively licensed teachers and explore the "10-Day Launching Pad" - a framework for individualizing required 10-day residency plans to better support these diverse teachers.
Key session activities and discussion topics include:

Exploring how the teaching profession benefits from a "mix of different ingredients" (experiences, backgrounds, skills) that alternatively licensed teachers provide, similar to the rich flavors in jambalaya.
Examining how traditional and alternative pathways to teaching certification can complement each other and create a richer school environment.
Providing an overview of North Carolina's alternative teaching license pathways and the 10-day residency plan requirement.
Engaging in a group brainstorming activity to identify strategies for "seasoning" alternatively licensed teachers with the right support, mentoring, and professional development.
Introducing the "10-Day Launching Pad" - a customizable framework to meet the unique needs of each alternatively licensed teacher through the required plan.
Facilitating a work session for participants to apply the 10-Day Launching Pad to their own context.

With approximately 50% of new hires across the state coming through alternative pathways, this session aims to connect educators and provide practical strategies to better prepare and support these teachers, ultimately increasing retention rates.

Come learn how AI can help you captivate your students’ attention and personalize their learning! In this fast-paced session, ideas for differentiation, gamification, and general engagement will be shared. Leave with specific ideas and FREE tools you can use tomorrow in grades 3 -12!

Are you new to presenting at large conferences like NCTIES, or looking to sharpen your skills? This session is designed to help you craft presentations that stand out by being engaging, interactive, and effective. Whether you’re preparing for your first big conference or seeking to improve an existing session, this workshop will give you the tools to succeed.

In this session, participants will learn how to build culture, community, and communication using Canva and other tools to create engaging GIFs and videos that enhance their school’s messaging in a positive way.

The focus will be on designing attractive digital media to keep the school community informed about key events, programs, and student achievements, all while maintaining a consistent theme and branding.
Additionally, attendees will discover how to produce eye-catching images that will engage their audience, incorporating student-generated content to foster more community involvement. The session will also emphasize the importance of celebrating student accomplishments through video recaps and graphic campaigns.

We will be making our own GIFs in this session so come prepared to have some fun and learn new ways to celebrate your school's story that are sure to bring smiles and joy!

Join us for an engaging session exploring the NC Computer Science Standards using Breakout Boxes! This hands-on workshop is perfect for educators, curriculum developers, and anyone interested in understanding and implementing these standards in their classrooms.

Explore the exciting world of AI-powered music creation in this interactive session designed for K-12 teachers. "Let’s Make Music with Suno AI" introduces educators to the innovative tools offered by Suno AI, a platform that simplifies music-making through artificial intelligence. Participants will gain hands-on experience as they create their own music masterpiece while discovering practical ways to integrate these activities into their classroom curriculum.
This session is perfect for educators looking to foster creativity, engagement, and collaboration among their students…. Or JUST HAVE FUN!!!!
Attendees will leave with a solid understanding of how to use Suno AI, a set of creative project ideas, and the confidence to bring these new tools back to their students. Whether you're a music teacher or simply interested in adding a creative flair to your lessons, this session offers something for everyone. Join us and make music-making an unforgettable part of your classroom experience!

New Hanover County Schools has embarked on a transformative journey to enhance teacher effectiveness and student achievement through the implementation of Advanced Teaching Roles (ATR). This innovative program aims to empower educators with specialized skills, knowledge, and leadership opportunities. By delving into the intricacies of the ATR program, this presentation will offer insights into its design, implementation, and the positive impact it has had on both teachers and students. Join us as we unveil the secrets behind this initiative and explore how it can be adapted to other school districts.

Explore "Beads, Books, and Beats," a session that blends literature, creativity, and music to enhance literacy and inspire a love for reading. Participants will engage in hands-on projects featuring music playlists, book presentations, and bookmarks designed to make reading enjoyable. Discover practical strategies to integrate these elements into your curriculum and leave with a toolkit of resources to foster a vibrant learning atmosphere in your school. Celebrate the joy of reading!

Discover how AI can revolutionize lesson and unit planning. This interactive workshop includes live demonstrations, collaborative group activities, and hands-on practice. Participants will engage in planning, resource integration, and assessment creation, leaving with practical skills and templates for immediate classroom application, enhancing teaching practices and improving student outcomes.

Presenters will guide participants in collecting evidence needed for the Apple Distinguished Schools Application. Our high school is one of only about 17 Apple Distinguished Schools in NC.

Embark on a one-hour creative journey through the dynamic streets of downtown Raleigh, where Southern charm and technological innovation intersect in an immersive storytelling and art-making experience. As we explore iconic landmarks and hidden treasures, we’ll delve into the vibrant history and culture of the City of Oaks, using these narratives as inspiration to craft stunning AI-generated artwork. With each stop, we’ll capture the spirit of Raleigh—from the stately Capitol building to the vibrant murals of Fayetteville Street—and transform these scenes into digital masterpieces using cutting-edge AI tools. Whether you’re an artist, a storyteller, or simply curious, join us for a walk that seamlessly blends past and future, heritage and creativity, and let your imagination take center stage. Discover how Raleigh’s unique stories can be reimagined and brought to life through the transformative power of AI art, one step and one pixel at a time.

