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Olathe Summer Conference 2025
Audience: Secondary clear filter
Wednesday, May 28
 

10:00am CDT

Cognitive Climb: Assessing Rigor Without Losing Engagement LIMITED
Wednesday May 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:30am CDT
Room 1319
Rigor isn't about giving more work—it’s about creating meaningful challenges that push students to think deeply and grow. In this session, we’ll break down what academic rigor really means and explore how to evaluate it in everyday classroom practices. You’ll learn how to design and assess tasks that go beyond surface-level learning, align with standards, and keep students engaged. Walk away with tools you can use right away, including ways to adjust assignments for deeper thinking and tips for recognizing rigor in student work. Let’s make challenging learning both doable and rewarding—for you and your students.
Speakers
avatar for Kristen Potter

Kristen Potter

Instructional Coach, Olathe School District
Secondary Instructional Coach
avatar for Mindy Roberts

Mindy Roberts

Instructional Coach, Olathe School District
Secondary Instructional Coach
Wednesday May 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:30am CDT
Room 1319
  Secondary

10:00am CDT

Energy for Education: Nourishing the Now and Feeding the Future LIMITED
Wednesday May 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:30am CDT
Library
Our classrooms are sources of energy, inspiration, curiosity and beckons of belonging. We know what we say and teach matters but how we say and teach it might just matter more. Our calling is larger than content providers or distributors of information. Teachers have the power to ignite hope in a better world. This session seeks to energize the education profession and explore strategies that authentically engage, build a community of belonging and promote relevance in learning. When we all engage and bring energy for our passions, our humanity shines.
Speakers
avatar for Taylor Bussinger

Taylor Bussinger

8th Grade Social Studies Teacher, Prairie Trail Middle School (Olathe Public Schools)
Taylor Bussinger is a passionate and dynamic teacher who believes true education can never be finished. It is his mission to continuously grow personally and professionally, striving to give his best to the students who enter his classroom. Bussinger is in his tenth-year teaching... Read More →
Wednesday May 28, 2025 10:00am - 11:30am CDT
Library
  Secondary

12:30pm CDT

Are We Text Rich? LIMITED
Wednesday May 28, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 1319
Today’s students often have difficulty reading complex text independently for any sustained period of time. Participants in this session will learn the importance of students’ need for repeated access to rigorous text throughout the day. Come learn about some of the key research behind complex text for all learners, in all subject areas. Time will be provided for educators to consider their own curriculum and plan for adding complex text to their year.
This session is followed by another session, Exploring Complex Text 1.0+, offered on Thursday at 8:00am.
Speakers
AE

Andrea Eby

Instructional Coach, Olathe Public Schools
JW

Justin Williams

Instructional Coach, Olathe Public Schools
Wednesday May 28, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 1319
  Secondary

12:30pm CDT

Reading Between the Lines: Cross-Content Annotations and Evidence-Based Inferences LIMITED
Wednesday May 28, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 1221
In this interactive learning session, participants will explore effective strategies for using annotations to unlock deeper understanding across multiple content areas. Through engaging, subject-blending texts — from science articles to historical documents and literary excerpts — learners will practice marking key details, posing questions, and making connections directly in the margins. Building on these annotations, participants will then dive into inferencing, learning to draw insightful conclusions supported by textual evidence. 
Speakers
BB

Brittney Butler

8th grade Science Teacher, Mission Trail Middle School
This is my 4th year teaching in Olathe. I am currently teaching 8th grade science at Mission Trail Middle School
Wednesday May 28, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 1221
  Secondary

12:30pm CDT

Reading in the Content Area LIMITED
Wednesday May 28, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 1309
Let's break down how you can confidently support students in reading to learn and learning to read no matter your content. This session will include a model lesson, working through a litany of strategies you can combine or use as one-off activities. Teachers will create a lesson and notes to refer back to during the up-coming school year. 
Speakers
EC

