Education Innovation Rally 2025

You’re a passionate, creative educator—someone who thrives on engaging students in ways that go beyond the textbook. But then... the curriculum guide lands on your desk like a rulebook from the teaching gods, filled with standards, objectives, and (gasp) required assessments. How do you keep your unique spark alive while staying within the “official” lines?
In this lively and interactive session, we’ll explore how to embrace the structure of your curriculum without letting it box you in. Think of it like coloring inside the lines—but using neon colors, glitter pens, and maybe even a little artistic rebellion. We’ll discuss ways to sneak in creativity while still checking all the necessary boxes, blending standards with storytelling, movement, and real-world connections that make learning unforgettable.
And this isn’t just for classroom teachers! Administrators, presenters, and superintendents—this is for you too. Whether you're leading professional development, crafting district-wide policies, or presenting to educators, the balance between structure and creativity applies at every level. We’ll explore how leadership can encourage innovation while maintaining consistency, how PD sessions can feel engaging and informative, and how to model the very creativity we want to inspire in our schools.
Through engaging activities, real-life hacks, and a little rule-bending (the fun kind!), you’ll leave with fresh ideas for injecting personality into your teaching, leading, or presenting—while still keeping the curriculum police happy. Whether you're a veteran educator looking for a creativity boost or a leader aiming to inspire, this session will help you reclaim the joy of education without losing sight of the guidelines.
Come ready to brainstorm, laugh, and rediscover the magic of making learning yours.   
Let’s turn “required” into remarkable—see you there!

Discover how exceptional learning space design can elevate teacher impact and student success! In this dynamic and interactive session, we’ll explore how intentional layouts, innovative tools, and flexible designs empower teachers to create engaging and effective learning experiences. Packed with high-energy insights and actionable strategies, you’ll leave equipped to transform classrooms into inspiring spaces that amplify teaching potential and nurture outstanding learning outcomes.

How we choose our words and the method by which we convey them play a significant role in shaping the culture within an organization. When the driving force behind the culture is love, our interactions with team members are characterized by humility, empathy, and compassion above all else.  Leaders must take the initiative to express gratitude, recognize the efforts put in by team members, and highlight their successes. Such actions not only boost morale but also cultivate a positive work environment where individuals feel valued and respected. A key aspect of fostering a culture of love within an organization involves prioritizing the personal and professional growth of team members. By providing continuous coaching, unwavering support, and constructive feedback with a compassionate approach, leaders have the power to instill confidence and bolster the self-efficacy of their team members. In doing so, morale is further enhanced as individuals feel empowered and supported in their ongoing journey of self-improvement and development. For leaders looking to implement these principles effectively, it is essential to equip themselves with practical insights and tools aimed at bolstering employee morale. By embracing techniques designed to nurture a culture of love within the workplace, leaders can create an environment where team members thrive and are motivated to achieve their full potential.

Arkansas has launched a new school accountability system and updated A-F school report card standards—but what do these changes mean for schools, districts, and communities? Join ADE Assistant Commissioner Hope Worsham and OIE’s Feng Jiang and Austin Eubanks for a deep dive into what the new system entails, how school grades are determined, and how the standard-setting process was carried out. This session will provide a clear overview of the accountability framework, the key indicators shaping school ratings, and the data-driven process behind setting performance standards. Participants will leave with a solid understanding of how the system was developed, how it evaluates school performance, and what it means moving forward. A dedicated Q&A segment will ensure plenty of time for discussion and clarification.

IEP meetings can feel overwhelming, but general educators play a critical role in shaping student success. This session will provide practical strategies for general education teachers to actively contribute to IEP meetings with confidence and clarity while fostering a classroom that supports all learners. Participants will explore effective collaboration techniques, ways to align instruction with IEP goals, and approaches to ensure students with disabilities thrive in general education settings. Whether you're a classroom teacher or an administrator, this session will empower you with actionable steps to strengthen your role.

Great teams don’t just happen—they’re grown! In this interactive session, you’ll gain practical strategies to enhance collaboration, improve group dynamics, and lead more productive conversations. Learn how to foster trust, navigate difficult discussions, and create a culture where every voice is heard. Using research-based strategies from Adaptive Schools, we’ll explore how small shifts in communication and facilitation can have a big impact on team effectiveness. Whether you’re leading meetings, supporting professional learning communities, or simply wanting to work better with others, this session will equip you with tools to take your teams to the next level. Come experience these strategies in action and leave inspired to grow your team’s potential!

Encouraging student leadership is crucial for developing well-rounded individuals and fostering a positive school environment. By providing opportunities for students to lead, we empower them to take ownership of their learning, build essential life skills like communication and collaboration, and contribute meaningfully to their community. This not only benefits the students themselves but also strengthens the school as a whole by creating a more engaged, responsible, and student-driven atmosphere.

