Connection, Purpose, Progress- MCS-BSU Innovation Summit: Full Schedule

12:45pm EDT

Applying the Science of Reading Through the Brain's Backdoor!- Repeated Session

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

Limited Capacity seats available

Applying the Science of Reading through the Brain’s Backdoor, presents Katie Garner’s approach to accelerating phonics mastery by connecting systematic phonics instruction to brain science, memory, and students’ existing knowledge through the use of her "Secret Stories" tool. She emphasizes using stories, novelty, social-emotional connections, music, movement, and “secrets” to make abstract letter-sound patterns meaningful and memorable. The teaching approach advocates revealing the phonics code early and continuously rather than delaying instruction based on grade-level expectations, while using writing as a “window” into students’ reading development. The system also promotes active decoding over memorizing sight words and encourages teachers to “teach the reader, not the reading” by helping students apply phonics strategies to increasingly complex text. These strategies can support beginning readers, English learners, intervention students, and older struggling readers.

Speakers

Aryn Sweeney Enos

West View Elementary Teacher, Grade 4, Muncie Community Schools

Aryn Sweeney Enos is an experienced elementary educator with a strong background in the Science of Reading, writing instruction, and data-driven teaching. She is a licensed Indiana elementary teacher with additional certification in English Language Arts for grades 5–12 and extensive... Read More →

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
422

Session 3

12:45pm EDT

Beyond the Word Cards: Practical Strategies for Maximizing the Edmark Reading Curriculum

LIMITED

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

442

Limited Capacity seats available

Are you looking for ways to increase student engagement while using the Edmark Reading Program? This interactive session will explore how to maximize the Edmark curriculum through hands-on activities, supplemental resources, and instructional strategies that promote meaningful learning for students with significant disabilities and other struggling readers. Participants will learn how to determine when Edmark is an appropriate instructional choice, organize lessons for success, and incorporate engaging activities that extend beyond the traditional word cards. Throughout the session, participants will have opportunities to collaborate in small groups, examine classroom-ready materials, discuss implementation challenges, and ask questions. Attendees will leave with practical ideas and access to resources that can be implemented immediately to increase student participation, independence, and reading success.

Speakers

Betsy Duckworth

Teacher - Special Education (Applied Skills), Muncie Community Schools

I am an Applied Skills Special Education teacher at Southside Middle School.

Conner Polk

Teacher - Special Education (Program Supervisor), Muncie Community Schools

Conner is the Program Coordinator at Southside Middle School.

Dawn Schmidt

Teacher - Special Education (Program Supervisor), Muncie Community Schools

Dawn is the Program Coordinator at Northside Middle School.

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
442

Session 3

12:45pm EDT

Coaching Circle

LIMITED

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

224

Limited Capacity seats available

This session is designed for all Middle School and High School Coaches who wish to participate. Coaches will be presented with information from administration and have the chance to communicate with other coaching staffs at the high school or middle school levels. There will be Q&A as well as roundtable discussions.

Speakers

Shea Hill

Teacher - Physical Education, Muncie Community Schools

- 22 years of experience with MCS as a Coach, Teacher, and now as Athletic Director for both Middle Schools.- Longest tenured Head Coach and most wins for Boys Soccer at Muncie Central- 15 years experience coaching Swimming and Diving within MCS and greater Delaware County- Head of... Read More →

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
224

Session 3

12:45pm EDT

Communicating for Digital Accessibility- Repeated Session

LIMITED

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

236

Limited Capacity seats available

As a public agency, Muncie Community Schools is now required to meet new federal guidelines for digital accessibility. What does that mean? It means writing and posting in clear, simple language that is easy to understand. Information must be organized with meaningful headings, short paragraphs, and lists when appropriate. We must provide descriptive text for images, captions for videos, and transcripts for audio content. Any links need to have meaningful text instead of phrases like "click here." All content needs to be readable by screen readers and understood by people with a wide range of abilities, including those with visual, hearing, cognitive, or motor disabilities. The goal is to make information accessible, usable, and understandable for everyone. Andy and Cynthia will share insights on how to do this when messaging to families or the general public.

Speakers

Klotz, Andrew

Chief Communications Officer, Muncie Community Schools

Andy is in his 6th year as the Chief Communications Officer at Muncie Community Schools. He is the district's "Chief Storyteller" and oversees all districtwide communications, including information shared on websites, social media, ParentSquare and more.