Emily Carrico Ahart

English 9, Reading 9-12, MTSS Reading Lead Interventionist, Olathe West High School
Lead the reading MTSS team from 2021-present, training new members, managing and analyzing data, creating supplemental fluency materials, and communicating with the team, students, families, and the wider school community to develop ownership and investment in the MTSS process at... Read More →
Wednesday May 28, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 1309
  Secondary

2:30pm CDT

Reading Between the Lines: Cross-Content Annotations and Evidence-Based Inferences LIMITED
Wednesday May 28, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 1221
In this interactive learning session, participants will explore effective strategies for using annotations to unlock deeper understanding across multiple content areas. Through engaging, subject-blending texts — from science articles to historical documents and literary excerpts — learners will practice marking key details, posing questions, and making connections directly in the margins. Building on these annotations, participants will then dive into inferencing, learning to draw insightful conclusions supported by textual evidence. 
Speakers
BB

Brittney Butler

8th grade Science Teacher, Mission Trail Middle School
This is my 4th year teaching in Olathe. I am currently teaching 8th grade science at Mission Trail Middle School
Wednesday May 28, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 1221
  Secondary

2:30pm CDT

Reading in the Content Area LIMITED
Wednesday May 28, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 1309
Let's break down how you can confidently support students in reading to learn and learning to read no matter your content. This session will include a model lesson, working through a litany of strategies you can combine or use as one-off activities. Teachers will create a lesson and notes to refer back to during the up-coming school year. 
Speakers
EC

Emily Carrico Ahart

English 9, Reading 9-12, MTSS Reading Lead Interventionist, Olathe West High School
Lead the reading MTSS team from 2021-present, training new members, managing and analyzing data, creating supplemental fluency materials, and communicating with the team, students, families, and the wider school community to develop ownership and investment in the MTSS process at... Read More →
Wednesday May 28, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 1309
  Secondary
 
Thursday, May 29
 

8:00am CDT

Client-Centered Projects: Creating Opportunities LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am CDT
Room 1312
Discover how to integrate client-centered projects into your classroom. These projects foster real-world learning and fulfill a post-secondary asset (PSA) graduation requirement. This session will equip you with resources, ready-to-use templates, and project examples to help you successfully implement in your classroom next year.
Speakers
avatar for Emily Schmidt

Emily Schmidt

Career Pathway Facilitator, Olathe Public Schools
Career Pathway Facilitator with Olathe Public Schools
Thursday May 29, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am CDT
Room 1312
  Secondary

8:00am CDT

Exploring Text Complexity 1.0+ LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am CDT
Room 1319
So now you know our students need more complex texts, but you don’t know where to start? This session will take the session Are We Text Rich? To the next steps. We will discuss the different aspects of what makes a text complex. Participants will learn the three components to text complexity, how to use text complexity rubrics, and how to plan from that analysis.
Speakers
AE

Andrea Eby

Instructional Coach, Olathe Public Schools
JW

Justin Williams

Instructional Coach, Olathe Public Schools
Thursday May 29, 2025 8:00am - 9:30am CDT
Room 1319
  Secondary

10:00am CDT

Upgrading Your Secondary Technology Toolkit: Latest and Greatest District Technology Updates LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:30am CDT
Room 1208
Explore new and updated district technology tools available to you and your students. In this session we will take a look at the new and updated technology tools available to you this year:
  • Windows 11
  • Lightspeed updates
  • Canvas preview
  • Student Technology Website
Speakers
avatar for Spencer Mees

Spencer Mees

Classroom Technology Trainer, Olathe Public Schools
Spencer is the district Classroom Technology Trainer. She previously worked as a 4th grade teacher at Northview Elementary. She now works with all K-12 teachers in the district to utilize and implement instructional technologies.
Thursday May 29, 2025 10:00am - 11:30am CDT
Room 1208
  Secondary

