OCSD Educators Empowered Conference: Full Schedule

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

8:30am PDT

KEYNOTE - Student Panel

Monday August 18, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am PDT

This student panel of secondary students will share some insights into their experiences throughout their time as as students in OCSD. They will discuss celebrations, challenges, some key things they wish their teachers knew about them, and their hopes for the coming year.

Monday August 18, 2025 8:30am - 9:30am PDT
TMS Cafeteria

9:45am PDT

enVision Gamified

Monday August 18, 2025 9:45am - 11:15am PDT

TMS Room TBD

Let's explore the digital games of enVisions. A computer will be necessary and a spirit of adventure. We will find which ones are the best to help our students through playing them.

Speakers

Vanessa Mohler

Teacher, Oregon City School District

Vanessa is a 2nd grade teacher at Holcomb Elementary. Brent McLain suggested she teach a course so she is.

Monday August 18, 2025 9:45am - 11:15am PDT
TMS Room TBD

Instructional Excellence, Elementary Teachers

9:45am PDT

Inquiry: 3 Things You Can Do Right Now

Monday August 18, 2025 9:45am - 11:15am PDT

TMS Room TBD

Ready to spark curiosity and deepen understanding in your secondary classroom? This dynamic session will equip you with three immediately actionable inquiry-based strategies: the KWLA graphic organizer, Costa's Levels of Thinking, and Philosophical Chairs. Discover how to integrate these tools to cultivate a classroom where students take ownership of their learning.

By the end of this module, you'll be able to:

Confidently implement three high-impact inquiry strategies that foster comprehensive understanding, critical questioning, and elevated discussions.

Boost students' communication skills, enabling them to articulate their grasp of concepts and engage in robust academic discourse.

Join us and transform your teaching to ignite a passion for inquiry in every student!

Speakers

Christina Magaña

Instructional Coach, Tumwata Middle School

Christina Magaña serves as an Instructional Coach at Tumwata Middle School. She's taught AVID, literacy and social studies in Oregon City and North Clackamas. Christina loves teaching middle school and providing opportunities for each student to engage deeply in learning.

Monday August 18, 2025 9:45am - 11:15am PDT
TMS Room TBD

Instructional Excellence, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers

9:45am PDT

Getting to Know Our Young Adults by Remembering Ourselves

Monday August 18, 2025 9:45am - 11:15am PDT

TMS Room TBD

An interactive, light hearted, and refreshing group discussion to review why we chose to work with teenagers in the first place. Concepts to be explored will be Using Self as an Instrument, Emotional Intelligence, Appreciative Inquiry, and more. Add to this just good basic and honest conversation between peers. This workshop will explore what we remember from our own experiences growing up, tap into what goes on in our classrooms today, and open conversations to share best practices. Participants will take away their own revitalized energy and enthusiasm as educators and supporters of these young adults, ready to start the new school year ready to re-engage!

Speakers

Nadine Ambrose

Grad Coach, OCHS

Nadine Ambrose, working as the Student Engagement and Retention Specialist (aka Graduation Coach) with OCHS staff and for students over this past 1 ½ yrs, shares what she has utilized and continues to learn as she successfully engages and connects with the HS students she supports... Read More →

Monday August 18, 2025 9:45am - 11:15am PDT
TMS Room TBD

Instructional Excellence, High School Teachers, All levels of HS staff wishing to better connect with their students. | Robust Systems for Belonging and Wellbeing, High School Teachers, All levels of HS staff wishing to better connect with their students.

9:45am PDT

Getting Started with Building Thinking Classrooms Practices

Monday August 18, 2025 9:45am - 11:15am PDT

TMS Room TBD

Teachers will practice skills that engage in activities that support the importance of differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of students, including those who grasp concepts quickly and those who need more support, with an emphasis on collaboration and group work.