Cynthia Miller

Executive Assistant to the Director of Public Education/CEO, Muncie Community Schools

As the Executive Assistant to the Director of Public Education/CEO, Cynthia handles a variety of duties in the MCS Administration Building. She is also instrumental in handling the back end of the district website and a key liaison between the district office and all schools.

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
236

Session 3

12:45pm EDT

Data Enablement Resources for Student and Community Success- Repeated Session

LIMITED

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

203

Limited Capacity seats available

Teachers, Community Partners, and Families are surrounded by data systems, but how do those systems serve and enable better student and community outcomes? How do current Data Tools and Resources serve the public good?

Answering these questions practically is possible by reviewing specific systems and reporting products, which we provide. Answering these questions in a collaborative and reflective space is best accomplished through a discussion of such systems, their underlying purpose, and a theory of action.

In this session, the MCS Educational Data & Outcomes team will provide an overview of data resources and tools provided to MCS educators, building teams, and partners. These tools aim to provide students with timely and informed services, connect resource networks, and align partner understanding across the Cradle to Career Muncie network. The session will include a presentation as well as a discussion of emergent data needs within our schools.

Speakers

Dr. Phil Boltz

Emily Shepherd

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
203

Session 3

12:45pm EDT

Dr. Julia Garcia Session

LIMITED

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

Auditorium

Limited Capacity seats available

Connection is at the core of every healthy community, yet students and staff are feeling more disconnected than ever before. The Connection Challenge is an interactive program designed to strengthen community bonds. Through inspiring stories, evidence-based strategies, and practical activities, participants will learn how to overcome barriers, enhance communication, and build meaningful relationships that positively transform culture.

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
Auditorium

Session 3

12:45pm EDT

Effective Teaming, Psychology and Implementation of Chunking & Brain Breaks, Reducing Cognitive Load For Students

FILLING

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

236

Limited Capacity filling up

Participants should expect to learn about effective teaming strategies, the research behind chunking and brain breaks while students engage in the learning environment, and other consumable information for the students, which leads into reducing cognitive load. Participants will have turn and talk sessions to talk about how they might implement the strategies we talk about. There also will be time for q&a at all times.

Speakers

Grant Berry

Science Teacher, Muncie Community Schools

This is me and Khaner's 2nd Year teaching at Southside Middle School together in Science. We believe we have useful tools that pertain to teaming and instructive practices that can be applied to various subjects.

Khaner Phillips

Science Teacher, Muncie Community Schools

This is me and Grant's 2nd Year teaching at Southside Middle School together in Science. We believe we have useful tools that pertain to teaming and instructive practices that can be applied to various subjects.

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
236

Session 3

global Y

12:45pm EDT

Everyday Behavior Tools- Repeated Session

FILLING

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

424

Limited Capacity filling up

Participants can expect to learn about the Everyday Behavior Tools. We will cover understanding behavior and coercion, the seven Everyday Behavior Tools, and resources to further education. Interactions participants can expect are small groups and minimal role plays.

Are you a first year teacher? Do you want to build positive relationships with your students? Do you want to learn how to de-escalate minor disruptions? Reduce reliance on administrators and support staff to solve problems? If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, then you are ready to learn about the seven core strategies of Everyday Behavior Tools.

Speakers

Sarah Reynolds

Teacher - Elementary, Muncie Community Schools

I graduated from Ball State University in 2017, where I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a concentration in Kindergarten Primary. I also obtained a minor in Autism Spectrum Disorders. I have taught for nine years at South View Elementary, teaching 1st, 3rd... Read More →

Hannah Thompson

Teacher - Physical Education, Muncie Community Schools

My name is Hannah Thompson, also known as ‘T.’ I have taught Physical Education at South View Elementary for five years. I am entering my second year of coaching girls basketball at Muncie Central High School. My educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in... Read More →

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
424

Session 3

12:45pm EDT

Fabulous Fluency- Repeated Session

FILLING

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

242

Limited Capacity filling up

Discover why fluency is the ultimate bridge to reading comprehension in the elementary classroom. In this engaging session, you will explore the latest data and powerful research that highlight why daily fluency practice is essential for young learners.

