4th Annual BISD LEAD Conference: Full Schedule

9:30am PDT

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am PDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Fluent reading is one of the hallmarks of skilled reading! Learn the different aspects of fluency including prosody, phrasing, and rate. Learn strategies for teaching reading fluency using any text.

Speakers

Susan Kelly

Thursday August 6, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am PDT
224

Elementary Instructional Staff

10:30am PDT

Yes They Can! Supporting our youngest writers

LIMITED

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am PDT

224

Limited Capacity seats available

Providing young children with rich writing experiences can lay a foundation for literacy learning. The following questions will be addressed in this session:
What benefits does writing have for young children?
What does children’s writing tell us about their understanding of print and sound?
What is the alphabetic principle, and how can it help teachers individualize instruction?
What opportunities for writing do you provide in your classroom? This session is appropriate for PreK and Kindergarten staff.

Speakers

Susan Kelly

Thursday August 6, 2026 10:30am - 11:20am PDT
224

Elementary Instructional Staff

1:00pm PDT

Teaching Small Groups with Decodable Texts

LIMITED

Thursday August 6, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm PDT

224

Limited Capacity seats available

Learn how to successfully use decodable texts to reinforce phonics skills! Participants will learn a balanced small group structure which includes decoding using blending lines, encoding (spelling), reading decodable books, as well as dictation.

Speakers

Susan Kelly

Thursday August 6, 2026 1:00pm - 1:50pm PDT
224

Elementary Instructional Staff

2:00pm PDT

Writing Workshop: Structures for Writing Success

LIMITED

Thursday August 6, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm PDT

224

Limited Capacity seats available

For Grades 3-5. Participants will learn the fundamentals of a writing workshop and lessons to lift the level of personal narrative, informational, and opinion writing.

Speakers

Susan Kelly

Thursday August 6, 2026 2:00pm - 2:50pm PDT
224

Elementary Instructional Staff

9:00am PDT

“The Misunderstood Gifted Child”

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am PDT

224

Limited Capacity seats available

Understanding Behaviors, Traits, and Needs of Gifted Learners

Gifted students are not always the easiest students to recognize. Some appear highly successful and compliant, while others may seem distracted, emotional, perfectionistic, disorganized, or even challenging in the classroom.

This interactive session will help educators explore the often misunderstood characteristics of gifted learners and examine how gifted traits can sometimes be mistaken for behavior problems, lack of motivation, or inattentiveness. Participants will gain practical strategies for supporting gifted students in mixed-ability classrooms while fostering engagement, challenge, creativity, and growth.

Through real-world scenarios, discussion, and classroom-ready strategies, teachers will leave with a deeper understanding of how to recognize and respond to the unique needs of gifted learners.

Participants Will:

* Identify common misunderstood traits of gifted learners
* Explore how giftedness may present differently across students
* Examine classroom scenarios and teacher perceptions
* Learn practical differentiation and engagement strategies
* Reflect on ways to better support gifted students in everyday instruction

Best suited for: K–5 classroom teachers, interventionists, specialists, and instructional support staff.

Speakers

Pat Goodwin

Gifted & Talented Coordinator - Pull-Out Teacher K-6, Bonham ISD

"I hear, and I forget, I see, and I remember, I do, and I understand." Confucius

I have two children; Lee & Courtney
I have four grandchildren: Clint, Emmalynn, Hadley, and Oliver

Currently, I am the Gifted & Talented Coordinator - Pull-Out Teacher K-6 at Bonham ISD
I. W... Read More →

Friday August 7, 2026 9:00am - 9:50am PDT
224

Elementary Instructional Staff

10:00am PDT

From Pixels to Plastic

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am PDT

224

Limited Capacity seats available

Interested in bringing 3D printing into your classroom but not sure where to start? Already have a 3D printer and want to feel more confident using it with students? This hands-on beginner course is designed for educators at all experience levels — from teachers who are just exploring 3D printing to those who already have a printer in their classroom and want practical strategies, troubleshooting skills, and classroom-ready ideas.

Participants will learn the fundamentals of 3D printing, including how printers work, basic terminology, materials and safety, printer setup, slicing software, and successful printing practices. The course will also explore ways to integrate 3D printing into STEM and cross-curricular classroom activities.

Speakers

Caroline Morrow

Teacher, Bonham ISD

Friday August 7, 2026 10:00am - 10:50am PDT
224

All Instructional Staff

11:00am PDT

Independent Reading: Structures for Success

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am PDT

224

Limited Capacity seats available

Independent reading can enhance literacy and comprehension skills, including
exposing readers to new vocabulary, enhancing comprehension skills, and fostering a love for reading. Learn structures to ensure you and your students get the most out of independent reading time.

Speakers

Susan Kelly

Friday August 7, 2026 11:00am - 11:50am PDT
224

Elementary Instructional Staff

1:30pm PDT

The Essentials of Writing Instruction

LIMITED

Friday August 7, 2026 1:30pm - 2:20pm PDT

224

Limited Capacity seats available

Writing needs to be taught like any other basic skill, with explicit instruction and ample opportunity for practice. Children need instruction in spelling and conventions as well as in the qualities and strategies of good writing. Learn: the writing process, how to set up a writing workshop, how to teach writing mini-lessons, and more. This session is appropriate for grades 1-2.

Speakers