Looking at curricula within a school from an advanced student perspective, but with the mindset that all learners deserve a challenging curriculum. Our school shifted to advanced classes for all students based on the belief that every student deserves access to a challenging and enriching curriculum. This model fosters a growth mindset, encourages collaboration among diverse learners, and cultivates a culture of high expectations for all.

In this interactive breakout session, educators will explore how AI tools, particularly Diffit, can streamline lesson planning, personalize instruction, and enhance student engagement. With a focus on practical application, participants will discover how AI can save time while generating high-quality, differentiated classroom activities tailored to various learning levels.
The session will begin with a brief introduction to AI in education, highlighting its potential to reduce teacher workload and support diverse learners. Attendees will then dive into Diffit, a powerful tool designed to instantly adapt content for different reading levels, create comprehension questions, and generate engaging learning activities. Through live demonstrations and hands-on practice, participants will learn how to integrate Diffit into their existing curriculum seamlessly.

Beyond Diffit, the session will introduce additional AI-powered resources that can assist with lesson planning, formative assessments, and interactive student engagement. Educators will leave with actionable strategies and ready-to-use AI-generated materials, empowering them to bring fresh, efficient, and engaging activities into their classrooms immediately.

To transform student learning, we must first transform how we think about assessment. This session will explore the mindset shift needed to move from viewing assessment as a measure of past performance to a tool for ongoing learning and growth. Participants will examine beliefs about data use, challenge assumptions that hinder progress, and explore strategies to cultivate a collaborative, inquiry-driven culture in their schools. Through reflection and discussion, district and school leaders will leave with a clear vision for fostering a mindset that embraces formative assessment as a driver of balance, engagement, and student success.

Join Dr. Kathy Pillow-Price as she shares her personal
experience with trauma and explores its impact on helping professionals like
educators. Learn to identify and address burnout, compassion fatigue, and
secondary trauma. Gain practical strategies for self-care, building resilience,
and supporting others. This session equips participants with tools to reduce
stress, foster healing, and enhance well-being while navigating the challenges
of the trauma-informed caring profession of education.

Schools must create systems that explicitly teach and assess 21st-century skills—Agency, Written and Oral Communication, Knowledge and Thinking, and Collaboration—to ensure students graduate ready to navigate college, careers, and life.
Join Dr. Jeff Hernandez, as he shares proven strategies for integrating these essential skills into daily instruction and assessment. Drawing from real-world experience and the success of Rogers New Technology High School—ranked 6th in Arkansas by U.S. News & World Report—this session will provide practical frameworks for developing a school-wide approach that empowers students to take ownership of their learning.
Participants will explore how shared leadership and accountability structures can drive meaningful change in schools. Dr. Hernandez will outline systems that support collaborative decision-making among administrators, teachers, and students while ensuring high expectations and continuous improvement. Through real-life examples, hands-on strategies, and interactive discussions, attendees will leave with actionable steps to transform instruction and assessment in their schools.
Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or district leader, this session will give you the tools to move beyond traditional instruction and build a future-ready learning environment where all students thrive. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to cultivate skills that truly prepare students for the world beyond the classroom!

1) Grimsley Gold: Positive ways to empower students with Dr. Amy Holland: Small, tangible rewards provide a visible symbol of accomplishment, boosting student self-esteem and encouraging continued effort. The collectable nature of lapel pins can further enhance the program, fostering a sense of community and friendly competition among students. By clearly defining the criteria for earning pins and celebrating student success, schools can create a positive and motivating environment that encourages students to strive for excellence.
2) Developing an Author's Mindset with Gregory Eric Kelley: We will share a number of methods that I have undertaken with my students to develop the mindset of an author. Techniques will include taking them to meet authors, bringing authors into the classroom, creating easier access to books, creating a culture that encourages reading, requiring proper writing, publishing your own book as a class, and seeking out essay and poetry contests.
3) Developing Student Agency with Dr. Kelly Hankins: 

Are you looking for ways to make your virtual meetings more engaging, fun, and productive.  The Office of Innovation for Education has spent the last 5 years perfecting the art of Virtuating (Virtual Facilitation).  Through focus groups, communities of practice, and office and team meetings OIE has come to some conclusions about how to keep the black square of zoom or AI generated profile pictures from rearing their heads when you are presenting on screen.  We know how hard it is to make sure that all parties don't feel involved and we want to share what we know.  Come and join in (on this completely virtual session) with some tips, tricks, and tangible tools to take home and begin Virtuating like a pro.