We will equip you with a curated toolkit of ready-to-use classroom resources designed to boost speed, accuracy, and expression. Plus, you will gain practical, real-world advice and proven strategies straight from fellow elementary teachers who have successfully integrated fluency routines into their busy daily schedules.

Speakers

Angela Butler

Teacher - Master, Muncie Community Schools

Master teacher at EWA

Lesleigh Denniston

Teacher - Elementary, Muncie Community Schools

Interventionist at EWA

Megan Miller

Teacher - Elementary, Muncie Community Schools

First grade teacher

Tiara Taylor

Teacher - Elementary, Muncie Community Schools

First Grade Teacher

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
242

Session 3

12:45pm EDT

FLAME Foundations: Igniting Math Success Before the Lesson Begins- Repeated Session

LIMITED

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

226

Limited Capacity seats available

As educators, we are always looking for ways to increase the engagement of our students in their learning without having to always rely on paper/pencil activities. In this session, FLAME: Foundations Igniting Math Success Before the Lesson Begins, educators will explore how the FLAME Warm-Up Framework transforms daily math instruction through systematic, explicit, and engaging routines that build stronger number sense, mathematical confidence, and critical thinking skills. This presentation will allow educators to focus on whole-group spiral review activities while increasing student engagement and overall math achievement. If you want a fun and exciting way to get your students engaged before teaching the math content, then this session is for you. FLAME is the UFLI for math!

Speakers

Heidi Keever

Teacher - Elementary, Muncie Community Schools

My name is Heidi Keever and I am a kindergarten teacher at Grissom Elementary. I am beginning my 30th year and my 26th in Kindergarten. I am all about implementing new ideas that gets all of my students engaged in their learning.

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
226

Session 3

12:45pm EDT

Freshman Academy Year 1 Recap- Repeated Session

LIMITED

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

425

Limited Capacity seats available

Learn about the setup and outcomes of the first year of Muncie Central's Freshman Academy. The 4 team leads will discuss the steps on how we designed the program, innovated our teaching practices, and worked together to improve our freshman experience. This session will be informative with time for a Q&A Session.

Speakers

Elli Coles

Teacher - Language Arts, Muncie Community Schools

5th Year as an English Teacher at MCHS

Kate Hughes

Teacher - Social Studies, Muncie Community Schools

15th Year Social Studies Teacher at MCHS

Jennifer Jensen

Teacher - Social Studies, Muncie Community Schools

13th year as a Social Studies Teacher at MCHS

Drew Shermeta

Teacher - Social Studies, Muncie Community Schools

11th Year as a Social Studies Teacher at MCHS

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
425

Session 3

12:45pm EDT

Opening Up Your Math Tasks: Differentiation Supports- Repeated Session

LIMITED

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

252

Limited Capacity seats available

In this hands-on session, participants will learn about different ways to adapt existing K-5 math tasks to support diverse learners to engage with the content. This session will help participants see ways to frame tasks and open-ended questions that allow students who need extra support and students who need a challenge to engage in the same lesson, making it easier for teachers to lead whole-class math lessons. The session will allow for small group discussion on different open-ended tasks and how they promote opportunities for differentiation, hands-on experience with parallel tasks, and time for Q&A for connecting such differentiation practices into the participants' classrooms.

Speakers

Jenna Menke

Assistant Professor, Ball State University

Jenna Menke is an assistant professor of mathematics education. Their focus is on improving teacher preparation programs and PD for K-12 mathematics teachers.

LeAnn Neel-Romine

Associate Lecturer, Ball State University

LeAnn Neel-Romine is an associate lecturer of mathematics education, with over 20 years' experience working with mathematics educators and students in K-12 classrooms.

Sam Prough

assistant professor, Ball State University

Sam Prough is an assistant professor of mathematics education. Their focus is on elementary education.