Join us for a fun and informative session! We'll dive into Google's powerful tools and learn tips, tricks, and best practices. Through hands-on activities you'll discover how to enhance your teaching and learning experiences. Let's celebrate tech and make some Mardi Gras magic together!

Moore County Schools has established a local, mobile lab model to enhance science classes for middle schools across the district. See how this model works, explore a variety of lab equipment, and see lessons built for the new science standards in grades 6-8!

Let’s “Dig a Little Deeper” into the bayou brilliance of Canva as we stir up a flavorful blend of creativity and student engagement in K-12 classrooms! This zesty session is designed for educators, administrators, and tech coaches eager to infuse teaching with interactive virtual activities, harmonize collaboration with Canva’s whiteboard features (the perfect Jamboard substitute), and create visually stunning and user-friendly LMS and websites. Join us to jazz it up NOLA-style and collaboratively discover how to transform educational practice into delectable learning experiences that keep students coming back for more!

This hands-on session delves into the fascinating world of prompt engineering, offering participants the opportunity to discover how to craft effective prompts that maximize Copilot’s capabilities.

Participants will be immersed in live demonstrations showcasing Copilot’s responses to various types of prompts. These demonstrations will highlight how slight changes in wording can significantly impact the quality of responses, providing valuable insights into the nuances of prompt engineering.

The workshop is structured to foster collaboration and practical learning. Participants will work in small groups to create prompts tailored to different scenarios, ranging from educational content creation to complex problem-solving tasks. Each group will present their prompts and receive constructive feedback, enabling them to refine and optimize their prompts to ensure they are clear, concise, and effective.

Beyond technical skills, this workshop aims to empower educators to bring innovative solutions back to their classrooms. By integrating collaborative techniques and activities, participants will learn how to foster a culture of innovation and teamwork within their educational environments. The skills and knowledge gained from this workshop will not only enhance participants’ interactions with AI but also inspire them to harness the full potential of Microsoft Copilot in their educational endeavors.

How can we leverage technology to ignite real change in our schools, despite our past experiences rooted in traditional approaches? This session explores how shifting mindsets—beyond merely adopting new tech—has transformed districts involved with SparkNC, an initiative that empowers students to explore high-tech careers. We will discuss how overcoming resistance and fear of failure has transformed learning. Join us to reflect, engage, and gain fresh ideas for driving technological innovation!

A Carnival of Ideas for the media center! This engaging session will showcase hands-on activities that blend technology, art, and storytelling to spark creativity and collaboration among students. Discover how to transform your media center into a dynamic space inspired by carnival culture. You’ll walk away with practical strategies and a toolkit of festive ideas to create an engaging learning environment for all. Get ready to celebrate learning with energy and creativity!

This presentation aims to explore the creation of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities that are culturally inclusive, integrating diverse perspectives and experiences from around the world. By framing STEM education through a multicultural lens, educators can not only engage students from different backgrounds but also foster a more holistic understanding of STEM disciplines.

Expected Outcomes:
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to design and implement multicultural STEM activities.
Attendees will leave with practical ideas and resources to integrate into their own classrooms and curricula.

One might regard Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a computer exhibiting some human capability. Okay, but what method enables a computer to gain the capacity to demonstrate human capability? This session will bring some transparency to machine learning methods by demonstrating how to guide children as young as 8 years old to train computers. The key is to enable children to collect examples of objects to recognize and to use those examples to train a computer.

Are you seeking innovative ways to meet the diverse needs of your students? Discover how AI-powered tools can help you layer your lessons to create differentiated instructional resources aligned with Universal Design for Learning. Explore strategies to save time and develop personalized learning pathways that empower your students to learn at their own pace. We'll explore practical AI tools like Diffit, ChatGPT Live Translation, Snorkl, Curipod, MagicSchool, and Eduaide. Join us to add rich layers to your teaching and gain classroom-ready resources you can start using right away.

GAP Your Way to STEM Success! Educators, boost your students' STEM and Pseudocode literacy! This hands-on session uses LEGO® to show how Pseudocode, a planning tool for clear coding instructions, creates learning opportunities. Build together, write step-by-step instructions, and explore the power of clear communication in coding!

In the festive spirit of Mardi Gras, this session will show how Online Catawba Teachers celebrate family involvement in virtual learning, turning the digital classroom into a lively parade of engagement and connection. Session participants will learn how to bring the excitement and togetherness of Mardi Gras into their communication strategies, engaging both students and their families in creative and meaningful ways.
Presenters will lead participants through a series of proven techniques that help personalize communication—just like selecting the perfect mask for a Mardi Gras ball—ensuring that every family feels seen, heard, and valued. In addition, they will share innovative ideas for virtual activities that create a sense of community and celebration, allowing families to connect with one another as they navigate the school year.
The session will culminate with a collaborative discussion, Mardi Gras-inspired engaging conversation, where participants will learn to weave together communication and creativity, fostering connections that last long after the virtual classroom doors close. This session is designed to ensure families and students alike are part of the "Family TIES"—united, engaged, and ready to learn!