Speakers

Megan McCormick

Teacher & Co-AVID Coordinator, Oregon City School District

Megan aims to enhance students' abilities in mathematical reasoning and cultivates a classroom culture that encourages students to confidently explore mathematical concepts through the Building Thinking Classroom strategies. She participates in professional development and collaborates... Read More →

Lori MacKenzie

Math Specialist, Clackamas ESD

Lori MacKenzie is a dedicated Math Specialist at Clackamas ESD who supports teachers in creating student-centered, engaging mathematics classrooms. She leads professional development, book studies, and pilot projects focused on implementing Building Thinking Classrooms. With a passion... Read More →

Monday August 18, 2025 9:45am - 11:15am PDT
TMS Room TBD

9:45am PDT

Interoception: Regulation from the Inside Out

Monday August 18, 2025 9:45am - 11:15am PDT

TMS Room TBD

This session will introduce the concept of interoception—our ability to sense internal body signals like hunger, thirst, temperature, pain, or the need to use the bathroom. Interoception is a foundational, learned skill that plays a critical role in self-awareness and emotional regulation. Attendees will explore how challenges with interoceptive awareness can impact behavior, attention, and learning in the classroom. We'll learn to differentiate body feelings from brain emotions and discuss practical strategies to help students develop this awareness, supporting more effective self-regulation and improved engagement throughout the school day.

Speakers

Sara Pilorget

Occupational Therapist, Student Services

Sara knew she wanted to be an occupational therapist when she was a kid, so working with students and staff in the Oregon City School District is really just a fulfillment of that dream. Her greatest passion is allowing people to participate in occupations that are meaningful, healthy... Read More →

Monday August 18, 2025 9:45am - 11:15am PDT
TMS Room TBD

Robust Systems for Belonging and Wellbeing, Elementary Teachers, Classified Instructional Staff, I could potentially do a session focused on 6-12 if desired/needed.

9:45am PDT

Time to Teach LIMITED

Monday August 18, 2025 9:45am - 11:15am PDT

TMS Room TBD

An overview of classroom management programs " Responsive Classroom" and "Time to Teach". Participants will also practice both procedures.

Speakers

Natalia Johnson

Natalia Johnson has been teaching elementary grade 1-5 for 25 years. She also chairs the Intervention Team at Redland Elementary. Natalia has been successfully using Responsive Classroom and Time to Teach techniques for the past several years in partnership with her third grade team... Read More →

Monday August 18, 2025 9:45am - 11:15am PDT
TMS Room TBD

Safe and Engaging Learning Environments, Elementary Teachers

11:15am PDT

LUNCH (provided) LIMITED

Monday August 18, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT

TBA

Monday August 18, 2025 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
TBA

12:15pm PDT

Library Resources

Monday August 18, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT

TMS Room TBD

District and public library resources / Connecting school to public libraries.

Speakers

Doug Stull

District Librarian

OCSD District Librarian

Monday August 18, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
TMS Room TBD

Engaged Communities, Elementary Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers, Classified Instructional Staff, General

12:15pm PDT

Deepen Discussion: Philosophical Chairs LIMITED

Monday August 18, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT

TMS Room TBD

Calling all Elementary educators! Ready to elevate academic discourse and critical thinking in your classroom? In this dynamic 90-minute session, you'll dive deep into the Philosophical Chairs strategy, focusing on specific writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and readings methods to seamlessly integrate it into your lessons.

We'll start by building foundational skills, exploring two key strategies that prepare elementary students for rich, formal discussions. You'll experience firsthand how to guide young learners through deep academic discourse as they thoughtfully address different positions.

By the end of this session, you'll be equipped to:

Increase rigor, inquiry, and collaboration in your elementary classroom, boosting students' academic performance and developing crucial college readiness skills.

Join us to empower your elementary students with the tools for impactful discussion and elevated learning!

Speakers

Christina Magaña

Instructional Coach, Tumwata Middle School

Monday August 18, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
TMS Room TBD

Instructional Excellence, Elementary Teachers

12:15pm PDT

Let's Code with Code.org LIMITED

Monday August 18, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT

TMS Room TBD

The session will provide steps of how to get started with Code.org and then time to explore the course you would complete with your students.

Speakers

Sarah Luvaas

3, OCSD

Sarah Luvaas is a third grade teacher at Redland. She works on district and building committees to support teaching and learning. Sarah enjoys collaborating with teachers.

