Education Innovation Rally 2025

Join Arkansas Schools of Innovation for a collaborative pre-conference session on fostering student agency, engaging communities, and designing dynamic learning environments that empower both students and educators. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, gain practical strategies and fresh insights to drive meaningful change in your school community.

📅 Date: June 4
📍 Location: Joe T. Robinson High School Champion Center 21501 Cantrell Rd Little Rock, AR 72223
⏳ RSVP Deadline: May 23
🔗 Save your spot here: Pre-Conference RSVP
Lunch is included, so be sure to register by May 23!

Join us for a dynamic and interactive Innovation Caucus focused on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in Education. This year’s session is designed as an open forum where educators, technologists and innovators can engage in meaningful conversations, exchange ideas, and share best practices on integrating AI into teaching, learning, and institutional operations.
Through collaborative discussions and knowledge-sharing, participants will explore topics such as personalized learning, ethical AI implementation, data-driven decision-making, and the evolving role of educators in an AI-enhanced world. Whether you’re actively using AI in your work or just beginning to explore its potential, this caucus offers a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, gain new insights, and contribute to shaping the future of AI in education.
Bring your experiences, questions, and curiosity—let’s innovate together!

AI is everywhere, but how do you make it actually useful? This workshop cuts through the noise with a practical approach to using AI in your daily life. We’ll start with a focused presentation to get everyone on the same page—exploring the strengths and limitations of different AI tools and walking through a simple, repeatable method for making AI work through small, daily experiments. Then we’ll shift into a live, interactive session where we put it all into practice: testing prompts, tackling real questions, and experimenting together. Whether you're looking to level up your productivity, spark creativity, or just see what happens when you ask AI something weird, you’ll walk away with practical skills and ideas you’ll actually use.

Join Sonora Elementary, a School of Innovation, as we share our journey of increasing student efficacy and achievement through intentional practices that support both academic and executive functioning growth. Discover how we integrate executive function instruction, the Learning Pit framework, and daily Morning Meetings with soft starts to foster a growth mindset, build confidence, and develop the skills students need to thrive.
Participants will explore:

• Executive Function Development: Practical strategies for teaching students to plan, organize, and self-regulate their learning.
  
• The Learning Pit: Guiding students through productive struggle to embrace challenges and achieve deeper understanding.
  
• Daily Morning Meetings with Soft Starts: Creating safe, engaging, and purposeful routines that set a positive tone for learning and connection each day.
  

Learn how these innovative practices work together to empower students, build collective teacher efficacy, and drive measurable increases in student achievement. Leave with actionable ideas and tools to implement in your school community.

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.

This keynote celebrates a decade of bold innovation in Arkansas education—and the people who made it possible. Through storytelling, reflection, and future-focused action, we’ll explore what has changed, what still needs to, and what is possible when we lead with purpose. Because ten years in, we know the work isn’t done—and the future is ours to build.

Heritage speakers frequently have characteristics that differ from those of second language learners and thus require different pedagogical approaches. This talk covers questions such as these: What are some typical linguistic, affective, and academic profiles of heritage speakers?  How can we determine appropriate curricular goals, instructional approaches, and placement procedures? And what can instructors do when a separate heritage speaker course is not possible and a classroom contains a mix of “apples” and “oranges”? The goal is to best serve the linguistic and affective needs of heritage speakers.

In our session, we will present our self-paced Envision program, which we offer for grades 6-8 at Lonoke Middle School. Envision is a teacher-guided program that puts students in the driver's seat of their education. Teachers are here to guide, hold students accountable, and assist as needed.
To be successful in Envision, students must be self-motivated learners who can work independently. Students progress through the program using a grade-level pacing guide as a tool, at a pace that allows them to master the content. They may demonstrate mastery before their peers or may need a few extra class days to master a particular skill. Either way, students have access to collaborate with their peers and teachers as they master the content and then move on to the next skill.
A major benefit of the Envision program is its accessibility. Students receive a login to the website, where they can access all of their materials. Since it’s an online platform, students can log in from any computer, anywhere, at any time. Each student is assigned a mentor who meets with them at least once per week to discuss goals, progress, programs of study, pacing, and any support they may need.To facilitate the process, all students will explore possible career options and create a career plan. 
Flex Days are something our students look forward to and work towards. Students who are working at or ahead of pace can attend essential classes such as art, PE, band, EAST, etc. This allows them to focus more deeply on their essential classes and produce projects that interest them or relate to potential career paths.
We would also like to present the growth our students demonstrate over the course of the year. Many students in the program experience growth of up to two grade levels, as they are able to move at their own pace and challenge themselves.
Students will be joining us during our presentation. Here is what they have to say about our Envision program:
“The Envision program has helped me understand things better than I would in a traditional classroom. It has also allowed me to work at my own pace and redo assignments I struggled with. Some opportunities that have opened up for me include the chance to improve my grades and have free time to focus on work for other classes once I finish my Envision tasks. My learning has improved because I can better understand lessons and revisit any videos or past assignments if I’m struggling with something. My motivation continues to improve, and I’m not only learning more but also developing greater independence!”

As a lower elementary school (grades PreK-2) in its 2nd year implementation of Thrive AR - PBIS, I endeavor to share the progress we are having since it's implementation.

After exploring innovative ideas at the Innovation Rally, you may be wondering how to effectively implement change when you return home. This session will explore why change is often met with resistance, the different ways people respond to it, and how to support those who struggle with change. Participants will examine the four fundamentalist archetypes of resistance and learn strategies for addressing concerns while fostering collaboration. The session will conclude with a strategic planning process, equipping participants with practical tools to build momentum and sustain meaningful change in their school communities.

How can we foster deeper student engagement? How can teachers create the right conditions for students to take ownership of their learning? This session explores key strategies from Agency by Design: An Educator's Playbook by Wenmoth, Jones, Edwards, and Thompson. The John Tyson School of Innovation team will share how they developed a common language around student agency using this framework, along with practical approaches to measuring progress through rubrics and goal-setting. Educators from K-12 schools will gain actionable insights to cultivate agency in their classrooms and enhance student engagement.

Teaching is more stressful than ever, with national and Arkansas statistics showing rising burnout, high turnover, and growing emotional strain. One innovative resource to help--not solve--this challenge is the Arkansas Teacher Support
Helpline, a confidential service where teachers and school staff can talk through stress "in the moment" with a peer with lived teaching experience trained in compassionate listening. This workshop explores why talking it out works and will demonstrate through roleplay how an ATSH peer listener may respond to an audience-selected situation.

Heritage speakers are increasingly common in Spanish classrooms around the U.S. After reviewing some common profiles of heritage speakers and how are they linguistically and affectively different from second language students, we will examine why it is important for us to center our instruction in language arts to the greatest extent that students’ proficiency allows. The goal is for our Spanish programs to center the needs of heritage speakers and lead to their personal, academic, and linguistic development in ways that support social justice. We will examine several textbook activities to see how they can best be supportive of students' language arts development

Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking panel discussion, The State of Innovation in Education, as part of the OIE Speaker Series. This panel will spotlight dynamic leaders, visionaries, and changemakers from across the southeastern United States who are pushing the boundaries of education.
Our panelists will explore critical questions such as: What does innovation in education look like today? What factors catalyze meaningful change? What barriers exist, and how can they be overcome? Through shared stories, insights, and lessons learned, we’ll uncover the inspirations that drive these leaders to challenge the status quo and create transformative learning experiences.
Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, student, or lifelong learner, this session will provide fresh perspectives, practical ideas, and a deeper understanding of the evolving educational landscape.