12:30pm CDT

Reimagining Career Readiness: Olathe Public Schools' Career Pathways Rebranding and Innovation Campus Preview LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 1321
Join us for an in-depth look at Olathe Public Schools' comprehensive rebranding of its high school career readiness programs. This session will explore the unification of the 21st Century Academies, Olathe Advanced Technical Center (OATC) programs, and Comprehensive Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways under the cohesive "Career Pathways" model. Designed to align with high-demand industries, this model offers students personalized, hands-on learning experiences, industry-standard resources, and real-world partnerships to prepare them for post-secondary success.​
Attendees will also receive an exclusive preview of the forthcoming Olathe Public Schools Innovation Campus, set to open in Fall 2025. This state-of-the-art facility will house 6 of our current programs being relocated to this campus. Discover how the Innovation Campus will enhance the district's commitment to preparing students for their future careers through cutting-edge programs and facilities.​
Whether you're an educator, counselor, or administrator, this session offers valuable insights into the district's strategic approach to career readiness and the exciting developments on the horizon.
Speakers
BG

Barbra Gonzales

Career and Technical Education Coordinator, Olathe Public Schools
DK

Doug Kapeller

Director of Innovation and Career Pathways Programming, Olathe Public Schools
Thursday May 29, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm CDT
Room 1321
  Secondary

2:30pm CDT

Client-Centered Projects: Creating Opportunities LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 1312
Discover how to integrate client-centered projects into your classroom. These projects foster real-world learning and fulfill a post-secondary asset (PSA) graduation requirement. This session will equip you with resources, ready-to-use templates, and project examples to help you successfully implement in your classroom next year.
Speakers
avatar for Emily Schmidt

Emily Schmidt

Career Pathway Facilitator, Olathe Public Schools
Career Pathway Facilitator with Olathe Public Schools
Thursday May 29, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 1312
  Secondary

2:30pm CDT

Cognitive Climb: Assessing Rigor Without Losing Engagement LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 1320
Rigor isn't about giving more work—it’s about creating meaningful challenges that push students to think deeply and grow. In this session, we’ll break down what academic rigor really means and explore how to evaluate it in everyday classroom practices. You’ll learn how to design and assess tasks that go beyond surface-level learning, align with standards, and keep students engaged. Walk away with tools you can use right away, including ways to adjust assignments for deeper thinking and tips for recognizing rigor in student work. Let’s make challenging learning both doable and rewarding—for you and your students.
Speakers
avatar for Kristen Potter

Kristen Potter

Instructional Coach, Olathe School District
Secondary Instructional Coach
avatar for Mindy Roberts

Mindy Roberts

Instructional Coach, Olathe School District
Secondary Instructional Coach
Thursday May 29, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 1320
  Secondary

2:30pm CDT

Reimagining Career Readiness: Olathe Public Schools' Career Pathways Rebranding and Innovation Campus Preview LIMITED
Thursday May 29, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 1321
Join us for an in-depth look at Olathe Public Schools' comprehensive rebranding of its high school career readiness programs. This session will explore the unification of the 21st Century Academies, Olathe Advanced Technical Center (OATC) programs, and Comprehensive Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways under the cohesive "Career Pathways" model. Designed to align with high-demand industries, this model offers students personalized, hands-on learning experiences, industry-standard resources, and real-world partnerships to prepare them for post-secondary success.​
Attendees will also receive an exclusive preview of the forthcoming Olathe Public Schools Innovation Campus, set to open in Fall 2025. This state-of-the-art facility will house 6 of our current programs being relocated to this campus. Discover how the Innovation Campus will enhance the district's commitment to preparing students for their future careers through cutting-edge programs and facilities.​
Whether you're an educator, counselor, or administrator, this session offers valuable insights into the district's strategic approach to career readiness and the exciting developments on the horizon.
Speakers
BG

Barbra Gonzales

Career and Technical Education Coordinator, Olathe Public Schools
DK

Doug Kapeller

Director of Innovation and Career Pathways Programming, Olathe Public Schools
Thursday May 29, 2025 2:30pm - 4:00pm CDT
Room 1321
  Secondary
 
Olathe Summer Conference 2025
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