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
252

Session 3

12:45pm EDT

Partners in Leading, Partners in Learning, Partners in Research: Exploring Research-Practice Partnerships in MCS- Repeated Session

LIMITED

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

258

Limited Capacity seats available

This workshop will explore how strong, long-standing university–school partnerships can evolve into more formalized Research–Practice Partnerships (RPPs) through the collaborative development of a shared research agenda. Grounded in the principle of “nothing about us without us,” the session will examine what it means for school and district partners to play a meaningful role not only in individual projects, but in shaping the overall direction, priorities, and structures of partnership work. Participants will consider how the RPP model compliments existing collaborations between MCS and Ball State, how current practices and relationships support this work, and what new routines—such as shared agenda-setting, regular data conversations, and coordinated decision-making—might strengthen collective impact. The workshop will also address practical questions of scope and sustainability, including starting small, identifying high-priority areas of focus, clarifying roles and expectations, and building infrastructure over time. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of RPPs and concrete next steps for partnership development.

Speakers

Paula Arce-Trigatti

Director, National Network of Education Research-Practice Partnerships

Paula is the inaugural global director of NNERPP, a professional learning organization for education RPPs, launched in 2016 at the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University. In this role, she organizes and coordinates a number of learning opportunities for members across... Read More →

Kim Wright

Associate Director, National Network of Education Research-Practice Partnerships

Kim is the associate director of NNERPP, a professional learning organization for education-focused research-practice partnerships. In this role, she coordinates and creates professional learning opportunities for members of the NNERPP and the RPP field-at-large. Prior to joining... Read More →

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
258

Session 3

12:45pm EDT

LIMITED

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

439

Limited Capacity seats available

What if civic education could move beyond memorizing facts and become an opportunity for students to question, discuss, collaborate, and use their voices? In this session, participants will be introduced to the We the People program and explore how its inquiry-based approach can bring civic education to life in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. Participants will learn about the program’s structure, instructional strategies, and benefits for student engagement, critical thinking, discussion, and civic participation. Through hands-on activities and small-group discussion, participants will experience strategies they can adapt to their own classrooms, regardless of grade level or subject area. The session will also include opportunities to share ideas, ask questions, and discuss practical ways to incorporate We the People principles into existing curriculum.

Speakers

Nathan Earle

Teacher, Muncie Community Schools

I'm a fourth-year MCS teacher at Northside Middle School teaching 8th grade social studies.

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
439

Session 3

12:45pm EDT

What does IQ really mean? Understanding “intelligence” to support universal design for learning- Repeated Session

FILLING

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

423

Limited Capacity filling up

Working memory? Fluid Reasoning? Processing Speed? What do they really mean and how do they impact learning? This session aims to provide a basic understanding of the components of “intelligence” and how you can use those components to support all learners despite ability level. By exploring how we learn, we can target instruction to students’ intellectual strengths to support their weaknesses for better academic achievement and classroom behavior. This session will provide attendees with concrete tools to support students with average to high IQ and accommodations to support students with low IQ.

Speakers

Shelby Pavelka

Educational Diagnostician, Muncie Community Schools

Shelby has been a school psychologist with Muncie Community Schools for the last six years. She's worked across age groups from preschool to high school. From special education evaluations to behavioral support to leading MTSS teams, she works with teachers and students to support... Read More →

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
423

Session 3

12:45pm EDT

Winning at Communication & Negotiations: Practical Strategies for Difficult Conversations, Conflict, and Influence

LIMITED

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT

304

Limited Capacity seats available

Leadership happens through conversations, and some of the most important conversations are also the most difficult. Winning at Communication & Negotiations equips educators with practical strategies for communicating effectively, navigating conflict, building trust, and influencing positive outcomes. Participants will explore how emotional and practical mindsets affect communication and learn proven techniques including tactical empathy, mirroring, labeling, effective delivery, calibrated questions, accusations audits, and the strategic value of “No.” Participants will also learn communication frameworks they can teach fellow colleagues to strengthen interactions with students, parents, colleagues, and community members. Through real-world educational scenarios, audience participation, guided practice, partner and small-group discussion, and reflection, participants will practice strategies they can immediately apply to challenging conversations. The session will conclude with opportunities for questions, discussion, and application to participants’ own leadership situations.

Speakers

Benjamin Williams

Northside Middle School Principal, Muncie Community Schools

Benjamin Williams is an experienced K12 educator, serving as a math teacher, football coach, assistant principal, and principal, also completing an EdS degree at Ball State in the spring of 2026. With his service at MCS, Ben is extremely passionate about leadership studies, effective... Read More →

Friday September 18, 2026 12:45pm - 1:40pm EDT
304

Session 3

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

12:45pm EDT

Get help with the event