Dana Domenigoni

Instructional Support Specialist, Oregon City School District

Dana Domenigoni is the ISS at Redland. She has had many different instructional roles in her career. Dana is collaborative, innovative, and passionate about learning.

Monday August 18, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
TMS Room TBD

Instructional Excellence, Elementary Teachers

12:15pm PDT

Go Guardian- it's that simple. LIMITED

Monday August 18, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT

TMS Room TBD

Create sessions in Go Guardian for your classes in this informational workshop, where you will leave with Go Guardian all set up.

Speakers

Christie Riehl

Veteran teacher with 11 years in the classroom. Resident of OC with a soon to be senior daughter, lover of sun and books.

Monday August 18, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
TMS Room TBD

Instructional Excellence, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers | Safe and Engaging Learning Environments, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers

12:15pm PDT

Problem Solving Protocol LIMITED

Monday August 18, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT

TMS Room TBD

Sometimes it’s easy to get stuck on the problem and then an hour goes by, time is up and still no solution.
This session is all about a quick 12 minute way to stay focused on the problem and walk away with an action plan. You get to plan with other educators from various backgrounds and problem solve focus areas such as student academics, behavior, attendance, families, working with colleagues and it can even help work out an action plan for your own household.

Speakers

Desirae Natsch

Desirae began her career 23 years ago as a private school teacher and later earned her Master’s in Special Education. She spent 21 years in the North Clackamas School District teaching various elementary grades, with 18 of those years in first grade—her favorite. Desirae believes... Read More →

Monday August 18, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
TMS Room TBD

Robust Systems for Belonging and Wellbeing, Elementary Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers, Classified Instructional Staff, Admin, counselors, all specialist

12:15pm PDT

Meet Your FiT Team (Social Workers, McKinney-Vento & Migrant Education) LIMITED

Monday August 18, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT

TMS Room TBD

Come meet the FiT team members and learn more about the services we provide, who qualifies and how you can access them for students and families (*title and description are works-in-progress)

Speakers

Gayle Prentice Wood

FiT Liaison, FiT (Families in Transition)

Hello! My name is Gayle (she/her), and I am the McKinney-Vento Liaison for Oregon City School District. The McKinney-Vento program supports students and families who are experiencing houselessness or housing instability due to economic hardship. If know of or are a student currently... Read More →

Monday August 18, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
TMS Room TBD

Robust Systems for Belonging and Wellbeing, General | Engaged Communities, General | Safe and Engaging Learning Environments, General

12:15pm PDT

Managing difficult classroom behaviors with non verbals (ENVoY) LIMITED

Monday August 18, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT

TMS Room TBD

ENVoY is a classroom management system developed to support teachers during high behavior times, as well as helping students understand what is being asked/expected of them through training days and explicit teaching of separate physical spaces to correct behavior and get attention. We will go over 3 main ENVoY strategies you can implement as soon as the first day of school to start your year off right for both teachers and students!

Speakers

Dani tebon

Monday August 18, 2025 12:15pm - 1:15pm PDT
TMS Room TBD

Safe and Engaging Learning Environments, Elementary Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers

1:30pm PDT

Differentiation 101 LIMITED

Monday August 18, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

TMS Room TBD

As teachers, many times we know how to scaffold an assignment, but we struggle to push our higher level thinking students. This session will allow participants to think about how to stretch those learners that need a challenge. Learn ways to differentiate the content, process, product, and environment. All participants will walk away with strategies to implement with their students.

Speakers

Carrie Blythe

Teacher, Oregon City School District

Carrie Blythe is an 8th grade ELA teacher at Gardiner Middle. She has worked in the middle school classroom for over 30 years, with seven of those years being a Literacy Coach in the North Clackamas School District. She enjoys gardening, reading, and playing with her dogs.

Monday August 18, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
TMS Room TBD

Instructional Excellence, Elementary Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers

1:30pm PDT

enVision - Beyond the Core LIMITED

Monday August 18, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

TMS Room TBD

Ready to move beyond the core and unlock the full potential of your enVision math curriculum? This dynamic professional development session is designed for educators who have a foundational understanding of enVision and are eager to explore advanced strategies to foster deeper student understanding, engagement, and success for all learners.

Speakers

Rachel Murphy

3, OCSD

This year wrapped up Rachel's 22nd year of teaching. She's been at Redland since 2012. She three grown children and fully understands that all children learn and grow differently. She loves creating an engaging learning environment for students to shine.

Monday August 18, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
TMS Room TBD

Instructional Excellence, Elementary Teachers

1:30pm PDT

Supporting our Struggling Students in Secondary Math LIMITED

Monday August 18, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

TMS Room TBD

Come learn information about reasons why our students struggle in math as well as ready to use strategies to support them in our classrooms. You will also have time to work in teams to make plans you can use this year.

Speakers

Jennifer Crutcher

Monday August 18, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
TMS Room TBD

Instructional Excellence, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers

1:30pm PDT

Using AI as a Thought Partner LIMITED

Monday August 18, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

TMS Room TBD

How can we use AI tools to increase our efficiency? AI tools are good at formulaic writing and tasks. We will describe AI tools we’ve used and explore additional strategies! Throughout all of these activities, the human component is critical for collaboration and innovation. We will discuss how and when AI is an appropriate thought partner - and when it’s not.

Speakers

Dana Domenigoni

Instructional Support Specialist, Oregon City School District

Dana Domenigoni is the ISS at Redland. She has had many different instructional roles in her career. Dana is collaborative, innovative, and passionate about learning.

Jennifer Bell

TOSA, Oregon City School District

After teaching middle school math for 15 years, Jennifer joined the Oregon City School District as the Math TOSA, then moved into other positions, including administration. She loves working with teachers and students to improve classroom experiences for all students. Her current... Read More →

Monday August 18, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
TMS Room TBD

Instructional Excellence, General

1:30pm PDT

Increasing Academic Language and Literacy: Scripts, Functions, and Word Banks LIMITED

Monday August 18, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

TMS Room TBD

If you have ever wanted to strengthen your language literacy practices in any content, especially for language learners, this is the session for you! Participants will connect WICOR (Writing Inquiry Collaboration Organization and Reading) with intentional language development practices and routines to strengthen listening, speaking, reading, and writing literacy for all students, resulting in students navigating rigorous content, achieving academically, and preparing for career success.
Upon completion of this AVID professional learning module, participants will have learned and/or practiced the following:
• Explore academic language scripts, language functions, and word banks to support academic and content language development.
• Model collaborative speaking and coaching routines so students will be able to self-reflect, regulate, and celebrate the use of academic language.

Speakers

Megan McCormick

Teacher & Co-AVID Coordinator, Oregon City School District

Monday August 18, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
TMS Room TBD

Instructional Excellence, Elementary Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers | Career and College Readiness, Elementary Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers

1:30pm PDT

From the Desk to the Dinner Table: Tips for Classroom Communications LIMITED

Monday August 18, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

TMS Room TBD

When parents understand what their student is learning, and know specific ways to help, student achievement increases significantly. Research shows that effective home-school communication can improve student outcomes by up to 30%, but only when families receive actionable information they can actually use.

This focused session will equip educators with strategies to transform routine updates into actionable resources that help families extend classroom learning at home. Participants will learn to craft messages that inform families about current learning objectives while providing specific, practical ways parents can reinforce these concepts during everyday moments.

Educators will practice developing communication templates and schedules that consistently deliver relevant content, turning parents into confident learning partners who know exactly how to help their student succeed. The session includes hands-on template creation and strategies for translating academic concepts into parent-friendly language with practical applications that fit busy family routines.

Move beyond "here's what we did today" to "here's how you can help your student master these skills at home."

Educators should bring a laptop or a way to access their ParentSquare account from a web browser.

Speakers

Caitlin Bergstrom

Communications Coordinator, Oregon City School District

Caitlin Bergstrom is the Assistant Director of Communications for OCSD and a word nerd. She loves to make colorful creations, and edit written works.

Monday August 18, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
TMS Room TBD

Instructional Excellence, Elementary Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers | Career and College Readiness, Elementary Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers | Engaged Communities, Elementary Teachers, Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers